The Sacred Heart and the Little Flower

I wrote a few months ago about noticing statues of the Sacred Heart and St. Therese in my neighbor's house.  What's so unusual about that, you say?  My neighbors aren't at all religious.  I mentioned the statues to the husband once and he mentioned that he found them in one of his properties that he recently bought and that they had no meaning to him except he thought they were neat "art deco".

This same neighbor informed us that he will be having major work done on his house and he and his wife will be moving out for a awhile until the demo and reconstruction is complete.  I mentioned to him that I would like to make him an offer for the statue of St. Therese and he told me they weren't separate statues, they were all one piece.

"Let me talk to my wife and I'll let you know what she says."

That was last night.

Tonight, I came home from work,  had a little snack, got dinner on its way, and sat down on the couch next to Rebecca, discussing her day.  I glanced up at the book shelf and did a double take.  There they were - Our Lord, pointing to His Sacred Heart, and St. Therese, embracing her crucifix and roses.

This morning, there was a knock at the door around 9am and my husband happened to be home, working on estimates.  There was my neighbor holding the statues.  He and his wife decided I should have them and they would not take any money for them.  They mentioned that the man whose home they had been in prayed in front of them every day.

Here is a photo.  To be sure, the figures are in need of some work.  Our Lord looks like He has a cut on His nose and St. Therese's facial features have faded a bit, but a little TLC will quickly restore them both.  There is a holy water font between them and there is a place on the base of the statue for a candle.

I have never, even once, seen an image of Jesus and Therese together like this.  I cannot believe I have this in my home.  I called my neighbor and assured him that he and his wife will be in my prayers.

I consider this a rose of sorts.  Shortly before I left work, I received an email that my ailing former co-worker, who had suffered a serious setback at the end of last week, was now extubated and sitting up in a chair.  I stopped by the chapel on my way home to say a special thanks.

Friends, I cannot tell you what a joy it is to be able to bask in the Lord's Presence in the chapel before I head home every day.  I felt like I should pinch myself to be sure it's all real.

Now, as for St. Therese...God-willing, if the day comes when I meet her face to face, I want her to explain why every Theresa who has ever worked for me has been such a problem.  You'd think someone named after the greatest saint of modern times would own up to the name.  Nope.  Every Theresa who has worked for me has been a problem child.    Only one thing to do with such people - lift them up in prayer to their namesake and let her do the rest.