Seeing God's signs

This was in the Magnificat today:

Seeing God's Signs by Jessica Powers (+1988) who was a Carmelite nun, Sister Miriam of the Holy Spirit

"Sometimes lovely things that are lost. Beautiful things God scatters everywhere. As Walt Whitman said (in other words), that God is tossing down love letters in the street and everywhere, if only we would watch out for them. I think I have come to see that even the contradictions and the crosses of life are his "love letters".

I've begun to look for them [God's love letters] with a certain joy -- signs that tell me that Jesus is near. The unexpected delay, the negative response, the inopportune caller, the gimmick that won't work, the nice food that got overcooked, the lack of something needed, the ballpoint pen that smudges, the mistake one can't undo - the list is endless. Not (I hope) that I concentrate on the unpleasant things but that they are little signs that I share in the life of Jesus."

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I understand what the author is saying here. There are so many signs of God's "love letters" everywhere! Not only that, but I believe we are called to live each moment "in the moment" and not look beyond what is in front of us right now. When I do this, I seem to keep out of a whole lot of worry about the future and I find joy in each thing that happens.

The other day, after I played for a funeral, I was given a check that was 50% more than my fee. How did they know I needed that money? Yesterday and today have been positively balmy, sunny days, a blessing after all the freezing temps we've had for weeks on end. Over the weekend, I had the privilege to talk to a grandmother and a mother of children who might not have been born but are now 10 and 12. I counseled them and saw them through the pregnancies and beyond. We became close friends and these friendships have lasted all these years. Too, when I was feeling low the other day, as I was wrestling with my feelings, I knew that God was there with me, helping me to see past the hurt to a new beginning in my life. I figured out I love the less hectic pace of my life at this time. It allows me time to breathe! All these things are great blessings, borne out of less than what I'd consider ideal situations.

Maybe what the author was telling us to do is look at everything as a blessing from God. That's what I'm trying to do, anyway. If I find myself suffering, I look at it as an opportunity to help our Lord carry His cross and offer it up for some good. This is a blessing! If I find myself on the recipient end of awesome kindness, I rejoice and praise God for all He does for me (and for the person who was the go-between!). No matter what happens, the presence of God in my life makes all the difference to me.

I've been working on taking to heart what the bishop told me about this whole idea. I try very hard to listen to what God wants of me and then I try to do it the best I can. Sometimes I make mistakes. Sometimes I do a good job of it. The bottom line is that He loves me no matter what and, when I beg His forgiveness, He seems always ready to show mercy on me. And, when I do what He wants of me, things seem to work out much better.

I have a peace that is a great gift to me. I know God is here. I know that all things are ordered for good to those who love Him. I love Him with my whole heart, my whole soul, my whole being. It is a blessing!