During my recent vacation I had the opportunity to visit The Vatican and attend a Sunday Blessing service by Pope Benedict Francis. I went to the Sunday service because “I wanted to see the Pope,” but as I stood in St. Peter’s Square with hundreds and thousands of people my spirit was touched. I was touched because I was a believer in the largest gathering of believers I’d experienced thus far. I instantly recalled one of the memory scriptures from my years of Bible Study, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”
What a moment…I wept.
Then I remembered visiting KBS in Mexico last fall and visiting the Basilica of Guadalupe. Worshipers believe that the Virgin of Guadalupe can cure almost any sickness and they crawl on their knees for miles as they approach the basilica before praying to the Virgin of Guadalupe. As a non-Catholic I didn’t understand what I was witnessing at that time. I thought it was very admirable to see these people crawling on their knees some even holding sick babies but that was about it. I didn’t understand that they were being led by their FAITH.
Photo Credit: jgerardbreiner.blogspot.com
In those moments at The Vatican I also remembered my personal journey. Last summer my life changed for the better when I was laid off. At the time I didn’t know my life was changing for the better I just knew it was changing. I remember going to Miraval in Arizona shortly after I was laid off because I needed some “quiet time” to pray, reflect, meditate and I wanted to hear from God.” It was there that I got a message that has been my guiding principle…ALL THINGS WORK AS THEY SHOULD! I’m sure lots of people have heard ALL THINGS WORK AS THEY SHOULD because it’s a Bible scripture, Romans 8:28. However, I really took hold of that principle and have allowed it to get deep into my being and guide me. At times when things aren’t going the way I think they should or would like them to in my life and I start to feel and experience anxiety, disappointment and/or worry I still myself and repeat that statement… ALL THINGS WORK AS THEY SHOULD and eventually I start to re-center and feel better.
So a year later I know that it takes FAITH to Carpe Diem! Do you believe that can seize the day?
Carpe Diem
Photo Credit: Etsy
Your insights grow from a foundation of truth.
Thanks for sharing.
Keep the faith.
WOW! Powerful
I really like this blog entry a lot! So Glad I stumbled upon it. There is a play I am writing that just finished an Off- Broadway run called The Body Image Project. Would love to interview you for this play. http://wp.me/p3yyyC-5Q
Sure! E-mail me at jasmine@jbstringer.com
Nice experience…neat story! Isn’t it the most relaxing feeling when you choose to believe: “All things work as they should!” On a side note, how about the Vatican’s architecture? Italy is one of my favorite cities in the world! Have a great week!
It really is. It’s the “process” of going through that can be so unsettling but the key is to keep the faith and KNOW that all things work as they should. I LOVE all of ROME! There still a few more cities in Italy I would like to visit but it’s on my list of top 5 places to visit.
Jim-I think Rome has some pretty impressive architecture. I was very impressed by all the intricate architecture details at the Vatican.