I have a file with some of my most important papers that I keep in a file cabinet at home, it contains birth certificates, passports, things of that sort. I always keep that special file in the same place, I never move it. Just yesterday right before I had to leave for an appointment I went to get some paperwork I needed from that file, but the file wasn’t there. Impossible, I never, ever move it, how could this be? I spent hours looking for it, enlisting the help of my son too, but no luck. I of course prayed many times for St. Anthony’s help, still no luck. I finally had to give up looking and change my plans for the day, so I canceled the appointment. I even reproved St. Anthony, “You know right where that file is, why no help?!” With the change in plans I decided to visit an elderly friend of mine, a shut-in that I hadn’t visited for a couple of weeks. As I was driving to her home I was telling my son how hard it is to not be able to trust your own memory sometimes, and just as I turned into her driveway the location of the file popped into my mind. I had put the file in a safe months ago because of fire danger in our area. As I visited my friend I saw that she had deteriorated emotionally and was in a very bad way since I had last seen her, she was clearly depressed and in such great need of a visit. I had thought to visit her that day once I was done with my errands, but most likely I would’ve gotten too busy and not had time if I had gone to my appointment. I am very concerned for my friend and so now I will visit a lot more often and I will see about getting other friends to visit her too. So sometimes there is an important reason why we don’t find things right when we think we need to, in my case the reason was that a good friend was in a bad situation and needed me. My friend is normally a joyful, vibrant person that loves to be around people, I pray that through the intercession of Good Saint Anthony she and other isolated people will find the emotional support that they need~
Have a story of Saint Anthony of your own that you would like to share? Please email it to us and we will post it on our blog~
PS - For me it wasn’t how did I forget where I put that file, but more of how did I ever remember where I put it! I have since apologized to Saint Anthony for being so short with him, but knowing him he probably just smiled and laughed; we are family after all and family understands and forgives.
