blessings along the way

Some people do not seem to believe that the evil one is alive in the world. I can assure them he is and that he is quite vicious in his attacks. HOWEVER, our dear Lord is way more powerful. If we stay close to Him, we will live in peace and harmony and in His presence forever. He promised this to us.

Yesterday, the evil one attacked me with lies. He told me that the people (volunteers and staff) at the center must not have believed me when I told them how I'd been fired since most had chosen to stay on. Obviously, they weren't very loyal to you, he said. I recognized immediately from where these thoughts were coming.

It's not true they didn't believe me. They have never known me to lie. (If anything I'm too candid.) Judging from the prayers, phone calls, cards and emails, it's not true they aren't loyal to me. And, I had encouraged them to stay on because the work is far more important than I.

"In the name of Jesus, I demand you to be gone from here." Someone once told me that I should say that when being attacked. I did yesterday. Then, I said a rosary, asking for divine help. And, then, I took a nap. I wanted to take a 20 minute nap but it ended up being 2 and a half hours! I awoke refreshed and at peace. I had needed the rest.

When these things happen to me, I take solace in the thought that I must be going in the right direction if the evil one works so hard to bring me down. Not only that, but I feel God's presence so strongly, it feels like He's right here with me in a very physical way. I also know without any doubt that St. Michael and all the angels come to my immediate rescue.

+ + + + +

I was very blessed on Monday to have spent a couple hours with Franciscan Brother of Peace Maximilian in the friary. We were working on a mailing. It gave me an opportunity to visit with Brother Max. We are both from Duluth, doncha know! And, my sisters knew his grandmother because they were all organists at my childhood parish. (I don't remember meeting her but I think I must have.) It was fun to learn some more about his life. As we worked, several of the other Brothers wandered in and out and Brother Paul had his Irish music playing in the background, both of which I loved! Being in the presence of this community always brings me joy and Irish music is in my blood!

When we were finished with our task, Brother Max invited me to stay and pray a while in Brother Michael's chapel. Brother Max told me that it had been Brother Michael's bedroom all during his infirmity. (For more on Brother Michael, please see http://www.brothersofpeace.org/our-history/our-founder.html) The chapel holds the Blessed Sacrament and has one chair and one kneeler. There are plants and flowers and icons. The monstrance in which Jesus rests is very beautiful. The peace I found there was a peace I've never known. I asked Brother Michael to be with me during this painful (yes, it is!) time. And, I thanked God for allowing me this time of respite in such a lovely place.

Blessings. All we need to do is look around and we will see them, over and over again. As I've said before, we are loved by a truly gracious God!