1 Samuel 16:11-13. Samuel has been sent to Jesse and his sons to anoint the new king of Israel. Samuel has seen all of Jesse's sons except David and, though they are tall and strong, God says no, it is none of these. Here, Samuel asks if Jesse has any other sons and Jesse says there is only the youngest and he is out keeping the sheep. Samuel says to fetch him and when the young, ruddy, and handsome David is brought before Samuel, God says "Arise, anoint him; for this is he." When Samuel anoints David "the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward."

I was praying hard this morning, especially because it is Saint Augustine's feast day, for all of my children, but especially for my estranged son. I prayed before opening the Bible for something that would give me consolation - not false hope, but truth and consolation, and I got this. Even to his father Jesse, David was a bit of an afterthought, not someone seen as "king-like," but God saw David, out in the field attending the sheep. God knew what David was and who he would be, even if Jesse did not.

I am guilty of being like Jesse - not fully appreciating my children's potential or gifts. I have tended to fit them in to my mind's place for them in my world and my story. But my story is not their story. God knows their story, and he will guide them through it, sending them the people who will lead them there (Saint Augustine had Saint Ambrose, David had Samuel). When they meet these people, as long as they are not too proud to accept the Truth, it will click and they will be filled with the Spirit of the Lord from that day forward.

And even if they are too proud in that moment, I believe my prayers, like Saint Monica's, will help them overcome their pride, fear, or whatever is holding them back, so that eventually they will see the Truth. God will give them every opportunity and every person they need in their lives to get there, he loves them more than I do, after all!