My husband and I have been blessed to commute together each morning to our respective jobs. We have formed a daily ritual of stopping at McDonald’s for our morning coffee, and we see many of the same people every day having breakfast. It’s kind of developing into a “community” of sorts, and each day brings a new surprise.
First, let me tell you, it’s a weird thing…I am usually the only female customer during those breakfast hours. I’m really not sure of the reason for this lack of females, but I’m leaning toward the “guys” taking a stand to consume lots of bacon, sausage and cheese without anyone looking over their shoulders. That’s just my assessment!
Anyway, this morning we walked in as usual, and the happy McDonald’s team members already had our medium coffee, medium decaf, and two creamers sitting on the counter before we even ordered. And as usual, they started our day with the blessings of smiles and joy.
We made our way over to our usual, kind of secluded, spot. As we passed two guys that we have been saying hello to for a few weeks, we smiled and greeted them. As we sat down, my husband started talking with them. We all proceeded to talk about our jobs, and the state of our country and the world in general.
Out of the blue, one of the men (Tony) started telling us about how he and his family are Christians, and how they read the Bible. He was sharing about how crazy things are getting and that you have to arm yourself with the Spirit of God within you. He then shared with us that his two children had an experience (at different times) of seeing an angelic presence which filled them with peace. He said that they described everything about the apparitions in detail, and he wrote everything down, including a drawn picture of what they had seen.
When Tony was sharing his faith and his children’s experiences, my husband and I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. He went on to share that he and his wife at first questioned if the apparitions were from God, however, as they realized the peace that came over their little ones due to the experiences, they felt more at peace themselves.
I shared my experiences of the times my guardian angel spoke to me in times of danger, and also the flash of light that surrounded both my husband and me at different times. I also shared with him that when I spoke with my priest about those experiences, he said that if the event brings peace to the spirit and draws the person closer to Jesus, it is God sent. Tony affirmed that he felt the same way…that the family is at peace and drawing closer to The Lord.
As my husband and I were standing up, getting ready to leave, Tony looked at us and said the following. His words still warm my heart when I think of them, and once again reminds me how we are all being watched.
We are evangelizing with our daily lives without even saying a word, without even realizing it.
What he said was this: “We watch you two together every day and see how much you love each other. What you have is special and more couples need to have what you have. There are so many couples giving up too soon, and too many people who are struggling with their marriage.”
We let him know that we went through many struggles, however, only through God was it possible for us to develop the loving relationship that we now have.
Marriage is a blessing…and so are the new friends God placed in our lives this morning.
Thank you Lord, for once again placing such beautiful people in our life. Help us to always see through your eyes, hear through your ears, feel through your heart, and allow us to work and show love through your guidance.
somebodylovesmeblog 
September 14, 2014 at 4:07 pm
“he said that if the event brings peace to the spirit and draws the person closer to Jesus, it is God sent” dear Mrs. Bernadette (is this your name?) what a wonderful every day’s story! And the words I copy pasted here in my comment somewhat confirmed my personal question that I’ve asked Jesus today. God bless you!
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September 15, 2014 at 10:32 am
V, yes my name is Bernadette…it’s a pleasure to meet you:-)
Thank you for stopping by to read, and thank you for your kind comment. So happy you were blessed by what I was called to share. We are all here for each other!
Your sister in Christ, Bernadette
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September 12, 2014 at 4:51 pm
Hi, Pam. What struck me the most about your post are the words that with our lives themselves we are a living example of Christ. No, those aren’t the exact words, but that was the idea. If all of us lived our lives in Peace and in Love, regardless how difficult things can get at times, what a changed world this would be. Thank you for being you. And thank you for all you are doing to promote Love and Peace in this world. Bless you! Love, Amy
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September 12, 2014 at 4:57 pm
Yes, you are so right…we are to be examples of Christ’s love and peace!
Thank you for your sweet words, and for the love and beauty you share with all of us:-)
Love and hugs, Bernadette
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September 4, 2014 at 2:45 pm
Beautiful. What a blessing you and your husband must be to all you meet. Thanks for sharing this story with us. God Bless, SR
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September 4, 2014 at 4:10 pm
God bless you, too:-)
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September 4, 2014 at 2:32 pm
Patrick,
Thanks so much for stopping by and also for sharing about your sister and brother in law. I understand your concern, being that I have relatives who are currently away from the Catholic Faith. The Lord does work in mysterious ways, and I have faith that he is working in their lives as well as my own. I strive to meditate on the rosary every day, and offer it for the conversion of souls…and pray especially for them. I put them in God’s hands.
