A few days before my grandfather died of brain cancer, he made me make him a promise: “Becksa, promise me you’ll tell people that they are not alone. Promise me you’ll keep telling people the Good News.”
With tears rolling down my face, I looked my beloved Boppy in the eyes, and with commitment I could feel in every part of my body, I promised him I would.
I cannot count the number of times I have replayed this conversation between the two of us in the last two years since it took place. I roll the words over and over again in my mind and savor them in my heart. I recall the memory of what it felt like to have my grandfather lovingly gaze at me and understand what mattered to me at my core. I cherish the bond that we had, not only as grandfather and granddaughter, but also as two kindred souls who knew what it was like to be loved by God.
He knew in those last moments of his life what I now understand better than I ever did what it was like to discover the promises of God. His understanding of the promises grew in him through the lived experience of 84 years of a life full of joys and sorrows, weaved together with the stitches of his journey of faith. Life, prayer, and his community experience of faith taught Boppy that there were some things in life that were unchangeable and that served as firm foundations upon which to build our lives. While my life experience is less than half of what his was, I, too, know—through life’s journey, my own time in my inner chapel in prayer, and my lived communal experience of faith—that the promises of God anchor our hope.
If I were asked, “Why do you have hope?” my immediate reply would be because I know that I am not alone. God is with me. God is within each one of us, always residing in that sacred space within us, the inner chapel. By visiting the inner chapel every day, I discovered I am not going to an empty silence but to the quiet to be with the One I belong to, who loves me unconditionally, who offers me rest and mercy, and who is a companion to whatever I am facing in life.
The promises of God are available to all of us. They are there for us to discover as we go to our inner chapels daily, as we live life, and as we engage in our communal aspects of faith. These promises tell us:
- We are never alone.
- We belong to someone.
- We are unconditionally loved.
- We are fully seen and offered mercy.
- We have a companion in our suffering.
- We have a unique call.
Knowing the Good News of our faith and the promises of God in the way my grandfather understood them—the way I understand them—changes our lives and sends us forth to become heralds of hope. I invite you not only to embrace the promises of God in your life, but also to join me in generously sharing this Good News with those who need it!
Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash.
Our inner chapel……our inner temple……..and Becky, you are fulfilling your promise everyday with this blog…..what a wonderful thought. Gasho and blessings….
It could never been any other time than now, while I am in isolation; to know that I am not alone. Thank you very much Becky.
Great post. Thank you Becky. You are right. One is never alone. There are legions of people working before and even behind the screen. Their creative contribution never goes in vain. And that is how life is remade and reshaped all the time. Long live the memory of your beloved Boppy!
Many thanks Becky for sharing. So encouraging.
Thanking my God for a wonderful grandfather who wants everyone to experience the nearness and goodness of our lord..praying and asking lord for giving strength to you dear Becky and to all of us to be messengers of a merciful loving God who is ever ever near to us his loving children.
Becky Tks for the sharing. Indeed so true we are never alone . Jesus is with us in good times and bad. He is Emmanuel,
Thank you Becky. Wonderful to have such a loving relationship with your Grandfather and with God too. God Bless you in your work and life. A.M.D.G.
I’m super super excited to read this.
Today’s Gospel invited me to ponder the blessings of being merciful. Your reflection connected well: we are offered mercy and called to live it. We are blessed.
THANK YOU, BECKY. ONCE AGAIN YOUR BEAUTIFUL MESSAGE HIT MY HEART!
What a beautiful reflection! And what a wise man your grandfather was. In your promise to him, you keep a promise to God to always cherish his presence with thanksgiving for His many gifts. Thank you!