Catholic Hermit's Glorious Day

Yesterday was glorious.  This nothing consecrated Catholic hermit is at its best, soaring in the Lord, when out among those in the full-range of life.

Every encounter was filled with the Holy Spirit, from "Keri" who cut off the mange from this hermit's head, with much laughter at how awful the previous cut to a rather bizarre and frightening effect.  It fit all stereotypes of the strange recluse, or hermit in a cave for years, unkempt and wild.  I so enjoyed listening to "Keri's" excitement of her dad's 60th birthday party planned for Sunday night. I also loved to hear about her husband's projects in their home--lots of enthusiasm and vision of the finished project, but her frustration that he was not into the preparation work in order to have successful completion....

Then there was the beautiful time at the lumber yard.  Craig helped this nothing figure out how best to remedy the toggle bolt situation for the microwave support strip to be installed--today, yes!  And then we addressed another pocket door I need to construct and got the necessary kit for that project.  And then we discussed a small base cabinet that he sold for $15.  It has potential in the developing laundry area, or some other place in the hermitage.  

And we discussed how God continues to have my situation be one of trusting in Him alone, and having to forge forward, figuring out how to keep going, to keep making progress, to learn aspects of construction, to solve dilemmas, to pray for those who for whatever reasons God does not have follow through in what would be little effort for them but major help to this hermit.  

Craig is a man of God, a person of prayer, a strong Christian.  The other guys at the lumber yard  are real and good humans--always intrigued and interested in how progress is going.  Once more, we had humorous exchanges including uplifting encouragements shared one with each other.

Then on to Costco, and I asked questions in the tire section as Precious Blood (used pick up truck) was determined to be in need of new tires.  The man in tire sales kindly took time to walk out into the parking lot to assess the truck tires, picking up positive conversation along the way.  He carefully showed me the cracking of rubber, the waves of uneven wear, and even I easily saw the low tread.  Then he located tires that will do best with the winter climate as well as are on sale.  As I left with the information, he added encouraging words, and I responded in kind.

At Lowe's, next, Benny did his best trying to cut some tile.  While he was working on that, I was talking with Trish and another clerk she called for more advice.  The cabinet installer's helper had totally disassembled the quality kitchen faucet when they removed countertops.  There was no need for the faucet to be left in pieces, of course, but it happened.  The two women worked for over half an hour, trying to figure out how to put it back together, making progress other than no clue how to return the long spring into the faucet....

I will need to return next week when both are there, when the faucet company is open for consultation, and I can locate the model number and pamphlet.  In the meantime, I listened to the sufferings of one of the women who has Fibromyalgia and also had nerve damage to palm of hand from a light bulb cut.

Then back to tile, in which Benny had given up on cutting the pieces I'd brought for the store's heavy-duty tile cutter.  Benny had become discouraged as it was not easy cutting.  But another clerk came to help this nothing hermit with locating some additional tile supplies.  In that effort, "Ian" and I also discussed the aborted attempt in the tile cutting goal.  Ian was game to give it a try!  So he did, successfully, amid some laughter and conversation of how in life, we must not let the risk of failures stop us from trying.  After tile was indeed cut, Ian and I gave each other a celebratory hug!  I don't think I've seen such a smile on a young clerk's face, for we turned a chore into a party of adventure.

The clerk at the gas station was happy to see me, as I'd been getting gas elsewhere for a couple months.  Then onward in the return journey back to the isolated hermitage, far from civilization, far from the glorious freedom of interactions that are not bound by rules or laws but are free in faith of being one with each other, children of Christ.

So it is that I pray for guidance in this day.  The news brings sadness of the corruption of the world, of basic flaws in the rawness of humankind.  Is there redemption?  Mercy, the self-righteous judging is intense.  I rather think many (as I would be, myself) praying their sins not publicly leaked! Yes, we are all redeemable if we desire such.  Conversion is a repetitive motion.  As for me, a nothing consecrated Catholic hermit, my appropriate "label" is: sinner seeking justification by faith; a baptized child of Christ.

Once more, the Living Word reminds that I am not to be a prisoner under law but rather a soul who hears the word of God, observes it, lives it.  The glorious day was filled with loving encounters, freed from being judged according to laws of structure, conformity, of opinions as to whether or not I am a fraud, mystic, or maniac. 

May today be another in glory!  Yes, it can be, it will be!  I am clothed in and with Christ Jesus.

From Galatians 3:

"Before faith came, we were held in custody under law,
confined for the faith that was to be revealed.
Consequently, the law was our disciplinarian for Christ,
that we might be justified by faith.
But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a disciplinarian.
For through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus.
For all of you who were baptized into Christ
have clothed yourselves with Christ."

Luke:

"[Jesus] replied, 'Rather, blessed are those
who hear the word of God and observe it.'"