I have returned to my faith 2 1/2 years ago, have recently retired, and was consecrated to Our Lady last summer. I recently went to Florida for a month's winter holiday with my atheist husband. While away, I had an experience that was almost dreamlike, it was so surreal, and would like to share for your discernment. I am hoping it will encourage others to consider Consecration to Our Lady... I NEEDED to go to confession, on a Saturday, and my atheist husband of 29 years wondered aloud about my need for this. On our way to a nature conservatory, we decided to walk part of the way and I asked Our Lady, in a brief prayer, to help me find a way to get to confession, in a strange place. A few blocks later, I saw her statue across the street, arms outstretched in front of the Blessed Trinity Catholic Church! It was early for confession and I suggested we check on the way back from our Park visit, (south St. Petersburg area.) My husband is amiable, albeit unbelieving, and agreed. On our way back, on the same side of the street and about a block away from the church, there was a house with a hedge blocking the view of the front yard. We could see a man in his yard, talking to two ladies who were on the street side of the sidewalk. The ladies were looking nervously at us. As soon as we got past the hedge, two huge blackish Doberman hounds lunged at us from chains and barked loudly. My husband was in front and we stayed our course, not looking at where we were stepping, preoccupied with these scary dogs. The man apologized about the dogs. As I was approaching the intersection across from the church, at the end of the yard, the two ladies shouted repeatedly to me, "You killed a snake!" I was bewildered as I had not seen it. I looked and it was black, about 1.5ft long, curled up just ahead of the hedge. I had stepped on its head with my heel, killing it instantly, on my way to confession! I was bemused and somewhat confused about the strange coincidences. My husband joked about my killer feet! I did get to confession that day and went to Mass Sunday. When I got back to my True Devotion study group in Edmonton, Canada, I shared this. I felt like I was seeking attention and a little uncomfortable. The following week, I was asked (unexpectedly) to lead the devotion, and GUESS what the topic was?! Our Lady and how the snake would lie in wait, and how She and her children will crush his head!!! I shared with our small study group, mostly older ladies who are and will be consecrated to Mary, that this might be encouragement to us to stay the course, especially in view of these troubling times. The fact that I was on my way to confession seems particularly significant as well. It has also been suggested that Our Lord and Our Lady may be softening my unbaptized husband's heart. Thoughts?
Nothing happens by chance. If it had purpose for you then it had meaning. I would take from it what you have already done and praise God that you are recognizing his small signs. If you can recognize God speaking in the little things, it won't be hard to see the bigger ones coming.
I was asked (unexpectedly) to lead the devotion, and GUESS what the topic was?! Our Lady and how the snake would lie in wait, and how She and her children will crush his head!!! One of the promises of the Rosary are Our Lady will give us signal Graces! A few things jump out to me, To be asked to lead(unexpectedly) is no coinincidence but aGodcidence.Our Lady held you back a week so she would perform a Greater work! This reading, she knew would have a deeper impact on your heart. DO NOT every forget this signal grace,burn it into your brain...lol Im serious. Pope Francis a month after Rio WYD in a homily said sometimes we pray for things and don't see the fruit and we ask does God hear me? These prayers we may never see the fruit in this life,Our Lord maybe using them halfway around the world.He also said,sometimes we see the fruit of prayer. The dogs sound symbolic to me, 2 dobies barking= intimidation trying to knock you off course but pressing ahead you crush the serpant! I believe Our Lady is Happy with you leading/helping souls to Christ thru consecration to her Immaculate Heart. she is with you and your Husband.Be patient things will change for him.He may act as the 2 dobies sometimes because you are stepping on the serpant! Thanks for this post, very interesting to me. Peace
Thanks for your thoughtful response, IJoP! In defence of my husband, he is actually quite calm and amiable in general. As I look back on this event, what becomes increasingly clear is the power of our Lady's intercession and her mandate as our sure, gentle leader on our way back to our Lord. She is helping me discern more readily when I am under attack. St. Louis de Montfort wrote about this, and I am starting to experience it. Prior to my return to our Catholic faith, I suffered from depression for years, and can now see that, for me, the depression actually was a confused mess of sin, pride, wounded sensitivity, and lies I had mistakenly accepted. God was not in His rightful place in my life. Now when I start feeling anxiety and a return of self loathing, especially after a stumble, I sense a subtle, insidious creeping of tempting thoughts underlying it, not unlike the treacherous, determined approach of a hunting serpent. Since my consecration, Our Lady has been helping me discern these thoughts more readily for what they are. As soon as I notice this, I pray, reject the lies and their author, and all of the doubt and confusion literally vanish, and I am able to rise up, more determined to follow His direction, usually in the direction of confession and/or Mass!! Confession literally is the antidote to the poison of those lies...not sure where I read that!
It occured to me that Our Lady can also crush the head of pride within us as well by leading us to frequent confession. Humility is her weapon, and I sure need her help to acquire it....Consecration to Our Lady is amazing, on so many levels!
As we get closer to God, little things have more meaning. Your husband saw it very naturally (his view) but you saw it as a sign. I believe the grace of wanting to go to confession...was a greater miracle. And how God (Marys open arms) crossed your path was a great consolation. Once one starts on their path...many little signs and wonders will start happening. If by Gods grace you start advancing in your spirituality, even nature will start to be affected. But one must remember, as one starts building the Armor of God, the "created one" will start poking his nose in your business. Keep up the good work. Your journey will bring many blessings. May Gods Will be Done
