IT'S THE SMALL THINGS

Yesterday, Sept. 8 was the birthday of Mary, the mother of Christ. Although I have always prayed the “Hail Mary” and in many ways, prayed to our blessed Virgin, it was not until I moved to Mexico two years ago that my affinity with Her, I have felt, has deepened. Multiple visits to Our Lady of Guadalupe over my time here has most definitely strengthened my bond and faith in the power of our Blessed Virgin.

Many times, when I would go and visit, I did not have anything in particular I was asking, or praying for. But I would always feel a sense of peace and serenity every time after. It was almost as if I found my home in a foreign land where I could not even speak the language then. An inexplicable sense of re-assurance and comfort would come upon me, and though I cannot sufficiently put it into words, the feeling that I was in the right place, at the right time just seemed to always resonate.

Earlier this year, I went to Our Lady of Guadalupe with specific intentions. It was a time of frenzy and unexpected emotional turmoil in my life. I remember praying then for peace, harmony, and for things to resolve. And while things were most definitely not always smooth sailing, the testing of my faith just strengthened it further. It is at times when you are most helpless when you realize that prayer is your only ally and resolve – that though the solutions are never instantaneous, in God’s good time, all that is meant to be will fall into place, and come into fruition.

And true enough, while prayers are not always answered in the way that you imagine it to be, or that you may envision – in fact, a lot of times, the farthest from what you may expect – with unwavering faith and a consistent devotion, blessings abound beyond what one can even imagine. It is when you realize that there is no perfect time, but God’s time. And that prayers simply tide you through, and pave the path towards where you are meant to go. I now know that our trying times, and our lowest points exist because we need to humble ourselves enough to learn how to surrender fully. When we are finally able, the rewards too pour in overwhelmingly.

So on Mama Mary’s birthday yesterday, I made sure to give thanks – for all that she has been to me, and for I know all that she will be. She has never let me down. She has been there. Always, and in all ways!