Dominus Providebit: God will provide

Have you ever felt like-“My God, My God, Why Have You Abandoned Me?”

(written for St. John the Baptist DHS Lenten Prayer Service 3/31/10)

     A lot of parents have expressions that they use over & over again. Some kids may even think of this as nagging when I am certain that your parents are just trying to give you a gentle reminder (or at least that is what I tell myself). Some times we all need little reminders to keep us focused or on task as one of your teachers may say. Parents, teens, teachers, priests and leaders alike- each and every one of us need a little nagging (or reminder) every once in awhile to stay focused on what is truly necessary and important.

     In our family we actually have a whole slew of family reminders, sayings or what we call family mottoes. Apparently in our family we need a whole ton of reminders to help keep us focused. You might think that as the mom I would have been the one to start these, some yes but not all. One I use often at mealtime is to "take as much as you want; but be sure you want as much as you take". In other words, take smaller portions and go back for 2nds or as often as you wish; just do not take more than you can eat so that no food is wasted.

     Another one started by the guys in our family is: "suck it up - you're a Boyle" (meaning, don't complain- the Boyle men are just that- MEN and the women should be just as strong. Keep in mind, I married into this family. I can still whine and complain with the best of them - but I just don't as often).

     The most important family motto we have is the one that is actually on our family crest which is over 900 years old: “Dominus Providebit”- "God will provide". Knowing this is one thing- believing it and remembering this is another. We all need help remembering this from time to time I think & apparently the Boyle family, almost 1,000 years ago knew this too and wanted to make sure that they and ALL of their descendants would never forget this and therefore it is written on the coat of arms. Apparently these little reminders or this type of nagging is nothing new in families.

     My challenge as a woman, a mother, wife, daughter and a member of this community is to remember this and find ways to help remind myself of this whenever I am feeling disappointed, defeated, saddened, scared, anxious or disheartened. To help myself and those around me trust, see and believe that what we really need God will really provide.

I need help with this.

I always have.

I need someone to nag me to remind me… but I am the mom. I am the one who is supposed to nag! Right?

     This is where family and community has to be there not only for me but we have to be there for each other to remind us of what is truly important and that although we may feel alone or scared to trust that God is with us and will take care of us. This is why I think that they put it on the family coat of arms. It was not just a reminder for one person but for all of us to help and support each other and help those we care about when they may not be as strong as they need to be and may need a reminder of their faith and to remember to trust that God is with us, cares about us and will take care of us. When someone we care about is low on hope or anxious or sad or afraid to know that it is our responsibility as a family, this family- this community to step up and be there for each other and share, support and offer hope to each other.

     As I have mentioned- this is not always easy for me. I have had to come up with some ways to remind myself, especially when I am feeling alone or anxious that God will take care of me and everything will be alright.

     One thing that has helped me over the years is to put a piece of straw from the nativity the week after Christmas into my wallet. This way I know that whenever I go to my wallet I will be sure to have everything I need. Some people think that by doing this they will always have money in their wallet when they open it but that is not what it is meant by doing this. What it means is that when my wallet is pretty empty and all that remains is the straw I will be reminded that God will provide for all that I need and not to worry. Things will turn out the way they are supposed to. They may not turn out the way I want them to and it may not be easy but all that I really need God will make sure that I have. All I need to do is have faith in Him, trust Him and be aware of how He works in quiet ways throughout my daily life. This piece of straw is my reminder and I find it so helpful. I think that it is also really important to remember to look for "signs" or confirmation throughout your day that He is watching and with you and you are never truly alone. It is also just as important I believe for you to speak this acknowledgment or word of gratitude out loud- even if it is just talking to yourself. Acknowledging that He is there will help you to remember to keep on looking for His presence in your life and in the lives of those around you. This may sound really silly but just by acknowledging the good in our lives and being grateful for the little things (hot water in your morning shower- especially if your sister took a one hour power shower just before you got in, the last doughnut in the Hostess box, finding the homework you thought you lost, the little things that “just happen”).
      Bad things and REALLY sad things happen to all of us in our lives. We all go through some really hard stuff at one time or another and each of us can really feel completely alone. Sometimes you just may not see any end in sight or feel like you just don't have any hope left for things to go the way that you had planned or the way that you wanted. This is when we as Christians, as Catholics, are so fortunate. We know that we are not truly alone. We just have to keep our eyes and hearts open to see the many different ways that God is truly present & providing for all of our really important needs. Just because He may not have answered our prayers in the way that we wanted Him to does not mean that He is not listening. What we truly need He will make sure that we have.  And we must be open to looking for the many, many different ways He is working in our lives.

Here is an example of what I’m talking about-

     Last year I had been saving to buy a new car. Not a fancy car or an expensive car but one that would be good on gas and was reliable. I did my research and I shopped around. I visited several dealers and I was pretty sure I found the car that was just perfect for me. I was so glad that I had been able to put aside a little bit of money over the last few years so that I would be able to put a really good down payment on it and I could pay off the loan in no time at all. I was ready to make my big purchase but thought I should wait until after the weekend for some reason. As it turns out my husband was laid off from work that day. We were so very, very lucky that we had the money I had been saving for the car that we could now use to help pay our bills. I was very disappointed that I could not get my new car but I was glad that we had the money that we would need. As the months went by and my husband was not able to find another job I started to get very stressed and wondered if God had not been listening to my prayers. Just when I really began to start really doubting a strange thing happened. Do you recall hearing in the news about all of the Toyota Corollas that have been recalled because their brakes were malfunctioning? Can you guess what kind of car I was going to buy and just about did buy? A Toyota Corolla! It was like God saying to me- “I’m here. I’m listening to you but trust Me. I am watching out for you and taking care of you even when it may not feel like it. I am still here. Trust Me; things will work out the way they are supposed to: maybe not as fast as you may wish or maybe not exactly as you had planned but everything will be fine if you just trust.” I needed this reminder.  

      Sometimes He speaks to us in small ways often everyday occurrences that if we were not paying attention we may miss what He is trying to tell us.  One Sunday last winter it that pouring rain as I pulled into the grocery store parking lot. I was really hoping for a parking spot right up front. It was cold and raining and believe it or not I don’t always love going grocery shopping. I really wanted to stay dry and get in and out fast but instead- He knew that I have been meaning to hit the gym and have just not gotten around to it. So He gave me the opportunity to work off those chocolate chip cookies I just had for breakfast by giving me a spot in the very back of the parking lot and letting me run into the store while trying to stay dry. See, He is even trying to make sure I get some exercise. I just have to be sure to listen and appreciate that gift instead of seeing it as a bother.

I don’t want to nag you but just want to gently remind you to please try to keep in mind, especially when you are feeling really low, that God is with you and He will take care of you if you listen. And just one last thing (nag), please remember to say thank you. It really goes a long way and will also help you as a reminder for the future- Dominus Providebit: God will provide.

(written 3/30/10)