The Annunciation

When My Thoughts Found a Voice

Dear Diary,

Today is the feast of the Annunciation, and Father LeRoy gave the most beautiful homily about Our Lady’s “Yes.” He said that everything—Jesus coming to us, the Redemption—began when Mary said yes to God with all her heart. He told us that God didn’t force anything, but waited for her to choose, and she did, with love and trust.

On the ride home in Robert’s pickup truck, Sister Mary Claire and Robert helped explain the homily even more. Mini sat between us, ears up and her little body still, like she was trying to understand too. When we got to the mailbox, Robert shut the engine off, and we all stayed in the truck, talking for another twenty minutes. The sun was coming through the pickup window just right, and it made everything feel warm and cozy.

After lunch, I took my bottle of water—the one Father LeRoy blessed this morning—and brought it down to the grotto in the cave by the water stream. Father told me that he added three drops of Lourde’s water to mine, and that just one drop makes the whole thing Lourde’s water. I smiled so big when he said that. It’s the kind of thing I’ll always remember. Mini followed me down and laid at my feet as I sat by Our Lady. I whispered my own little “yes” to God there, hoping He heard me too.

Evening Prayer

Dear Blessed Mother,
Thank You for saying yes, and for helping me understand how powerful a yes can be.
Help me to love God's will like you did.
Bless Sister Mary Claire, and Mini, and Robert, who listens so kindly.
Thank You for the warm sun through the truck window and for quiet moments by the stream.
I want to be faithful, like you. Please pray for me.
Amen.

Now the night is soft, and I’m sitting at my little desk, writing a letter to Vreni in Switzerland. I’ll tell her all about the homily and the bottle of water and how Mini was perfectly still today, as if she was praying too. Maybe Vreni is looking out at the Alps tonight, and maybe she’s saying her own yes to God.

Love,
Kathy