gary's corner

Earlier I was talking to a friend who was amazed that God actually answered his prayers. This was not a small request, but a major one, and I am sure he was unsure anyone could help him. I know that there are times when we really wonder if anyone up there is listening, and hey, the same thing happens to me. When I am really close to despair sometimes I wonder too. So I thought maybe it might help if I said something about this to the rest of you.

Over the years I have learned that God always answers prayers. Sometimes God says "yes," sometimes "no," but the very worst one for most of us, including me, is "WAIT AWHILE!" I have to admit that I hate that answer. Now I am sure a lot of you out there think that if God is the supreme Lord of the universe why do we have to wait? It's simple. God cannot violate any human's free will. That is the most precious gift we were given and to do so would be to go back on his promise to let us make our own decisions. God gave us the ability to love and believe in him or not. The problem then is when we ask for something that requires God to act in another person's life to get him or her to go along. As human beings we know that sometimes that is going to take some doing. Some of the things we want require a lot of work on God's part to convince someone to go along, and that often takes some time.

There have been times, for example, when I was really in need of money. Sometimes when I prayed for help I received a rather quick answer and funds I desperately needed came from the most unexpected of sources. At other times I was told that what I wanted wasn't really necessary or wasn't going to be good for me, and that if I thought about it long enough I would see that too. Hey, believe it or not, I did.

I have also been told to wait awhile. That's rough, to say the least. When that happens we are all tempted to think God doesn't care, isn't concerned or even that he hates us. Then, when months or years pass and our prayer is finally answered we are amazed and surprised. Maybe we had given up all hope. It really just means that the others whose cooperation we needed finally said okay.

Do you have a need? Just ask. You don't have to talk to God in flowery or stilted language. Just be yourself. Simply say, "God, I really need your help here." And if you really want a yes answer or you don't know what to pray for, just ask that God's most perfect will for you will be accomplished. You may not get what you want, but you will be happy with what finally comes to pass, and like me, you might just see that what God had in mind was far better than what you wanted.

God bless you all.

Category: General

After to listening to Truckerdoc's radio show from last Saturday with my cousin Lyndon (lenutt) as her guest I was reminded of something that happened to me shortly after I was ordained some thirty years ago. About two in the morning a police officer and funeral director came to the rectory to ask me to accompany them to the home of a long distance trucker who had been killed on the highway to inform his wife and family of the tragedy. The trucker's wife and children were members of my church and although he was not a member he used to attend with the family when he was in town.

As you can imagine, breaking that kind of news to anyone is rough, but when you see your priest, a police officer and a funeral director, you're pretty certain the news isn't going to be good. The widow handled herself well considering the circumstances and we had the funeral a couple of days later. But it did remind me of just how close we can come to death each day of our lives and to live each day as fully as possible. I'd say that goes double for you guys out on the road as well as the police, highway patrol, military and other service oriented professionals who try to keep us safe. Over the years I have buried too many people who died giving their lives for the safety of others. My consolation is is that God has a warm welcome for them at the heavenly banquet.

May God keep all of you safe out there!

Category: General

Well, Lyndon (lenutt), my cousin (in-law) showed up recently for Friday night and Saturday until he had to leave after lunch. We discovered a great place here in Indianapolis to eat, Forbidden City. Way too much food, but all killer Oriental fare mostly Chinese. We had a great time. Of course there really was no reason we had to keep going back to the buffet line, but we felt like it was our duty. I mean there are poor starving children in many places in the world. We're both desperate to keep up the weight, you see.

Lynn and I see each other far more often than we see our other relatives. I see my cousin, Robin, his wife, only when he decides to bring her along. The last time was last fall, and while Lynn was at a meeting at the company HQ, Robin and I went to Home Depot to look for some stuff she needed. It was hilarious as I am sure the salesman figured we had been married forever and that's why I must have looked so disinterested.

Just as he posted on his blog, Lynn talked a lot about Truckerdoc and her trucker "ministry." She sounds like quite a lady, and I'm glad she's around. I hope to hear from her myself someday, but in the meantime I know Lynn will keep me posted.

It's got to be rough for all of you on the road. Heat has been unreal all over the country and more will plague us until fall. If it helps at all, consider what the road looks like with a foot of snow and ice and cars zipping in and out of your lanes creating a major nuisance. If you see a little sand colored Toyota Corolla with Indiana plates, know that I am watching out for you and don't run me down. LOL!

Godspeed as you travel down the road and safe home.

Category: General

I just got to thinking that tomorrow is Fathers' Day and since my dad died in 1997, the day hasn't been one of joy as it used to be. I am sure some of you out there are on the road away from your own fathers or kids, and it makes the lonliness that much more intense. One thing I know from experience, you only get one father in this world, and once he's gone, you can never replace him. I thank God that I had such a great dad, and that he did all he could to make a better life for us. The best gift he gave my brother and me was to love our mother and the two of them were married for 55 years until he died.

When we were kids, dad told my brother and me that he and our mother would do all they could to help us get through two years of college. Well, my brother's education was cut short after three semesters by Vietnam. On the other hand, I decided to study for the priesthood, so I was able to finish the two years, plus the two more to graduate, and then on to seminary for another four plus internship before ordination for a total of nearly ten years. I recall the day I was ordained my dad came up to me and said, "So, are you finally going to go to work?" I was 27, and we both had a major laugh about it, but fortunately I had help with part time jobs, scholarships and grants along the way.

To those of you on the road today, may God go with you and let you know you're appreciated and loved. I hope your kids give you a call to say hi and that you take time to do the same for your dads.

Category: General

My cousin, Lynn (lenutt), just started posting on this blog suggested I sign up too. He and I have talked before about what we can do to help the truckers on the road, and since I am a priest, he thought perhaps from time to time someone might want to have a chaplain's input. I have been a priest over 30 years, and worked as a pastor, teacher, prison chaplain and hospital chaplain as well as helping out at local miltary bases and posts.

I just wanted to say hello, and let everyone know I am here if you want to talk or have a question.

Category: General