Fears and Tears

Let everything that has breath give praise to the Lord. Psalm 150:6

I will praise the Lord, I will keep my eyes on You, I will follow You, Lord. In you alone can I find peace and love and my heart rests in Your heart. The feast day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was this past Sunday. This feast day is dear to my heart as it is the name of the Church where I was married, and I feel our Lady’s presence in my life. She has always had her eyes on the Lord and every breath in her has given praise to the Lord.

Our Lady did not experience death, but was triumphantly assumed into Heaven, body and soul, while the earth and heavens joyfully sang praises to the Lord our God. It is a beautiful witness of Christ’s promise that He has overcome death.

God’s temple in Heaven was opened, and the ark of the covenant could be seen in the temple. A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. Revelation 11:19a

This year for this special feast day, I attended a women’s faith event at a local winery that included food and wine pairings, fellowship, friendship and inspirational talks and it started with the Mass. This took place at a beautiful vineyard that overlooked a lake on a lovely summer evening. The sky was blue, the lake was still, the gentle breeze brushed my face while birds soared in the air. The grape vines were lined up in a row, and the scenery was breathtaking.

The sun was beginning to set as the Mass began with beautiful music and I felt the mantle of Mary cover me with her pure love. I stood side by side three hundred women; praying and worshiping the Lord, lifting my heart to God and I felt heaven and earth come together and a pure love and peace touched me. It was a personal encounter with the Lord in the vineyard and I give Him praise with all my breath.

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Then the God of peace will be with you. Phillipians 4:8,9