Holding the Light - SOLD

This past weekend I attended a "Silent Retreat" at St. Ignatius House in Atlanta Georgia. A silent retreat is for the purpose of reflection and drawing close to God.  I know those of you who know me will not believe I could be silent for 3 days but I attended partly because one of my friends, Paula D'Arcy, who is a writer and retreat leader was the leader of the event.  Paula is an exceptional human being.  I met Paula almost 30 years ago at a retreat with Norman Vincent Peale, the author of The Power of Positive Thinking. I had lost a little girl 8 years before and I was so touched by her story of healing and hope after the loss of her husband and young daughter to an accident caused by a drunk driver.  For about 10 years, I organized women's retreats and Paula was the speaker.  She continues to speak, write and touch lives everywhere she goes.  

One of the stories she told this weekend was about a friend who attended an ALAnon meeting ( a support meeting for those who are affected by someone who is an alcoholic or addict).  The friend stated that the speaker was wonderful and gave so much hope.  When the friend attended the next week there was another speaker but the one from the previous week was a wreck!  She was crying and needing encouragement from the group.  The friend asked someone in the group, "what is the deal?  Last week she was so positive."  The member answered, "We take turns."  In other words, we all have "turns" at pain in life.  This week it might be your turn to be betrayed, broken, hurt, widowed, sick, depressed or whatever.  Through your own experience you can choose despair or a deeper healing.  If you choose the healing then it might your time to "hold the light" for someone else because we all take turns.  

This little angel is "holding the light" for whoever needs it today.