I’m sure you’ve heard the story, of which there are many versions. One day a man walking along a beach noticed a boy throwing starfish in the ocean. Realizing the tide was going out the man asked, “What are you doing?” Confidently the boy said, “If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.” The man countered that there were hundreds of starfish. However, the boy insisted, “I made a difference for that one.”
Oftentimes you may feel as I do, dragged down by this world and its worries. The bills, arguments, broken friendships, shattered families, and shallow faith zap our strength. We may feel that our prayers do not make a difference. However, the good Lord constantly reminds me to look above and beyond my problems, to live a life of hope, to be an Easter person.
We often may be like the older man: cynical, negative, without hope. Jesus, though, tells us to “hope against all hope!” He tells us to persevere and BELIEVE! Our one seemingly small prayer or sacrifice appears to not make a dent in our problem. We must believe beyond any doubt. Gradually, our good works chip away at the mountain of problems. Our positive outlook pierces the darkness of doubt. Eventually we find that we do make a difference.
When fears seem to overcome me, I turn toward the Divine Mercy image and just assimilate the words, “Jesus, I trust in You!” When I praise and thank God in all circumstances, I feel I’ve handed back the power to God. It gives me relief and puts me in my place. As they say in Al-Anon, “I can’t. He can. I think I’ll let Him!” Powerful!
Don’t be fooled. In no way have I mastered trust, but I have learned a little along the way. Sometimes we are forced to trust when an issue is so insurmountable that we are left with no other choice but to trust that God will take care of things.
When problems are big, I know I need big prayers! Adoration, the rosary, mass, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, or whatever the Holy Spirit is prompting me to. Pray to the Holy Spirit to inspire you. I urge you all to believe. You may feel you are trying to dismantle the cement wall of problems with a toothpick. Your prayers and sacrifices are your chisel. God’s power is the energy needed to dissolve even bricks of stone. Our Lady is also there pleading with Her son on our behalf.
Do not look at tomorrow with gloom. God has a better plan for you! This is one of my favorite verses, “Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed; I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, and uphold you with my right hand of justice,” Isaiah 41:10.
Another Word of the Lord always lifts me up, “I know well the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare, not for woe! Plans to give you a future and a hope,” Jeremiah 29:10.
Love it, live it, share it.
Copyright 2014, Mary Mitchell
Mary Mitchell
Mary Mitchell, from Chicago, is a devout Catholic who likes to mix the divine truth with humor. She thinks it's the only way we can get through this life! Mary is the mother of three and has been married to her husband, Philip, more than 20 years. She has attempted to live the vows as a Secular Franciscan for about 20 years, but has a long way to go.
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