Loss and blessing

It is an odd thing, perhaps, but it seems that the times of greatest loss carry with them the potential of greatest blessing, if we let them.   Years ago now I went through an alternately numbing and painful divorce.   A priest friend of mine took me out to lunch and counseled me to be open to reconciliation.  I mistakenly thought she meant my husband and I should get back together.  Boy, was I angry!  And boy, was she right!  After my anger cooled, she explained that she meant I needed to be open to being reconciled to the grief and loss involved, and invite God into that process.  She had been through divorce herself.  After the divorce was final, my son*s father and I decided to attend a healing service together asking that God be present in our lives as we continued to parent our young son, only now separately.   I had no idea what this could even look like.  Still, it seemed a good thing to name it out loud, and to ask for healing, whatever that would be, unimaginable healing.  Then ... I waited. 

Am I the poster child for good divorce?  No.  But through the years, there have been so many blessings.  I do not wish divorce on anyone.  I do not believe we enter Christian marriage with the possibility of divorce on the horizon, nor should we.  Yet… here I am.  Divorced, remarried to a wonderful man, two wonderful children, and yes, I am even still a priest.  And… blessed beyond comprehension.

Consider this:  

I believe God*s wish is always for reconciliation.  To me this means asking for God to enter into the hurt and hurting spots, even when we have no idea what healing or reconciliation will look like.  Most often our vision is too tiny, anyway.  

Where do you need healing in your life?  How will you invite God into the picture?  Healing prayer is one option.  Other options include the Sacrament of Reconciliation (otherwise known as Confession).  Sometimes, particularly when we are stuck, saying it out loud to someone can be helpful, and begin the process.  Receiving the Eucharist (Holy Communion) is another way of connecting with God and inviting God into the struggle with us.