Seeing God

This past Saturday evening my mom, my sister, and I went to mass at St. Michael's, and we witnessed one of the sweetest things ever. After we sat down in our pew an elderly man in a wheel chair and a woman who seemed to be his daughter came in the side door. Mass had already begun, so they quickly found a seat in the back pew on the side, which was to the right of my family and I. Instead of staying in his wheelchair, the elderly man insisted to sit in the pew with his daughter. His daughter gently pulled him to his feet and helped him move into the pew. It was obvious that the man was in a lot of pain and that it was not easy for him to move very well because he was shaking. However, each time it was time for us to stand at mass the elderly man would stand with us, with the gentle help and care from his daughter. He insisted on standing even though it was painful and hard for him. Communion time rolled around and the priest began to make his way down the stairs of the altar. The elderly man saw the priest and stood up from his seat, with help from his daughter. They slowly made their way out of the pew, and they stood right next to their pew in the side isle. The man extended is arms out in front of himself once he saw the priest coming to distribute communion to a few elderly women in the front row. The priest then made is way down the side isle where the elderly man was standing to give communion to another lady. The elderly man knew he was next, so he extended his arms out even farther. However, he did not see the elderly man. The priest turned around and continued in the opposite direction towards the altar. The elderly man slowly put down his arms, and they walked back into their pew and sat down. The rest of us got into line for communion, as well as the elderly man's daughter. As my family and I were approaching the priest to receive communion we saw a lady speaking to the priest. As we got closer we were able to hear that she was speaking about the elderly man and how he wished to receive communion. The priest nodded his head and told her, "Thank you." After the priest had given the last person in line communion he made his way to the elderly man. The man saw the priest coming towards him, and his face lit up. His daughter helped him to his feet and they walked out of the pew. Once again, the man extended his arms way out in front of himself, and the priest then placed the Body of Christ in the man's hands. The elderly man brought his hands to his mouth, and he ate the host. The priest then patted the man on his back, and he headed back towards the altar. It was obvious that the elderly man was satisfied beyond measure. 

This sweet thing that my family and I witnessed helped make our day so much brighter because we knew we had seen God. We saw God in the lady who told the priest about the elderly man. We saw God in the priest and the way he made sure that the elderly man received communion. We saw God in the elderly man's daughter and the ways she cared for her father. We saw God in the elderly man. He showed his love for our God so intensely as he stood in pain and extended his arms towards his Heavenly Father. He was faithful. I find it so important that we look for God in our every day lives. Sometimes God is working in the smallest and sweetest ways, and we miss it. It is so easy to for us to look for other things that interest us instead of what God is doing. So, today I challenge you to look for God. His works are so very precious and can help to brighten your day; just as the elderly man and his faithfulness brightened my day.  

Have a lovely week! 

Much love, 

Gracie