We don’t know what God knows.☀️🎶

‘Who goes to bed and doth not pray, maketh two nights to every day’. (George Herbert)

Eve called early this morning, just to say hello. I was hoping she had good news regarding her visa but no, she has heard nothing yet. When it arrives please God she will board a flight to Africa, collect her young son and they will both happily return together to reside in Ireland. O happy day🎆 

She is super excited in anticipation and all the while saving every penny of her hard earned wages. About the trial of wondering and waiting for the much longed-for visa, she uttered the following sage words: ‘In everything we must be patient. If it is not coming, then the time is not good. We don’t know what God knows’. In that moment I was blessed to be at the receiving end of a perfect parable on patience. In a few simple words, Eve said it all. What a start to my day.☀️

At Holy Mass frail Ukrainian lady walked purposefully up the centre aisle as she does every morning. Kneeling in prayer oblivious to everyone and every thing except Jesus on Holy Alter. Afterwards we met outside and I gifted her brown wooden Rosary beads that is very dear to my heart. Holding it gently like it was cut glass, she began kissing the Holy Cross over and over, crying the whole time. After a while she whispered:’Money’. Assuming she needed money I reached for my bag when another lady appeared telling me that she too was from Ukraine and would interpret for the lady and I. What a blessing! Turns out the frail lady was not asking for money for herself, she was asking if I wanted payment for the beautiful Rosary beads. I most certainly did not.

Walking with Dudu this evening and her wise words: ‘Live in God and He will teach you everything’, resonated deeply in my heart. All day I had been thanking Holy Spirit for prompting me to gift that lady my Rosary beads. Dudu, from South Africa had no knowledge of the event.📿 

Our little town is not just for ourselves anymore, we are reaping a second chance to care and share, open wide our hearts and hands. Many families have alighted on our town from war-torn Ukraine and are dwelling in the self same hotel where my dear friend Paulina RIP and many others lived for a brief spell two years ago. That is how it goes, if we will not do it the first time, then there will always be a second time. God is able to fulfill His plans despite human failings.

So, forgetting about ourselves in these challenging times, let us each do something. Over time countless little acts of kindness and generosity will be accomplished and together they will amount to something grand and glorious🌹. 

Our visitors do not come to our little town empty handed, they have much to share with us too. Win/win situation. 

‘Self-forgetfulness is a marvellous type of freedom’. (Fr. Richard Ho Lung)