Crucifix willed to me from my Great Aunt Mary.

A wedding gift in the 1920's,

to her from Msgr. Keeley, her pastor of Saint Patrick's in Olyphant, Pa.

Thank God it is Friday!

This day for me seems to begin in the shadowed silhouette of a cross.

I arrive at this week's end with a weighted heart

for so many who are suffering,

through trials in health and challenges in life.

There is a mother friend of many children

who has been given the report of a questionable mammogram,

and faces a possible biopsy on Monday.

There is the young football player

who suffered a severe possible spinal cord injury last evening,

and a student who has cancer in my sons' school.

There are health issues in my own family

and trials in the lives of my children

that seem to have enhanced my garden priorities

to 'weed and feed'

in the ways of our Heavenly Family.

What is a mother to do?

In the early weeks of school,

I found myself bouncing out of bed by 5am.

There is much quiet, prayer time at such an hour,

when my husband departs early

and my children are too tired to stir.

In those early weeks, I found the grace, through prayer,

to teach my children 'to follow'

and to inspire them 'to lead'

in the ways of the Lord.

I have been faced with days this week of

less quiet time and more trial time.

One particular day this week,

I lamented that I hadn't been able to spend time with the Lord,

…just us two.

I seemed to spend my whole day searching for His gaze.

Suddenly, one of my sons, out of nowhere

came up to me and kissed me.

It was as if the Lord was showing me,

that He ...

finds me ...

through their love.

In all these mysteries in the Lord,

I take to heart the very advice I have been giving my children all week,

as they play with their friends across the street after school.

"Look both ways before crossing" has been my meditation,

as I seal every thought, trial, desire, and pray,

with the sign of His life, His Passion for love,

and His desire to make all things new.

By way of this Sign,

it is possible to rest in the light of His providence,

and to trust in the consolations of His mercy.

Sunday is just a promise away.

September 25, 2009

Sharon