Our God is a God of surprises!
I had just started a spiritual book on the Beatitudes, and the Gospel at Mass that day was … the Beatitudes!
God does this time and time again. I have been on retreat when something I read matches up with what the preacher said. Once, I had been pondering the Eighth Station of the Cross, Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem, because I always found it a bit mysterious. I asked God to help me understand it better. Isn’t it just like our awesome God to respond to my prayer by making me come across a book – specifically on that station! “The Eighth Station” by Deirdre McQuade & Friends aided my meditation and understanding of it. He delivered more than I had asked for by the beautiful photographs of various Eighth Stations and reflections by different authors, which were poignant and powerful.
Does God ever do that to you? You do not have to answer because I already know. He does. God speaks to us through words, art, nature and other people. Have you ever been at Mass and the priest’s homily seemed like it was spoken directly to you? It was.
Our God is a God of relationships! He loves to communicate with His beloved. Just as we marvel at how God shows us these signs, he is delighted when we recognize His handiwork. I need to be more attentive to Him because I know there are times that I almost miss it, and maybe even at times I do.
How can we be sure we notice God’s handiwork? By believing in God’s action in our lives rather than attributing amazing connections as mere coincidences. Also, thank God for all the good He has done in your life and actually talk to Him about it. The more you talk to someone, the deeper your relationship can become. It works the same way with God.
Have you ever given someone a gift, yet it was not acknowledged? On the one hand, we do not give gifts to get a thank you; however, sometimes it feels strange, as if we gave someone a hug and they kept their hands down by their sides. The purpose of a gift is to let someone know you were thinking of them in a special way. It is always nice to let the giver know your reaction to their gift. We often say, “That was such a great surprise!” Or, “It was just what I needed!” Or, “How do you know me so well?!” In the same way, we want to let God know about how His presents and presence in our lives gives us so much joy.
Our God is a God of love! So, proclaim His good works to others. Do you readily share good experiences you have with others? Sometimes, we fear the word “evangelization.” It can feel a little scary and overwhelming. We might think we do not know how to spread His word effectively. Perhaps if we look at it as giving a recommendation, we will be more comfortable.
We frequently help our family and friends by recommending good doctors, great restaurants and helpful employees. In the same way, when we give thanks and praise to God publicly, we are not only doing what is right and just, we are leading our loved ones to develop a relationship with the One who already loves them more than we do!
Sister M. Emily Vincent Rebalsky, IHM, is the program director at Villa Maria by the Sea Retreat Center, Stone Harbor. For more information about retreats at Villa Maria by the Sea, visit VMbytheSea.com. For information about discerning a vocation with the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Malvern, PA, visit ihmimmaculata.org.
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