Wow (again)

[Bastoune]

It's amazing. When I was working for a large steel-trading corporation, I sort of "befriended" a guy (just a couple years older than I) who worked for a computer-related service/network that serviced our sales needs. Anyway, I sort of felt a bond with him and we hung out a few times and that was cool. But I always had a strong draw from the Lord to pray for him. And almost every day for the last 4 years have remembered him in prayer.

Now today I came across (at work) a last name that was similar to his, and it made me think, whatever happened to Keith? So out of curiosity I did a "Google search" and to my surprise... he's entered the Jesuit order!!! (He's a second-year novice now!!!)

Saw his picture on-line, and read his background info, it is he already.

Wow.

I could tell that when we talked about God (he never mentioned a calling to religious life!) that he knew God. I think the Lord put me in his life to pray for him (which I never forgot to do) as in some ways he was a "kindred spirit" -- he led a retreat on Long Island recently at their Jesuit retreat center in Manhassett... I have to try to reach him and tell him more about my calling.

You NEVER know why God puts people in your life, or you in someone else's life. Sometimes it is just to remember them in prayer.

Also, pray for this maintenance guy in our office building, named Joe. No particular reason, other than he is truly a man of God who radiates, through his kindness, gentle demeanor and smile, the love of God to all he meets. He is like in his 60's and I know he's Catholic (and practicing) because he got ashes on Ash Wednesday...

Ahhhhhhhh... that explains it, I thought to myself, that explains why he is just so nice!!!!

So may we pray that God puts more people like Joe in our midst to remind us that we are to be beacons of light to this dying, troubled world... and a smile can convert a heart more than apologetics.

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Thank you for that uplifting story and a reminder to people like me who are never called to big things, but can offer prayers through my daily life- every moment of my day. It makes me think of little Therese- the patroness of Missions- though she never left the cloister! Thank you for the call to pray for those God puts in our lives!

 

[Bastoune]

Thank you for that uplifting story and a reminder to people like me who are never called to big things

WHATEVER!!!!!!!!

You are called to GREAT THINGS, Shannon!!!! You know that...

Oh I get it... you're being HUMBLE again!? You'll get rewards for that!

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Changing poopy diapers is a small thing which brings great reward if done through prayer and praise to God! My whole lifeis a life of small things, that I can hopefully grow better and better at doing with great love!

 

[Michelina]

Shannon, being a mother is a GREAT THING, including the diapers. It may be the most important job on earth.

 

[Momzilla]

Changing poopy diapers is a small thing which brings great reward if done through prayer and praise to God! My whole lifeis a life of small things, that I can hopefully grow better and better at doing with great love!

Well said, Shannon. I sometimes think that parenthood is one of the ultimate opportunities for sacrificial service to others.

 

[Veritas]

Would you feel comfortable providing a link?

 

[Bastoune]

http://www.jesuitvocation.com/marnyk/Jesuits/reflection_difiore_keith.htm

No link for Joe, but I'm sure you all will meet him one day in Heaven. People like him brighten my day and remind me of how wonderful our God is.

 

[Polycarp1]

Changing poopy diapers is a small thing which brings great reward if done through prayer and praise to God! My whole lifeis a life of small things, that I can hopefully grow better and better at doing with great love!

I want you to print out this thread, Shannon, and stash it away with your keepsakes. Thirty years from now, get it out, think about how proud you are of your children's accomplishments, and recognize what a great thing you were accomplishing in those "small things."

(And if I say much more, I'll steal thereselittleflower's thunder -- but I'll bet a lot that she's got something to say on the Lesser Way here!)

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Obedient unto death.... I am printing now....

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

Changing poopy diapers is a small thing which brings great reward if done through prayer and praise to God! My whole lifeis a life of small things, that I can hopefully grow better and better at doing with great love!

You should read Story of a Soul by St Therese...

 

[geocajun]

thats awesome Bastoune!

