So This Is Purgatory!
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Did you ever notice that the Apostles had to have several visits from the Risen Lord to really get the message sunk in that HE IS RISEN!! HE IS ALIVE!!
Well, I don’t know about you, but just like the Jewish folks wandering in the desert—I tend to be on the forgetful side, too, about just what God can do! I also forget just how much He is waiting and ready to rescue me. Or how about all the special God moments we experience when seeing something so awesomely beautiful and His presence is so strong ----and we KNOW WITHOUT A DOUBT---HE IS ALIVE—HE IS RISEN!!
Yep, we come down off the Holy Transfiguration Mountain and its back to earth, to life we go. Enter in everyday life with everyday events and struggles. Enter in frustrations, flare ups and humanness and all those human emotions we deal with on a daily basis.
Recently, God lovingly called me a Maggot, and I laughed for the Scripture this came from was one of my favorite reminders of just how much He loves us. I knew exactly why He addressed me thus so, and I took it as His message of reassuring love. (Isaiah 41 vs13-14 13)
“For I am the LORD, your God, who grasp your right hand;
It is I who say to you, Do not fear, I will help you.
14Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you maggot Israel;
I will help you—oracle of the LORD; the Holy One of Israel is your redeemer.”
“Yes indeed, you worm, you maggot---I see what you have done—and yet I love you and am always ready and waiting to help deliver and rescue you from your stinking, dirty crummy life you are experiencing.” God knows that we not only so we deal with our own human nature but the low down human nature of others, too, who bring great amounts of hurt from what is dead in their lives and passing it down to us.
Just as vultures gather, and flies lay eggs that mature and grow---so does all of life swarm in and come at us when we stay in past hurts and chew on it. Think about it dear ones---we all love to gather to have a good ranting, venting and feast over ‘what is a stinking mess!’ Or, we love to hold in our hearts grudges, resentment and unforgiveness over ‘someone done me wrong.’
“Hey people, I have enough guilt, regrets, anger to deal with—quit passing your ‘plate’ around, trying to share what you are feeding on too. ” See what I mean---we are all maggots!!
Well God is waiting for you to get tired of feeding off the dead past and come back to Him with all your heart. From Hosea, we hear more names lashed out to us---“a stubborn cow, a wild ass, and a prostitute!!!” But, loving God that He is, He still pleads with us with love and reassurance that He wants to embrace the whore in us and make us His new and beautiful Bride again.
So the question is asked—“Dearly beloved Maggot will you take this God for your Husband to have and to hold from this day forward?” He truly is alive, risen, waiting to be the very best spouse for you! Just repeat after me---“I DO!!” (Repeat all the rest of your Baptismal Vows too.)
It is up to each of us to keep Jesus ALIVE, RISEN and LOVING well in this world. This is something that we can only do by staying in a covenant relationship/marriage with Him as His Bride. No maggots or stubborn cows here---just a Bride of the Risen Lord!! One moment at a time—for you known the flies and the vultures will come---but hey, all serve a purpose in life don’t they? If only to remind us we really don’t want to dine on what is disgusting!!
Born the youngest of nine children, raised VERY Catholic across the street from Immaculate Heart of Mary church and school—Mom and Dad led by example and word their FAITH in God and saw to it that I was given 12 years of Catholic Education. (Mount St. Mary’s Academy/1965)
But, most importantly, because of my parents’ spiritual renewal after attending Cursillo Weekends, I too went on a retreat at our beloved Subiaco Abbey in Arkansas and there, at age 20, gave my life totally, surrendering all to my Lord and best Friend. This was my “Pentecostal” event that left me, like all the early Christians, on fire with God’s love and forever changed.
My husband Robert and I have been married for 54 this year in a marriage arranged by God. We have 8 children, two in heaven, 24 grandchildren, and 28 great-grandchildren. The story of our life together can be found in a book titled “My Journey, My Cross-As the Journals End,” published by Westbow Press . Our life together has been one awesome up and down roller coaster ride which enriched my heart with so many of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I have found that the only way, Wisdom, Understanding, Words of Knowledge, Discernment, and Healing can be received is first by experiencing in your life the hurts of others. (and you yourself a sword will pierce)* so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2 v 35.
God has blessed me also many other talents and skills--but sometimes, blessings/gifts can and have caused problems or conflict in my life, as I am human and all too quickly that part of me shows up. Thank You God that You also show up!
Because of the many ways that He has rescued me, and taught me through my trials and tribulations and continuous cries for “Help”--- a weekly podcast radio show called “It’s Me, God” can still be found on www.radiotitans.com
