Hope

The word 'Hope' is one of my very favorite words. I love to share too, that purple is the color of hope. Honestly, I don't know where I learned that but I adopted the idea long ago. Often I meet people who are searching for something special to fill them and I believe the virtue of 'Hope' is the answer. My favorite definition of the word - Hope is expecting something good to happen.

It's important that we remember that Christ died on the cross, paying a debt He didn't owe so that you and I could live and enjoy our life too the fullest now and in Eternity. We are His and He cares about every little detail concerning us, no matter how small. "Even the little cut on my finger?" you ask. Yes, even that.

My hope is that you really...REALLY believe that you are very precious to God. If you're going through a hard time, please have faith, you are NOT alone. He is with us and wants importantly to be our everything. Expect something good to happen.

Thank you Cindy, for the invite to share. I'm looking forward to reading what everyone shares. Thank you for stopping by. Happy Friday!

Holy Mass for the Woman at the Jail

Friday night, July 23rd was my first night to attend Holy Mass for the women at the Sedgwick County Jail. Mass for the women is celebrated the 2nd and 4th Friday night of each month. Recently I became a volunteer for the St. Dismas Ministry to the Incarcerated for Wichita Sedgwick County Jail. My plan is to participate on two Monday evening Bible studies and to attend Holy Mass for the Catholics at least one time each month.

On this particular night, there were only two other volunteers Fr. Kent and Joy. They shared the many details and evening routine. It was a beautiful Mass with six in attendance. There was quite a long list and we waited patiently for others to come. Friday evening is a popular visiting time and that could be the reason we had a small group. A deputy sat outside in the hall during the Mass.

It was pretty late in the day for me to pray my daily 'I love you Lord in the....", which is my personal prayer of thanksgiving to God everyday. It was a pretty good day, a full day and I worked every hard all week. As I sat in one of the back rows of the Chapel I instantly found the prayer in my heart and my prayer was - 'I love you Lord in the golden light reflecting from your beautiful sun set, falling on the outside of this building'. I watched it closely collecting it as the gift it really is. The horizontal windows were very narrow and long. Even broken, a person would not be able to escape. The Chapel was very calming, quiet and simple. I moved up closer to visit while we waited for others to come. One lady had her head bent down and I thought she was blocking the sun which was very bright. I moved my shadow over, to cast a shadow on her head and I said with a little smile "does this help?" She replied very softly "Actually, I want to feel the sun. We don't get out." Another beautiful lady beside her shared "I haven't been outside for over a year. I miss feeling the warm sunshine on my skin." The first lady said "This is the one of few rooms with windows." I couldn't say anything that would make any sense so I remained quiet and moved back a little, so that the sun light would fall on her again. Wow...I thought to myself how much I take nature for granted. Feeling  and sometimes hearing the wind...means EVERYTHING to me. The wind is a reminder to me of the Holy Spirit, we feel but can see only with eyes of faith. Another notable thing I saw was watching two women pray on the kneelers after Communion. Odd because the kneelers were in a very odd place, facing the wall (away from the Altar). I learned from them a lesson of humility. It is profound, that they would so readily get on their knees to pray, in an unusual direction. We all meet Jesus and He embraces us right where we are.

After we said our good bye, we volunteers made our way back to the gathering reception room where we began and I thanked both Father and Joy. What a blessing to be part of this ministry and I know I have so much to learn. With a long drive home ahead, I decided to stop at the ladies Rest Room and it was a mess! I don't know what inspired me but I took clean paper towels and picked up all the trash. Then...as I headed to the door and looked back, I said "OK Lord, I'll flush the toilet and pick up the tissue on the floor too". I heard it's a good thing to leave things better that you find them. My picking up was such a little bitty thing and NO I don't want kudos. I just shared to encourage you to make a little difference where God may lead you too. 

Honestly, I didn't think becoming a St. Dismas Volunteer would be to challenging. It's going to be for me! I'm a 'morning person' and this is a late evening ministry. I'm going to hang in there, try not to make any excused and 'offer up' the inconveniences that come along. Sacrifices are suppose to be hard.

Mom's table...very similar to the one pictured...

A table of all things! The evil one tried to trick me into falling for one of his traps a table. Unbelievable how cunning he is. He's all about destroying relationships and conflict. The good news is I didn't fall for his trap.

If we really want to be like Jesus, we must shake off offenses whether they are legitimate (within reason) or not. It really doesn't matter.

The story goes like this, someone gave me a table. I arranged to pick it up and get busy with the fantastic idea I had in mind that involved decorating with it. Oh, it was going to be so picturesque. I was so excited to say the least and it had sentimental value to me because it was my Mom's table.

The day I arranged to have it picked up and moved for me, I learn 2nd hand that the person changed their mind...decided he wanted to keep the table after all. My first reaction to be offended! I even raised my voice "How could he?" " He even knew I had a plan" and when he gave it to me, he was on the verge of selling it for $5 or $10 at a garage sale. My husband told me to calm down now. Honestly it took a long while and then after praying I realized how very unreasonable I was. Oh my, I have so many things! So many tables!!!

No, I wasn't going to allow 'a thing' ruin a relationship with a family member. Nothing...get it? NO THING in the world justifies that. A bit later...the same day, I walked into one of my favorite antique stores. Believe me, right there inside the door I entered, stood a table exactly (except in age) like the one that was given to me and taken back. Was God giving me a chance to replace it? No, I think He had something else in mind. The table was much much more aged and had ugly pale green paint pealing off all over it. Not only that...it wasn't solid. Um.... OK God, You are so right. Things of this world will pass away. Put your desire on Heavenly things. In my heart, I said "Yes Lord, Your servant is listening." "Thank you."

Are you wondering if I purchased the old table (pictured above) for $40 at one of my favorite antique stores? No. Honestly, I wouldn't have taken it home if it was given to me and these days I'm really N2 old things. The one big lesson I learned was..I got over it...by shaking off being offended. I will try my best not hold it against 'him' because I really came out ahead learning another (of many) valuable lessons.

If your wondering...did I take the photo that same day this transpired? No. I was shopping the next weekend and decided to take a photo if it was still there...and it was.