"I, the Lord."

Today I had a great opportunity to attend a watch fire at church that my parish starts at the beginning of the Triduum and ends at the end.  It is watched, and it runs throughout the night and day by willing parishioners who tend to the fire.  I had only been to the watch fire once after our Easter Vigil service, but after mass one Sunday, our family friends decided to sign up so I threw our name up there.  Although, I knew we weren't going to have school being that it is Good Friday, and the only time slot left open was 7-9 AM I wasn't really thinking twice about it.  At the time I didn't really think of how hard it would be to have to get up at 6:30 in the morning on a day off and I was not ready, and didn't want to go this morning, but it was really a blessing.  My mom left early for a doctor's appointment and my brother and sister went in the parking lot and played while myself, our family friends, and a few other parishioners sang songs.

As we were singing the song "Here I Am, Lord" we were approaching the lyrics... "I the Lord of wind and rain" the rain started sprinkling and as the lyrics approached "I have heard my people's pain" I smiled and knew that it was a sign.  I may have not known it right then and there, but as I think about it now, it was a sign that God is going to bring hardships and challenges in my life and he is hearing my pain.  This past year has been really hard for me and my pains have been difficult to over come and long-lasting but it was He who told me that He is hearing me and that He is with me.  He loves me and He is my savior. 

"God gave his only begotten Son so that he who believes may not die but have eternal life." - John 3:16

(Two Photos of the Watch Fire taken with my phone)

I really hope that everyone has a blessed Easter and a great end to the Triduum. 

With love,

Just Me,

Jack