Dear Diary,
There was a real chill in the air this morning when we met beneath the apple tree behind St. Mary’s. Summer is still here, but it certainly did not feel like it today. Father, Sister Mary Claire, Robert, and I all had our jackets on, and even Mini seemed pleased to settle close beside us instead of wandering very far.
Father looked at our copy of Our Lady of Lourdes and reminded us that we are almost at the end now.
“Only two tiny parts after today,” he said.
That made everyone a little quiet.
Then Father asked me to read my chapter summary.
My Chapter Summary
Today’s part compared the story of Lourdes to a tiny drop of water coming down from the mountains.
Men might try to stop such a little stream by piling up earth, stones, and even great walls. For a while they might think they had succeeded. But the water keeps coming. Little by little it rises until at last it finds its way through, and what was once a quiet stream may become a mighty torrent.
The author said that this was like Lourdes.
At first there was only Bernadette, a poor young girl kneeling at the Grotto. Then came a few women with flowers, an old farmer praying, and a handful of people carrying candles.
Officials tried to stop them.
But the faith of the people could not be stopped.
In time, the little gatherings became great processions. Pilgrims came from far away. A magnificent church rose above the Grotto, and people from throughout the Christian world came to Lourdes to pray.
The little drop had become a mighty river.
But the chapter ended with a warning too. God gives His gifts to us, but then He asks us to care for them. We must remain humble and faithful so that we do not spoil through pride or carelessness what God has begun.
When I finished, Robert said he liked the part about the water finding its way through the wall.
Father nodded.
“Human beings sometimes imagine that they can stop what God intends to accomplish.”
Sister said she especially liked the final lesson.
“A gift from God still has to be treasured,” she said. “We cannot simply receive something beautiful and then forget to care for it.”
I thought about that for a while.
Perhaps our Reading Club is a little like that too. It began with only a few books beneath an apple tree. Now it has given us so many afternoons together, so many prayers, discussions, trips, treats, and things I never would have learned by myself.
Then Sister opened her basket.
Inside was a beautiful chocolate pie with a graham cracker crust and a thick whipped topping.
That improved everyone's spirits immediately.
Sister cut large pieces for us, and Robert poured the milk. The pie was rich and creamy, and the graham cracker crust was just right.
Mini received a little dish of whipped cream all her own.
She looked into the dish, looked at Sister, and then began licking so happily that Robert said Mini had officially approved today's refreshments.
After our discussion, Father reminded us that tomorrow we would meet again after Sunday service.
“And since we are so close to finishing,” he said, “I think we should have a potluck dinner.”
That caused quite a discussion of its own.
Sister said she would bring something. Robert immediately began making plans, and I started wondering what I could contribute. Father said the only rule was that no one was to turn the potluck into a competition.
Robert looked disappointed.
Before we left, Father asked me to say our closing prayer.
We bowed our heads beneath the apple tree.
Dear Lord,
thank You for the good things You begin in our lives.
Help us to care for Your gifts with humble and grateful hearts.
Keep our faith strong, and never let pride or fear keep us from following You.
Bless our Reading Club and everyone gathered here.
Amen.
Father gave us his blessing.
As we gathered our books, I looked at the apple tree, the church, and our little meeting place.
The book may almost be finished.
But somehow I do not think our Reading Club is.
Perhaps a little beginning, cared for properly, can keep growing for a very long time.
Just like that tiny drop of water.
Love,
Kathy
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