Lest I forget, let me put into writing now that my life has been simply extraordinary.The obvious dawned on me this afternoon, and since my mind is usually so ignorant of these beautiful things due to my selfishness, I am putting it in print so that I might always remember.
If I look back at all the major events of my life, they have been absolutely extraordinary. I couldn't have planned them better, and it is simply because I really didn't. My heart cannot conceive of anything more perfect than the gifts that God has already given me.
Take, for example, my humble beginnings. My wonderful parents, extended family, and enrollment at St. Catherine Laboure Catholic School in Illinois absolutely formed the basis who I am today.
College, which at first was a financial impossibility, became a reality through ardent prayers and the generosity of organizations who together gave me a full scholarship.
But God's gift-giving continued.
His divine guidance lead me from what was once a career identity crisis to what then became a path I never knew I’d want to tread (this being a math teacher), and this couldn’t have been more perfect or more perfectly timed with precisely when I would need a salary to live on my own.
In addition, He timed it perfectly that I should get my master's degree and salary increase right when I would find myself paying my first mortgage. Both happened for the first time last month. Incredible timing!
God seems to be constantly orchestrating my life, blissfully gliding me through beautiful days (which gives me the chance to praise Him) and carefully protecting me as I endure the difficult ones (which gives me a chance to rely on Him).
The year 2005 managed to be both my happiest and saddest year; and yet, in both instances, God was fully present, fully in control, and made both experiences the very best they could be, to the fullest extent possible. To be able to say that--both about my happiness and my sadness that year--feels incredible and makes me realize how privileged I am as a child of His.
Whether His Will delivers joy or permits suffering, it is always perfectly timed, and the fruit of this truth will be made visible. It is merely a matter of time before the veil shall be lifted.
I never wanted to buy a house on my own, and I was incessantly anxious about the fact that homes only come up for sale at unexpected moments, meaning that you haven’t got your choice of the whole neighborhood.
And yet, despite it all, my Divine Conductor tailored the details of my life to obtain for me (effortlessly!) the very singular house for which my heart so longed for so many years. And yet, in this case and all of them, God did not fulfill my dreams; He exceeded them! I would have never thought possible so many things that have happened to me.
Absolutely EVERYTHING (the joys and the tragedies) of my life have been mind-blowing extraordinary and incredibly cool.
How can I not suppose that Our Lord would have His same trademark on all that which is yet to come into my life? As I look back, I realize I simply must trust Him as I look forward.
