Losing things has become a bad habit of mine. It has become so bad in fact, that my family is never the least surprised when I tell them I had lost something. And even though it has become the norm, my mother and St. Anthony de Padua never fail to inspire me to keep searching.
Every time I lose something of value to me like say, my cellphone, you can only imagine the splurge of emotions I feel when I do. And let's all admit, I can't be alone on this one! It all starts with worry, (Will I ever find it? What if I never do?), then determination ( Maybe it's still here, I believe it is! I'll just keep looking!), right around the corner comes doubt (Ugh! It's nowhere here! Maybe I was wrong), then "I'll try again" comes knocking on our door.( Try and try but do not die!) And if by then it's nowhere to be found? Frustration is what we do find. (You know what, it's no use. I can't find it.) And often times, when we do reach that last emotion; "I give up" is what we end up becoming.
Here is where my mom and St. Anthony step in! Every time I am in that last state of emotion, my mom comes up to me and tells me "Pray anak, pray to St. Anthony de Padua. He helps people find things that they have lost." And ever since then, pray to him is what I did! When I lost my phone, book, candy, shirt or just about anything! He would be the person I would ask help from. But praying to him does not stop there.
What does it mean to be lost? Lost doesn't mean losing material things and objects alone.. Being lost can also mean Spiritually. There were times in my life where I had lost myself and almost lost faith in God. I didn't know where to go, or who to call on to and what I could possibly do. But then I remembered my mother's wise words and the saint who will always be there, St. Anthony. And thus, I took my "Children's book of Saints" and tried to find him. And when I did, I was changed. Reading his life story, how he dedicated his life to God, his teachings and the way he preached, how he renewed the faith in others; definitely renewed the faith in me. It was amazing to me how he could change so many people just by the words that came from his tongue, that were inspired by the Holy Spirit. He definitely showed me that words maybe mightier than any weapon. Remember how I said earlier, how when we lose something we are affected by a splurge of emotions? With St. Anthony, when I would be lost, that wouldn't be the case. With him I learned to let out my emotions through prayer, and tell him all the whispers my heart lets out. And in no time, I was at ease.
I do not think there will ever be a time where I will never be lost. But what I do know is if and when that time may come, I'll be more than "okay". I will be faithful, for I have St. Anthony by my side.
"Saint Anthony, perfect imitator of Jesus, who received from God the special power of restoring lost things, grant that I may find (mention your petition) which has been lost. As least restore to me peace and tranquility of mind, the loss of which has afflicted me even more than my material loss.
To this favor I ask another of you: that I may always remain in possession of the true good that is God. Let me rather lose all things than lose God, my supreme good. Let me never suffer the loss of my greatest treasure, eternal life with God. Amen."
Sources for pictures and prayer: http://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/prayers-to-st-anthony.html
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http://treasure.diylol.com/uploads/post/image/325414/resized_all-the-things-meme-generator-lose-all-the-things-7facbd.jpg
http://cookingfortheotherhalf.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/facepalm-cat.jpg?w=500&h=359
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http://www.lovethispic.com/uploaded_images/31117-Believe-In-God.jpg
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