Discovering Miracles

Affirmation: When I focus my attention on Jesus Christ, peace reigns in my whole being.

 “I will say it again: Rejoice! Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phillipians:4, 6-7 

In Maria Shriver’s weekly newsletter, “Sunday Paper” on November 7th, 2021, she took the opportunity of her birthday to reflect on her life-lessons. She entitled the edition, Let’s Light the Way. I read it several times. I sent it to my children and to several of my friends. I read it out loud to my hubby, Sandy. I then copied it and stored a copy of it in my Pages documents.

I guess you can figure out that I loved it; actually loved it. I found it meaningful, it filled my heart with all the good things I like to feel, hope, faith, joy, strength, gratitude and compassion, not just for myself but for humankind. One of the many wisdoms she shared was that she daily calls on “God, Mother Mary and her Guardian Angels for guidance.” I too ask for daily guidance from my Holy Family and always say “thank you” to my Guardian Angel for all the hard work she has had to do to keep me on God’s path or to get me back to it. 

 I haven’t written a blog in a long time. I keep getting muddled by my feelings around our “war on Covid.” I have met people who claim this virus has not had any effect on the way they live their lives. I believe, however, that they are the exception. It seems to me that most people, myself included are still struggling to find solid ground after having the rug pulled out from under us. I’m such a proponent of choosing our perception of our experiences but I think there are some events we need to fully experience, both the good and the hard, before we can view it from the sunny side. For me, this pandemic fits that category. 

 In speaking with a few dear friends about Covid, I have found myself sharing the blessings we’ve experienced but always adding an apology for sharing the upside of what we have found during this time, especially when we have had so many deaths and so much more suffering through this pandemic. Yes, there have been struggles for me too, loss even but I still find myself focusing on the blessings. 

 I have a young neighbor who is dealing with metastatic lung cancer. She’s been on this journey now for almost three years. Her husband provides us with updates and always includes a scripture quote with them. They are a very faith-filled family. Phillipians:4, 6-7 was one of the first ones they shared with us. It’s also one of the first I ever memorized. When I read it I knew that’s how I wanted to feel when I asked Jesus to help me or my loved ones and friends. I wanted to let go of the anxiety and feel “the peace that transcends all understanding.” One of the updates we received from our friend's husband was that she had recently shared with him that “this had been the best two years of her life.” She wanted him to tell us how meaningful it had been for her to be so cared for and about. 

 I’ve recently taken up a new prayer, “Merciful Father, in the name of our loving Jesus and our Holy Mother, all our angels and saints, I ask you to set me on fire with the spirit of your love and to give me the grace to deeply love you.” Truly, I don’t know if it’s my age and because I know my days before me are far less than my days past or if I’ve been given this gift of time to continue to work on my relationship with Christ, but lately there has been a shift and I am grateful. 

 I’ve carried my faith around in my head now for decades. I’ve prayed for years that it would overtake my heart. The examples of faith-filled friends and acquaintances have helped me with my intention, like that of my young neighbor. I know well the practice of “turning ‘it’ over to God” and I know that for me, I usually have to do that over and over and even then it may not happen. I still feel I need to be in control but what if, what if I could really and truly let go of my concerns and even in the middle of a dreadful diagnosis, think that because of my Lord and Savior I am still having the best time of my life? I want that. I crave that. The older I become, the more I feel I need that. 

 Because of this desire, my studies have become even more faith focused. I have always been a fan of good inspirational material and have for my whole adult life, focused on material that inspire and uplift. It’s still true but I am steadily choosing information that reaffirms my desire to believe my God is not a god of history and instead is a living God, here and now present in this world. I began reading, Miracles Today by Craig S. Keener.”

