1
" The Lord seems far away at times, though I can’t reason why He was right here, just yesterday, as I was passing by I told Him in the morning that my time was really tight But promised I would talk with Him, sometime, perhaps that night Yet as the shadows cast their gloom ‘round evening colors deep I barely whispered thanks to Him as I fell off to sleep The Lord seems far away at times, the reasons: hard to say He tried to reach me in my thoughts, but work pushed Him away I promised Him at lunchtime I would read His Word and pray Instead I worked right past my meal and through the rest of day At dinnertime I bowed my head, to Him I gave a nod — And wondered, as I watched TV, where’s time to spend with God? If God seems far away at times, the reasons are all mine He’s always there to hear my prayers, yet He must wait in line There’s time each day to talk with Him, to read His word and pray When it seems God’s not reachable, it’s ‘cause I walked away He’s never changed His whereabouts, His steadfastness He’s proved If God seems far away from me... it wasn’t God who moved. ~Michele Dellapenta "
― Jack Canfield , Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living Catholic Faith: 101 Stories to Offer Hope, Deepen Faith, and Spread Love
4
" One day when I was out walking on an early January morning, the brisk air had quickened my pace and I felt invigorated to repeat out loud The Prayer of Jabez, which I’d recently read. It was helping me reconnect with God. I came to the passage which says, “And Jabez called upon God of Israel saying, ‘Oh that You would bless me indeed.’” The author’s interpretation of this particular section was that God was waiting to shower us with blessings, big ones; all we need is the courage to ask, as Jabez did. Well, I substituted the name of Jabez for mine and added a few twenty-first century verses of my own. I said, “And Karen called upon God of Israel saying, ‘Oh that You would bless me indeed.’ Pile it on, God — give it to me — heap it on — sock it to me — sock it to me — sock it to me!” Okay God, if you are listening, show me a sock! I knew it was silly, but I needed something, anything, to know He was listening. I walked a few feet ahead and glanced to my left at a snow bank. There lying in the snow, next to the curb, was a wet dirty sock. Not a comb, not a glove, but one sock. Now, I have the proof that God does listen, that He can be spontaneous and humorous. That day, not only did I take home one slightly used sock, but a renewed faith in God. "
― Jack Canfield , Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living Catholic Faith: 101 Stories to Offer Hope, Deepen Faith, and Spread Love
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living Catholic Faith: 101 Stories to Offer Hope, Deepen Faith, and Spread Love