A typewriter. A manual typewriter on top of it. Circa 1970's. Now there's a 50 year vintage antique! 

If you've used one before, do you remember the various parts: paper rest, platen, carriage return, roller knob, ribbon, strikers? 

Then there's the necessary accessories, such as correction tape or correction fluid (for example: Wite-Out or Liquid Paper), for correcting those inevitable typos. 

Life was simpler back then, or was it? 

From its origins in 1877 as a manufacturer of firearms, Smith Corona used similar mechanical processes and manufacturing techniques in the emerging production of typewriters, leading to innovations in typewriters, word processors and thermal labels. Being forward thinking and adapting to changing times, this company has remained in business and profitable for over 140 years. 

How about you? How adaptable are you? Can you "go with the flow", and innovate and change according to the challenges in your life? Do you seek God's help and guidance for your growth? 

Do you tap, tap, tap, return? Or walk, sprint, run, jump forward? 

TAGS: Inspiration, Story

A year ago, our neighbor mentioned that his grandson in Columbus was dating a girl from a Cleveland suburb. She had been working in Florida, but moved to Columbus to be closer to family. They met in Columbus. The relationship was looking serious. 

This year, we caught up with an acquaintance from a Cleveland suburb. He mentioned that their daughter was getting married in a few weeks. She worked in Florida after graduating from college, but moved to Columbus to be closer to family. She met her fiancé in Columbus. 

What are the odds that these two conversations, spanning two years, were connected? 

Three cities, two years, two families, one love. A match that could only be the work of an amazing matchmaker. 

TAGS: Story

"The LORD is my strength and my shield ..." - Psalm 28:7 

The cross on the side of the road in Tennessee was massive. You certainly couldn't miss it as you drove along the highway. What did it mean? Why was it there? 

Perhaps it was to offer protection and guidance. Perhaps it was to make you think. Perhaps it was to make a statement. Perhaps it was to honor Our Savior, Jesus Christ. Perhaps it was to waken weary travelers. 

A Google search revealed that this cross "towers over the freeway and shields Christian travelers from its next-door neighbor, a XXX porn store." 

So, it was indeed to offer protection and guidance, to make you think, to make a statement, to honor Jesus Christ, and to waken weary travelers as it "sprouted" from the bushes along the road. 

In all likelihood, its placement was not a coincidence. 

My Loving Savior and Protector, You alone know how to shield and protect me from the evil one, and to waken the weariness within me so as not to go astray. Thank you. Amen. 

TAGS: Prayer, Story

"The human heart plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps." - Proverbs 16:9 

The lid on the new washer was taller than the one on the old washer, so it hit the cabinet doors above the washer when open. There seemed to be two options: (1) raise the cabinet, or (2) put some kind of a "stopper" on the cabinet. While option #1 was probably the cleaner solution, it seemed way too difficult, so option #2 became the better choice. 

Now the question was: what kind of a "stopper" to put on the cabinet? Brainstorming resulted in a few creative options like felt pads, some kind of  a rubber product, or something hung on the doorknob such as a cotton ornament or a velvet pouch. 

Online searches turned up some possibilities but a clear solution did not present itself. Who would have guessed that a routine trip to a crowded grocery store would provide the answer? 

God works in mysterious ways if you are open to them! After picking up groceries and working our way to the check-out, one aisle seemed crowded so we took another aisle to slither our way down. It just so happened that this aisle had cat toys in it. There it was: "Lamb Chop." It's perfect! Placing it between the two doors provides the perfect padding for the washer lid to rest on. It's easily removable when you need to open the cabinets, and it's attractive (and cute) when left in place. 

If God hadn't steered us down this aisle, we never would have found Lamb Chop. Leading us to the right place at the right time was all in His perfect design! 

Lamb of God, thank you for directing our steps to Your way. Help us to see Your hand in everything and make the most of every opportunity. Amen. 

TAGS: Prayer, Story

"If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing." - 1 John 1:9 

I entered the church early and made my way over to the line. It was just starting to form so it wasn't too long yet. 

