Signs from God

Oh, the things that people read into natural events. This morning here in Albuquerque we had one of the most impressive sunrises I can remember seeing in my life. The sun came up from behind the Sandia Crest and lit the clouds as if with fire. It was stunning for this Ohio boy. I take it as a reminder that God is working powerfully in this world and that each new day brings the potential for brilliant things.

Last night my mother-in-law had to go back to the hospice in-patient unit due to breathing trouble. The nurse who evaluated her here at home last night suspects pneumonia. Mama realizes that her time may be quickly growing short. My wife, Alanna, said this morning that Mama keeps telling her how much she loves her. It has been the greatest blessing to have Mama here at our house these last three months.

Tomorrow is the first anniversary of the death of Mama's friend, Grace. Mama has been looking to that date as a sort of milestone or sign. That she may be growing ill so close to that date seems more than coincidence to me. It may even be a sign from God for Mama. She believes that Grace moved quickly from purgatory to heaven because she was such a good person here on earth. She also believes that her own time in purgatory may be longer. Perhaps God is letting her know that she is closer to being with Grace in heaven than she can understand.

Postscript - Now I may be full of crap, and I may not be. My faith informs so much of what I do that I can't help seeing God's hand in things. If there is a God and God is a god of Love, than why wouldn't God give a dying woman some increased hope for what comes next? And if there is no God, and my faith is merely an opiate for an otherwise dreary life, then kudos to me for not letting life get the best of me. I win either way. I believe.