Wow!

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One day I was at my desk, and I was on the phone. Apparently, someone tried to buy Rhode Island with my credit card and I was trying to figure out how to get a new card. While I was on hold the doorbell rang. So I hung up and answered the door.

There was a guy standing there who said, “ Fr. Peter?”

I said, “Yes.”

He said, “Fr. Peter, it is so good to see you again. My name is Duker.”

So, let me ask you this: How many people do you know in your life by the name Duker? I know one person. He was my friend when I was twelve years old. I said with sudden surprise in my voice, “Duker, is that you?” I haven’t seen him in over forty years. Immediately upon recognizing him, I was whisked back to my childhood. In a rapid fire of exchange, I learned that he has six children, they are big Celtics fans and had come to Boston for a game. I also learned that he married the girl I wanted to marry when I was twelve. I tell you this because that night before I went to sleep, I remembered that moment earlier in the day. I thought I haven’t seen him in so many years and today he goes out of his way to see me. I am blessed.

In my amazement, I said, “Wow!” It is my favorite prayer. Publishers and book distributors hate that prayer because it is only one word. When I open my mouth and say, “Wow,” know this: God is in heaven saying, “Finally, someone notices me.” God is in our lives every day but sometimes we are so busy or there are so many things we have to do that the blessings just pass us by. Sometimes we are not seeing the blessings such as the use of our hands or eyes because we are dulled with the effects of familiarity. Or sometimes we have so many hurts and needs that we no longer see the blessings.

Remember the parable of the Good Samaritan. In the story, a man who fell to robbers. Let’s say it is the end of the day. He has two choices. He could say, “I had a terrible day today. I was cursed. I was minding my own business walking to Jericho and a group of thieves jumped me. They took my possessions, stripped me of my clothes, beat me, and left me to die.” Or he could say, “Today was a terrific day. I was blessed by God. Someone saved my life today.”

Know this: every single day we live, we are blessed because God is in it. We just have to have to eyes to see it.