‘You changed my story!☀️🙏🏻

‘I have never met a soul who set out to satisfy the Lord and has not been satisfied himself. 

To have God do His own work through us even once, is better than a lifetime of human striving’ (Watchman Nee)

Lady in the Refugee Centre called to know if I would come meet a new lady who had just arrived in our town. Exhausted with not one ounce of energy to spare, I almost refused. Our group ‘Blanketiers’ had not been set up at that stage. Just me meeting folk in dire need. (E pluribus unum - out of many, one’. Guy from Refugee centre words to me, at that time).  Truly, on that particular day it was all beginning to feel just too much. 

However, thank God I did visit her, dear lady traumatised beyond anything I had ever witnessed in my long glorious life. She came and knelt down in front of me, I knelt down too. Then gently placing my hands on her shoulders, both of us stood up slowly at the same time. 

She needed a coat and God Bless Charity shop lady who gave us a long black warm coat, fur collar, for half the stated price. Putting it on, smiling, she began to relax instantly. Her beautiful black long coat providing insulation, covering she so earnestly required not only from piercing Kerry winds but more than that, from the world at large. Speaking not a word, she simply nodded all the while, it was as much as she could manage in her new strange surroundings.

Like me, she loved attending Holy Mass. Holy Rosary too. Over time, she began to trust and talk as we drank tea. She introduced me to her husband on FaceTime. He was so comforted knowing his dear lady was safe and happy far away from her African homeland. 

Then one day she was gone. I worried about her but not for long. My new friend had her own road to travel and just like each and everyone of us, sometimes we must go it alone.

Then, one fine day, surprise text message assuring me that all was well thank God. What joy then hearing her joyful tone today. Nowadays, after some amazing journey, she works in a Nursing Home. Soon, please God, her husband and children will join her in Ireland. They are really looking forward to meeting up with me. I told her I am really looking forward to meeting up with them too. 

‘You changed my story’, she told me. Words I will never forget as long as I live.

I could easily add; ‘Who am I to be used like that’, but even that is false humility. I simply showed up!

Jesus did EVERYTHING! I was too tired, He was not!

‘To be a slave of Christ is proof of the highest nobility’. (St. Agatha)

If we can pray, eat, laugh and sleep then we are doing what God is asking us to do! I like that😀

‘Whoever I send to you on any particular day’. Holy Spirit wonderful words to my harried heart on one of my many overwhelming moments. Simplicity of heart and mind walking with Jesus because He knows the way. ‘He IS the way the truth and the life’. (John 14:6)

‘Christ’s voice reaches an ecstasy beyond and above any voice ever heard on earth. The tone of His voice is a bearer of the sublime message that we are on our way to another lovelier world, tinted with unimaginable wonders, alive with ultimate music and bursting with radiance and joy’.               (Archbishop Raya)