 It enthralled me. I knew extraordinary miracles (Is that an oxymoron?) happen in places like Lourdes and Fatima and even unofficial places like Medjugorje but I have never heard of the miracles reported and confirmed like the ones in this book. I have visited one church in Quebec, St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal where crutches line the entry but I thought that was ancient history. I now find out, miracles are happening daily and I don’t mean the miracles of the sun rising or the leaves turning color. I mean the type of miracles where the blind see, the deaf hear, the crippled and maimed, are made whole; mind boggling events! I needed to hear this news. I needed to know there was concrete evidence of Jesus’ continued presence in this world today. Yes, all the miracles in “Miracles Today” happen in the name of Jesus. Not everyone healed is a Christian or even a person of faith but everyone healed is healed because of prayers to Jesus Christ. I have never actually asked for healing for someone in Jesus’ name. I have prayed for so many for their well-being, for their health, for remission, strength, hope. I have, however, never asked for a miracle and I’m not sure my prayer would affect that change but I have decided to give it my best. “In the name of Jesus Christ, I ask that you be fully healed.” It’s a prayer I’ve taken into my heart. I know it may not happen but I do believe that Jesus is alive today and perhaps my heart-felt prayer may happen and even create another miracle that Craig Keener can add to his list in his book. Now, that would be an amazing way to see a serious challenge turn into a blessing.

Being Your Better Self

Affirmation: Every day I strive to be a “better” version of myself

“God loves me just as I am but He /She loves me too much to leave me there.” 

Quote from a fellow Spiritual Director

Covid 19 has taken its toll on 2020.  It’s like God has sent us to our knees.  I know He/She has sent me to mine.  My prayer list at the end of this year is longer than it has ever been before and several of those prayers revolve around people I know and love who are dealing with this scourge that has infected our whole earth.  I am, probably like many of you, trying to listen closely to the messages from the Divine that seem to be coming in even more clearly than previously.  This month’s message has been about being the best, or at least the better me possible.

Richard Rohr in his book, The Divine Dance, tells the story of sharing with his spiritual director that he would like to be more like Thomas Merton, the great spiritual guru of the 70’s. His wise director told him he should simply be Richard Rohr. He is an American author with over 50 books to this date, spiritual writer, and Franciscan friar based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. PBS has called him "one of the most popular spirituality authors and speakers in the world." (Wikipedia) It seems like the advice was well received.

Then in a conversation with my dear friends, we found ourselves looking at our past and  comparing our accomplishments to people we admire. Matthew Kelly, the founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute shares in his book, Perfectly Yourself, that his favorite painter is Pablo Picasso.  He shares that when Pablo was younger his mother told him, “Pablo if you become a soldier, you will be a general.  If you become a priest, you will be the Pope.” Pablo then shares, “I became a painter and I became Pablo Picasso.”   Matthew also reminds us that no matter what society tells us about becoming whatever we desire, each of us has been called by God for a very specific reason.  We are here for a purpose.  We aren’t here to be all things to all people.  We are here to be the best version of ourselves we can possibly be or at least the better version of ourselves.
 

I must confess to believing that if I persevere in some endeavor I will eventually accomplish whatever it is I’m trying to master and that I now know that is not true.  I am not someone who regrets not trying to learn or do something of interest and over these many years, I have watched myself become the master of mediocrity at many many different skills.  I won’t bother to list them all here but trust me, there are many.  It’s not like I don’t try and it’s not like I have not invested a lot of time and energy truly believing that if I just hang in there, someday something magical will happen and I will be proficient at my desired talent.  That’s not to say I haven’t enjoyed the learning process or the amazing people and perhaps places I have met and visited along the way.  I have had many wonderful adventures in the pursuit of my different interests but I must confess, I simply did not have the God given talent to become a “good” fiddler, golfer, foreign linguistic, etc.  I think Matthew is right.  Some of us are simply suited to some things, designed for specific gifts, than for other.  The challenge is discovering those gifts, those gifts that God has bestowed on us to benefit this world.  Have you discovered yours?  What a wonder to be young and find that “something” and hone that talent.  I envy those people but “better late than never.”

The book I am presently reading is Julia Cameron’s, It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again.  Her first book, The Artist’s Way, changed my life as I know it did many others.  I discovered with the help of some of my dearest friends the gift of creating positive affirmations and of looking for and recognizing synchronicities or as she sometimes calls them, “ah ha moments.”  When I began writing morning pages 30 years ago, I discovered something that fed my soul.That quiet time of sitting and writing has helped me develop the discipline to begin every day with prayer, meditation, Bible study and journaling.  Within the journaling, I have left my petty concerns and discovered my passions and the joy of this blessed life.  

