I was fascinated by this window. It let the light in, but because it was alabaster instead of glass, you could not see through it. It just seemed like an appropriate metaphor for life. How often do we see the light without seeing the full picture?

It takes a certain amount of faith to believe that even in some of our most trying times, things will work out. We determine how we want things to go and when they don’t seem to go our way, we worry that nothing will ever be OK again. We tend to determine that everything is working against us. If we stopped to review our past, that is not usually the case.

The trials I have experienced in my life are what helped me become the person I am today. In the past, during those trials, I could not see that. I ranted and raved, to no avail. Thank heavens, I did not get my way at the time. It is now my sincere desire to recall those lessons when I am faced with an obstacle.

Recently, while sitting in quiet contemplation at St Michael’s Shrine, I realized how often I have gone there to request a change. Prayer for me had become constant “I wants”. Even if the wants were for others, it was still always a want. Gratitude seemed to be missing from my prayers. I began in that moment to focus on gratitude. When things get difficult, I recall my gratitude prayers and somehow, I become calm with the knowledge that once again I will be fine.

I may not see the answers or the outcomes, but I do see the light.