Collaborating Anew (Lisa)

When our daughter’s health began its dramatic decline, Father Nico reminded us of something remarkable. He told us that God was not done making Claire. He said, “Look at her! She is so happy in this moment! God is not done creating Claire! He is still creating her anew each day!” As he looked into our sad faces, he encouraged us adding, “Let us focus on HIS creation today!”

I did my best to hang my hat on that hook, living in that forward focused motion till the day she died but what of now? I had dropped that beautiful train of thought after she passed away.

I picked it back up today, and knowing that, even now, God is still creating Claire? Making her anew? What a hopeful, happy image! Thank you, Father Nico for that holy moment! As for me? Am I willing to collaborate with He who makes me anew? My prayer is to renew my participation with Jesus and look for myself anew.

Author Matthew Kelly spoke of Christ’s birth, life, death and resurrection as being the culmination of God’s collaborating with all of humankind. He spoke of saints living out holy moments, one after the other in collaboration with God. Made me think that I sometimes find myself in a dark place, not just because of hard things in my life but because I do less collaborating, participating with God. I prayed, I’m back in Lord! I’m all in! I’ve missed YOU! O Good Lord, even me, You continue to create anew!

Ready now to participate, I sat on that rainy day in Panera’s asking the Lord, How do I collaborate with you here and now? First, He came to me to be observant. With my eyes, I collaborated with God by looking up, not down; looking for LOVE between people all around me – the old woman who was opening a present and the beautiful smile and look of surprise, the dropped napkin and the person who picked it up, the smiles and conversation…on and on. New outlook. Anew. Fresh. Me.

Now on to my other senses! How can I collaborate using my ears? My tongue? My touch? How will you collaborate on this day?