100 Blessings

As January melted away and February opened it's doors, I encountered a person who came into my mind for the first time since then today.

Today the new Pope was announced to the world. I watched it while running a better than average 5 miles on the treadmill.  My plan to be on the treadmill while my favorite soap opera played to keep my mind off the mundane run was thwarted by the announcement.

Soon, I found myself quite interested in the details of the process of choosing a new Pope and how many people waited through the rain to be able to witness history first hand.  Apparently, the rain had been falling all day, then shortly after the white smoke puffed from the chimney, the rain stopped. Around the same time, the newscasters were interviewing a cardinal from New York who had been involved in the voting process in one form or another for the past four Popes. He was full of knowledge.

This cardinal was asked the questions, "Is this like the ultimate position for a Catholic priest?  Is this the job everyone wishes to have? Are the cardinals in the Sistine Chapel campaigning?" The cardinal took a moment to plan his response.  He then spoke about what this position truly means to a man who becomes the Vicar of God.  The cardinal began with saying that many outside the Church would probably think that would be the case; however, it is far from truth.  Truth be told, the job of Pope means being the person who over a billion people on this planet look to for comfort, prayers, and guidance. He is the moral compass. His job is multi-faceted in ways most people could not comprehend nor accomplish.  He ended his explanation by stating the even though being Pope is challenging, the man who is ultimately voted in is truly blessed and ready for the job.

My mind flashed to a large conference room in Waterloo, Iowa on the first day of February.  We were at the UNI overseas fair throwing our hats in the ring for possible worldly adventures as educators, and I needed some water.  Being without my water bottle was unusual but necessary during interviews.

I found a large water canister on a table in the corner, grabbed a cup, and was about to fill it.  At the same time, a man was grabbing his own cup.  I moved slightly to the side and offered to fill his cup for him.  I didn't think much of it other than I knew I would want to drink and refill right away. I didn't want him to have to wait for me.

He thanked me and said something about me working there.  I corrected him, and let him know that I was just another educator at the fair.  He stopped, almost in awe.  Then he bowed slightly, and thanked me.  After thanking me he said, "A hundred blessings to you."  That stopped me--in awe.

Those words and his face ran through my mind when the cardinal spoke.  Like a slap in the face, I realized that I need to focus on the blessings in my life when they arrive. I haven't been paying attention.  There are at least one hundred coming my way, and I may miss them if I don't.