Mom And God Calling

"May we make God's merciful love ever more

evident in our world through dialogue,

mutual acceptance and fraternal cooperation."

~Pope Francis

"God Calling" is a well-known book of spiritual guidance written by two anonymous women in the early part of the 20th Century. The only thing I know about these ladies is what little is available in the introduction to the book--they were anything but wealthy, they lived together, were both deeply spiritual and resided in England. From the brief introduction, written by one of the "two listeners" as they called themselves, the writer states, "...we were not in any way psychic or advanced in spiritual growth, but just very ordinary human beings, who had had more suffering and worry than the majority and who had known tragedy after tragedy." Sometime in the early 1980s, my mom's best friend, a dear lady named Pat, gave her a copy of this book. She started reading from it faithfully each day--making of it a regular part of her daily "prayer time." I caught sight of the book in her stack of daily devotionals once on a visit to Pennsylvania to visit and was intrigued. The beauty of the book is that it began with a partnership. This partnership was expressed again by mom and her dear friend reading and reflecting on the book each day. I purchased a copy in Texas and began reading it myself, feeling a certain connection with mom across the miles. Years later, when her dear friend Pat died, I continued to read and share with her insights about the readings. In 2011, I bought a bound leather version of the book which was designed with additional space for journaling and sent it to mom for her birthday that year. My inscription read: "April, 2011 Dear Mom:  I want you to use this book--please write your thoughts and feelings and share your wisdom. I love you. I am so lucky to have you as a parent. You are a treasure! Love, Tom" Obviously, she took my words to heart and immediately began recording her own thoughts and feelings about what she read each day. At that time, she was visiting my father daily in a neighboring town where he would die in less than two years. They were extremely difficult years for her. Today, my most cherished possession is that very book in which she wrote so many lovely words. Day after day, they comfort me and let me know she is with me. I can't contain the tears even as I type these words but one day I will follow her to that place of peace and contentment that she's written so beautifully about. Until then, I have her words. I have her words.

"Yesterday I turned 94! How good God has been to me allowing me to experience all these years with much joy and happiness but also His Presence in times of sorrow and regret when He's so close to us. I am so grateful for all the calls and well wishes and equally thankful for the wonderful celebration and dinner and all the gifts. Eduardo and Tom worked so hard to make this a memorable occasion. God bless them all."  ~Marjorie Marion Boylan, 4/9/2017