Monday, August 4, 2008

Miracle Monday: Subtle Ways

I had a theology professor once in college who said something that has stuck with me and played a role in my life. I forget the exact context of the conversation, the topic of the class that day. The class itself was Christian Ethics...quite an interesting class, very thought provoking. But what he said was powerful. He said that when we pray for someone, God does not just reach into their lives and do a complete 180. He works more subtly. He may cause them to hear something or see something, or have a friend talk to them or even ask a simple questions that gets them thinking. It's these little subtleties that can become life changing.
I've always liked that idea, it goes along with God reaching out through the people around you. Why am I going on about this? Simple. I'm pretty sure I had one of those moments last Sunday. My good friend B texted, a very simple "mass tonight?". I hadn't been in about two weeks. I also didn't have any reason not to go. So I agreed, and I went. And it was wonderful. We had a great community when we were in college, but we really are separate from that community now. We're no longer students, so we're welcome, but not really involved. The church we went to was wonderful, and they have a great young adult community. I was excited, really excited to be back at mass, and it instantly felt right, it felt like home. And I've missed that. I've been a bit absent on the faith side of things recently. (note: after the bf and I dwindled on going to mass...we started having problems..not immediately, but soon after. Coincidence? I think not)
B and I went to the young adult dinner social after mass last weekend, and had a great time. We started with this new young adult women's book club last Monday. I'm so incredibly excited. And it's a GREAT book. I love this wonderful group of women already, and I can't wait for tonight's meeting.
It's a little, subtle miracle, but for me it's life changing. I'm feeling more alive than I have in a while. I think I've found what I've been looking for. And all it took was a simple text from a good friend asking "mass tonight?"


Inspired by Miracle Monday hosted by Beth over at A Mom's Life. (I'm excited to have something to participate with this week. I love reading her Miracle Mondays.)






18 comments:

beverlybygrace said...

I'm glad you took your friend up on the "mass tonight" I hope you enjoy your Bible study. Thanks for sharing.

Jaina said...

Thanks Beverly! I'm glad I took her up on it too, it's done wonders for me in the past week. Thanks for stopping by!

Beth Cotell said...

You can never go wrong by attending mass!

So glad your friend sent you that text! And I think you are right,God usually works in small subtle ways....he whispers instead of shouts!

Erin said...

just like you my husband and i have started attending church regularly after a drought period and it feels much better to be back. incidently, things in our life started going down the tubes when we were not regular attenders. could be coincedence or not but just glad to be back. Glad for you too! Hope things get better with the bf. i wanted to write a post about the award but i can't get it onto my blog! urg!

Denise said...

Thanks for sharing this sweetie.

Jaina said...

Beth- Thanks! I am too. You're right, He's not the fire or the earthquake, but the subtle, whispering wind.

Erin- I'm glad to hear you're doing that, and I think it's more than coincidence...I'm certain it is in my life. I'll send you directions in the morning on how to get the award on your blog. I have a fun screen shot thing on my computer at work. :)

Denise- Aww, you're welcome! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Ryanne said...

I really think that the Lord does work through others to answer our prayers. It has happened in my life more than once. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Have a wonderful week!

SuperCoolMom said...

I love it when we are able to recognize the ways God touches our lives - sometimes our seeing it and recognizing it is the miracle.

Jaina said...

Ryanne- Isn't it wonderful when it happens? I honestly think it happens way more than I recognize.

SupercoolMom- Very well said. I completely agree.

Kellan said...

This gave me chills because I am a big believer in these sort of subtle moments in life that can definitely be life changing!

I'm glad you are feeling so happy - take care - Kellan

Jaina said...

Kellen- It gets even chillier...I was journaling last night, and happened to catch the end of an entry from the 21st...it was a prayer saying I missed God and asking Him to help me find my way back. That Sunday was the text from B. Definite WOW moment there. I called and left her a voicemail. She appreciates WOW moments, and she definitely played a role in this one.

Trooper Thorn said...

I'm glad things are going well for you guys.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today and commenting on how movie idols make me feel old. All those actors/characters I mentioned would be ancient by your standards, but are worth a look anyway.

Jaina said...

Trooper- Thanks, me too. And hey, at least I know who all the actors are and I've heard of the movies, just haven't seen them. And I LOVE Harrison Ford. Just remember that while he may have been younger than you in that movie, he's older than you now and he STILL made another one. (which, granted, I still have to see, but still)

Momo Fali said...

Yay! Good for you! I went to Mass three times last week, and it felt great!

Jaina said...

Momo- That's awesome! I've gone twice each week for the past two weeks. Sunday evening, and then Monday daily. They have Wednesday night Masses for Peace once the school year starts. Those are my favorite. They're candlelit, absolutely beautiful. I'm looking forward to them starting up again. It's a great way to spend a Wednesday evening.

Caffeine Court said...

I always feel better when I go o church, and I really need to do it more often!

So true about God speaking to us in subtle ways. We just have to show down and LISTEN.

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

I love it when things happen like that. Just 'meant' to be!

Jaina said...

Caffeine Court- You are absolutely right. I often forget to just listen sometimes. I wish I'd do it more often.

Mama Geek- Seriously. If you saw my reply comment to Kellan, it was even more of a 'meant to be' moment than I realized. Talk about speedy answers to a prayer. I may not have remembered asking, but God sure didn't.