St. Michael the Archangel by Ann Walker
Life seemed so much simpler back in the day. Have you ever heard someone say that? Sometimes, it feels like life is filled with more struggles now than ever. People might feel that way as they get older because they have lived through more situations, and it just seems like there are more challenges. Other people don’t seem to be phased at all by their circumstances and don’t give challenges a second thought. No matter what is going on, it is comforting to know that we have a warrior on our side—ready to be enlisted at a moment’s notice when we suddenly are faced with some hardship. That warrior is Saint Michael the Archangel.
When I think about warriors, I think back to my childhood. My brother had a toy soldier set. We would set the plastic figures up and somehow concocted a story involving good vs. evil. It was challenging for me—as a little girl--to imagine what a real war battle might have looked like or felt like; but when you have a good imagination, almost anything can be envisioned.
I think back to when our parents took us to real battlefields. One memorable trip was to Gettysburg—the setting of a major Civil War Battle. The other battle fields we visited in Western Pennsylvania were from earlier wars: Fort Ligonier and Fort Necessity. I remember our pretend re-enactment battles where my brothers and I would fall and roll down the hillside…the same hillside where real people had actually once engaged in warfare. It was our simple way to get in touch with the past and realize that there were some ominous times in American History. One can also imagine that Saint Michael was there watching over the soldiers and--depending on the situation--sending the soldiers safely home to their families or bringing them safely home to Heaven.
How can we elicit Saint Michael’s help today--in real time? We can try to go back to simpler times of just trusting that God and his Saints and Angels are listening…like “back in the day” when we had a childlike faith. I have been energized by the churches that pray the Saint Michael Prayer at the end of the Masses. We are enlisting Saint Michael’s help, and that prayer provides a feeling that no matter what happens, God’s warriors get us through whatever we are facing. Saint Michael’s prayer is remarkably powerful:
When we think about Saint Michael’s Feast Day, let us also consider how we can look to Saint Michael for guidance on how to support those we love…to fill our family and friends with a sense of caring and encouragement. This can be a challenge because people come with varying points of views and different abilities to deal with situations. We can set aside worries and uncomfortable realities and move forward with the confidence that “we’ve got this.” Just being beside someone and showing that you care can make people feel like they are not so alone.
Gospa Missions Amazing Grace Books & Gifts brings us back to simpler times when people could walk into a store and purchase—in person—inspirational gifts to soothe the soul. We also try to meet the needs of an ever-smaller and interconnected world by placing more products in our online store. Items found here can be the impetus for finding ways to cope with any spiritual battles that we--or those we love--may encounter.
Thank you, Saint Michael, for standing with us. We feel much stronger with the knowledge that you are at our side!
- By Ann Walker