Bubbles In My Belly
When we ate dinner with Grandma Chloe, she liked us to sing The Doxology. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below. Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
But Grandma! How can a ghost be Holy? Then Grandma would explain how Jesus gave us the Holy Ghost when he went to Heaven. The Holy Ghost is a good ghost Who helps us through our day. That’s why we Baptize babies. I still couldn’t figure out why we talk to Jesus, if it’s the Holy Ghost Who is with us. But, Grandma made it sound just right.
Now? Holy Spirit is my friend, my comforter, my guide. Just when I think, “Oh, I know Jesus”, Holy Spirit says, “But Wait! There’s More!!” Then He takes me to a different level in my walk with God.
How did I get from Holy Ghost curiosity to Holy Spirit conversations? Baptism! “Baptism in The Holy Spirit allows us to enter into a personal communion with God.” (Pope Francis)
I learned how to enjoy church service and everything about it – the worship, the message, and the people. In the summer of 2011, Pastor planned a Baptism. He said it was the choice to get closer to God. If this can get better, count me in!
It was our annual church picnic at the home of our Associate Pastor, who had a swimming pool. After lunch, the Pastors conducted our Baptisms in the pool. There were a few youngsters and several adults.
With a pastor on each side of me, they lowered me into the water and brought me up again. Everyone cheered. I smiled and enjoyed the moment.
Later that afternoon, I was home when Michelle Wise called me. “How are you doing?” “It’s really strange, Michelle. I feel like I have bubbles in my belly!!” Michelle giggled and giggled. “What? What is it, Michelle?”
“It’s John 7:38!! “Whoever believes in me… rivers of living water will flow from within them.” It’s John 4:14!! “…the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
We giggled and giggled together! What JOY I felt! So NEW! So LOVED!!
In his program, Live With Passion, on Sunday, May 24, Fr. Cedric Pisegna talked about Holy Spirit. He described his mission as “Ecumenism – to bridge between dominations – find commonalities in our relationship with God, in The Holy Spirit.” He said “Christian means to be IN Christ – filled with The Holy Spirit – relationship with God The Father.” That is what I want for us!
It’s the inexpressible JOY that Peter talked about (1 Peter 1:8). This is the JOY that gave Grandma Chloe her little, girlish giggle. “Grandma, how do you giggle like that?” “Oh, it’s just a giggle of love.”
She should have told me the whole truth – it’s a giggle of love from Jesus! It’s the giggle that I heard from her while driving home from her funeral. It’s the giggle that I often feel when I’m connecting with Holy Spirit – it’s those Bubbles in my Belly!!
06/01/20