That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6

3/17/2015

I have experienced The Divine… only once.

It didn’t happen when the Dalia Lama touched his forehead to mine; nor did it happen inside the rising inferno-like heat of a Native America sweat lodge; it was not in a sunrise . . . not in a symphony . . . not even in a kiss.

He came to me somewhat unexpectedly, and without invitation. He came to me in a dimly lit storage room as I had come to the end of my prayer. There was a wordless whisper into my right ear. Wordless...yet, quieting my menacing mind with a clear message: I am here.

That was all and everything! Whenever I can, I invite Him by living in right relations to Him. As often as I can, I share what had happened.

St .Paul writes: “But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:12

Each time I share this moment of truth with others I feel compelled to preface my story by saying: "You know I am not a “New Ager”. I don’t drink excessively or take drugs so my word is reliable. I’m not crazy. In other words, if I am telling you it happened, please believe that it is so....
Try to find Him yourself. He is out there for all of us."

I know this: The eye of the Spirit was opened, unsealed, revealed to me in just an instant in that storage room. So I will continue to pray, study, be generous and spread The Joy of The Gospel hoping that one day I might hear God say: This is my daughter…with whom I am well pleased.

7 Comments

louisevb@yahoo.com

3/17/2015 02:21:55 pm

When we are told in scripture that God did not speak in the storm...but in a quiet whisper...that l think why in this noisy world we do need to go into a quiet space so that we can listen for HIM! And when we do hear HIM it is to our health & well being to listen. On time when l was told "go home another way"....in my disbelief....l did not listen...went they way I had planned....went in to a store to buy something & got attacked by a woman who had followed me! Ended up trying to defend myself....got arrested & had a long journey thru the court system which is not the least bit fair nor just. God was trying to save me from that painful, expensive & time consuming experience....but I refused to listen. I am still amazed to know that HE cared about me....and try to listen now. HE told me that my first husband was going to die & as much as it did not take away the pain & sorrow it gave me great comfort to know that God had reached out to me & cared about me.
Hearing HIS voice has been the most powerful proof to me of God's existence! Even if others may think I'm crazy.
God loves each & every one of us....and He tells us all the time if only we stop, find a quiet spot & listen.
Evelyn is so right...the experience will change your life!

jackie white

3/19/2015 09:30:17 am

Evelyn,

Your essay is beautiful. The Spirit does move about in the whispers. I will brave this one. It is difficult when it is a spiritual experience as was yours and so was that of Louise.

By the grace of God and the movement of the Spirit, I have been spending an hour almost daily either in front of the Blessed Sacrament (my preference) or at home when there is no one else there for me to have quiet time.

One of the very special times was about 4 or 5 years ago. I had been in chapel with difficulty praying, I was bored and wanted to leave and go home. My decision was to stay because the hour is all about Him and not me. I forced myself to stay and then became impatient, kept looking at the clock and saying to Him will this ever end? I just want to move on. This is driving me crazy. I stayed and was so happy when finally I could go home.

I went to my car mumbling to myself, opened the door,went in and started the car. All of a sudden I was encircled by a cloud. It lasted a few minutes and gave me great inner peace. As I think of it now I get chilled for that most precious moment of the divine. That never happened again, but the memory of it will last a lifetime. He was there with me in my car, the Christ and gracing me with His presence.

evelyn link

3/19/2015 10:08:34 pm

Louise&Jackie:
Thanks for telling us about these fortifying experiences. My reason for writing about my Holy Visitation was in response to a friend's challenge: "So your following the rest of them?" "No." I assured my friend. Really, it's more like: "Seek and ye shall find...." I have been trying to get myself properly prepared for another visit and to do so I must do what I can to live as Jesus teaches.

Charlene Caramore

3/22/2015 08:57:41 am

We're not crazy because we hear the voice of the Lord. We're blessed! We've opened our hearts so we can hear His voice. What a wonderful grace--and it is truly a grace. During this Lent, I have tried to take the time daily to hear His voice, to be silent and patient. He leads us, protects us and guides us. Two weeks ago at our Diocesan Pastoral Council meeting, Bishop Scharfenberger told us to close our eyes and imagine Jesus standing before us. He is close enough so that we can feel His breath on our faces. Then ask Him, "What do You want me to do?" Be silent and listen to what He has to say. I was so touched by that. Our Bishop is leading all of us to that kind of personal relationship that the three of you have just talked about. Thanks be to God!

evelyn link

3/23/2015 03:15:12 am

Your recent post directs us to the steps of how to develop a relationship with God. An assigned reading for our Evangelization Committee at Sacred Heart Parish was: Forming Intentional Disciples. According to the research (and I am only touching on one point here ) many folks...sadly even Catholics, are not certain it is possibe to have a "personal" relationship with God. I've thought about this so much. The truth is we learn from those who have come before us.. If we are not shown how to be in a healthy relationship...be it with a person of the opposite sex, a friend, an offspring or God Himself, then chances are we will not have the connection we desperately desire because our sinfulness...our sinful ways...our human nature leads us astray. At least that is what happened with me.

If we want a relationship with God, for example, we MUST do the work necessary to be in relations to him. I think it is folly to believe just because we want something it will happen. Wanting is the first step towards doing. The crucial steps of being self-less, of spending time in discovery, of communicating... often is not considered and then what is said is this: My spiritual needs are not being met." I also wrote a poem that speaks something of the experience our Bishop was directing you to: The Visitor. Thanks for your comment.

Charlene Caramore

3/23/2015 08:50:12 am

That sounds like a great article. Can I access it online? Thanks, Evelyn.

Dennis

3/25/2015 07:06:29 am

I would have to say I have seen a change in you Evelyn. You seem more tolerant and forgiving.

LET IT aLL sTART hERE
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