When God Pries Your Fingers Open

"Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open."                                                                      Corrie Ten Boom
 

The past few weeks have been a time of learning for me.  I'm learning to open my hands, to let go.  OK, the reality is that God is having to pry my fingers open.  And yes, it does hurt.  Some of the tightly held hurts that I've hugged closely for years...you know, the ones that you allow to define you.  Well, God is in the process of helping me release the death grip I have on some of those hurts. 

Who am I without those things that I've allowed to define me for far too long?  I'm learning.  And I'm rejoicing through the tears.  I'm a child of God...and that needs to be my first identification.  The real "who I am."  All the rest is extra.

After the last few weeks, I felt like I'd not spent the time and energy with Boo that I should have.  Last night, Boo was confused.  But one thing he knew and knew with complete certainty.  That was that he was God's child.  He might not remember all he'd like, but he knows the essentials. 

Boo and I discussed what is really important...for a short while.  His ability to hold onto his thoughts was severely limited last night.  One of the things that Boo said was that we need time to regroup, to rethink.  Maybe that's what I've accomplished recently.  I miss being able to talk with Boo about things anytime.  Mentally, he's not able to do that on the spur of the moment.  It makes those times when we can more precious. 

One thing I know for sure:  When God pries your fingers open, He wants you to have more.  It may be a painful process, but God has more in store for you.  Just as He does for Boo and for me.

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A Joyful Attitude

Boo outside, September 2012

 

It's been a while since I posted photos of Boo.  He hasn't been cooperative.  In fact, he has been adamant about not having his picture taken.  Yesterday I managed to coerce Boo into spending some time outside.  Once he and Boudreaux settled down on the patio, he really had a good time.  I read part of Medjudgorje:  The Mission by Wayne Weible.   Boo enjoyed watching Boudreaux play in the grass less than six feet away from him.  When a loud car drove by, Boudreaux gave up all pretext of being a big brave tiger and ran to Boo, jumped in his lap and refused to get down until I tried to take his picture.  Then he jumped down and went to the door to go inside.  

 

Boo's joy is contagious.  Many, many times I've been tired or frustrated or discouraged or all three and  Boo's attitude changes all that.  He finds joy in the small, immediate, daily things---homemade yogurt or beingets, Boudreaux's antics, a passage in a poem or book, the warmth of a sunny day.  Soon I find myself sharing his joy.  What a gift!  With all the disabilities Boo has, his most wonderful asset is his attitude.

Boudreaux refusing to be photographed.

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Up the Mountain

 

Digital alteration of an oil pastel of Boo, Christmas 2009 before his third stroke.

The way Jesus shows you is not easy.  Rather, it is like a path winding up a mountain.  Do not lose heart!  The steeper the road, the faster it rises to ever wider horizons.

Blessed John Paul II

 

 Boo really perked up when I read this quote from one of his favorite Popes tonight.  "That's really how it is.  It isn't easy, just like going up a mountain.  I don't understand why things happen and I get confused a lot of times.  But I have to keep on." 

 

This has been a good day for Boo.  Although he's prayed much of the day for Elizabeth and her family, for our family, for several friends who have continuing health problems and for one of my cousins who married today, he's been rather quiet otherwise.   When I questioned him several times today, it was obvious that he was reasonably well oriented.  Boo just wanted to be quiet, to stay focused on his goals. 

 

Once again, I can learn a lot from Boo.  Pray constantly.  Meditate quietly.  Remain focused on the truly important things.  Talk less. 

 

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