Promise of Redemption

"Fear not for I have redeemed you..."



In the midst of this great transition from Chicago to DC I have felt a bit lost and alone. Working from home there have been plenty of days that the only actual person I come in contact with is my husband. Of course, I love my husband. However, for an extrovert who gains energy from people, activities, and environment, I quickly began to fade away. My mussels ache, I regularly get headaches, and it is difficult to get out of bed in the morning. I have lost my purpose. Well, let me rephrase that....My purpose has changed and I don't know what it is in light of my new reality. I need to tend to my Spirit because it is withering away.

Today I was prompted, by what I can only say is the Holy Spirit, to pick up the book The Ignatian Adventure and began to read the first day of the first week of the Ignatian Exercises. I say the Holy Spirit because it wasn't really on my radar and I haven't seen the book in a couple of weeks. I don't know why I pushed back my chair in the office and looked at the book shelf.

Today began the healing. I was finally for the first time able to really look at my past situation and see life, love, God. This is a huge beginning because the situation was devastating for me. It broke me into pieces. I didn't like anything about the situation, most especially myself. I really hated who I had become. Today...a bit of healing.

When I read Isaiah 43:1-7, I kept coming back to this quote from Isaiah 43: 1b, "fear not for I have redeemed you"which brought to mind the numerous times, as a youth minister, I would hear students giving witness about making what would be considered a...well not great choice or major issues in their life and their struggle to come to terms with the decision, themselves, and their relationship with God. Frequently, God would say in my east coast accent, "Today, you have redeemed." or "God has made, what could have been tragedy, into something shinny and new." or "Only God can bring such beautiful light to this dark story and today He has."

Today's reflection makes me miss my students. But even more I am reminded of all the graces that I received through some rather difficult times with them.....Today I begin to see the glimmer of light in a dark time.

"you are precious in my eyes.."
"I love you..."
"Fear not, for I am with you..."

Tending the Spirit: seeds are planted in the Promise of Redemption

He is my protector...I am worth protecting.