Mid-life

My co-worker, a young guy in his late-20s, just came back from a 3-day hike in Colorado.

It really sparked something within me – the realization that he just accomplished something I have always wanted to do, always thought I would do “some day,” … but now realize that I probably never will.

That made me reflect on my place along life’s path … 52 years old and still the most ordinary, average person on the planet. I have raised my children and wonder, “what’s next?”

And “coincidentally,” I am reading Mother Teresa’s Secret Fire by Joseph Langford. The LORD has used it to bring me some comfort and wisdom:

“According to the Loreto Sisters who knew her during her training, Mother Teresa had always been generous with God, but had not been particularly remarkable. What was special about the young Sister Teresa, humanly speaking, was that nothing was special; there was nothing merely human in her to account for her later transformation….

“Remember that her September encounter was a mid-life grace for Mother Teresa, a mid-life call. When she first stepped out alone into the slums, leaving behind her familiar existence, she was almost forty years old. Later, she would launch a pioneering network of AIDS shelters at the age of seventy. And by the time our community of priests was approved, she was already eighty-two. She is proof that it is never too late for God to transform us, never too late to launch us on a new plan, to use us for the good….

“Keep in mind that Mother Teresa’s call came entirely unexpectedly, when she was on her way to do something else – as so often we are when God calls. “

That has given me a lot to think about. Sometimes I get impatient and start wondering if I’m supposed to be “doing” something right now, but I honestly believe God still has me in a “wait and watch” mode.

I am eager to see His work continue, and to see where He is leading me.

I am blessed.

 

 

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Job and Jesus

Twice now I’ve seen Jesus in the book of Job.

Quite some time ago I was struck by Job’s actions in the very first chapter:

His sons used to take turns giving feasts, sending invitations to their three sisters to eat and drink with them. And when each feast had run its course, Job would send for them and sanctify them, rising early and offering sacrifices for every one of them. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Job did this habitually. (Job 1:4-5)

How cool is that, that Job would habitually offer sacrifices for every one of his children in case they had sinned?

I pondered how I might do the same for my own children. We don’t offer sacrifices today as they did in the Old Testament. The reason is simple … the perfect sacrifice has been made: Jesus’ blood was shed for our sins and He is the lamb that was slain.

And I came to realize that in a way, I could do as Job did – offering the sacrifice that Jesus already made – for the forgiveness of sins for my children. The Divine Mercy novena does just that and is a perfect prayer I can offer for my loved ones!

I have been very blessed since the Holy Spirit showed me that; I love seeing Jesus in the Old Testament!

This morning I was reading Job chapter 9. Job is lamenting how far he is separated from a mighty and holy and all-powerful God who is unapproachable and cannot be questioned. And I saw Jesus again …

“Would that there were an arbiter between us, who could lay his hand upon us both and withdraw his rod from me,

So that his terrors did not frighten me; that I might speak without being afraid of him. Since this is not the case with me, I loathe my life. ” (Job 9:33-35)

How blessed we are to have an arbiter! I thank God for His wisdom and mercy in sending His son to become one of us, approachable, a friend, our brother.

Who could have imagined it, or thought to ask for it?

 

 

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