It was a beautiful, sunny morning and we spread ourselves out on the grass to have breakfast (thanks to A. baby who brought yummy tuna sandwiches and cheesecake) and to share our life stories with each other.
What a celebration of life as each woman shared her unique story and of how she saw Jesus in the dark and light moments of her journey.
The twists and turns in the roads_
the torturous travails,
the thrilling triumphs...
...everything
- the detours, veering off the path, getting lost -
that takes her
face to face with the Father.
Nothing like looking back on life to see His presence in it.
Recognize now that even in the midst of smiles and tears back then, He was there.
Give thanks that we have been given the grace to weather the storms of life and acknowledge the gifts of joy and love.
Know that no matter how lost we are, He will always find us and carry us home.
One common thread through the stories is that each woman has experienced sorrow and suffering in some form or another, either shaped by circumstance or will.
What inspires is that each has made walking through the fire a refining process that burns away the impurities to reveal a heart on fire, lit by the spirit of God's love.
Just as St. Paul said to the Romans:
"...we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
While I look to saints like Therese of Lisieux, Edith Stein, Augustine of Hippo and Paul to encourage and inspire, I also look to my sisters (and brothers) around me to do the same.
Together, arm in arm, we walk our unique paths toward one common destination.
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