Traffic Signals

Going into town yesterday was about the fastest trip in a long time;  all the traffic signals were green the entire way! That is totally amazing because in the eight mile stretch, there are plenty.

Of course, I am delighted when things go so smoothly because sometimes I am a tad behind schedule, wanting never to be late for an appointment. I would rather be ten minutes early rather than late. 

As I came to each intersection I wondered how long this good fortune would continue. Thoughts came; "this is sort of like life."  Sometimes our life goes smoothly, other times we get stopped and we must wait for circumstances until we can move on. 

I'm not real patient sometimes especially when I don't know how long the light will be.  Same way in life, waiting for an answer from a Medicaid application or a Medicare situation, can tip me upside down. 

It even came to me that when life put me in quagmire and I could hardly move I finally resorted to prayer.  Maybe a better perspective was that because of being slowed down I had the time to pray...couldn't do much else at that time! Life often puts us in the fast lane and it can become a struggle to carve specific time out to pray. 

There are kids/husbands/illness...you name it;  even finding time to pray is a challenge.  Ash Wednesday is upon us, the beginning of Lent. It is a time to slow down, take stock of our spiritual life and be a witness in living our Christian life. 

 This is a perfect time to pause a bit to reflect on our own life, our red lights, orange lights and even green lights. What do all the green lights do for us and can we identify the benefits and blessings that have come because of our  orange and red lights? What messages are these signals bringing to you?  I was amazed.  Maybe you will be too. 

Courtesy of Pixabay

Our Heart

For those of you in reader-land who are without a spouse or partner, have you ever wondered how you will celebrate Valentine's Day when you have no special person in your life?  

I suppose for some, you might feel sorry for yourself, sit home alone and mope.  Others may just chalk it up as "just another day" in order to not feel the pain of being lonely. 

When the 14th comes around I think of Carrie, the person who was my surrogate mom for eleven years of my life.  I never knew what "nanny" meant until I was an adult.  That's what Carrie was to me, but more like a mom.

Carrie came from the hills of Ohio, had no running water, no indoor plumbing, an outhouse and she's the one who really showed me what "a chicken with it's head cut off" really looked like...in preparation for a Sunday meal!

Every holiday, birthday and Christmas, she lined her walls with all the cards people sent her and she knew how many there were! Her daughter in law, Alice, was my first baby sitter, when Carrie wasn't there.  I plan to call Alice in a few days to tell her again, my warm memories of all those years.

Alice lived with us; dad helped her attend high school; she was only seventeen.  That was a long, long time ago but memories are as fresh as can be.

I sit here and wonder why in the world my mind did a time-travel but then again, it's Valentine's Day in a few days.  I also remember the bouquet of flowers, artificial roses, my husband, Jerry gave me a few years ago from the nursing home gift shop. They make me smile every time I look at them, very thankful they never wilted!!! LOL! 

So, how is your heart this coming week, when that special day arrives? Sad, Grateful? How can you share it with another person, even if you are alone?  Phone someone, send a card, go out to eat? It's a time to fill your heart up with love and to pass it on! It's time to not only care for your own heart but hold someone else's near and dear.  Happy Valentine's Day to each and every one of you!  

Courtesy of Pixabay

OTTO

Another great movie: "A Man Named Otto." Lately, the word "light" has been getting my attention and watching this film today brings this word more to my consciousness. 

Otto was in the depths of grief after his young wife, pregnant six months, had died after a train accident and paralyzed. His whole life was dark after that, to the point of attempting suicide several times but averted by one situation after another.

Neighbors had befriended him, including a feral cat.  He finally had an awakening and decided to live and not be the crank that he had been. Even in his most crankiness he was light to others in more ways than what he even realized.  

I wonder if the trick, however, is to be conscious of how we can be light to others. Situations can present themselves to each of us but do we slow down long enough to see how they can be of light to others?  Personally, it may take awhile to ponder, quiet down and listen to the small, still voice to see what is feasible. 

Grief, ill health, laziness and a whole slew of things can divert us but just think what would happen if each of us recognized that every single one of us can be light to another. 

Like the priest shared at mass today, we have an hour more of daylight than what we had at Christmas time. It's not only the time of day that brings light but each one of us brings light  in big ways and small ways.

How can each of us brighten up the room by God's light inside of us when we enter a room. A smile?  Leaving our own troubles outside? Speaking kindly, not complaining?   How about giving it a try!

Hacksaw Ridge

On the recommendation of a friend who is also a deacon at church I just finished watching "Hacksaw Ridge."  Yes, I would recommend it too, even though the war fighting was challenging to watch. It certainly was inspiring.

This fellow enlisted in the war but was a consientous objector and refused to carry or touch a gun.  Reasons stemmed back to severe chaos at home. He wanted to be a medic, to help his comrades, not to kill.  

He was ostracized, belittled and snubbed until those in his own platoon saw how he had rescued many, many men because of his determination and valor.  His light really shined through.  His physical resources were nearly drained and when he was nearly at the end of his rope he prayed to God, not knowing what he was to do, until he heard the moans and calls of the wounded. 

He devised a way to lower them off the ridge and prayed to God, "help me to save one more person."  Repeatedly, again and again, "one more person." Have you ever wondered what your mission in life is?  

How do each of us know if we are doing God's will?  I know when I asked God this very question with my husband's declining health, a clear message came to me, "you take care of him in his old age."  It sounds kind of hokey but it was clear as day, directly into my heart and nothing I had to question. 

I know we might think this is an easy task because perhaps we tell ourselves, "well, I'm retired, I'm this or that" but perhaps life becomes hallow and we end up wandering around aimlessly. 

There are lots and lots out there that we can "do" even when we are limited and handicapped by blindness, limited mobility and other things. Have you prayed and really asked God, or the universe if you don't believe in God, where you can be a blessing to others in some way? 

Then after that, we must listen to hear what message may come.  The trick after this is to act on it. It might be as simple as picking up the phone to connect with someone who comes to mind, or write a note, or say a prayer for them.  Then again, it may involve becoming active in a group, church, the senior center. 

Hacksaw Ridge strikes me much deeper than just a war movie and the actions of one soldier. It is a real life example of how we can let our light shine in life, no matter the darkness, chaos and struggles around us.  Maybe just praying, "just let me help one person." God really is there for each of us.  How will you let your light shine? 

Courtesy of Pixabay