Soul Scribe

Life sometimes takes you down lonely country roads on unexpected side trips. You feel comfortable where you are, or at least somewhat secure – and then you hit the ruts in the dirt road.

This is where I’ve been since late last May. For the months of May and June, it was like an avalanche pushed me off-course and left me there – one thing after another leading me farther down a narrow stretch of back roads.

I’m just now finding my way back to the main road.

Even though I was lost on an unexpected detour, I wasn’t alone. God was there with me, coaching gently from the seat next to me.

As a result of this detour, I’ve experienced a lot of pain, hurt, fear, loneliness and hard times. But I’ve also encountered many compassionate moments, bright spots and love from my inner circle.

I made it through, because I allowed God to share my burdens. To some extent, only God knows how difficult this struggle was and how hard it was for me. I didn’t close myself off from Him – I let God in and He encouraged me to have faith.

Sometimes, I only shared my pain with God. I didn’t have words to tell my friends and family. And sometimes, other people were living their lives, while I struggled just to survive. They don’t see you, or you don’t see them, except every now and then.

But God is always there. He’s never too busy or off in His own bubble. He’s always present, even if it’s just to sit with you and cry.

Let’s be clear. Where I was before this side trip, wasn’t the ideal. Far from it. It was okay. I needed better than okay, and I knew that. I just didn’t know okay had to stop immediately.

It also doesn’t mean that everything now is rosy. It’s just a better place than I was before, and that is something I come to see more and more each day.

I have many exciting things blossoming, and many wonders to share through this blog.

One last thing. If you’re lost on a detour, turn to God.

He’s there. Always. No matter where you are or where you’ve been – God will drive with you whether you’re on-course or off-roading.

Trust God.

The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost.

G.K. Chesterton

Where there is no love, pour love in, and you will pull love out.

St. John of the Cross

Dream Over

That was the headline for a story on Susan Boyle, the contestant who caught the attention of the world in Britain’s TV talent show – Britain’s Got Talent.  She wasn’t your average – wait, she was your average-looking singer.  She wasn’t this polished, made-up and groomed mega-star like Beyoncé – or whatever she’s calling herself now.

She was a normal person with a God-given talent for singing.  Everyone wrote her off based on her appearance until she started to sing.

Now, I’m a huge reality show fan.  One thing you learn from watching reality TV is that the outer package doesn’t always tell the truth about what’s on the inside.

There’s plenty of great-looking people that I wouldn’t want to be around for one minute.  They need to spend just as much time grooming the inside as they do the outer beauty.

You can’t judge any book by its cover – because you have to ponder the words inside before you know the story.

Just because Susan didn’t win, doesn’t mean her dream is over.  Her dream is using her talent.  And she wants to continue to do just that.  So often nowadays, we must put another down to raise up ourselves.  Susan didn’t win – therefore she lost.  She has no worth.

It’s just not good enough anymore to be talented.  One has to be THE NEXT BIG THING or your dream is over.  It’s not okay to be good and to use your talent in the world.

The pressure that people put on Susan Boyle is unreasonable.  This is an amateur talent contest – she’s not a professional yet.  What about the growth she’s experienced as a singer?

Her voice is extraordinary.  I hope she holds onto that and doesn’t let anyone take away what God gave her – a voice to sing with.

Sing and continue to dream, Susan.  God hears you even when others do not.

Broken things are precious. We eat broken bread because we share in the death of our Lord and his broken life. Broken flowers give perfume. Broken incense is used in adoration. A broken ship saved Paul and many other passengers on the way to Rome. Sometimes the only way the good Lord can get into some hearts is to break them.

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

We know that every effort to better society, especially where injustice and sin are so ingrained, is an effort that God blesses, that God wants, that God demands of us.

Archbishop Oscar Romero

March 24, 1980

Last homily before he was martyred for the people of El Salvador

If we pray, we will believe.
If we believe, we will love.
If we love, we will serve.

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

We get so caught up in the nitty gritty of rules and judgments that we forget.

 It’s not about the rules.

It’s about how you treat people.  It’s about finding that person in the corner and finding out who they are.  It’s walking the talk and how you live each day.  What kind of good did you do today?

You can be the most conscientious follower of religious practices and still not be who God wants you to be.

Don’t get me wrong.  Religion is important, but it’s not for show or the motions.  You’ve got to live it, not just attend it.

Religion is making our path to a relationship with God, as individuals and also community.  Everyday religion requires commitment that less and less people have time for nowadays.

We marginalize people for many reasons – they look different; they act different; they live different; they don’t look, act or live how we want them to live.  We forget that some people are even there.

Open your eyes and see all those around you as God does.  God sees each of us.  He really sees – not just the surface, but deep down into the soul.

If we really look at one another and see, we can make a difference.

He is not wise to me who is wise in words only, but he who is wise in deeds.

St. Gregory