He Refreshes the Soul

The law of the LORD is perfect,

refreshing the soul.

The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,

giving wisdom to the simple. //  Psalm 19:8

 

When my dad was diagnosed with brain cancer last fall, it was a stressful and scary time. That first night after he was admitted to the hospital with symptoms that led us to the reality of his situation, I walked out into the parking lot feeling so sad and scared. In that moment, a flash of an image came into my head.

It was an image of my dad running in a race. He was happy and tired and his face radiated joy. On the sidelines were friends and family who had gone before, cheering with delight. Their good friend was about to cross the finish line into this glory; what incredible happiness.

I realized, in that split-second flash, God was comforting me. Instead of seeing this trial as my dad leaving us, I had an image of him moving toward something—my dad was headed to Heaven, the communion of Saints, Jesus Himself! Over the next few months, as my dad battled cancer and ultimately crossed the finish line, that image comforted me. 

He is not moving away from something, I knew in my heart, but towards it.

I’m not sure how I had the grace to trust Jesus, but it was truly a childlike trust. I simply chose not to question that God would comfort me and my family in our time of sorrow. This image, I knew deep down, was proof that He would.

Today’s First Reading from Sirach anticipates the Responsorial Psalm. “When I was young and innocent, I sought wisdom openly in my prayer” (Sirach 51:13).

We call this kind of innocent faith “childlike”—but it doesn’t need to be exclusive to the young. We all of us have the opportunity to trust and believe the precepts of the Lord. 

When our faith is in the Lord and His goodness, our souls are refreshed. When we direct ourselves to wisdom, our hearts will delight in God’s comfort and truth.

Lord, please give joy to our hearts! Remind us to have a childlike trust in You so we can be fully immersed in all the goodness, peace and grace You so freely give.