Storms of Life

It’s 3:45 a.m.  Under normal circumstances I’d be working on a book at this hour, but this morning I needed to get back on the right spiritual path.  You see, when faced with challenges, I sometimes end up sitting on my pity-pot instead of standing strong with faith. 

On Monday, my eighty-seven-year-old father took a nasty fall and broke his hip which will send him into surgery on Thursday and a lengthy rehabilitation.  His unfortunate accident is joined with my eighty-two year-old uncle’s (who also lives with us) diagnosis of colon cancer and my husband's pinched nerve that rendered his right arm and hand useless until the medication starts working … requiring him to be off work for a week.  

Being overwhelmed at this point is definitely an understatement.  Rising above these recent challenges is difficult but thanks to the Holy Spirit, I was reminded of my own words in Embrace the Morning – Rosary Meditations to Calm the Storm which I temporarily seemed to have forgotten:   

"Agony in the Garden

Luke 22:39-42: Then going out he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When he arrived at the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not undergo the test.” After withdrawing about a stone’s throw from them and kneeling, he prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.

Jesus, in his agony, remained steadfast in accepting the Father's will. We too are faced with agony in our life and need to hold fast to the belief that God is with us. He will not saddle us with more than we can endure. In His mercy, He gives us the fortitude to withstand anything that comes our way – if we let Him.

Jesus, in your agony you turned to the Father in faith and trust, knowing He would never forsake you. When I am faced with challenges in my life, may my faith and trust emulate yours."