Vanity of vanities, it’s all vanity! Heard this verse proclaimed yesterday and just thought it was so poignant I had to share. Think of it as a reminder that nothing in this life is forever, that nothing in this life is as important as a relationship with Jesus and what He promised us. It’s also a reminder in the current world that “nothing is new under the sun.”
Vanity of vanities, say Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity! What profit has man from all the labor which he toils at under the sun?” One generation passes and another comes, but the world forever stays. The sun rises and the sun goes down; then it presses on to the place where it rises. Blowing now toward the south, then toward the north, the wind turns again and again, resuming its rounds. All rivers go to the sea, yet never does the sea become full. To the place where they go, the rivers keep on going. All speech is labored; there is nothing man can say. The eye is not satisfied with seeing nor is the ear filled with hearing. What has been, that will be; what has been done, that will be done. Nothing is new under the sun. Even the thing of which we say, “See, this is new!” has already existed in the ages that preceded us. There is no remembrance of the men of old, nor of those to come will there be any remembrance among those who come after them. Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 NAB.
God’s plans are not our plans – buckle your seatbelts! A new season, like a new day, is an opportunity to assess and reassess our lives. It’s an opportunity to start anew. This past week, I looked back on the old season and I acknowledged all the lessons I’ve learned: the power of prayer, the importance of community, the reality of miracles and the necessity to call upon the Spirit in all situations just to name a few. I have to admit that while all these lessons I learned last season (the natural season of summer), they actually resulted from just ONE “season” in my life. The type of season referred to in the Book of Ecclesiastes. Let me explain.
What the…….?
In the beginning of August, my brother, whom I’ve posted about in the past, was scheduled to undergo a routine hernia operation. He received all the necessary clearance from his primary care physician and his oncologist. If he was worried about it he certainly didn’t share it with anyone. He actually seemed quite excited about the prospect of having the bump in his belly removed. On Monday, the day of his surgery, he sent a picture of himself in his hospital bed all ready to go. Late Monday evening I received a call from my mom relaying the message that he was out of surgery and all had gone well.
What a difference a day makes. On Tuesday afternoon I got a call from my niece. My brother was in ICU. Imagine my surprise. Hours passed and questions were looming. Suddenly, Tuesday night he was rushed back in for exploratory surgery. He was bleeding internally. After surgery, his wound was left open and he was heavily sedated. My niece and mom flew out to Florida to be by his side. They were devastated by what they witnessed. Mom, through tears, expressed she never imagined she would see one of her children in that condition.
Throughout this entire ordeal, having nothing to go on but text messages from my mom, sister and niece, I turned to the only thing I knew would comfort me and keep me focused, prayer. “Storm heaven,” I thought. So I reached out to my sisters in Christ, true prayer warriors. The assurance of their thoughts and prayers were like a warm blanket on a cold night. They made me feel secure and comforted. Their solidarity encouraged me and gave me strength to endure the coming journey.
My Original Plans
Weeks before this all went down, I had made plans for my friend to visit on Wednesday of this same week. Tuesday night into Wednesday was when I received the text about my brother undergoing a second surgery and being heavily sedated. While I hadn’t gotten much sleep, I knew I wanted, no I NEEDED the visit and she knew it too! Despite the lack of sleep, my energy was surprisingly normal and the visit kept me focused and distracted at the same time. Focused on Christ and how He was going to work all things for good and distracted from the fact that there was something seriously wrong going on 1,000 miles away.
Fast forward to Wednesday evening. Turmoil and tension in the hospital and over the phone. Anger and resentment bubbled over. “Breathe” I thought to myself. Once again I reached out for prayers. Things were getting “ugly” at the hospital and the energy by my brother’s bedside (from what I understood from messages) was not of God. While on the phone with one of my “sisters” we called on the Holy Spirit and all the angels and saints to surround his bedside, to bring peace. The next morning, amends were made and some movement from my brother. God is good! Slowly but surely he began to make progress. Within a few days after waking up, he underwent his final surgery to close the wound. Several days later, he was back home! Thanks be to God!
