God has a Plan. He has a Purpose for Each Life.

I survived the 60's.

I left my faith in that decade.

I became a liberal.

I left home.

I led my own life,

doing my own thing,

My own way.

It was over 20 years before I made a good confession and returned to the Church.

I firmly believe that someone, during that time, was praying for me.

God showed His great mercy to me during that phase of my life.  

Had I died, I know my destination would not have been purgatory or heaven.

By God's grace I lived long enough to begin to try to make reparation for my sins.

Now, I'm older with grown children.  I wonder why I was blessed with age.  At least 7 members of our graduating class have already died.  Why was I spared?

I keep hearing in my heart.  God has a plan.  He still has a purpose for you.  Your work is not finished yet.

Younger people than me die everyday.

Why have I been given the grace of a longer life than they?

I don't know, but I am learning that

God's Mercies abound in my life. 

I am alive only by His graces and mercy.

Each of our journeys is different.

Each of our missions is different.

No two are the same.

Perhaps, it is I who must pray for someone during this time of waiting.

Perhaps, it is I who must ask for God's mercy for someone else, as someone once did for me.

Perhaps, it is my mission to continue to pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory to ease their sufferings.

Perhaps, it is my job to help bring comfort to those who loose their loved ones.

Perhaps, it is simply my job to weep for those who are too young when they pass into eternity.

I pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

I pray for His blessings on me as I near the end of my earthly sojourn.

I pray for those who will die tonight.

I pray for those who will end their own lives.

I pray for those who think there is nothing beyond this life.

I pray for those who suffer grievously on earth.

I pray for those who are persecuted.

I pray for those who live in loneliness.

I pray for those who, like me, wonder why.