There are times when I wonder if I’m being selfish by taking that sacred time in the morning but then, Elizabeth Fenske presented in her December writings her concept of Unity and Oneness in her daily meditation book, Spiritual Insights for Daily Living and everything fell into place, at least for 2020.  She writes, “We forget that what we do about the inner self we also do about the world.  No thing is separate from any other thing in the universe.  The auric fields, often invisible to our eyes, are all woven together. With everything which happens, we can “feel” ourselves moving toward a deeper sense of the awareness.  Often in the stillness we intuitively feel and know the interconnectedness and oneness we share related back to a common ancestry.  We are the essence of life, cousin to the star and tigress.”  This for me was an “ah ha moment.”  My dear departed guide, Valerie Kelly, often reminded me that everything we do, everything we say and think, affects every other person in the world.  What a responsibly!!!  If I can maintain an attitude of kindness, compassion and generosity within me and for me, I can send those qualities out into this weary exhausted world and to everyone within it.  My prayer time is not simply time for me, it’s time for you.  The waves of grace and ease, gratitude and compassion, joy and dignity, hope and trust flow out of me and my connection to my Divine family, to my Lord and Savior and blanket all those who have tuned into the same frequency as I and perhaps to those who are simply turning the dial looking for the best station to the guidance about becoming the best version they can be.    

@Home October Retreat

                                You’re Invited!                                

                                Triangle@Home Monthly Morning Retreat  

October 17th, 2020 9:00-10:00am

*Prepare your space: Find an area where hopefully you will not be disturbed for your quiet time.  Perhaps you want a blanket for yourself (or a teddy bear?). 

*Gather your supplies: Timer, note paper and/or journal, pen.  You may want to bring in one or two inspirational books.

*Create an “altar”: Put a few meaningful items out, include a 

candle.

*Opening Song - Come Holy Ghost or one of your choice.

         (This is a link in case you want to listen to it & sing along) https://youtu.be/V_AKDFsvrPg

****(There is an Ad at the beginning of this link.  I apologize.  I don’t know how to copy the link and not have the ad show up.  Please skip it as soon as you can.)                       

Lyrics: 

Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, And in our hearts take up Thy rest;

Come with thy grace and heav'nly aid to fill our hearts which thou hast made,

To fill our hearts which Thou has made.

O Comforter, to thee we cry, Thou heav'nly gift of God most high;

Thou fount of life, and fire of love, And sweet anointing from above,

And sweet anointing from above.

Chorus:

Be not afraid, where you go there I am with you. (2x)

O Holy Ghost, through thee alone, Know we the Father and the Son;

Be this our firm unchanging creed, That thou dost from them both proceed,

That thou dost from them both proceed.

Praise we the Lord, Father and Son, And Holy Spirit with them one;

And may the Son on us bestow all gifts that from the Spirit flow,

All gifts that from the Spirit flow.

Chorus:

Be not afraid, where you go there I am with you. (2x)

*Opening Prayers - The Sign of the Cross/Our Father/Hail Mary/Glory Be or your choice.

*Intention:  This is a reflective, healing time and we ask that it be filled with the love of the Holy Spirit, the care of Mother Mary and the guidance of all our guardian angels.  We are here to learn from one another and to support each other on our journey towards a closer, more intimate relationship with Our Lord.

*Write out a prayer request or a few and add them to your “altar.”

*Reflection - The world is still dealing with the Corona Virus.  Nothing much has changed since March except Covid fatigue has now arrived.  We are faced with daily decisions based on little information about how to take care of ourselves and our families and many are finding it to be very daunting.  How are you doing?  How have you continued to stay connected to God, the Divine, Our Lord?  What has come into your heart and your life during this time of chaos and uncertainty, peace, hope, fear, compassion maybe even gratitude? 

