At an estate sale of a Palestinian immigrant, a college English instructor, I bought a book…a memoir of life among the literati in 1920s Paris, written by a Canadian. As I opened it, a handwritten list of words fell out: ineffable, walrus, pallor, soutane, aperitif, genuflect. Was this a list of new, interesting words? I don’t know. All I know is that I liked it, that circle: Me, a 60-ish writer in Alabama contemplating words that had struck a Palestinian scholar from a book written by a Canadian around the time I was born, about the Writing Life, circa 1929, about when my mother was born. What wonderful, odd connections over time and space.
To notice human connection in this way is interesting; to remember the deeper connection we celebrate and live today, the feast of All Souls, is a necessity. We remember, we note, we find our place in the circle, and we pray.
Rest in peace uncle Tommy and Patty and Harold and Grandpa Chet and Grandma Loraine and Cousin Mike may you end with Jesus in Heaven
Praying today for the lost souls, the found souls, the souls in purgatory who long to see the face of God and my relatives who have since passed.
What a wonderful story! I edited medical records for years and language has always been a passion of mine. I speak English and French, so the word list is particularly interesting. It seems that "walrus" is the odd one out! Thank you, Amy. Prayers for all Souls.
Today I will pray for all the souls in purgatory, especially those who have no one to pray for them. Have a beautiful Wednesday everyone!
Amen God bless all the lost souls out there!!!
Response to Vick G - just read yesterday’s posts. I am in a similar situation in that I have never fit in with the people where I have lived for almost 25 years. I have felt the same as you and and have wondered at this with great bewilderment. This is supposed to be the Bible Belt but their closed and cold countenance is foremost in their unfriendliness. So sad. Thank goodness I have my husband who has experienced the same. We cling to the Lord for our way of life.
Thanks Vicky! Not close-southern VA. We’ve learned over the years to deal with the situation. We often wonder if we’re the only people in this position so it’s comforting to know there are others in the same boat! When we first moved here, we had no idea how badly people felt about the Catholic religion- it was a real eye opener. Prayers for you and yours as well!
Sandy, I am so sorry. We were born to be social and it is painful to have this experience. You are in my prayers dear one because I believe prayers too transcend time and space. You’ve made it 25 years so far and obviously with your link to Christ uncrushed even if it may have been bruised here and there. My husband too is my best friend. I can’t say I have a ‘best’ girlfriend but the ladies I have been sewing with are kind and accepting. None of them are perfect, nor am I, but we support each other if only through uplifting texts and words much of the time. I still find the Bible Belt strange at times but I know there are things God wants me to learn and duties Christ wants me to accomplish here and I will trust. May He fill your heart with hope and peace, and may He send friendship beyond measure. I am in Southern Georgia in case you are close.
How do I connect sin, death and resurrection? *** Romans 6:7, “For a dead person has been absolved from sin.” Do all dead people absolved from sin? If not, how does a dead person absolved from sin? *** Romans 6:5, “For if we have grown into union with Him (Jesus) through a death like His, we shall also be united with Him in the resurrection.” A dead person is absolved from sin only when the person has grown into Union with Jesus in life when that person accept the death of Jesus on the cross for that person’s sins, and as a result that person is united with Jesus in the resurrection when that person dies :-) What does it look like in my everyday life? *** Romans 6:6, “We know that our old self was crucified with Him (Jesus when we believe He died for my sins and I am united with Him in His death and resurrection) so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin.” ******* Death Has No Power (over me) by Jeremy and Adrienne Camp https://youtu.be/LLrk_pkSeI8 Romans 6:8-9, “If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over Him. (or me when I am in Christ :-) That’s the Gospel, the Good News!!!
Amy, What an interesting story! I too, am writing books, and this story makes me feel even more connected. When I read a new book, I write down words I do not know the meaning of. Recently my oldest grandson and I had a conversation about books and he does the same thing! Even though we are family, it was a heart warming surprise to find out that we shared this habit. Thank you for your wonderful devotionals!
Linda, My Kindle is great for words IDK. Single words highlighted are the words am unsure, unfamiliar with.
Thank you Amy I love your comments. Connections we have so many. Living faith family I would like to share I try to say on odd days of the month two in a row today and yesterday. Thank you God, for this day, Thank you for our family. We're sorry for the things we did that didn't make you happy. Help us to be better people, help us love each other. Help us honor you, our Father. Bless the people of the world. Bless our loved ones, far and near. Finally, we lift up to You This request for You to hear: (Insert any special intention) We love You, Lord Prayer Before Sleep Dear God, as I lay me down to sleep, relax the tension of my body; calm the restlessness of my mind; still the thoughts which worry and perplex me. Help me to rest myself and all my problems in your strong and loving arms. Let your Spirit speak to my mind and heart while I am asleep, so that, when I wake up in the morning, I may find that I have received in the night-time, light for my way; strength for my tasks; peace for my worries; forgiveness for my sins. Grant me sleep tonight and tomorrow power to live. Dear God, We thank you tonight for the good day and for the special way you take care of us all the time. Thank you for the fun times outside and the quiet times inside, and for helping us learn new things every day. Thank you for creating us special, exactly the way you wanted. Thank you for protecting us throughout the day. Forgive us for the wrong things we do. Thank you for loving us even when we disobey or try to do things our way. Help us to always choose your way, God, because it's always best. We pray for all the people who don't know you, and that they will come to understand your love for them, too. Bless our family and thank you for good times together and apart. Bless our friends and those we love, including our grandparents, our aunts and uncles and cousins. Thank you for our home and a place to sleep and good food to eat. Help us rest well, give us peaceful dreams, and send your angels around our home to protect us throughout the night. Teach us to trust you and to love you more and more. You are good; you are great; and you are faithful, God. And we love you. Good night. A Child's Bedtime Prayer, 18th Century Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, Watch and guard me through the night, and wake me with the morning light. My second graders will like the last prayers. Please keep praying for the souls in purgatory. Ken
Ken! Sweet and precious words that made me feel God's arms around me. God Bless Us ALL and ALL Who We Love...here and in Heaven!
Love this prayer, Ken! I will forward this prayer to Jessi as she prepares for her exam the Thursday before Thanksgiving!
Kjc, I love your prayer. I have a morning and night prayer routine, as well. I will not write mine but I begin with saying ,"Good Morning Jesus!" Then I thank God for letting me wake up to see and hear Him, and more. And there are times when I feel His ever loving arms wrapped around me! It is a good feeling!
Good morning LFF...thank you so much for these beautiful and most powerful prayers today Ken...great way to start the day
Amen. Thank you KJC
Amen
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In Thanksgiving And fond remembrance of the many cherished Memories of Holiday gatherings with Mom, who won’t be coming this year, regretfully. A country song by Robert Smiler entitled, Just Wait Til Your Mama Comes Home https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG4W3B_bncY