I understand where they are coming from…I had many of the same issues and questions for many years. Until my heart filled up with the mercy and love of Jesus, and he opened my eyes of faith. My relationship with Jesus becomes more intimate every day, in a way I never even could have fathomed. The Catholic Faith allows us countless ways to journey with him and worship Our Father in heaven. The key is the relationship we form with him, and how, when we are united with him, he fills our hearts with an overflowing love that spills out to all souls in need of conversions…the souls that need Him the most.
Even when I was riddled with questions and confusion regarding my own faith, one thing kept me from leaving. That one thing is something that probably causes them distress….that is the Real Presence.
Yes, the Eucharist is the body and blood of Jesus Christ. and I am privileged to be called to His banquet that He sets before us. I will not turn down the invitation to be one with Jesus.
How can a person refute the following if they are a “Bible Believer?”
John 6:50-65
50“This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51“I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”
52Then the Jews began to argue with one another, saying, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” 53So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. 54“He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55“For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. 56“He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57“As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me. 58“This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever.”
Words to the Disciples
59These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.
60Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this said, “This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?” 61But Jesus, conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble? 62“What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before? 63“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. 64“But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. 65And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.”
Pay special attention to verses 52-58
Do you see anywhere after the disciples started grumbling because they could not accept what he was saying…do you hear him tell them, Oh wait, “it is only a symbol?” He never says it is just a symbol, he goes on to say:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. 54“He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55“For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. 56“He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57“As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me. 58“This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever.”
Read those last verses…how many times does Jesus say “eat my flesh and drink my blood?” I for one will not argue with Jesus and His gift to us to PARTAKE in the Last Supper with our Lord.
Jesus was sacrificed ONCE for our salvation, and we offer that sacrifice at the Mass. What a privilege.
We are all covered with the saving grace of Jesus and his great love for us. I pray for the conversion of souls…and for all of us that see him, that the Holy Spirit opens our eyes, minds, and hearts to his Truth, mercy and love. May God bless us on our journey to him and surround us with his peaceful love.
“The Supper of the Lamb” by Scott Hahn may answer some of their issues/questions about the Mass. Also, “Rediscover Catholicism” is an awesome book for anyone to read…Catholic or not:-)
Many blessings to you and your bride:-) 47 years…that is AWESOME, and a miracle!!!
Love in Christ,
Bernadette
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September 4, 2014 at 1:57 pm
Thanks for sharing. Good news is always welcome; and GREAT news like you just shared is RARE.
My younger sister left the CC soon after HS as did her husband. Neither of which were well catechized, because in rural Upper Michigan, CCD is for the most part non-existent in most parishes. It’s a farm and lumber community and the parish church was 20+ miles from home. A very common experience.
Over time she became a Baptist {who often are not too fond of we Catholics}, and became a very devout “Christian.”
Shae no-longer attends any church, but reads the bible daily and prays much. Here ae a few experience we have shared.
They live very near the share of Lake Superior , and while on a trip to “town” {meaning a larger city}, she shared that she would “often” see Jesus walking on the water. Especially in times of “Spiritual need.”
As a now 70 year old Catechist, I have encountered other Christians who too have “seen” or “heard Christ “speak to them.” As God IS a Mystery, and as Isaiah 55 tells us: cf. “my ways are not your way, nor are my thoughts your thoughts”, I have accepted these events as at least a distinct possibility.
Yet it is puzzling:
On another trip with her she asked me if “I was born again”? I replied “yes I am; and I’m still in the process.” She then asked ” What the heck does that mean” to which I replied that I AM a Baptized Christian; I know and Love Christ; but I am a sinner who still needs to be forgiven and “saved again and again”; to which she said; “Well I’m saved and can’t lose my salvation>”
{OSAS}
So I asked her if she had a copy of HER bible in the car, and she said open the glovebox. There I found a greatly shortened version of the King James. As God and Divine Providence would have it, it did contain John 20:19-23: ” Now when it was late that same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them: Peace be to you. [20] And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord.
[21] He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you. [22] When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. [23] Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.”
So I asked her if she believed what the bible said: she replied YES I DO; BUT, that may be what it says BUT its not what it means.” I then asked: “OK, so what does it mean?” to which she replied: “I don’t know and I don’t want to talk about it any more.”
I shut up and prayed for her understanding.
It does make me understand just how mysterious God’s ways are.
Thanks for sharing!
Continued Blessings [my bride and I have been married for 47 years; and most of them good]
Patrick
working4christtwo
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September 4, 2014 at 10:54 am
I love everyday life stories
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September 4, 2014 at 11:00 am
Me too:-)
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September 4, 2014 at 10:24 am
Beautiful words.
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September 4, 2014 at 10:37 am
Thanks Pam. Thanks so much for reading and commenting:-) We sure love and miss you guys!
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