There Are Angels Among Us

In the past few weeks I have dodged gunfire and felt my air supply dwindle as my failing heart filled my lungs with fluid. Fear was present, I would be inhuman if it wasn't. But stronger than my fear, was my faith. -and I was not alone.

When I was a very young child, I remember my mother telling my brother Ronnie to "look after your brother". My brother rolled his eyes, grabbed my arm and said "come on". When Ronnie died, I cried because at the young age of 4, I understood the finality of death. But I always felt his presence when I was afraid. I remember sitting with him at the top of the stairs listening to the TV (when we should have been in bed). We just sat there quietly, in the dark so we wouldn't get caught. So many times in my life I would go back there in my mind. So many times in my life I could feel his presence. This week, when my oldest brother left after spending the day ensuring I was out of danger, Ronnie sat in the chair at the end of my bed, 'looking after his brother'. The nurses that woke me every couple of hours we're surprised at how well I slept. As I contemplated having to accept a major heart condition, he watched over me. And again he took away my fear.

There are angels among us. Spirits of those who left the mortal world, but still watch out for our well being. My Mom often comes to me in dreams to reassure me that she is at peace. My Grandmothers remind me of things they have taught me by sending me flashes of things I'd long forgotten. A song comes on the radio to remind me of how long gone friends made it through difficult times.

Keeping your heart and mind in spiritual shape, can help you through any physical crisis. A strong faith brings you closer to those you love who are with you and who have gone on to their rest. Through them, you become closer to God and you can truly walk your life's journey with Christ. It is not the length of the journey that should concern us so much as the destination and what we gather along the way.

My journey has taken an unexpected turn. I will gather knowledge I had not counted on. The load gets a little heavier. But I am not alone to carry this load, for there are angels among us to help me to carry on.

Finding Faith

Recently a friend of mine went on a spiritual quest. She wanted to feel the presence of God to enrich her soul. When she went to the nearest Catholic church she found the doors locked. She rang the bell at the rectory and nobody answered. The next day she called the church and was told the mass times and that she could make an appointment to meet the pastor and tour the church. This was a bit more than she was ready for. She became dismayed that she couldn't just walk into the church at any given time to sit and contemplate. When she shared her experience with me I listened patiently and then chuckled. "Someone stole the lantern outside the door, I can't imagine what would be missing if they left the doors open 24/7." I said as she began her litany of excuses why it was wrong for the church to turn away those seeking spiritual enrichment.

I found it symbolic of many people's attitudes toward faith enrichment. So many are quick to use a locked door, a negative news item, or a bad experience as an excuse to make an effort to let God into their heart. I don't recall any stories of Jesus going door-to-door asking for followers. Jesus spoke and people listened and followed. There is no magic that happens when you walk into a church. It is merely a reminder of what we hold sacred. A place to join others in praise and thanksgiving. It's just a building.

When we search for our true faith we need not look far. While it can be locked away from those who want to steal it, the key is always available. God is always there waiting, listening and loving. The place we seek is in our hearts. And to enrich our faith we need only to open our hearts and let God and others in.

It's a Wonderful Christmas

Many movies are made to inspire us by showing us the strength and incredible endurance of the common man. No one has portrayed this better than Frank Capra. And no film typifies this with such heartwarming lessons as "It's a Wonderful Life", a holiday staple and a treasured movie that makes my top five favorites.

The lesson we get from George Bailey is that no man's life is worthless. Every one of us touches many other lives. But to delve into the story deeper and to analyze Mr. Bailey, we see that George Bailey is hardly the common man. From the beginning of the story we see that George makes ethical choices and gives to others before taking for himself. It's easy to go through life grabbing everything for yourself. Climbing corporate ladders over the backs of those who aren't as cut throat. Discarding those who need a little extra help because they aren't as strong as you. Preying on the weakness of others to build up your own wealth. We read about these people everyday. Mostly when they are on trial or are being sent to jail. We also see these people all around us. The ones who expect the world to turn around them. In reality, it's these people who wouldn't be missed if they were never born because they don't touch lives, they expect lives to touch theirs.

When I watch "It's a Wonderful Life" I think of the old adage "That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger." Most people think that it is a natural progression. It's not. It's a choice. George Bailey made choices to do what is good and right and many others benefited from his kindness. To me, that is the greatest inspiration of the movie. Accepting the hardships of life and using them as tools to strengthening and enriching our lives.

Like the character of George Bailey, I will probably never have buildings named after me, statues or paintings made of me or volumes of books written about me. Instead I will go to my rest knowing that I reached out to those in need. Pulled up those who were down. And made life a little simpler for those who face hardships. It truly is a wonderful life. But only if you make it one!

May the holiday season bless us all with a Wonderful Life!