Another chance for Jeanie

In my last column, I wrote about Jeanie's response to the near death of her relative, Amanda, of whom she cared deeply.

Jeanie felt badly because she should have done more to show Amanda how much she loved her. Amanda lived alone and was ill. Jeanie pleaded with God to spare Amanda -- to give her another chance.

I can tell you that God indeed answered Jeanie's prayer, because Amanda improved enough that she could be released to an assisted living facility. Now the hope is she again may live in her apartment.

Amanda is steadily improving, but she still has a ways to go. She is trying to adjust to the more crowded conditions of a semi-private room at the facility. I admire her tenacity. She keeps holding on to hope, and her family attempts to help keep her spirits up.

Jeanie remembers her prayers to God, to give her one more chance to attend to Amanda. Jeanie recalled the prayer of St. Clement of Alexandria, "Even if we speak with a low voice, even if we whisper without opening the lips, even if we call God only from the depths of the heart, our unspoken word always reaches God and God always hears."

Jeanie looks around the nursing home and sees that most of the people who live there try to make the best of their situation. Many are in the assisted living unit to recuperate from physical ailments.

Amanda struggles to adjust, but she knows she must be patient until she is able to move. Her condition is a balancing act. One day she's up and the next she's tilting in the opposite direction.

Jeanie tries to be positive because she realizes thoughts and attitude affect what happens. She's looking forward to the time when Amanda can resume living in her apartment.

Jeanie recites the words of St. Louis Grignion de Montfort: "What God wants of you is that you should live each day as it comes, like a bird in the trees without worrying about tomorrow. Be at peace and trust in Divine Providence and the Blessed Virgin, and do not seek anything else but to please God and love God. One never knows what God wants of you, but if you trust in His guidance, nothing can disturb your peace of mind."

Jeanie has been given a second chance to make up for what she felt she had failed to do, but she realizes that wasting energy feeling guilty accomplishes nothing.

That's because everything happens to accomplish a purpose, so there was a lesson to be learned from the situation.

The words, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you" (John 15:7) led Jeanie to pray for Amanda's healing, but she knew the words do not mean you will get anything you pray for. They are not a magic formula.

Rather, they mean the best answer is one that profits everyone involved. Many times God's will seems harsh, but His ways are mysterious and you must trust in His wisdom.

"Grant to me, Lord, that with peace of mind I may face all that this new day is to bring. Grant me grace to surrender myself completely to your holy will.

"When things unforeseen occur, let me not forget that all comes down from you. Teach me to behave sincerely and reasonably toward every member of my family, that I may bring confusion and sorrow to none.

"Bestow on me, Lord, and strength to endure the fatigue of the day and to bear my part in all its passing events. Guide my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to suffer, to forgive and to love. Amen (the Elders of Optina Monastery)."