Sometimes, I wish and pray that I would be given a little bit more material resources that I might be more lavish and magnanimous in my giving and sharing with others. But I know this is not going to happen any time soon.
Sometimes, I wish and pray that my trials and tribulations may go away that I might serve the Lord with any anxieties or distractions. But I know they are part and parcel of life and they are not going away anytime soon.
Sometimes, I wish and pray that God would be more palpable and give me some indubitable signs that He is present in my life. But there are times the glorious sunrise and the magnificent sunset that I believe are God’s splendor seem to me nothing but the routine coming and going of the day. Or the gentle breeze that I believe is God caressing my cheek is nothing but the blowing of the wind. Or, the marvelous scene that gives me a sublime high is nothing but the serendipitous confluence of mountains, trees and sky.
But the again, looking back, I realize I have never really wanted for anything I needed. And everything that I have needed and asked for has been given to me. I realize that the trials and tribulations I have been through have not destroyed me but have made me better, stronger and more loving. There were times I know things would not go my way but they did. I dreamt of and prayed for a loving and beautiful partner in life. Anabelle is all of that and more. I wished for two wonderful children. I was given three and the joys they have brought into my life are nowhere near anything I have imagined. Many things I did not pray for but were given to me way beyond my expectations. And whom do I attribute all these to and be grateful for? It is the Lord.
Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
~ Psalm 24
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”
Luke 2:22-40