Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Hello! The gift of today was beyond imagining.

Today is Wednesday, the day Larry & I go to Luke 15 House in the morning, to do a group with the residents.

I was feeling excited about taking the Serenity Prayer and finding reflections throughout the bible that emphasize the qualities that this powerful prayer imparts. Well, it started out that way, and then…

  One of the fellows remembered a miracle in his past that he hadn't thought of in a long time and 'Just had to share it!"

Then another hand went up, and another 'miracle' shared. And then another, and another and another! Oh my, the sharing today was like I've never experienced in my 17 years at Luke 15 House. Each story included the fact that they knew that their mother prayed for them every single day, no matter how estranged they may have been from her. The stories began after I expressed that as a mother, when there have been serious challenges in my son's lives, I have learned to thank God for the good work He is doing in them and for the good people He is putting in their lives. And although I know that God loves them far more than I ever could, I still struggle, giving in to the temptation to worry. "God, grant me the SERENITY to Accept the things I cannot change, COURAGE to change the things I can, and the WISDOM to know the difference." As hard as I try to surrender my anxiety to God, it's still hard to shake. I have to persevere!

  The beautiful stories were shared with such enthusiasm. The men were all so alive & attentive. And, I think for those that did not share, the encouragement they would have felt from what the others 'declared', I'm sure will bear fruit in their own lives in the future.

  Between goosebumps and tears from hearing men share from their hearts with such tenderness and conviction, I was exhausted, in the very best way. As mothers, we may sometimes feel insecure about our place in the hearts of our adult children. But the hope and gratitude that was shared today about the generosity of mothers' love and prayers "no matter what" as they said, fed this mother's heart and soul. 

 I am hoping that some of what was shared today, will be transcribed and published in a Luke 15 House News Letter. When it does, I will share it here, so that you too will be consoled, encouraged and strengthened in your most beautiful and challenging role as mothers. It will also be a gift for you fathers, grandparents, and anyone who carries the concerns for any loved one in their heart as well.

  The father of a past resident who met me when his son had completed one year at Luke 15 & was moving on, said to me as he squeezed my hands, and looked into my eyes, "It's wonderful to finally meet the good person that I have been thanking God for, whom He has put in my son's life!"

  "It takes a village!" God bless you in your role as the 'good person' God has put to make a positive difference In someone's life. xoxo