God is the strength of the people,
the saving refuge of the anointed.
Psalm 28:8
Sometimes, it’s difficult to feel “anointed”. We often consider ourselves to be just one of many regardless of the group we’re in. These days, while we remain within our “bubbles” of family members and/or our closest friends, we might wonder what we’re actually accomplishing for anyone.
I come from a large family. My earliest memories include big family gatherings for the holidays, christenings, birthdays, graduations, weddings and funerals. I grew up down the block from our church and numerous people passed our house on the way to Mass each week. I worked at a grocery store throughout high school and college where I tended to lines of customers all day long. When I married and began my teaching career, people of every sort continued to fill my life. Sometimes, I felt lost in the crowd. Then, there were those other amazing times…
I’ve always been especially grateful for individual encounters with those around me. Whether a scheduled or haphazard meeting, with a student, a family member, a friend or a customer at the grocery store, it was during these precious moments together that I received glimpses of many amazing souls. Most of them have no idea that they were contributing to my well-being and that of this world of ours simply by sharing their time. I’ve taken great pleasure in pointing out their unique gifts and my appreciation of them as often as possible.
You know, “anointed” means “blessed” and God calls each of us an anointed one. This is the reason God sends us out to bless those around us and to bless this world with the gift of ourselves. Even in the midst of this pandemic, we can do good simply by staying safe for ourselves and for one another and by encouraging one another along the way.
Thank you, Dear God, for loving us so much that you trust us to bring you into this world!
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