Little Crosses

I hastily stuffed the solicitation letter from the Franciscan Brothers of Peace in my pocket as I headed out the door for some last minute Easter shopping with my family. I thought to myself,"Hmm...the way my finances are holding up, maybe I should send out a letter or two." It was pouring down rain and cold. So everything electrical was running in the car when the "Charging" light came on on my dashboard. We broke down 15 miles from nowhere. We didn't have a cell phone with us. It looked bad and I was fuming.

Lucky for us I was easily able to flag down a good Samaritan who gave us a jumpstart and we sputtered into town, the motor convulsing at evry stroke of the wipers. We broke down again. Lucky for us, we were at an intersection where a short push got us to an auto parts store. At the store I was able to procure a mechanic, who after sufficiently emptying my wallet, said he could have the car fixed the next day. I said yes. Lucky for us that meant no towing the 30 miles back to our village plus repairs.

We were able to catch a bus for the long ride home. It gave me some time to reflect on my children and how they see me react to things. It is not always the best example that I set before them, though I try. Things worked out and I know it wasn't luck at all. And so I told them so.

When I got home I noticed the damp envelope in my pocket. I opened it and read:

"As we pray and meditate on the passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us lovingly accept our individual crosses and hardships for the sake of advancing the kingdom of God here on Earth." Perhaps I'll consider that donation after all.

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