Power of prayer
As I mentioned earlier, we stormed heaven with prayers. We envisioned the angels and the saints surrounding his bedside and the protective mantel of the Blessed Mother enveloping him. What a beautiful image and one I will imagine from now on after hearing of the darkness my brother experienced while sedated. He expressed a scary scene upon waking and I am most certain that good triumphed over evil because of the many powerful prayers we prayed, including the Rosary. I think I even prayed in my sleep!
Importance of community
The prayers of all our friends and family I believe resulted in a miracle. More important for me personally and my spiritual journey were the pep talks I received from so many of my friends.
During our visit together, my friend indicated to me how I was the “conduit” of grace and peace for my family in this crazy situation. She witnessed me talking people down from the edge and she pointed it out. This is something I never thought about but now remember when dealing with certain situations. I’m happy to be that conduit.
When things got ugly at the hospital and I failed to possess the tools to fix it, my friend was quick to discern and remind me that evil was in the midst of this and needed to be prayed away. We prayed, things calmed down and the following day all was well. That situation reminded me that I am capable of nothing without God’s grace and guidance. It reminded me that in every situation, good and bad, I need to call upon Him. Now more than ever I recognize the importance of calling on the Holy Spirit to fill me with His power and grace when I’m feeling low and depleted.
Plan II
In the midst of all this chaos I was scheduled to travel to Canada on pilgrimage – three full days of prayer and worship. Another plan! Ha! If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans. My brother’s bedside is where I really wanted to be.
I was uncertain about traveling to Canada and my travel mate and sister in Christ – being the loving, caring, supportive friend she is, gave me the opportunity to bail. She had a back up plan, which was a relief for me. As I prayed about it and spoke to others, I was encouraged to go. My brother wasn’t even awake. He didn’t need me by his bedside. In fact, if you believe that a spiritual realm exists, you understand that his interests were better served by my going to Canada and steeping myself in adoration and prayer. That’s exactly what I did and it was POWERFUL! I offered the entire trip for the healing my brother and family so desperately needed.
By the time I returned, he was being released from the hospital and was in good spirits. When the doctor came into his room he couldn’t believe what he saw. He even mentioned it must have been a miracle because they weren’t sure if he was going to make it! WOW!
miracles do happen
So……..do I believe a miracle happened? INDEED! I believe it happened because of the prayers of my “community” of sisters – so thank you all from the bottom of my heart (you know who you are). Community not only joins in prayer, it teaches and converts. I’ve been converted through my community’s prayers, encouragement and their literal and figurative walk with me on this journey. I am eternally grateful for their encouraging me to continue walking the walk and for inspiring me always.
In his book, The Power of Silence, Cardinal Sarah talks about St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo. He writes: ………Augustine’s example is situated in the Church, not an abstract, ideal Church, but in the community of Hippo, whose care lined faces, miseries and heartbreaks were well known to him. WITH THAT COMMUNITY HE PRAYED, FASTED, SUFFERED AND JOURNEYED toward the daily conversion that is indispensable in order to live abundantly through God, with God and in God. And to that I say AMEN!
What I learned
This whole experience has helped me grow closer to God. It has helped me understand what it means to pray without ceasing. Praying without ceasing means calling upon God in EVERYTHING, not just during the times we’ve set for prayer but every minute of the day. Call upon Him in that office meeting, before that difficult phone call, during your commute, when dealing with your children, just before you unleash the “wrath” on your spouse, every time you open your mouth and even when that recipe seems to be coming out all wrong!
We know God is with us. We also know that we are all different parts/members of His body. We know how powerful and generous He is so why not draw on His strength and generosity through prayer and community? Scripture says: He came so that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Are you ready, willing and able to take Him up on His offer?
The biggest lesson for me from last “season” – NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER AND PURPOSE OF SUFFERING. In hindsight, I am so grateful for the experience (although my brother would probably beg to differ). I recognize God’s working in all of it. It has drawn me closer, it has given me a new set of eyes and it has built my trust in Him. YIKES! I just realized these are all things I often pray for ( I guess I should admit another lesson: be careful what you pray for?!LAUGH OUT LOUD!) Answered prayer, what more could I ask for?
What lessons does God intend for you with your current situation? Are you trusting enough to turn to Him? Have you assembled your community? If you think you need a miracle, believe it will come to pass! Miracles DO happen! God bless you!
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