F.R.O.G. Towels (7/19/2023)

Martha cares deeply about others, and when she knows they are going through difficult times, she reaches out to them. I know because she’s reached out to me more than once. One of her favorite ways is through the gift of special towels bearing the image of a frog and the words “Fully Rely on God.”

When I was going through the treatment for my breast cancer in 2015, she came to visit and helped in my care. She shared with me the expression: F.R.O.G. – “Fully Rely on God”. She told me that someone had shared the expression with her when she was on a difficult stretch of her journey and how much it meant.

Then shortly after I moved to Lake Mills, I was at a Council of Catholic Women’s gathering and there were craft vendors at the meeting. One was a woman from our parish who embroiders towels. And one of her patterns was the F.R.O.G. expression. I was so delighted. I bought all she had that day – 5 of them. And I shared with her Martha’s ministry to others. And a team was formed. Phyllis embroiders the towels for me. I fetch them and send them to Martha. Martha loves the towels because they are usable and visible reminders.

Martha also sends cards, lots of cards. This time last year, I was going through chemo treatments. Every week, I received a card from Martha. For over six months, I received at least one card a week with a short note assuring continued thoughts and prayers.

This past week, I sent Martha a new supply of 10 towels and 15 of my cards which I make using the photos I take and use on the blog. Martha and I spoke the day she got the package. She wasn’t expecting it. Turns out, that day had been a difficult day for her, and the package was just what she needed. We laughed as we acknowledged again how the LORD writes straight with crooked lines. I was sending a package to the woman who cares for everyone else and it arrived on the day she needed to know others care for her.

I think of the gospel account of Martha and Mary. Martha was the busy one. She was tending to the needs of her guest. Sometimes we dismiss the importance of Martha’s ministry because Jesus tells her that Mary’s quest for Jesus’ revelation would not be denied. But we fail to finish reading the gospels. In the end, it was Martha who went out meet Jesus after the death of her brother, Lazarus. It was Martha who said “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.” Her faith was very real and led to her special encounter with Jesus.

We on the journey are called to encounter Christ and to allow that encounter to transform us. As we continue our journeys of faith, hope and love, let us be present to our sisters and brothers along the way, extending to them loving kindness and support during difficult times knowing that it is often through us that others are drawn to Christ.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.