Curve Balls

    As I reflect today with Joseph in the gospel, I relate to the curve ball being thrown to him. It appears everything is all set, it’s going great! He’s engaged to be married to the woman of his dreams—a wonderful time of hope and anticipation. Life is coming together, and Mary is so much more than he had ever dreamed.  But, then THE NEWS, the curve ball—trying to wrap his brain around what happened, the totally unexpected. She’s pregnant???? How can that be? He’s probably hurt and in shock. How does he handle this? He loves Mary, but he can’t make sense of it, so he makes a plan to let her go. Then, God intervenes in a dream, and he chooses to stay. But what does it mean to be the earthly father of the SON OF GOD? Only a heart surrendered and listening for God’s guidance could move forward.

    There have been plenty of curve balls sent my way, too. Infertility, adoption—TWINS, career changes and moves, health scares and diagnosis, loss and unexpected joy! Just this month, I decided to quit one job to focus on caring for a sweet 92-year-old woman. Less than 2 hours after quitting, the woman had fallen and now needs 24-hour care. Family has decided to move her to an assisted living facility, and I have no job!

    I don’t like curve balls! I thought I’d figured things out. I had a plan and yet now I am called to trust. As I reflect back over the other curve balls thrown my way, I see how God has used them as I surrendered and prayed for direction, I was being asked to welcome Christ—my children, the people I have met or touched because of the things I’ve struggled with. Now I know that each person I met and meet is Jesus. Each curve ball leads me closer to Christ, it stretches me to welcome Him, to trust, to refocus, to pray, to wait, to grow. Though there will surely be pain and often, the loss feels like a huge burden, all shall be well. ALL SHALL BE WELL! God’s got me! He’s got US! Open your heart and welcome Christ in the unexpected!

 De Colores, All the Colors!

Jane Meiser