The married life
I couldn’t find my cellphone. It was missing all day and I looked everywhere for it. After re-creating the last 24 hours, I narrowed it down; the phone had to be either in my car or in the house. More searching only yielded frustration.
Then my husband got involved. He’s very thorough. He tried calling to see if my phone would ring. It didn’t. He scoured the car, looking under seats and between cracks with his headlamp. He emptied my purse, the trash, the junk bin, underneath chairs, cushions and every flat surface. He looked in every room of the house, to no avail.
Finally, he gave up and sent a text to family and friends informing them my phone was missing. Many responded that they would pray that we find the much-desired phone. Shortly after he sent the text Tom exclaimed, “Mary, I found your phone!”
I was thrilled! Where was it? It was on my dresser, in plain sight.
Many times we pray and worry, worry and pray, sometimes for months, sometimes for years, yet when God acts we almost miss it because we weren’t looking in the right place, expecting something different.
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem there were many who missed the fact that the long-awaited savior of the world was here.
This Christmas season my husband and I became aware of the beginning of unexpected answers to prayer, intentions that had seemed impossible to solve.
But like the angel Gabriel told Mary, “For nothing will be impossible to God” (Lk 1:37).
One family had been estranged from their son and his family for seven years. Multiple attempts to restore the relationship were rebuffed. Then one day the son contacted his parents and initiated a family get-together. It was the beginning of restored relationships. Why now? What changed? No one knows, but we all rejoice.
We know several youth and young adults who struggle with mental health issues. Last year they were able to seek help and fellowship outside of themselves, and already we see great improvement. It’s a wonderful beginning. The Lord came for them too.
A relative of mine was out of work for a year. Before Thanksgiving he especially asked the family to pray, and by Thanksgiving he shared the good news that he got a job.
Two dear friends have serious cancer. Many of us have been praying for them diligently. Their faith, courage and acceptance through it all have been a witness to many. Although they are not cured, they are currently in remission, surrounded by tremendous love.
The Christmas season and New Year are times of hope. Pope Francis says that hope is like a rope that is thrown to us when we are drowning; grab onto it and don’t let go.
The angel said to Zechariah: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard” (Lk 1:13). God hears our prayers too, and is acting even now in our lives. Let’s not miss what is hidden in plain sight.
