Hello to all!

I have taken the liberty to enclose a short story about an experience I had on July 27th 2010. As you will see the hand of God and St. Clare were definitely in my corner. Hope it's not too long.


Each year I make a pilgrimage to New York City to audition for "Who wants to be a Millionaire?" I have yet to pass the test to actually be on the show despite the fact that I whip through most of the questions while watching the show on television. This past years trip was on July 27th.

Two weeks prior I had made a decision that could have been disastrous for myself, my family and all who love me. I have not had a drink in 33 years and I now planned to enjoy a couple of beers on the train. There was no real excuse for this decision except for the fact that I just wanted that beer. I was sick and tired of other people being able to sit down and unwind with a glass of their favorite brew while I was stuck with a glass of water or soda.

I bought a ticket in business class so I could fully enjoy my planned experience. Before going to the club car I was reading my e-book. My selection was "Enduring Grace"; a book about several women Christian mystics. I was reading the section about the life of St. Clare.

I put my book down after a half hour of reading and proceeded to the club car to order the biggest bottle of Budweiser available. When asked for my order instead of the Bud I choose a cheeseburger and a Pepsi. It was not until I returned to my seat that I realized I had not bought the beer as planned. In fact the idea now seemed totally ludicrous.

What happened in between the time I boarded the train and lunch time? I firmly believe it was the hand of God once again saving me from my self and a truly disastrous decision. I also know that Clare had her hand in the whole matter also. So there I was, enjoying my burger and Pepsi and extremely grateful to both God and to a nun who had lived in the 11th century and who if only for an instant entered my life in the 21st and helped to save me from certain disaster.


Thanks for letting me share!

Ed

St. Clare -- patron saint of television and of the train club car! Wonderful! Thanks for sharing, Ed.

Great story Ed! So glad we can count on the sovereign hand of God to save us from ourselves, aren't you? And thank God for saint Clare, whose light and life still speaks loudly...even in a club car!

You really need to read "Clare of Assisi: A Heart Full of Love" by Ilia Delio, OSF. And the same material can be found at: However, it is divided into 12 parts.