Using your journal write about any insights. (10-15 min.)

Gospel

LK 12:8-12

Jesus said to his disciples: 

 “I tell you,

everyone who acknowledges me before others

the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.

But whoever denies me before others

will be denied before the angels of God.

“Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,

but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit

will not be forgiven.

When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities,

do not worry about how or what your defense will be

or about what you are to say. 

For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.”      

        

*Journaling Time - What did you hear God sharing with you?  What do you want to share with God? (10-15 minutes)

*Centering Prayer - 10 to 20 (recommended) minutes of silent time (you decide.)

*Centering Prayer - Guidelines 

1. Sit comfortably.
2. Choose a sacred word on which to focus.
3. Set a timer.
4. Don’t judge, just observe.
5. The phrase that often precedes Centering Prayer is:  I let go of security, affection & control and fully accept this moment exactly as it is.  (Optional)
6. Take a few breaths at the end to return to the present moment and to reflect on the experience.

*Make it Your Own:

Perhaps you have an inspirational book you have been meaning to investigate but you just haven’t had the opportunity.  Now is the time.  If you have some time left before the end of the hour open it and see what other messages the Holy is sending to you.  

You could also use this time to say the Rosary.  Saturday in the Catholic Church is set aside as “Mary’s Day” and the reflection is on the Joyful Mysteries.  

*Closing Prayer - 

Dear God,

Speak gently in my silence.

When the loud outer noises of my surroundings and the loud   inner noises of my fears keep pulling me away from you,

help me to trust that you are still there even when I am unable to   hear you.

Give me ears to listen to your small, soft voice saying: “Come to me, you who are overburdened,

and I will give you rest...

for I am gentle and humble of heart.”

Let that loving voice be my guide. 

Amen

Excerpt from With Open Hands by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ave maria press, 2006

       “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

*Sharing a Word Exercise - choose a word from your reading or your quiet time (your sacred word?) and share it on an email to me.  Feel free to share any other thoughts or insights you have gained from this sacred time.  I will send out an email with everyone’s response around Noon today.  

Thank you. 

Jean Costa, MSW, RYT

Certified Spiritual Director 

JeanAnneCosta@gmail.com

Embracing Lent

Affirmation: Lent is a time dedicated to strengthening my faith. 

Today, February 14th, is not only Valentines Day it’s Ash Wednesday.  For Catholics it marks the beginning of one of the holiest seasons of the church year.  Practicing Catholics go to Mass or at least to a Lenten service and have a thumbprint of ashes smeared on their forehead.  The words accompanying the ritual are "Remember that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return." (Genesis 3:19) The ashes normally come from the palms that were blessed for the previous Easter season.  At my church, St. Michael the Archangel, here in Cary, NC, the practice includes sprinkling holy water into the dishes holding the ashes.  That makes them pastier and then the priest or the minister can really smear them on.  I don't remember them being so black and pronounced when I was a child.  We are then encouraged not to rub or wash them off until we would normally cleanse our faces.  I found myself eating lunch today at a local cafe and was charmed by the number of Catholics who proudly proclaimed their faith that day.  Let's face it, it's hard to miss a big black smudge on someone's forehead and it's the perfect opportunity to share your faith without saying a word. 

I live in the Bible Belt which I understand to mean we have a lot of practicing Christians in this area, many of whom are evangelical.  They have a mission to convert the world, the whole world to Christianity.  This is not the place to live if you are wishy-washy about your faith, unless you're living in Chapel Hill.  (That's a little hint for anyone reading this who is thinking of moving to our beautiful state.) I've lived in the Bible Belt now since 1976.  First, I was in Cincinnati, Ohio for ten years and now, I'm here.  How is that different from other parts of the United States?  If you look at one of USA Today's graphs, you will see that the south-east and mid-west areas are shaded darker when the shading represents the number of people calling themselves Christians.  As the map expands to the west, California, Oregon etc., the shading becomes lighter and lighter.  My experience with this part of the world has been wonderful.  I have noticed that the people here who are working to be faith filled are kind, caring and compassionate.  I don't think one need be religious or perhaps even spiritual to have those qualities but when your faith is an integral part of your life, I believe you are enjoined to raise yourself up to a higher level of responsibility to lead a more exemplary life. 