 

[Bastoune]

Another "amazing" story for you, that happened yesterday:


On Monday, I apparently left the gym without the beautiful, black crucifix I always wear. It was a gift from my friend Sael who gave it to me before I entered the Capuchins. He had gotten it when he arrived in the U.S. and never removed it... until the day he gave it to me. Therefore, it was a very special gift. However, I take it off when I work out and I swore I put it back on when changing but realized on the subway that I didn't have it on. That's ok, I thought, I'm sure someone will find it and turn it in so I'll have it back tomorrow.

Well, no one turned it in and the cleaning people never saw it. So I was sad. Anyway, while working out I saw my friend Gus. He is struggling, let's say, semi-seeking God but because he knows me he is seeking God. Now, I met him last year when I found a crucifix on the floor of the gym locker room and as I was staring at it, holding it, he came and said, "OH YOU FOUND IT!" and we ended up friends because of course, I wanted to know why he would wear a crucifix (fashion or faith?).

I saw Gus yesterday then and for the past week he's been wanting to see THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST but hasn't been able to (sold out at the times he is free). And he told me, "You're not going to BELIEVE THIS, but it was really divine Providence but yesterday I found this crucifix in the locker room..."

"A little black one, made of wood, on a black string?"

"Yeah..."

So he found my crucifix!!!! He thought it was a sign that God wants him to go to THE PASSION very soon so while he has to go to Florida this weekend, next week we're going to see it together.

Meanwhile, my friend Mark, with whom I saw THE PASSION on Sunday (my 2nd time) is telling everyone about it. Raised Free-Will Southern Baptist, he doesn't go to church, but I'll change that!!! I'm amazed at the effect the movie had on him.

PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Christy4Christ]

Another "amazing" story for you, that happened yesterday:


On Monday, I apparently left the gym without the beautiful, black crucifix I always wear. It was a gift from my friend Sael who gave it to me before I entered the Capuchins. He had gotten it when he arrived in the U.S. and never removed it... until the day he gave it to me. Therefore, it was a very special gift. However, I take it off when I work out and I swore I put it back on when changing but realized on the subway that I didn't have it on. That's ok, I thought, I'm sure someone will find it and turn it in so I'll have it back tomorrow.

Well, no one turned it in and the cleaning people never saw it. So I was sad. Anyway, while working out I saw my friend Gus. He is struggling, let's say, semi-seeking God but because he knows me he is seeking God. Now, I met him last year when I found a crucifix on the floor of the gym locker room and as I was staring at it, holding it, he came and said, "OH YOU FOUND IT!" and we ended up friends because of course, I wanted to know why he would wear a crucifix (fashion or faith?).

I saw Gus yesterday then and for the past week he's been wanting to see THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST but hasn't been able to (sold out at the times he is free). And he told me, "You're not going to BELIEVE THIS, but it was really divine Providence but yesterday I found this crucifix in the locker room..."

"A little black one, made of wood, on a black string?"

"Yeah..."

So he found my crucifix!!!! He thought it was a sign that God wants him to go to THE PASSION very soon so while he has to go to Florida this weekend, next week we're going to see it together.

Meanwhile, my friend Mark, with whom I saw THE PASSION on Sunday (my 2nd time) is telling everyone about it. Raised Free-Will Southern Baptist, he doesn't go to church, but I'll change that!!! I'm amazed at the effect the movie had on him.

PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!!!

So you found HIS crucifix and he found YOURS? Thats amazing!

 

[Papist]

Changing poopy diapers is a small thing which brings great reward if done through prayer and praise to God! My whole lifeis a life of small things, that I can hopefully grow better and better at doing with great love!

Caring for a baby is the biggest thing ever. You are that person's MOTHER. You are probably the most important person in that person's life. It is a huge and awesome thing ... never forget that!

Nothing else ... no work project, no social programme, no political work, can ever match being a parent.

I often look at my children and am overwhelmed at the privelege of being their father.