We asked a few readers to share with us where they encountered God in the unexpected. Today and tomorrow we highlight their responses.
I Found God in the Finding of Me
Unclothed, unprotected,
Touched by unloving,
Uncared for in my need, I was
Nothing.
Rich men grab at what they lack;
Poverty lowers the hand.
Poor as I was, I sat,
Unconsoled, unexpectant.
Alone.
As a blind woman senses a friend in the room,
I felt your eyes upon me.
My abyss met yours, much deeper, and wild.
My chaos met your silence.
Ages of agony passed between us.
This, too, is where you live.
How could I know you were looking for me?
“My name is I wait. All ways lead to me.”
Thus I found God in the finding of me.
Grace Mazza Urbanski is the Director of Children’s Ministry for the U.S. national office of the Apostleship of Prayer. She blogs at Praying with Grace.
Surprised by Grace
Eric Gurash is a spiritual director and works in parish ministry. He contributes to Catechist’s Journey.
Challenging People
Since I work at a parish, you would think that I trip over God in so many places that I would never be shocked. But be assured—the sneak-up-on-me God surprises me daily.
God regularly shows up in the form of challenging people. Sometimes I see God in a cranky co-worker or in a perturbed parishioner. God always arrives in the needy poor, at times belligerent in their persistence and perhaps mentally ill or simply exhausted from difficult living.
It is easy to see God in the hushed and majestic sanctuary, when I am kneeling and praying alone. God is indeed there—God is everywhere! However, I continue be startled by God revealed in people that irk me. God astonishingly shows up in everyone, challenging my not-so-merciful heart to soften and open—just like God’s does for us every day.
Fran Rossi Szpylczyn works at a parish in New York and blogs at There Will Be Bread.
I love all three contributions today. The one that God is leading me today is Fran’s encounter with challenging people. My prayer since this morning has been to be given the Grace to help my 9 year old deal with difficulties in friendships, in a way that will show that she is a friend of Jesus. #FindIggy