I know all about the hypocrites, those who show up at services all holy and righteous only to lead small, mean lives.  My experience has not led me to be surrounded by that type of practitioner.  My experience, especially that of living here in NC, has been one of support and kindness and compassion from the people who are actively participating in their faith.  Perhaps, I've just been lucky because even some of my friends who don't belong to an established religion are loving and compassionate. Could it be, however, that the God energy of this area has permeated more souls than elsewhere?  It's a nice thought.  It brings me comfort and hope.  Maybe mindfulness in itself encourages people to live lives of caring and service.  Supposedly there was a study done many years ago that showed when a Transcendental Meditation seminar was being held, that section of the country had less crime.   

Lent is my favorite time of the year. My part of the world is gray and wet and soft right now but I know that in just a few weeks everything will be in full bloom, the Dogwoods, Azaleas, and Daffodils to name a few will come forth and brighten and color our entire area.  It goes from dreary to delightful.  It's slow and deliberate and if you pay close attention, you can see the metamorphosis taking place.  That's what I like to imagine is happening to my inner life too.  Lent offers me the opportunity to grow and blossom, to go from dreary to colorful.  It's up to me how I use the time.  For me, it's a more deliberate time, an opportunity to be even more mindful, than any other time of the year.  I always hope the changes I'm making stay with me, as I move into the rest of the year, and hopefully some of my Lenten practices do just that and that's exactly the reason we are called upon to set aside this time to develop more self-discipline and to be of greater service.  We are called to pray more, give alms and to practice acts of denial.  We are called to be more mindful, more intentional about our lives.  It's a practice we could use every day not just during Lent but with Lent comes the deliberate intention to grow our inner lives, to make us and our world kinder, gentler and more compassionate. 

The main question at Lent is, "What are you giving up for Lent?"  I know I could give up wine or chocolate or some such food item and have the added benefit of reducing my waistline. In 2014, however, I chose a more difficult practice. I decided to give up doubt and now, in 2018,  I confess I still have "work" to do.  I must say, I feel I am now stronger in my faith than in the past but for me, it seems to be the work of a lifetime. When Oprah interviewed the famed televangelist, Joel Osteen, she asked him if he had ever doubted his belief in Jesus Christ.  He emphatically answered, "No."  I am still not a Joel Osteen.  I am more of a Thomas.  After all these many years of practicing my faith I still have my doubts.  Let's face it, it's quite a story! That however, is not how I want to live my faith, the promises are too great.  I want to believe with all my heart that Jesus Christ is God incarnate and that I can have a personal relationship with Him that will enhance my life and lead me to a place where I reach out to others with pure love.  I want to believe that with Him, not only will I and my loved ones have eternal rest and peace, but that this life will be a more rewarding experience.  I haven't yet had any direct messages from the spirit world that would allay my doubts but I don't care.  This is how I want to live my life and for me it seems to require practice and Lent, my favorite time of the year, offers me that perfect opportunity.  "Loving Father, help me to better know and love Your Son.  Amen."

Throwing Away the Trash

Affirmation: I freely forgive myself and others.

The topic of the NPR story was about the abolition of the death penalty. What type of response do you have to the phrase "death penalty?" You must have given it some thought. The Old Testament promotes, "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot." (Exodus 21:24) Then, Jesus came along and promoted a whole new concept, forgiveness. Even at the end when He had been unjustly toured and crucified He prayed for His executioners, for all of us, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:24)

I think of this quote often. Someone once commented to me that He did not say, "Father, I forgive them for they know not what they do" or even "Father, I forgive them even if they know what they are doing." I'm sure there are many biblical scholars who have dissected these last words of Christ that are much more qualified to fully explain all the implications of His petition; I am not one of them. I am simply trying to absorb the lesson that even after Our Lord was put to death because some people did not approve of Him healing the sick, raising the dead, and protecting and promoting the care of those who most needed love and care; He refused to hold onto the burning coal of hatred. In His final moments He was teaching us His greatest lesson.

