I often ask the LORD to “make it obvious!” for me, and when it’s important He certainly does.
Usually, though, He directs me through very subtle nudges. They may seem unrelated but over time I have to smile at how He weaves them together:
- A chance comment directed me toward the book, In Sinu Jesu. I have devoured it over & over, learning from it the importance of praying for priests and the immense value of time spent in Adoration both for me and for others around me.
- A note in the church bulletin caught my attention, inviting women to be part of a Seven Sisters Apostolate¹. I found it intriguing.
- A tug on my heart led me to pray for families every day – to pray for “the family” in our country. The traditional family is so under assault spiritually, culturally, politically. I believe many of the problems we face with violent young men is a direct result of this.
- With praying for the family in mind, I found a tiny statue of the Holy Family for my prayer corner, and “for some reason” have been taking more notice of St. Joseph.
- I’ve read several reflections on St. Joseph – no words are recorded from him, yet he was husband to Mary, step-father to Jesus, protector, head of their family. He believed the angel, trusted God, became a refugee when he took his family to Egypt to escape Herod, and brought them back to Nazareth where they lived as an ordinary Jewish family, observing Jewish laws. He worried when Jesus was “lost” and worked as a carpenter to support his family.
- I saw another note in the church bulletin inviting women to join the Seven Sisters Apostolate; then another. I finally sent a message to the organizer, telling her I’d help out if they were still in need. She replied immediately – the Apostolate for our own priest at St. Cecilia was filled, but she was organizing for the two priests at St. Thomas Aquinas as well and would let me know when it was ready to start.
None of these is huge; certainly none of them are worth a blog post or special mention to anyone else and yet cumulatively, for me, they have led me in a deliberate direction. This last Monday, March 19 2018, I joined my Seven Sisters at daily mass where Father Seda commissioned us.
At that mass I learned it “happened” to be the feast day of St. Joseph.
At that mass Father Seda’s homily touched on the power of hidden things that ordinary people do to make a big difference. Even though Joseph’s life, actions and words are largely hidden from us, he still played a significant role in the life of Jesus and for the plan of salvation.
Just so, unknown and ordinary people today have a significant role to play in the lives of others, often in hidden ways.
I am very humbled and grateful. Sometimes I feel a little lost and useless, wondering where I fit in and whether I do any “good” for anyone. Leadings like these, though, help me remember that it is God who is at work using ordinary people in sometimes hidden ways. Others may never know how we’ve prayed for them. We ourselves may wonder “what good am I doing?” But some day the veil will be lifted and I do believe we will be surprised at how our response to a nudge from God was used by Him.
Thank you, LORD.
¹Seven Sisters Apostolate is a formation of women who pledge to each pray one hour a certain day of the week for a priest. More information can be found here.
Coffee with God 