A line from the song, “If” by David Gates says; “If” a picture paints a thousand words then why can’t I paint you.” Your picture displayed in your house, office or in the album tells about you. It paints a thousand words and a thousand memories of your life.
What or how would you like your picture be drawn or painted? In whatever form it is, a picture projects a variety of realities.
A young man tells a story about how he survived from the onslaught of tragedies in his life which started when he and his two siblings were abandoned by their father at a very young age, compounded by the death of their mother. He lost hope and questioned God’s existence and was bitter with the world. It was when he was in deep oblivion and distress that he realized how close God was to him and his brother and sister. His grandparents and uncles came to their rescue and lavished them with care as loving parents would. Over his life’s miserable picture, he saw the big picture of the compassionate God who truly cares and is closest during such trying times.
Our experience of travails in life sometimes bring us them down to our knees in distress and some even lost trust in God. But I know of a couple whose only son died in a tragic accident but instead of losing faith, they prayed all the more and entrusted everything in the Lord’s hands. They remained faithful to God and are active members of a Catholic Organization, regularly fulfilling their Sunday obligation. They saw beyond their painful loss the big picture of God carrying them in his hands, just as these words of the poem, Foot Prints In The Sand” say; “ The times when you have seen only one set of footprints, is when I carried you.” Let’s look beyond our life’s picture, the big picture of God who truly loves us and never abandons us.
On the flip side, someone said, that if you want to know someone’s mind, listen to his words. If you want to know someone’s heart, watch his actions. Confidence is silent, insecurities are loud. A smart person knows what to say. A wise person knows whether to say it or not. It takes grace to remain kind in cruel situations. Before you heal someone, ask him if he’s willing to give up the things that made him sick. My father used to say, “Don’t raise your voice, improve your argument.” What you allow, is what will continue. The only thing more dangerous than ignorance, is arrogance. Lessons in life will be repeated until they’re learned. Amen on that folks!!
St. Faustina wrote Jesus’ words; “So approach this fountain of mercy often, to draw with the vessel of trust whatever you need.” (Diary 1487).
Pray the Divine Mercy every 3 p.m. Daily recite the Chaplet and the Holy Rosary for peace in our families and in the world.