Tuesday, May 12
I have a friend who has a large journal on her coffee table entitled The Book of Awesome. Whenever something awesome happens, she writes an entry in the book to record it. What’s awesome? Anything where you feel like you’ve made a connection with a force bigger than yourself, a coincidence of divine proportions. It’s a moment of realizing you are not alone, that things will work out, that all is well.
Carl Jung believed that life was not a series of random events, but rather an expression of a deeper order. This deeper order led to the insight that a person was embedded in a universal wholeness and that the realization was more than just an intellectual idea; it was a spiritual awakening. He called this synchronicity. Synchronicity is more than just a coincidence; it is a coincidence where the elements seem to also have a meaningful relationship.
When we consciously look for God throughout the day, we become aware of divine synchronicity. In my own life, I find a message will sometimes appear in more than one part of my life. It might appear in a news story on TV, in a dialogue in a book I’m reading, and again in a conversation with a friend. I pay attention to those messages, asking myself why this message keeps finding me. When we communicate with God, we are participating in the relationship. God will use the means of communication we offer.If we feel close to God at the ocean, God will be there in the waves. If we discover God in science, God will appear to us through the microscope. If we love to read books, the words will startle us at time with the insights they bring to our lives.
Sometimes we ask God for a sign. It might be a rainbow or a yellow rose or a child’s smile that tells you all is well. When you see that yellow rose, it becomes an affirmation that God is near. We can also make our own meaningful connections. Like a monk listening for the bell calling him to prayer, a friend of mine sees a red traffic light as a sign to pray. He prays for whoever he can see around him.
One time my husband and I were returning home on a flight through Chicago. The weather was bad, and we were delayed on the tarmac for several hours. The plane was hot and stuffy, people were cranky, and nerves were frayed. Our stewardess stayed amazingly happy, taking drink orders and caring for people. My husband asked her if he could send a note to United Airlines commending her. “Oh,” she said, “ I don’t work for United Airlines.” She smiled. “I work for Jesus Christ.”
When have you experienced a coincidence that was more than just a coincidence? Where have you seen God? What’s happened in your life this month that belongs in your Book of Awesome?
The All and the Many was received in prayer by Brian O’Neill.
12 Comments
Judy
Thank you this time is such a wonderful way to start my day.
Mary Ramerman Author
I’m happy we are starting the day together.
Jennifer
Thank you, Reverend Mary. I love how you say the words. I love the words.
Mary Ramerman Author
Thank you, Jennifer. The words ARE beautiful!
Francene C McCarthy
Dear Rev. Mary and Mother Mary,
When I was a single Mom raising my daughter, preparing lessons for school, fixing what I could, cleaning, cooking, taking Allyson to soccer or dance, mowing the lawn, planting perernials, visiting my out of town separated parents etc.etc.etc. my Dad would often say, “Kid, stop and smell the roses.” I would think HA! BUT then when I DID put it into practice while mowing or breathed in the scent of the lake it was like an elixir, a potion, a oneness with everything and God around me. Thank you for reminding me of my Dad’s words today! The image of God’s palm holding the universe is breathtaking!
Love,
Fran
Mary Ramerman Author
Your Dad’s words made it through all the business of your life and stayed in your heart. That is also breathtaking.
Colleen Fox-Salah
I have been a student of Jung’s since I was in my 20s! In that game where you are asked to list who you would like to share a meal with living or dead, he is always at the top!
So much lately has felt supremely synchronous. I started attending Spiritus again just weeks before the shutdown, and as a result of this, I have been able to find support and community in writing classes offered by Bob Baker that have continued via Zoom. I decided to give church a try one more time earlier this year because I felt it was time to get out of my way and God’s way so I could make sorely needed connections with like-minded people. When church resumes in person, I may have people to sit with and know well enough to hug when I see them in person!
This year, I was able to attend every single Holy Week service. I don’t know if I’ve ever done this. I haven’t been able to attend Mass on Easter for a number of years. I had to make this choice out of respect for my circumstances and commitments. How wonderful it has felt to attend Mass as often as I like.
Another great love, libraries, have always served as oracles to me. I can’t count how many times I’ve randomly perused the new fiction and new nonfiction shelves to find something there that ended up changing my life. I can’t wait to visit libraries again. How fortunate I have been to attend writing classes through the library offered via Zoom. I can only attend things on school days and weekend days, so my ability to socialize is very limited. Now not only have I made connections, but I am finally repairing my lifelong dysfunctional relationship with writing by being able to immerse myself this way.
There are many more, but these are what spring to mind. Thank you, Rev. Mary, for encouraging us to focus on the ways in which we are cognizant of God relating to us. There are gifts in everything, even a pandemic, if we have eyes to see.
Mary Ramerman Author
Dear Colleen,
I love that you are using your writing talent to share your insights and feelings with all of us. It is a gift.
Marilu Aguilar
Thank you, Mary.
Mary Ramerman Author
Smile.
Barb
These morning meditations become my afternoon reflective time..I am so thankful for yet another beautiful message today Rev. Mary, these may go into my book of awesome:)💜
Mary C Quigley
I love the idea of The Book of Awesome. I work in an Outpatient Oncology Center. When COVID retreats, I may find a book and leave it out for people to write their experiences of awesome. I have been struggling with finding the presence of God in my daily life. I see it but don’t always “feel” it or experience the pure joy that I have experienced in different ways in the past. Being called back to Church and finding Spiritus Christi online is helping to settle that spiritual restlessness. I come to this blog at the end of my day and it gives me things to reflect and review. I am using this in my quiet time with God. Rev. Mary, when I listen to your reading of the passages, it is like a warm blanket wrapping me up in God’s love.
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