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“Driven?” – “By Whom or What?”

“Driven!”  One little six letter word but oh – so packed with meaning! Before I go into detail on how I arrived at this featured image and title – let us go to the Cambridge Dictionary “on-line” for a definition.

DRIVEN

“Someone who is driven is so determined to achieve something

or be successful

that all of their behavior

is directed towards this aim.”

Why am I writing about this particular subject today?  It was in the early morning hours of Sunday, October 20, 2024, that I had a significant dream about being “driven” which I would like to share with you now.

Yes, you are seeing correctly!  The picture above shows an image of the Pilgrim Virgin statue of Our Lady of Fatima on Her way to move “hearts” and  bring them to Her Son Jesus Christ.  What does this have to do with my dream?  Plenty!

The Dream

I found myself driving on a local street in my neighborhood and a man called out to me – “Don’t you hear that noise?”  I didn’t understand what he was telling me but he was pointing to my back tire.  He told me I was riding practically on the rim!  I immediately got out of the car to see exactly what was happening.  He was right on – because I saw that the tire looked like it was out of air and indeed the rim was taking the brunt of my driving.  After surveying the situation – my eyes drifted upwards and I looked into my car.

It was then that I saw “Her!”

A statue of the Blessed Mother was seated behind the driver’s seat

leaning forward

with both of Her hands resting right beneath the headrest of the driver.

 

 

The Meaning

I found that the dream had a significant meaning for these times that we are living in.  Again, the question comes back to what was stated above.

Who and what is “driving us” right now?

I further thought about the “deflated tire” and riding on the rim. It seemed pretty clear that this was possibly an “arrow” from the “other side” that was trying to stop my movement of going “onward and forward!”

Yet, who did I see seated in my back seat?  The Blessed Virgin Mary!!! She was not sitting back and enjoying the view!

She was “leaning forward” with both hands resting on the seat as if giving “directions” into the ear of the driver!  I sure wish I could have found an image to display above what I am describing to you!  But, I think you get the “picture.”  – And – She has been giving “direction” to all Her children from the moment She accepted us as Her sons and daughters at the Foot of the Cross!

Driving It Home! 

It was not a coincidence that later on in the day, I would attend the noontime Mass  at my Parish Church of St. Thomas the Apostle. I would hear an incredible homily given by our Deacon Mike.  He spoke about attending a “Eucharistic Procession” that occurred this past Tuesday, October 15th in Manhattan that left from the Church steps of “St. Patrick’s Cathedral” and travelled through the city blocks of New York.

Jesus led the “Way” in the Monstrance followed by worshippers praying the rosary, songs and participating in other prayers of devotion.  They passed skyscrapers with people looking down from the windows – people knelt as they passed by and it was an incredible movement displayed concretely before all to absorb.

However, in his great humility, Deacon Mike told us he was praying along – but –

“What was he thinking about as he walked behind the Lord?

Well, he showed us by “donning a few hats” – one of which was a “Mets’ baseball cap.”

He admitted that even as he was walking behind the Lord – in a setting such as he was blessed to be in – Deacon Mike found himself thinking about baseball!  He stood “tearfully” before us seated in the pews as he let us take an intimate peak into his heart and his thoughts.

Wow!  Jesus Christ and His Mother were batting a “home-run” for all of us seated in the pews that went out into “eternity,” if we but “listened to see.”

I realized the dream I had earlier was followed up by a Part Two!!!

Heads Down? Or Heads Up?

To further expound upon Deacon Mike’s homily, I give you the following example –

This morning after experiencing the dream and dwelling on it for awhile, I opened up a little booklet entitled “One Bread, One Body” printed by “Presentation Ministries.”

I opened up randomly to a page and it was dated Monday, July 8, 2024.  It was entitled – “To Get  Spiritual Output, Put Out.”

The question asked was pretty much what Deacon Mike was questioning himself and us about in Church this morning.

What do we need to remove from our lives today?

To quote this little booklet –

“Is it your TV or handheld electronic device?  

Is it a cynical mindset, a judgmental attitude,

or even friendships which lead you away from the Lord? (see 1 Cor 15:33)

“Until we discard all the clutter, we will not be traveling light enough to walk with Jesus.”

Deacon Mike spoke about the Mets – they will be okay – football will be okay. . .because honestly all these things are passing aren’t they?

What drives you?

“Get rid of all that leads you away from the Lord and then “put out” into the deep.

Fix Our Eyes on Jesus

On Tuesday, October 22nd – we will again celebrate the life of St. Pope John Paul II.  I think it would be safe to say that St. John Paul was “driven” and he was “driven” by Our Blessed Mother.  Right after his mother died, his father would take him to a Shrine of Our Lady and introduce the Blessed Virgin Mary as “his mother” – a mother he could always go to in prayer.  She would always be with him as She is always with us.

I believe this is what my dream was all about.  Our Blessed Mother was seated behind me with hands on my seat – speaking in my ear.  I don’t need “Waze” guiding and directing the roadway ahead.  She is the “waze” for all of us!  She only leads to Her Son and to our eternal home!

We won’t end up in traffic jams or schemes planned by the evil one if we but invite this Mother of God to place Her hands upon us – always pushing us onward and forward!  And that little arrow in my tire did not cause a blow-out with Her in the car!

A Road Sign from Pope St. John Paul II

“Prayer can truly change your life.  For it turns your attention away from yourself

and directs your mind and your heart towards the Lord.  

If we look only at ourselves, with our own limitations and sins,

we quickly give way to sadness and discouragement.  

But if we keep our eyes fixed on the Lord,

then our hearts are filled with hope,

our minds are washed in the light of truth,

and we come to know the fullness of the Gospel

with all its promise and life.

 

DRIVEN

“Someone who is driven is so determined to achieve something

or be successful

that all of their behavior

is directed towards this aim.”

 

LET US BE DRIVEN FOR JESUS CHRIST

TODAY, TOMORROW AND ALWAYS

 

©2024 Anita Guariglia

Featured Image – Pixabay

All Other Photo Credits/Instagram, Pinterest

Presentation Ministries Quote/ Summer Edition/July 8, 2024

Quote from St. Pope John Paul II

Address to the Young People of New Orleans

September 12, 1987

 

4 Responses

  1. Thank you, Anita, for sharing this powerful dream with such a beautiful message and image of Our Blessed Mother directing us and gently guiding us on the right path toward sanctity and life with Her Son. How blessed we are to have Her and how very much we need Her.

    1. The Holy Spirit is making His rounds showing us just what is happening in the Spiritual Realm of LIGHT!
      WE SURELY ARE BEING BLESSED ABUNDANTLY!

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