God is Here

I wrote something completely different last night, and when I read my message from TUT and today's Lenten poem I wrote in 2018, I kept hearing and seeing the underlying message that all of our adversities now will teach us, mold us, make us resilient, and help us see that God is behind all things.  In the face of adversity, it's become evident that humanity still has a lot of lessons to learn.

I like to read the story of St. Patrick on St. Patrick's Day.  He was about 15 or 16 living on the coast of Britain.  He was a shepherd who was captured and taken to Ireland as a slave.  He escaped and went back to his home.  The quick version is he wasn't a believer of God until being held captive as a slave, and upon returning to his household decided to go back to Ireland and teach and spread the word of God.  I love this written by St. Patrick:

"Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me."

--St. Patrick

The adversity St. Patrick endured taught him and made him want to teach and help others.

Mike Dooley sends inspirational and affirmative messages every morning.  This morning it was another message about what we can learn from difficult situations and what it will leave with us when it's over.  And it will be over, and we will be stronger.  Another reason I threw my other blog away!

“I’m everywhere, Pat…

In every home, sitting beside each child, and in the nervous heart of every adult, joyfully radiant.  Knowing this unfolding pandemic, like all crises, will ultimately awaken your spirit, rearrange your priorities, draw you together, and inspire everlasting compassion.

Life is beautiful.  It never ends.  Fear not.

Tallyho,

The Universe

P.S. This too shall pass, Pat and in its place, self-awareness like it’s never been known

I read the prayer that James Dillet Freeman wrote during WWII for soldiers and all people enduring the ravages of war, every morning.  He first wrote it for Silent Unity, a 24/7 prayer service to anyone (free).  It became known as the "Prayer of Protection." Here's an interesting tidbit on this prayer:

"The 'Prayer for Protection' is one of two Freeman poems carried to the moon by Apollo astronauts. In 1969, Edwin' Buzz' Aldrin took a copy with him on the first manned moon landing. In 1971, a microfilm copy of Freeman's poem, 'I Am There,' was left on the moon by Apollo XV astronaut James B. Irwin.".

I know we will all get through this, and although some will become ill and more may die, it will bring us back together in a way our earth, our humanity needs. We are all in this together, and nothing separates us during this time.  No wars, no race discrimination, no political divide, just humans facing and fighting the same adversary.  There is a very spiritual lesson in that alone. 

As a postscript:

After encouragement from sons and my doctor, I have self-isolated. I did this before in February, and for me, it’s not so bad.  I will miss my Corbin and my great grands, but we plan on Marco Polo and videos. 

“God’s peace is my peace.  God’s strength is my strength.  I am faith-filled and secure in God’s love.

Day 19

As I surrender to

The strength only God can provide.

I feel the sense of

Wonderous empowerment.

I no longer struggle.

I am-in Christ.