This past week I vacationed with a best friend who came to NJ to spend a week with me. We spent three of the seven days in NY, visiting various sites of interest. What an experience to tour the UN and see the work of this organization in promoting peace throughout the world. God truly is alive in the efforts of so many who are involved in these peace-keeping efforts and in promoting the UN Millenium goals. We also went to Ground Zero. What a heart-breaking experience to tour St. Paul's Chapel across the street from the tragedy. Volunteers stopped to pray and console one another at this holy spot. Tears came to our eyes as we read the stories of heros and heroines who risked their lives to save others that terrible day. The compassion of God working through humankind was evident in many ways. We went to the Top of the Rock (top of Rockefeller Center) and viewed NYC--what a sight! My friend saw God at work in millions who orchestrate a city in ways that reflect God's creative work when He first created the world out of a formless waste. God continues to order chaos through those in public service in NYC and throughout the world. How great a God have we, who orders all things new every day of our lives and weeps with those who weep, and waits for us to call upon Him in our neediness. Yes! waits for us to seek His assistance when we face consequences of unfathomable tragedies that crash in upon humankind on a regular basis.
I was challenged daily by the invitation to to let go and let God work in my life during this week's vacation, working through difficulties and challenges that surface in close relationships, gaining self-knowledge as I took the issues to prayer, seeking God's counsel. I recognized in a poignant way how much I need God's help in loving, caring, and relating humbly, respectfully, patiently and trustingly when "lost" or uncertain or when my ego insists on being right and implies another is wrong. Every day was a day that invited me to deeper conversion and to live the challenge of my annual retreat: "Complete trust!" I learned anew what a different path the spiritual self travels in comparison to the path the ego wants to thread! What a grace life is!
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