When I think of clusters, peanuts immediately come to mind. Those delicious crunchy chocolatey nuggets of yumminess.

But I am not writing about those.

Apparently, stars are born in clusters, and migraines can cluster. But I am not going there either.

I implore you, Barb, to get to the point! I have Instagram nonsense that demands my attention.

It occurred to me lately that clusters also happen in life. The possibilities are endless, encompassing spiritual, emotional, physical, or familial aspects. Have you ever felt like you are ‘getting it from every angle?’ Or “If it’s not one thing, it’s another?” I saw a Cardiologist a few years ago when I was being blasted by a physical cluster bomb. The first thing he said as he walked into the room carrying my chart was, “Wow if you didn’t have bad luck, you’d have no luck at all.” I would have melted into tears if his brutal honesty and assessment weren’t so accurate.

Emotional clusters can broadside us. An event, song, or person might trigger a series of memories that you thought were long forgotten. Varied emotions swim to the surface like bubbles in a boiling pot, exploding randomly.

Spiritual clusters feel like an attack.
Fire in the hole!

I pray, attend Mass, practice works of mercy, and try to be a better Catholic. I’m making an effort, so what the H-E double toothpicks is going on?

Exactly!

These supernaturally triggered bombs are designed to distract us and stop the good work we are trying to do.

The evil one doesn’t play fair, lies and hits below the belt.

He knows how painful that memory is; that is why he picks at it. He knows the very best ways to instill fear that elicits a knee-jerk reaction, takes us off course, and inserts chaos into our lives. He messes with our family, our marriage, our health, our friends.

When I first began working for the Church, I didn’t understand why, when undertaking the “holiest” evenings, everything that could go wrong did. Bizarre stuff sometimes. Physical issues and headaches out of nowhere of incredible intensity that made me want to cancel. When I pressed on, they instantly disappeared.

I came to realize that the work I did for God was a threat. The good work we do in our family is a threat. Our sacramental marriages are a threat.

A threat to what? The Kingdom of Darkness.

“He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Col 1:13-14

What do we do when we experience complex clusters in our life? Do we fall apart? Do we blame others? Do we give up turning from God? Or do we face them?

Nothing happens outside God’s Providential or Permissive Will.

Nothing.

The most simple or complex trials in life serve a purpose. God’s purpose. How can this be? I’m a good person; everything should be roses and rainbows.

Life isn’t Disneyland, and it never was meant to be.

“Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3

It’s a diabolical lie that claims that life is supposed to be fair or easy. Our life is the proving ground God uses to train us. So think about it, which way do you turn in difficult situations? Inward, outward, or upward?

If life is my proving ground, and nothing happens outside of God’s will for me, then I must accept all that comes my way as coming from Him.

Even the hard stuff.

Even when I do everything right.

And even when I think my prayers weren’t answered.

But, how can I be sure? Read Scripture.

God did not spare His Only Son from difficulties. He did not give the Blessed Virgin a pass. St. Joseph did not walk his pregnant bride on easy street but delivered her to a barn to birth the Son of God.

I encourage you to read about the lives of the Saints for countless unique stories about everyday people facing incredible challenges, yet persevering in trusting Christ Jesus through it all. Their examples give us courage amidst our own trials.

“I have competed well; I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Why do we think our lives should be different? 

Everything is a gift from God, even the scary, unplanned, painful moments in life.

It has taken me over sixty years to understand this, and I am still refining my understanding. I forget to surrender and completely trust that God is working in and through me, teaching me His ways and leading me deeper in holiness. Fr. Mike Schmitz likes to say, “Because I am not yet the person I ought to be.”

I am not heaven-ready.

You are not heaven-ready.

That is why our loving Father doesn’t give up on us; instead, He ramps up the lessons and opportunities to grow, to trust, to entrust, to surrender, to love unconditionally, to forgive, and to be merciful—just like Him.

“Be angry but do not sin do not let the sun set on your anger, and do not leave room for the devil. Eph 4:26-27

We need never fear the clusters in life. They are simply gifts in disguise from Love Himself.