Offaly influencer focuses on life's problems and challenges

Life for many of us often is full of problems and challenges. Many times we are faced with these problems and challenges in our families, our finances, our health, our work and a host of other issues. I've learned over the years that I either can overcome my problems and challenges or they can overcome me. In the Gospels, Jesus reminds us of the need to pray continually and never to lose heart when faced with life's problems and challenges, as it is in prayer that we find peace, comfort, patience, acceptance and God’s mercy. 

You are not alone

So often, I hear the following phrase: “Life doesn’t send us anything we can’t cope with.” This isn’t to say that life doesn’t send us a barrel load of awful hardship at times, but that when it does, we can deal with it, that our coping powers are far in excess of what we perhaps think. In spite of this refreshing news, we still fail to cope on a daily basis with the events that crop up. When I say ‘fail to cope’, I don’t mean that we fall into a mega depression or run screaming to the hills every time life goes against us. Rather, we moan, whine, cry, get snappy and generally over emotional about things that could otherwise be solved quite easily.

Life constantly throws at us challenges, problems and obstacles. Sometimes, no sooner have we resolved one problem, another pops up. This is life. This may describe what you are going through during the tough times on your life's journey. Life can be at times a constant barrage of challenges, problems and obstacles. The danger is to see these as preventing us from living out the life God has intended for us. In actual fact, overcoming challenges is part of living for God.

These things, if we were to look closer, are perhaps not just problems or challenges, but maybe also solutions or as I like to call them blessings to help us face up to life's problems and challenges with hope. When times are hard and the days tough, you do not have to face life on your own. Remember you are not alone. Whatever situations or difficulties you may face, you can bring them to God in prayer.

Think about life

I started off this week while on a trip to Dublin with work with two flat tires. But rather than rail against the heavens, and growl and moan to the skies, I had a little think about it. A flat tire, or two, is not something I would usually consider to be a tool for the enigmatic powers of spirituality. But then, why not? So the problem of my two flat tires has caused me to really think about life and the nature of problems and the challenges of life. Problems and challenges are par for the course here on earth, yet we all expect to live unblemished happy lives where nothing ever goes wrong. However, we are visited day in, day out by problems and challenges big and small.

As you read this, I am sure you can relate. I am sure there are several things hounding you right now. Problems and challenges must come with perspective. My spiritual perspective is that they aren’t ever really, truly problems or challenges, but are actually catalysts that push us forward and force us to grow. Sometimes, as in my flat tire situation, they are actually solutions, as there was a bad accident further down the road from where I got my flat tires just after.

The problems and challenges you are experiencing now will, over time, transform in your mind. As you look back on your life to the problems and challenges you have experienced, you will see how a little hindsight gives you a vision full of clarity. Sometimes problems or challenges or indeed people come into our lives and we know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some purpose, whether it is to teach us a lesson or to help us figure out who we are or who we want to become.

Sometimes things happen to us that seem horrible, painful or unfair, but on reflection we find that without overcoming those obstacles, we would never have realized our potential. The people we meet affect our lives, the success and downfalls we experience, help to create who we are and who we become. As usual a story from my Nana Scully’s prayer book might help to explain what I am thinking.

"Chain of love and hope"

This young man was driving home one evening, on the old Tullamore to Birr road. Work in his community was almost as slow as his beat-up ford focus, but he never quit looking. Ever since the factory closed, he'd been unemployed, and with winter coming on, the chill had finally hit home.

It was a lonely road since the new motorway had been built. It was starting to get dark and light rain was coming down. He'd better get a move on. You know, he almost didn't see the old lady, stranded on the side of the road. But even in the dimness, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help, for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe. He looked poor and hungry. He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was that chill which only fear can put in you. He said, "I'm here to help you Ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm? By the way, my name is Ken."
Well, all she had was a flat tyre, but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Ken crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt. As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from Dublin and was only just passing through. She couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid. Ken just smiled as he closed her booth. She asked him how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She had already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped. Ken never thought twice about the money. This was not a job for him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way. He told her if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance that they needed, and Ken added "...and think of me." He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight.
A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old petrol pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. Her waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn't erase. The lady noticed that the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Ken. . .
After the lady finished her meal, and the waitress went to get change for a hundred euro note that the lady gave her in payment for her food, the lady slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. She wondered where the lady could be, then she noticed something written on the napkin under which were 4 one-hundred euro notes. There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote. It said: "You don't owe me anything, I have been there too. Somebody once helped me out the way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: Do not let this 'chain of love and hope' end with you." Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard. She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, "Everything's gonna be alright - I love you, Ken.

Thought for the week

As your thought for the week remember that whatever challenges you’re facing today, keep praying, keep trusting, giving thanks and never, ever give up! May I finish by offering you this comfort blessing that you may see the light in the darkness during life's problems and challenging times! May you feel the loving presence of those who hold you in their thoughts and prayers! May your spirit find what it needs to sustain you on this journey of life! May you discover your inner strength and face all difficulties with dignity and grace. May you be filled with comfort, love, strength, grace and a lasting sense of peace! May the light of your soul guide you. May the light of your soul bless the work that you do with the secret love and warmth of your heart. May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul. May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light and renewal to those who work with you and to those who see and receive your work. May your work never weary you. May it release within you wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration and excitement. May you be present in what you do. May you never become lost in bland absences. May the day never burden. May dawn find you awake and alert, approaching your new day with dreams, possibilities and promises. May evening find you gracious and fulfilled. May you go into the night blessed, sheltered and protected. May your soul calm, console and renew you. May there always be work for your hands to do. May your purse always hold a coin or two; May the sun always shine on your windowpane; May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain; May the hand of a friend always be near you; May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you. May the blessing of God's soft rain be on you, Falling gently on your head, refreshing your soul. With the sweetness of little flowers newly blooming. May the strength of the winds of Heaven bless you, Carrying the rain to wash your spirit clean. Sparkling after in the sunlight. May the blessing of God's earth be on you, And as you walk the roads, May you always have a kind word for those you meet. May you never as much as possible, break the chain of love and hope. May joy and peace surround you, contentment latch your door, and happiness be with you now and bless you evermore! May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow. May the soft winds freshen your spirit. May the sunshine brighten your heart. May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you, and may God enfold you in the mantle of His love. I hope my thoughts of the week help you on your life's journey as writing them, help me on mine! Amen