Looking around, I thought I recognized the man who was two persons ahead of me. He was dressed in casual clothes and he sure looked familiar, but I just couldn't put a name with the face. "Good thing he wasn't right next to me," I thought. After all, what would we talk about? 

Everyone was fairly quiet. Nobody really talking to anyone else. The man in front of me was checking his phone, and we just cordially smiled at one another. 

Boy, I sure wished I could remember the name of the man two persons ahead of me. Now it was starting to bother me. 

The line slowly inched forward, each one taking his turn. Then it was time for the man two persons ahead of me. He turned and closed the confessional door behind him. 

Then I recognized him. 

He was the priest who presided at Mass the day before. But today he was a sinner like me. 

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. 

TAGS: Prayer, Story

Needed some inspiration. 

The tagline for this blog is "looking at little life moments with a spiritual eye." Looked around. Looked outside. Looked inside. Looked at life. This eye was not seeing much spiritual. 

A single thought; a single idea. That would start it off. Nothing. What was missing? Just not feeling it. 

The simple, the plain; the ordinary. Then it came ... 

The beauty of a single flower. So perfect in its imperfection. A creation of God. From nothing comes forth something at His command. 

Thanks be to God. 

TAGS: Story

The crucifix was over 23 feet tall and weighed 4200 pounds, raised high upon the wall of the church. I had never seen anything like it. I lowered myself to kneel under the weight of this cross. 

When I stood to pray the Our Father, and gazed on the crucifix, the corpus came alive. My eyes showed me things I hadn't seen before. I felt as though I was truly watching the crucifixion on Calvary. 

With my eyes fixed on His chest, I could see it pulsing and throbbing. He was gasping for air. His chest was pounding, in and out, in and out, but laboriously. There were short inhales and hurried exhales as He struggled to breathe. 

What to make of this? An inanimate object was becoming animate to me. Yet I couldn't take my eyes off of it. How could I help Him? How could I ease His suffering? His chest continued to writhe in agony. 

"My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me." -  Reproaches from the ancient liturgy of Good Friday 

TAGS: Story

"Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you." - James 4:10 

Commonly known as a medical alert bracelet, they are a means to communicate important information regarding your health to first responders in a medical emergency. 

But she calls hers a "Humility Bracelet." "When I look at it," she says, "I am reminded that a Power greater than me is in charge, and that I am not invincible or perfect." 

She also says her "Humility Bracelet" reminds her to slow down, calm down, and take it easy because of the health condition given to her by God. 

Perhaps we should all wear a "Humility Bracelet" to remind us continuously of our need for God and His Presence in our life. 

Slow down, calm down, and take it easy. Good advice for all of us, with or without a "Humility Bracelet." 

TAGS: Reflection, Story

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." - Matthew 22:39 

While paging through the advertising/coupon magazine that came in the mail, this "ad" was discovered tucked within its pages. 

"Love thy neighbor," it stated, and it was written as though spoken by Jesus. 

The juxtaposition of this message with refinishing, mulch, and window covering messages was definitely an attention-grabber. There it was, smacking you in the face. 

"Love thy neighbor," it stated. 

You couldn't miss it. Subtle evangelization in the strangest, yet most prominent, of places. 

"Love thy neighbor." 

You have to wonder how many people did that simple message reach. Did you see it? 

TAGS: Story

The school bus stopped in front of the place. From above, you could see the number of the bus by the door and on the roof. The numbers were "923". These numbers probably meant nothing to most people, except to be used as a means to identify one bus from another. 

But to devotees of St. Padre Pio, these numbers represent the Feast Day of a Beloved Saint: September 23, i.e. "923". 

Perhaps there was a connection between these numbers and this bus. 

Perhaps the bus carried people needing the protection of St. Padre Pio. 

Perhaps the aura of St. Padre Pio was present throughout the bus. 

Perhaps it was just the awareness of a keen eye who stopped and noticed the significance of the numbers on the bus. 

St. Padre Pio, forever present among us, pray for us. 

TAGS: Reflection, Story