Overflowing with God's life and love

"Beloved: We have this confidence in God, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask, we know that what we have asked him for is ours." ~ 1 John 5: 14-15

"Jesus, change my ordinary life into something excellent and extraordinary, so that it overflows with your life and love." ~Word Among Us, meditation prayer for Jan 7, 2017

Yesterday, I learned that our son will not be taking over the business his father has built. He and his wife both prefer to live in a larger city and to do different work than being small business owners. 

I had a hard night, and went from angry and resentful to sobbing out my hurt today as various realities were changed in the outcome of the discussion with our son last night.

I do want what is best for them, however, and I am confident this is God's will for all of us. 

I thought about St. Joseph and if he ever experienced such profound sadness that his son, whom he trained in carpentry, preferred instead to become a preacher.

Now, I know that St. Joseph knew that Jesus mission in coming among us was to save his people from their sins. 

But, still, were there moments when he hoped that Jesus would still be able to help him finish that project the neighbor needed?

It was hard for me to accept this because I had so counted on our son relieving some of the burdens of business ownership from his father. I wonder if Mary ever thought Jesus might stay and be the village carpenter?

I suspect everyone in the Holy Family knew that Jesus had bigger things to do..like saving mankind from its sins. Still..is it not a natural parenting instinct to want one of your children to take over for you? To be close to you and available to help out with all the various aspects of running a business.

Well, I guess I am the one who will be helping now and I pray that we will take this opportunity to become excellent and extraordinary in all aspects of our lives, overflowing with God's life and love.

"Be at peace, my child. I have heard you. And you know that if I have heard you, what you ask for is yours. Your lives will become excellent and extraordinary, overflowing with My life and love. Your husband, too, will experience this joyful turning. Know that all is well. I love you and bless you."

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

Jan. 3, Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus

"But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name.." John 1:12

What a wonderful scripture verse and one that has stayed with me since I first heard it (again) several days ago.

To those who believe in his name and accept him, he gives the power to become children of God.

In pondering this, it means that the ability to be children of God is not given to everyone, just those who accept and believe.  

It is probably available to unbelievers if they surrender to God or intend to surrender to His almighty and ever powerful love for each person.

Yet, this means that we who do believe have somehow been equipped to travel through this world with something similar to a homing compass or beacon, leading us always closer to our true home. 

Of course, we have to pay attention to the "homing beacon," so that we don't get lost or off track. And when or if we do, we have to hope that the homing beacon will still work, guiding us onward.

Yet, what if in the process of making our way homeward, we lose the Beacon or the ability to understand it? Would that not explain the terrible dichotomy of views present in this world? Because so many folks seem not to have the power to become God's children, or have lost it along way.

Thank you, Lord for the power of your name and the inheritance bequeathed to us.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.