A friend went to a talk at a Catholic church. The priest-speaker was rather loud, boisterous and animated throughout his talk which definitely kept the audience captivated, but it was exhausting to listen to him. 

At the end of the talk, the priest-speaker mentioned that he had a Franciscan habit that belonged to St. Padre Pio. The participants were invited to come forth and venerate the habit and touch the plastic bag which housed it. The priest-speaker also blessed each participant with the habit as they left the area. 

As my friend walked away, he noticed a distinct smell of roses. He asked the people around him if they smelled it, and they did not. He says that he has never had such an experience. 

As he left the church following the talk and venerating St. Pio's habit, he noticed an eerie silence. No car noises, no birds, no talk: no sounds at all surrounded him. All he could do was keep walking, alone with his own thoughts. 

But was he really alone? Was the presence of a mystic with him? As the smell of roses lingered, and the serene peace of the outdoors enveloped him, there was no doubt. 

St. Padre Pio, pray for us. 

TAGS: Story

What are the odds that the acorn would fall from the tree and land peacefully, albeit forcefully, on the very corner of the wind chime tube? Truly a balancing act, and definitely an act of God. 

How often do you fly from place to place, task to task, looking for a place to "land?" When you try to balance our own act, it usually results in disaster. If you just "let it happen," like a free-fall, God will ensure that your landing is smooth, and has given you all the tools to balance all that you are intended to do. 

Don't worry about where you're at, what you're doing, or where you want to be. God has you in the palm of His hand and has placed you exactly where He wants you to be. 

TAGS: Reflection, Story

She felt like having french fries, so she bought some at the cafeteria and carried them back to her office for lunch. On the way back to the office, she ran into her boss, who was known to have heart issues. He commented about how her lunch didn't look very healthy. "Oh, I'm on cholesterol-lowering medication!" she exclaimed, to which he replied, "So do you think that makes it all right?" 

Similarly, we often think that we can sin as much as we want because all we have to do is go to confession and our slate is wiped clean. Or, we think that we don't have to go to confession because God forgives us of all of our sins. 

We love to put our own spin on logical thinking. Realistically, though, we are just convincing ourselves that what we want to do is the right thing to do. We would be more prudent to weigh whether our intuitions are based on truth or simply desire. 

God of All Mercy, guide us to seek Your mercy in all things instead of relying on our own judgment. Amen. 

TAGS: Prayer, Story

The yogurt cup lids are teaching us a lesson ... and more than one at that. Just consider this. 

The yogurt cups are picked out of the box at the store. They are dropped on the checkout belt, placed in the cart, and then packed in the bag. At home, they are removed from the bag, put on the counter, and then stacked in the refrigerator. Twice a week,  the front two cups are taken out of the refrigerator for breakfast. 

There is so much random handling of these yogurt cups. From packaging to distribution to purchasing to consumption, every step along the supply chain can be considered a random process. Yet, every single time, without fail, the messages on the inside of the two yogurt cup lids chosen on a given day are different. They may repeat from day to day, or week to week, but the two selected for a particular day are always different. 

What are the odds? How can this happen? The messages themselves give you a "feel good" lesson for the day, but the amazing hand of the Lord to ensure that two unique messages are received every day, is bewildering. 

O Lord, thank you abundantly for your amazing grace. May we make every day good as we surround ourselves with Your goodness. Amen. 

TAGS: Prayer, Story

How could a little nick create such a large problem? It was just a little nick in the hot water hose under the sink. But obviously, tiny bouts of drip ... drip ... drip over a long period of time, gone unnoticed, can lead to a lot of standing water. 

Such is our spiritual life. Seemingly small, unnoticed flaws, practiced repeatedly, can lead to massive issues in the future. We all know that ignoring an issue, or letting it fester, is only opening the door to welcome a spiritual disaster. 

Take charge and take control. Take notice of your impediments. Don't let them get the upper hand. 

Talk to a friend. Go to confession. Find a spiritual director. Pray about it. 

Take time now to patch or repair all the holes "under your sink" before the floodgates are overflowing. 

Almighty Father, you are the good plumber who can put right all of the pipes and fittings of our soul. Help us to see where we need repair, teach us how to fix them, and prevent us from creating our own disasters. Amen. 

TAGS: Prayer, Story

"Also, every grain offering that is baked in an oven or made in a pan or on a griddle shall belong to the priest who offers it" - Leviticus 7:9 

A traditional dessert from the northern Italian region of Piedmont, "panna cotta," which is Italian for "cooked cream," is molded sweetened cream thickened with gelatin. 

This one is topped with chocolate drizzle and a candle sparkler. 

Without a thickener and a mold, it would just be a liquid sauce in a dish. The candle would not be able to stand. 

Thankfully, we are like panna cotta. We are thickened by life's events, sweetened by Love, and molded by the Spirit within us that makes our light sparkle for others to see. 

Panna cotta is good. God is greater. Thanks be to God. 

TAGS: Reflection, Story

"And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Colossians 3:17 

Having a few acorns fall from the oak tree is typical on a nice Fall day. But being bombarded by a barrage of acorns can be painful. You become tempted to wear a helmet outdoors, but you're slightly worried about what the neighbors may think or say about you. 

And then there's the sea of acorns in the backyard lawn that need to get raked up. Once in awhile it's okay, but doing this task every day gets old. 

How to turn this situation around? Scripture tells us to turn everything into a positive thing, to enjoy work, and to do all for the glory of God. So I guess an attitude adjustment is in order. 

Creator God, thank you for blessing us with this Fall season so that we can relish the trees and the fruit of those trees, and glorify You all the more in the time we spend amidst Your glorious splendor. Amen. 

TAGS: Prayer, Story

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