As I drove along that day the story being discussed on the radio was about the death penalty in China and the tradition that allows a family member of the victim to actively participate in the execution of the offender by removing the support from under the person who is to be hung. The narrator told of a young man who had been stabbed to death by another young man and the mother of the victim had chosen to perform the execution. She approached the condemned, reached up and slapped him and then reached out and helped him down from his perch. She then went over and took the hand of the mother of the condemned man. The story resonated throughout China and now it was being shared with the rest of the world. Because of her action, the Chinese authorities were reconsidering their tradition. Because of her act of forgiveness, some of the world's conscience was being awakened.

Why do most of us find it so difficult to forgive, me included? I am not normally angry. I'll get hurt before I respond with anger. Perhaps that's just another form of anger. Sometimes, however, I'm angry at institutions, authorities or systems. Sometimes I'm angry with individuals. I can be angry with strangers, friends and worst of all, with people I love. Some small injurious word or behavior and I can feel the resentment building. Most of the time just when I think I'm "over" something that has happened, I don't even realize I haven't let go of the perceived injury or intentional slight or harm but then some reminder comes along and I'm back with my sad response. I can recall events from decades ago that still cause my body to tighten up but most times I don't even recognize the emotion. Sometimes when the anger arrives the feeling puzzles me because it is so rare for me to respond in an angry manner. The point is, however, whether or not anger or hurt feelings come quickly or slowly, responding appropriately and then releasing it is not only to your benefit, but to the world's.

The question that sometimes comes to my mind is, "What do I know to be true; what do I believe absolutely with all of my mind and my heart?" "The only important thing in life is to love and to forgive." This is a quote from a wise older woman who was from my Small Christian Community. I believe with all my mind, body and soul that the above statement is absolutely true. Richard Rohr, one of my favorite spiritual teachers explains the Beatitudes in this way, "Jesus seems to be saying, our inner attitudes and states are the real sources of our problems. How we live in our hearts is our real truth." When I can carry only love in my heart and my body and when I can release myself from any resentment, my life is rich and rewarding and peaceful. My life is then filled with hope and joy and I am able to take those emotions, those qualities with me out into the world.

One of my morning meditations took me into a subway station. What am I doing here, I pondered? On the station were 6 briefcases evenly spaced along the edge. The train came and five people picked up a case and boarded. I went over to the sixth case and looked down. It had my name on it and so I opened it. It was filled with trash. It was filled with the resentments of yesterday, perhaps of my whole life? I carried it up out of the subway, found a trash can and threw it away. Perhaps like most of the garbage in my life, I need to gather those resentments up periodically and toss them out. Perhaps with practice, I can throw away all those resentments and other junk that interfere with the love and joy with which I want my life to be surrounded.

The Chinese woman in the story was changing the world because of her ability to forgive. I believe we are called upon to do the same and that with the softening of our hearts; we too will change the world.

Legions of Angels

Affirmation:  I believe I am surrounded and supported by Christ and His legions of Angels and spiritual guides. I am empowered and feel nurtured when I stop and recognize their presence. 

When I first listened to Belleruth Naparstek's CD, Guided Mediation to Help with Chemotherapy I was greatly comforted by her description of spiritual beings who came to assist me with my healing, "some of which look familiar."  As I listened I clearly envisioned the presence of several ethereal beings and yes, one looked very familiar.  He was my father, Francis Grolimund, long deceased but whose memory and presence always seems to be lingering about me.  I've listened to and played that recording dozens of times.  I love to end a yoga session with it.  It's full of hope and tools to encourage healing.

I've been dealing with a chronic ache the last year and a half and found myself feeling weak and discouraged.  I'd done all within my power to help my body heal, much of which revolved around alternative healing.  I did go the western medicine route also but that too did not present an answer. 

