God's "Bazinga"

I had planned to start my "official" blog with a review of things that have transpired, in an orderly fashion, to bring about a change that is still working in my life. I wanted to define the word grace, and list chronologically the events, the meetings, the "coincidences" that have been a part of what I had termed my "Glimpses of Grace." My plan was to pull out all of the little scraps of paper that I started writing on over a year ago, to find the notes in my mediation books, to relate how people entered my life at certain points to make a difference. But, God had other plans for me today! So - out of order, not in the way that I had intended at all - here is my first "official blog post."

BAZINGA - The Urban Dictionary defines this word as "a catchy phrase to accompany your clever pranks." It is an overused word made popular by one of my favorite TV shows (I really only watch 1 or 2 with any regularity, and Big Bang Theory is one of those). Today, I experienced God's bazinga!

I am someone who normally has a calendar of events organized fairly far into the future. There are, after all, only a few things that I particularly look so forward to that everything else gets put aside - a visit from my kids being the most special! Recently, things that I have really been looking forward to have been attempting to become part of that calendar - only to find the space already taken because someone else needs me to be somewhere, or do something for them. Now please understand, that I do not mind in the least doing for others. It has always been a natural part of who I am, and I very rarely feel myself inconvenienced or put upon.

I found myself quite sullen this past week - thinking, why can't I do what I want?  I try hard to be a good person, why won't the things I want to do just plain work out for me? When do I get to do things just for me? As I finished my morning prayer, sulking despite it, I decided to email my spiritual director. My plan was to gather my thoughts, and send a detailed email asking for some "online direction." My mood was quickly returning to a darkened place that I have been to many times, and really like to avoid! What happened this afternoon - before I could send that particular email - was my "Glimpse of Grace" for today!

My sulking this morning went this way:
(names have been ****ed  to protect the innocent!)

I can't do Divine Mercy Sunday because ***** needs me in ***** this weekend.

I can't do School of Leaders next Saturday because ***** needs me to see him in *****.

I can't spend time with ****** next weekend either because ***** needs me to be at another event.

I can't be at the first "Grace Uncorked" event in May because ***** needs me to be in NJ that weekend.

Now, I subscribe to a service called Daily Catholic Quotes. It is emailed out every morning, but for some reason today's came this afternoon. It is a quote from Saint Martin de Tours (which happens to be the name of the church my son and his wife were married in almost 2 years ago!) Here is today's quote -

"Lord, if your people need me, I will not refuse the work. Your will be done."

And God should have just added - BAZINGA! Needless to say, my spiritual director got off easy!