Grace Unfolding

I felt drawn to a spiritual place and I know exactly when it happened….

Do you find yourself looking for that spiritual place only when you’re scared to death and ready to bargain with Him? I can completely relate. You are not alone friend.

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(For some context, you might begin with reading “A Walk with Grace” or check out my introductory YouTube video below… not bad for an amateur.)

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I’d have to say that my adult years were a challenge and that’s 100% on me. Such a blessed life and yet I certainly made it tough for myself.  I had so many moments to celebrate and some that I honestly can’t believe I survived.

My saving “grace” was that underlying faith in God – but, boy was I a “convenient” Catholic – prayers and mass when I was scared to death and ready to bargain with Him. You know, the typical “if you just xyz then I’ll abc…. ” I was navigating my life with a blindfold on – scary stuff.

I was blind to Him, His love and my purpose. So caught up in my life, in my career. So self-righteous: “God is my co-pilot.” Remember those slogans? So catchy. So far from the truth. And then there was the pervasive: “work hard, play hard” personal slogan. Sound familiar?

It all happened one sunny day. I was training for my first half-marathon; it was the Summer of 2016 and I was enjoying a long run through Phil Hardberger Park.

I was making my way through a remote part of the park, mile 6 or so. It was beautiful. The sunlight peeking through the trees, dancing rays illuminating the path, all so green and quiet, just me and nature. I was overwhelmed, recognizing God’s presence everywhere around me.

And suddenly, I was covered in goosebumps; I felt my Dad’s spirit with me.  It was the most incredible feeling. It’s like all my senses were heightened to the highest exponential factor. 

It was at least 100 degrees outside and yet I felt a cold but welcoming chill running through my body. I literally spent the rest of the run smiling from to ear to ear, eyes misty, in awe. Any runner passing me would of thought there was something seriously wrong with me – no runner blank stare here.

Those long runs became my way to connect with God. Little did I know, it would change my life. I would use those miles to meditate, to reflect. The wind in my face, the sweat on my brown and those crazy endorphins, those happy-place triggers racing through my body.

It was like a spiritual morphine shot right to my soul!

What started with a running training program eventually spilled into my reading, my writing, my career, my parenting, my life in general.

Suddenly, I was drawn to everything that was spiritual, mystical. I dabbled in yoga. I was watching Oprah’s “Super Soul Sunday” religiously and hanging on to the words of all those amazing guests. Their common thread: their emotional connections, the state of their soul.

I  was so hungry to understand. I knew I was on a spiritual quest. I could feel my life changing.

And so could He.

xoxo