LOOKING IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES -- KEEP READING, I FOUND IT!

 Many times throughout my life, I have experienced events, that I will mention here.

Just a few days ago, I had an important meeting to attend, at the VA Hospital. Anxiously, I tossed the needed articles into my truck and began to arrange the topics of discussion into an organized outline for delivery. The clock ticked away, allowing me some moments to

rest and relax.  Sitting in my truck I noticed that the minutes passed, more rapidly than I desired. Time to start the engine and depart to my destination had arrived.

    The only event that occurred next was the disappearance of my keys. I went back into the house,

entered the den, looked on top of the desk, and found no keys. 

I went to the kitchen gazed at the

countertop, no keys.  Ok !! Where are my keys ?  I noticed that the time had moved forward, giving me less time to frantically rummage through the rooms, looking for my keys.

Anxiety and angry about the circumstance I was in, I began to perspire and mumble words,

I used while on board ship. “My keys !!!  Where are my keys ??” I loudly cried (screamed?).

The Municipal Garbage trucks were on the other block, the sound of the lifts getting louder.

I ran out to the curb and like a frightened field rat, I burrowed into the week's debris.   Nothing !!

No Keys !!!  Defeated !!  I Surrendered !!   A memory of my Granma flashed into my mind.

Granma told us many times about how she would request the aid of a Saint, named Anthony.

Saint Anthony of Padua !!  Breathing slowly, I made the Sign of the Cross and quietly said

a short prayer of petition.  Time seemed to slow down almost to give me a reprieve. “Ok !!

St. Anthony, Do your thing !!”  Being still a bit agitated I went and sat down, half trusting

that any results would happen because of my prayer.

I will exalt my God and my King.  I will bless your name, always and forever.
Thanks for my keys, dear Lord

I than felt a pinch, a bite, a gouge, on my right buttock. Thinking that I had possibly sat on a

spider or that a wasp had just been interrupted I jumped up. I grabbed the point of pain

and with an embarrassed jolt, I realized that the pain was caused by the missing set of

keys.  I was happy that I found these in my pocket, and that no one else was near to see

the many fluorescent shades of red emanating from my face.

  I gathered composure, started the truck, and drove to the meeting.While thinking of what to

say to the others about my tardiness, I said a prayer of Thanksgiving to St. Anthony of Padua.

I know that without his aid the event would have been different.

  I learned a lesson that day about the practice of prayer....!!  Instead of exhaustingly running

around attempting to solve life`s quagmires with my own limited ability. Praying sincerely

requesting the aid of Heaven's many Citizens, the Saints, ought to be a primary tool in

achieving the desired goal.

 

Ps: The meeting that I was to attend.....Well !!  It was scheduled for the next month !!! !!!

 

                                                                                                Br.Phil. B.  6-11-15

PRAYER CHANGES THINGS

Prayer Changes Things

    As one drives through the many towns of the United States,.  one becomes aware of the emptiness of some of the towns. Many at one time were filled with ambitious people. Consider a small town located within the `Crow Reservation`. This town at one time boasted about its three grocery markets, four restaurants with cantinas, and a large lumber industry, which employed many of the citizens.

  Today all that remains there is a grocery store and a tavern, both of them supported by a United States Aid Program. Lining the trash littered streets are boarded and burnt buildings that urban blight has caused.

 Crimes of all type seem to be the only activities progressing and employing those who are desperate to find what needs to be done to live.  The elderly and the youngest children huddle together asking themselves ; “ How much more can we endure ?”

Children are being born, at a rate of almost one a week. These newborns are tossed to the compassionate grandmas, to be cared for  as best as possible. These children will grow up surrounded by a negative environment, depriving them of opportunities for healthy living.

Lets consider `Lil` Stephanie, a young girl who ought to be attending school.  She roams the streets selling acorns, aluminum cans, and begging for change.  Unfortunately  for children like Lil` Steph. the future may be one of misery for many of these energetic children, because they do not have the opportunities to learn colors,

numbers, letters, or even to how write their names.

These innocent lives are trapped by the heavy chains of poverty, disease, drug infestation and despair. Their `Dreams` about the future are filled with darkness, hopelessness, and decay. There is a solution that many can take part in daily to change this sadness.

   

You and I (we) can change the miasma that envelopes these towns. WE have been given the blessed privilege to pray. We have been given the ability to mention these towns and people to a Compassionate Father God who cares for them.

The power of prayer and intercession on their behalf can remove the mountains, and break the strongholds of despair, darkness, and death, keeping these towns captive.  Our prayers can open spiritual doors so that avenues of deliverance become available.  Eucharistic Liturgies, Novenas, Rosaries, and Faith filled Prayers in

the Name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, will cause Resurrection Life to flow from Heaven. Blessings will arrive, these towns will be changed !! 

                                                                                       Bro. Phil. B.