The Life Changing Gift of Looking For Kindness
It is Worth It
I was to begin an order of nuns dedicated to doing acts of love and living in humility. We were to beg for our sustenance and in the dream we did just that. That was it, that was the dream. Now what? Somehow, in the dream it became clear that St.Terese of Lisieux was directing this so I had to rethink her. I never quite got this saint who died so young. What could she possibly tell me? In a moment of clarity, I finally got her. Just do small things with love. That's it. So I started doing that and asked a few friends to join me. Together, connected by e-mails, we could encourage each other and change the world.
To stay connected, I committed to sending out an e-mail monthly with suggestions and perhaps saintly quotes. There were 4 of us in the beginning. The first e-mail went out in mid- September 2019 with a few humble examples of the "Little Way." That month, the order of nuns almost expired from lack of interest. No one responded to add their thoughts. I plowed on. Each month when I had nothing to say, a beautiful idea or story would fall into my lap like an uninvited but welcomed guest. It was amazing. Off went the e-mail. Then the direction went to fasting, fasting from food and Twitter and offering it up for others. St. Joan of Arc made her way to us when courage was needed by my 7 year old granddaughter who was suffering deeply from being locked away from Covid.
I soon felt that someone else was in charge of the group and relaxed into acceptance. What was needed would come.
On September 14, 2020, I again had nothing to share with the group. I sat down on a bed, closed my eyes and just said : "Jesus". Then I saw this which I offer with a humble, grateful heart: " I could see myself walk into a very quiet, peaceful room. In the middle was a circle of chairs and the saints were in that circle. Saint Francis to my left, then St. Therese, Teresa of Calcutta, Joan of Arc and St. Bernadette. I knew them right away.
"In my mind. because speech seemed an intrusion, I asked them how they persevered in this crazy, distracting world we live in. In unison I heard them say in my spirit: 'Prayer.' I sensed them all smiling as if they were thinking, 'you know that already.' I then asked how they prayed and I heard this : 'Constantly. Look for Him in everything. He is there. Keep Him as your special friend tucked away in your heart. Give Him everything ; worries, concerns, fears, joy, give it to Him. Mostly, express your thanks, your deep infinite gratitude for the grace you were given that day when you asked Him into your life. He smiles at this.'
"Then I asked if they had anything else to tell us and this simple reply brought tears: 'It is worth it.' "
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About the Author
My name is Sharon Graham.I was raised on Long Island, New York where I was born in 1943. For forty years, my husband and I have lived in Georgiia where we raised our four children.
I attended Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead, New York and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Hofstra University on Long Island. I was a Team Manager for BellSouth Mobilty in Atlanta and retired in 2000 after a twenty-two year career. My work has been published in Contemplative Outreach.
My home church of 40 years is St.Philip Benizi Catholic Church, Jonesboro,Georgia.
I began writing in 2008 to process the grief I felt over the death of my sister.I have a blog with some followers and I post stories regularly onFacebook.My blog is :http://www.holywriting.blogspot.com
The joy that I feel when I share the love I have for running, nature and the blessings that come into my life, keeps me writing.In the process, I hope to inspire.