When I journal I'm usually writing a stream of consciousness.  I do always try to focus on three joys from the day before and list one for the day to come but otherwise it's just my form of rambling and dumping.  It's a gift I give myself.  I love the practice.  One day, however, I remembered my friend's approach to her morning ritual.  Joan Junginger often talks about her "coffee with Jesus."  Periodically I've tried writing to God or the Angels.  It never seemed to resolve anything but I was becoming quite desperate and decided this one morning to give it another try and to write that letter to Jesus and see if anything new appeared. 

When Joan, cofounder of The Heart's Journey, leads retreats which she recently did for a large group of women at St. Michael the Archangel and which I had attended, she normally encourages the participants to write such a letter and then she instructs them to write a letter to themselves from Jesus.  I heard some remarkable stories from a few of the women who had been doing this exercise for a several years.  I'm sure that's why the journaling on this one morning was taking on a new twist. 

As I wrote out my concerns to the Lord I found a name appearing on the page that I hadn't thought about in a very long time.  This woman, Suzanne Egan, is a massage therapist and a health and wellness coach.  She's lived and worked in my area for many years and is very knowledgeable about the different physicians and practices.  I had struggled with a hip issue for many years when I first showed up at her practice and with her guidance I was led to Sangini Rane of Apex PT, who specializes in Postural Restoration Therapy and who guided me to a pain free hip.  After my journaling was done I immediately contacted Suzanne.  Luckily she was still at the same number.  She responded right away and had several suggestions for my latest challenge that I had not fully investigated.  Even better was the fact that she had a couple of clients who had dealt successfully with the same issue.  She contacted them and got their referrals and then made a few more recommendations of her own.  I know you've had this experience too.  I was being given the gift of hope. 

Then too as I wrote I began to value all the years and hours I had put into my prayer life.  I don't always take credit for the fact that I've been practicing my faith for my whole life and I've been especially fervent for the last 40 plus years.  Each morning I invite all my Angels and especially my guardian Angel, Saranna, and my guides to join me.  It's the prayer I say when I wake and

as I begin my journaling.  It's on the last page of my book, Creating Positive Affirmations,Living an Intentional Life.  

Lord, be united with me this day and always.  I invite You and all those who nurture and guide me, seen and unseen to aid me in bringing glory and honor and praise to this gift of life You have so generously given me.

This particular morning I found myself picturing those spiritual beings manifesting themselves around me but it felt different.  For the first time I felt the presence of a legion of beings, not just the few I'd always called upon.  I felt like a curtain had been raised.  I hadn't been able to see everyone who answered my call until that day.  I had been limiting God's response.  I was shocked to realize my small mindedness.  I've always known we get to choose whether to go to God in prayer with a thimble, a bucket or a pipeline but I hadn't let the knowledge go from my head into my heart and this day, for the first time, it weaved it's way right down into the center of my being.  

I created a new affirmation to cement the concept and have been saying it and writing it every day since then.  

I believe I am surrounded and supported by Christ and His legions of Angels and spiritual guides. I am empowered and feel nurtured when I stop and recognize their presence.  

I've even had visions of those animated armies you see in some of the sci-fi films.  The ones where the beings cover the entire landscape and keep coming over the hills and ridges.  I know it sounds extreme, maybe a little (?) crazy but just like all my affirmations, it brings me a sense of calm and even power, which I had misplaced while dealing with this issue. 

I've followed Suzanne's recommendations and I'm saying my affirmation daily to tap into the Divine army available to my loved ones and me. I can't tell you at this time if I'm cured but something very deep within me has shifted and I am not carrying around that initial sense of weakness and powerlessness any longer.  I've been here before with other physical challenges especially with my hip and many years ago with breast cancer and I must say this is a good place.  My heart and my head are finally united and I'm in a place of hope and positive expectation.

I share this with you in case you too have been going to God with just a small container, not attaching the pipeline that is right there in front of you.  Perhaps, you too will begin to envision a legion of spiritual beings surrounding you and protecting you and giving you the support with whatever you're dealing so that you too will experience hope and peace and feel strong and powerful. 

"May the power of angels come to greet you may they lead you to paradise," both here and in the hereafter.