Vision of the Christ Child

Many months ago, I had a vision that I was in a pitch black room watching a priest who had his arms raised up - like he was either adoring something or raising something up.  His face was pure light and peace and happiness.  He wasn't looking at me and he had no idea I was there.  His eyes were fixed on whatever his arms were raised to ( I know that's horrible grammar, but you understand). Anyway, I was so drawn in to his happiness that I wanted to see where his eyes were gazing.  I turned my head to the left and saw a small child suspended in midair.  This child was, I think, the most beautiful child I have ever seen.  I couldn't tell if it was a boy or girl.  At first I thought it was a girl with wavy short blonde hair and a long nightgown flowing in the breeze (?) - I know that sounds strange as it felt like we were in a black box, but the gown was flowing.  The gown was white and had a beautiful wide band of lace at the neck and wrists. The child was glowing - emanating light - and the arms were extended downward toward the priest.  I was absolutely captivated.  I stood frozen, staring at the child...and then the priest...and then the child... and then the priest.  The love and happiness was mesmerizing.  All of a sudden, I saw something catch my eye to the right, and it was a man dressed in black. He was sleek looking and I had a horrible gut wrenching feeling of evil.  He smiled at me - like "look and watch the havoc that's about to ensue".  I had to catch my breath because looking at him caused me to feel like I had been punched and lost all air from my lungs.  He was slowly walking towards the priest, and as I felt my insides yell, "No", I was immediately drawn out of my vision and back to my la-z-boy chair where I was nursing my daughter.  It took me about a month to realize I had seen the Christ child.  And because of the shame I felt in not recognizing Him immediately, I felt sad for many months.  I still think about what I saw because I don't know exactly what it means.  The closest images I have found online to what I saw have been an image of the Infant of Prague and an image of St. Anthony of Padua.  If anyone out there would like to comment, please do so. I would love to hear if you have "seen" anything yourself or if you know anything that could help me with what I saw.  God bless!  ~+
p.s. These images are not exactly what I saw, but the closest I could find. I wish I could paint -  I would paint it myself.  It truly was beautiful.

A Chance Meeting Turns to Friendship and Evangelization

Shortly after Christmas, I was at the park with my children and met a young mother with two children the same age as my two youngest.  Even though there was a big difference in our age, we somehow connected instantly - like long lost friends.  Have you ever met a stranger and thought, "Hmmm, so strange how easy it was to talk to him/her"? Well, that was the case here.  Even though I never do this, we decided to exchange phone numbers and we vowed to meet up at the park again and let our kids play together.  Believe it or not, I have been so busy I have only taken my children back once since then and it was a spur of the moment thing. So, I have not seen this mom again.  However, after getting home that day I noticed she had sent me a friend request on facebook.  I thought it was a little odd at first, but trusted my initial instincts about her and accepted the request.  We have stayed in contact via facebook.

I sometimes wonder if my posts on my personal facebook page irritate people to the point they don't want to be friends anymore. I am not obnoxious with meme after meme or political rants, but I do post Catholic news, anti-abortion news, all mixed with gardening posts, and photos of my kids.  I basically post all that I love: God, my Catholic faith, pro-life news, and my family.  I do, on the other hand, wonder if I am evangelizing to people who may not think the way I do.  I wonder if my postings might cause one of my friends to pause and think about their own stance on a particular issue.

Last week, I received a private email through facebook from that young mother I met at the park. She said that she has seen how involved I am with my parish through my facebook postings, and it has caused her to want to join the Catholic faith. Yes! You read that right! One for our side!  Anyway, she said she was baptized, but never received first communion or confirmation. She wanted to know how she went about signing up "for the program". I, of course, immediately wrote her back and told her how happy I was for her regarding her decision, gave her the contact information, and told her to please ask me if she has any questions at all.  I still become overjoyed just thinking about this.  How happenstance our meeting was, and how impactful it became.

The Holy Spirit has guided our Church into this New Evangelization period.  The Lord is calling His children home. If you have the means and/or opportunity, make sure you proclaim your faith publicly. It is scary at first, I assure you. It is a cross the Lord is asking us to take up and carry.  Witness to your faith in all aspects of your life.  You never know who might be watching and listening. I will say though that you will attract more bees with honey than with vinegar. If you go about your evangelizing with a pointed finger at the end of your hand, you will only turn others away. Show the world your zeal for the Lord and for the Catholic Church. People will sit up and take notice.  They will want to know why you are so happy. That is then the opportunity to unlock the door and give them the key to your happiness.  Jesus gave the keys to the kingdom of heaven to Peter to build His Church. The keys are inside the Church. Don't let your faith be locked away in your inner sanctum for no one to see. Reveal it and others will want to join.  God bless you in your evangelization!