Keep it Real Wednesday
June 10, 2020
Look up
I sat at my keyboard yesterday staring at a blank screen wondering what to write about this week. To be honest, like many people, I believe I have been struggling to find (and sustain) my joy with so much going on in the world.
Then, THIS happened. JOY called! Literally!!!!
A beautiful soul named JOY Muldoon, Rosemary’s best friend since grade school, called and we chatted for 30 minutes before I handed the phone over to Rosemary.
Joy is otherwise known as Sister Ann Cecile, a lifetime Ursuline Nun from Cleveland. When I heard her sweet voice say, “Hello Jill” on the other end, I giggled a bit at God’s sense of humor to send me JOY just at the right time. I decided to answer honestly and openly when she asked me “How are you doing?” I cried a little and said I am not fine, and I don’t think any of us are truly fine in today’s world. I told her my feelings about the virus, the protests, the racial divide, the economy, the division between people, political unrest, and intolerance everywhere.
I told her sometimes, if I am honest, I even get mad at God for allowing all this to happen.
Joy laughed a big hearty laugh and said “Well, He has big shoulders and can take it!”.
She then said, “Jill, just when you are feeling down, look up.” She went on to say, “Life is challenging right now but we have each other, and there is a little group of nuns in Cleveland, Ohio praying everyone though it”.
“Your job, Jill” she said, is to “LOOK UP”
After I spoke to Joy, I went to the grocery store to pick up a few things and Joy’s words echoed in my mind as I watched all these masked strangers looking down. The last few months has taken a toll on all of us.
Perhaps it is time we all find our JOY, and maybe start by looking up.
Better days are ahead.
JOY told me so!
