13 July 14

I awoke early to go to a new (to me) Catholic Church in the Jacksonville Beach area. It was early enough that not many people were on the roads and I could see the calm ocean on the horizon with no visitors. The church was quaint and lovely in a sentimental area (where Steve and I went on our first date). The Priest from visiting from New York originally from New Delhi India. A verse that was read during the sermon was of the parable Jesus gave in Matthew 13:1-8: 

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

He spoke about a time when he met Mother Theresa in India and set up an assembly for her to speak for the crowd. She got up on the podium and spoke, "Dear brothers and sisters, God loves you." a silence fell on the crowd. Once again she repeated, "Dear brothers and sisters, God loves you." and for a final time, "Dear brothers and sisters, God LOVES you." I imagined her surveying the crowd in admiration and with a kind smile leaving the podium as she always did in her frail way. He said he didn't understand why she was so simple in her message but it reminded him of this parable. We get so excited when we feel God in our abundance but there are times when difficult situations arise and we are quick to dismiss the love that God has for us (the seed that falls on pebbles). Those who understand Gods love for us throughout the troubles live in rich soil.  

There was a small Indian toddler sitting in the front pews. He was so small and curious. His little shirt was no bigger than both of my hands put together. I felt so much love for him. I could almost feel his innocence. His mother will surely love him just as much when he's older and the innocence fades. Then I looked around me and thought, all these people were once a small innocent child that God loves with a mighty force. He too must love as in the same way. Undying, unrelenting. It's because we feel we don't deserve that kind of incredible love that we feel a disconnection between our relationship with Him. I will try to remember that when I'm down. 

I am so excited that Michelle Kinney has replied to Steven about that Crossfit position! I prayed that he would get the job if it was the path that He wanted him to take and he got the position. I am more excited that this is the right path rather than he receiving a job. I know that when we trust in him, great things will come our way. All Praise to Our Lord! Thanks be to God!