Faith, Spirit & Song

People who suffer have something to offer to God. When they succeed in enduring their suffering, that is a daily miracle. St. Andre Bessette

This quote at the end of today’s Mass Companion page made me pause. I figured that the daily homily was always giving me pause to reflect on life and its various gifts – whether we liked the gift or not. But more than that, today’s Gospel was about the abundance of fish & loaves that fed the multitude – with even more left over – twelve baskets!

The quote and the Gospel both were personal. Too personal, if you will.

As a single parent, life isn’t easy. Raising three young children – putting food on the table, clothes, education, instilling discipline, faith. No, it isn’t easy. The past many years have put these twelve baskets of abundance many times in my life.

As I look back, I see about seven years of a hard life – a business that saw my children through college, upheavals, home moves, relocation… and yet, somehow these challenges that were huge back then, seem vague today. I know they happened, but I don’t really remember them.

What I do remember is the wonder and amazement at how I moved through those times. My children were fed, we had a solid roof over our heads, schooling, commuting, outings, movies, celebrations, caring for 2 dogs, family time, friendships, and so much more happened.

And beyond that, beyond the blessings, I had loads of time that I could give of myself freely – with church readings, choir singing, serving on the committees and boards of various not-for-profit organizations, being a voice for the under-represented, speaking for survivors of violence… all that energy to do that work came from a place of abundance! I had received grace in plenty to do that work…

The work, this work, that I always enjoyed doing – gave me even more than the things money from paying work would ever buy. It gave me a community – friends who loved me, people who cared for my children like their own, a support system who had my back.

The suffering, never felt like suffering – but it was just God the Holy Spirit moving in me, through me, in ways I may never be able to explain and understand. The faith, however, despite the suffering is something I will always choose to believe.

My twelve baskets were always around me. I had received much more than I had hoped for. I believe faith is what carried me through.

What are your twelve baskets?