The Lord gives and the Lord takes away ; blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21b).
Last weekend was a Lord gives time, as we were flooded with gifts. It was hilarious. There were baby showers with lovely ladies and a truckload of groceries and household items from anonymous angels.
Adah Marie is definitely the best-dressed member of the family now (Sorry, Ken.) ~ so many super clothes for her! And special extras like a pretty pink walker, a cute carrier pouch, and a green-eyed rocking wooden moose (Although at this point, the kids argue over it all : I'm choosing her outfit ; it's my turn to ride the moose ; Joseph's stuck in the walker again . . . ). I was surrounded by friends and tea and laughter and snacks and babies.
The pickup truck of goods was a gigantic surprise, turning my table into a towering Christmas tree of groceries and supplies. Were these saints wise to our calamitous car problems and chose to bless us? Did the Holy Spirit whisper our name? Do you know how hilarious it is to have frivolities (for us) like fabric softener, boxed tissues, sausage, and goldfish crackers?
Sometimes, people who have heard No from God have a more difficult time saying thank you to Him when there's a Yes. We tend to say (or think) things like, Don't be hyper-spiritual ; this isn't from God, it's from whomever. But people are the hands of God. That's what the Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ, is all about ~ called to do good works (2Timothy 3:17 and Philippians 2: 3-4). It's tangled up together. Just as the earth is a living organism, so is the Church. Now to these known and unknown loves :
Thanks to you!
Thanks to God!
Thanks for being our brothers and sisters in Christ!
Thanks for goldfish crackers and tissues and pink stuff!
We are learning. We are thoughtful. We are flustered. We are grateful.
It is hilarious!
Boisterously merry,
Allison
I am so glad you have just been so blessed! Just read your post about the pain of not having real community through parish life. I think all Catholics, convert or not have experienced this to varying degrees. We are very blessed to be part of a vibrant group of friends through our parish Rosary group and another parish that is very devout and active close by w/ lots of homeschoolers (which we are). I will pray for you, but I truly wish I could knock on your door
ReplyDeleteand make you my super Catholic friend! But alas, I live in
Mich. w/my hubby and 6 kids. You have reminded me that it
is important to reach out constantly, even when I'm feeling
like I'm the one that needs the support. God bless you!
Hi Jen! You know what else I realized? It's actually been several weeks, and last weekend was a culmination. And that these friends are from all over the place, not just *my parish*. So there, Myself. Blessings abound!
Delete(Do you still have snow in Michigan?)
We have had very little snow this year, after several years of abundant snow (my kids were sad). It's actually been in the 70's for several days. Crazy for Mich. at this time of year. I will keep you in prayer!
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