When I last left you with the St. Joseph saga a few weeks ago and the decision on whether or not to buy such statue and then bury it, per the instructions, in order to help sell my house, I was going to ask learned theologians for advice.
The original story can be found here http://ireadthenews.blogspot.com/2019/09/should-i-or-should-i-not.html and my dilemma was that I didn't want to commit any kind of idolatry seeing that for the most part my spiritual life has been changing for the better. And I certainly didn't want to risk eternal flames for something as foolish as burying a sacred statue for monetary gain.
After I had received the clergy's blessing (no pun intended) I sought out finding the revered St. Joseph Home Selling Kit.
My first stop was to an ACE Hardware store in the neighborhood where I had found online that they provided such kits. As I entered the store, there was an attractive woman in probably her late 30s serving as a "greeter" and wearing an ACE Hardware shirt.
When she asked me if she could help me, I sheepishly whispered to her in a barely audible voice since I was still feeling like perhaps I was on questionable ground. I softly whispered, "I need to make a personal purchase?"
Her eyes widened as big as saucers and I think perhaps maybe she was thinking I was looking for an intimate, personal device or something like that and I didn't want the public to hear. When I said, "I'm looking for a St. Joseph statue to help in selling my house". Her surprise immediately changed to a smile and she whispered back, which kind of made me giggle under my breath for her honoring my discreetness, "Oh yes, we sell those statues."
She softly said, "let me check with my manager" as she again whispered into her headset trying to find out where they were located. After receiving her answer from her manager, she nodded to me and said they were available online and could be delivered to the store. I thanked her profusely and in a fast retreat out the door with my underarms deeply pitted out, I almost ran to my car.
Well, several days went by and then I received a posting on my Facebook page from my cousin, Janice, who initiated this whole thing asking me if I had made my purchase yet. I offered up some kind of crap excuse only because again, after a childhood of learning about religion sometimes through fear and fire and brimstone, and heck I still don't even know what brimstone is, I just didn't want to cross over that line between Light and Dark.
I did a little more investigative work and sought out a Catholic Bookstore in the neighborhood and ventured in with a little more confidence hoping to make my purchase.
And just as I was going in the store I realized I didn't have my wallet. This was the first time in I guess maybe 60 years that I have ever gone anywhere without my wallet. I was stunned...and then panicked....Was this a divine sign that maybe I shouldn't be headed in this direction?
I paused and thought, "Well, maybe it's a positive test" halfway convincing myself that all was well. And since I was already at the store I thought I might as well go on in and at least see if they had them,
And oh, they did. The kind lady opened a drawer and I bet there were no less than 25 of the St. Joseph Home Selling Kits staring me in the face. Okay, this has to be all positive, a catholic store selling the statues, and getting the go ahead from the clergy. I'm gonna do it.
I raced home just under the speed limit telling myself if I get a ticket or have a wreck or God forbid, my wallet isn't at home and I lost it, well then I'll give up this idolatry scheme.
Wallet was at home. I drove back to the store, chatted with the lady for a little bit, got my package which included instructions and now I prepare to send St. Joseph to the subterranean.
I'm at peace. I think I am doing the right thing and I will certainly keep all of you posted of what happens next.
I sincerely love the journey that I am on and how I am learning something new everyday. Yes, it's a lonely journey, but I have all of you by my side, and of course I have my trusty companion Cooper and of course The Big Guy upstairs who looks down on me with Pattye at his side and just shakes his head back and forth saying, "Tommy, Tommy, Tommy.
Peace....and stay tuned for part three.
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