I Saw GOD Today

My family and I recently attended mass and unlike usual we were not sitting in our typical parent/child, parent/child fashion. I was fortunate to be sitting next to my husband. Our youngest child was the farthest away from us and she was sitting between her older sister and another woman. The woman next to her appeared to be in her 50s, maybe older, and she was wearing a scarf on her head. She appeared to be healthy, but I couldn't help but wonder if she was ill.

The mass proceeded and as customary we hold hands as a family when praying the Lord's Prayer. Interestingly, I usually find myself glancing around us to see who else does the same. I always wonder if the stranger next to us would want me to hold their hand? Or why isn't the husband and wife in front of us doing the same? Or sadly, why isn't the family behind practicing this small guesture of love?

During this particular mass I glanced down my "row" of children to notice my youngest child was holding the hand of the woman next to her. My daughter glanced at me with a questioning look - this is okay isn't it Mom? I smiled to reassure her and I was filled with joy that she was willing to share this guesture of love with a stranger.

At conclusion of the mass, the woman approached my husband and I and she explained that she was truly blessed by my daughter's guesture of love. She said her children were grown and no longer at home and she had long forgotten how small and wonderful a child's hand can be. She went on to explain further that during the Sign of Peace, my daughter pursed her lips as if to offer her a kiss (another family habit) and the woman allowed her to give her a small peck on the cheek. The woman thanked my husband and I and told us she felt truly blessed. She proclaimed it was the best thing that could happen to her today. My husband and I smiled and said a few simple words not knowing what else to say. I squeezed my daughter in loving approval.

The more I thought about my daughter's guestures, the more I was filled with joy, and the more I realized her simple guestures were the work of GOD's hands. GOD provided the stranger with the love and reassurance she needed and my daughter was the vessel of his love.

As a parent raising children success can be defined in many ways, but to see your children giving their love freely to others is the best gift of all - a gift of GOD.