Tomorrow is Easter Sunday and today is always a time of reflection for me as to what I may have learned through these weeks of Lent. Lent is a time of confession, fasting, abstinence, additional prayer, Bible study, spiritual reading and participation in more corporal works of mercy. As a practicing Catholic I am to submit myself to some acts of penance and modest mortifications during the past 40 days of Lent beginning on Ash Wednesday...but did I really take what I did as seriously as I should?
I chose to abstain from meat again this Lent. Not eating meat isn't that big of deal for me but the preparation of meals takes more effort and the strength to resist for the sake of simplicity is what I struggled with. My husband still ate meat at meals and I would prepare an alternative protien for my meal...usually fish, but sometimes eggs or beans. I have become quite used to my somewhat "vegan" meals and have even considered continuing this lifestyle. So I'm not sure that the absence of meat in my daily life was that great a sacrifice for me. It did bring a sense of awareness to me as to why I am abstaining and thus turning my focus to the Lord and his sacrifice for me.
During Lent my Bible Study group completed an awesome study on "God's Promises Fullfilled, A Scriptual Journey with Jesus the Messiah" by Jeanne Kun. It was very good and thought provoking and I enjoyed it very much. I also began study in an on-line class for Catholic Evangelism (which I need to get back to!) Our priest gave me an awesome CD, "The Passion of Christ in Light of the Holy Shroud of Turin" by Fr. Francis Peffley which was very inspriational and informative. I was able to share this CD with friends who were traveling to visit family out of state.Those same friends shared with me their audio book of "The Shack" by William P. Young...a fictional novel and somewhat theologically controversial but entertaining look at the Trinity (I have enjoyed it, however and look forward to discussing it with my daughter who is also reading the book) I attended Mass as often as I could and devoted an hour of adoration to the Lord at 3:00 on Wednesdays (although I forgot once. I felt terrible about that! And missed once but had another soul cover the hour for me) I am so human and prone to the busyness of life...but that hour was such an incredible time for me! I felt the love of God so near and would highly recommend taking an hour out of your busy life and spending it quitely with the Lord whenever you can.
Bob and I read "The Love Dare" for the 40 days of Lent which is a neat little book that goes along with the Christian Movie, "Fireproof" and challenges one to work harder at their marriage relationship. It contains a series of 40 "dares" to do for/with your mate. But was I so involved in wondering if Bob got anything out of it that I failed to participate fully? Did I make as much effort as I should have...could have? Probably not...but at least I do have an awareness of my failure to do so...I guess that is something! And I can continue working on the dares from now on! I was able to share my copy of "Fireproof" with my son and daughter-in-law who are also working on their "dares" in their marriage.
I have always desired the ability to pray openly and easily with my husband and this lent Bob and I have made an extra effort to remember to pray before meals. It may not sound like much, but it is a start to us...a start at praying together, which I hope will grow into more praying together.
Also during these weeks of Lent my future father-in-law ended up at the hospital with a ruptured appendix. I stayed with my mother-in-law for two nights and 3 days at the hospital so she could be by his side and have someone to pray with. He went through a very difficult surgery and is now in recovery. I thank God that everything went well considering the complications and that I was able to help in any small way. One week later, Bob ended up in the hospital and had his gall bladder removed. He did very well with the surgery and was back at work the next day. Since I had my gall bladder removed this last December, I was able to relate well to his discomfort and understand his pain. He is recovering well, too.
I suppose I participated in several acts of penance...but were they over and above what I would have done anyway? I gave to the poor, donated clothing to the needy, visited and prayed for the sick, and offered my help whenever I could. I tried to abstain from spending money selfishly and foolishly. I just always feel it is never enough, considering all the Lord has done for me...but that is why he did what he did...because what I do will never be enough :o) I suppose I will always feel I never do enough...which is better, I suppose, than feeling I have done all I can :o)
Tonight is the Easter Vigil which is a beautiful celebration that begins after sun-down. One of the new candidates joining the Church has asked me to be her sponsor and I am so honored to do so. I am so excited for her as I remember when I went though my confirmation with the Church just two years ago. I wonder if I am truly qualified to do such a task, but I love the Lord so much and desire to share that love in any way I can...so I guess I am qualified. Today I will pray for Angela as she anticipates the ceremony.
Tomorrow is Easter Sunday! I would love to wake up before the sun and go somewhere quite to watch it come up and just take the time to praise and worship with thanksgiving. Maybe I will...maybe I won't...but I would like to. We will be going with Bob's mom and finace to my daughters house for Easter Dinner. My daughter has been preparing for weeks. It will be a good day of gathering and celebrating with the grandkids.
Have a blessed Easter, everyone...whatever you do and however you celebrate. I pray we all remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross. Lord, please help me to never, never take that for granted.
God Bless!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Another Dot
Many of you have heard me say that I think of my life (and God's plan for my life) as one big connect the dots picture. When I was a little girl, I loved doing connect the dot pictures. Not everyone understood why I bothered doing those drawings, because they knew that if I wanted to create a picture of a dog or a boat or whatever the drawing revealed, I simply could draw it myself. God gave me an ability to draw well at a very young age. It wasn't something I learned...it was just something I did...a true gift...but I didn't realize it until many years later.
Anyway, I loved connect the dot pictures. There was something so fun for me about drawing that line from one number to the next and seeing the outcome. It was someone else's plan...someone else's design and I really had no control of it...except to recognize and connect the dots as they were presented to me...as I understood them.
That is my life. God is the Master Designer and he has created a life for me that is revealed to me one simple dot at a time. Occasionally I have detoured off His plan for me and created my own dots (which usually made a real mess of the picture of my life, I might add!) But patiently and kindly He has brought me back to His original plan and He continues to place new dots before me to recognize and connect.
The other day, I was visiting my favorite shopping place (The Goodwill Store - I call it my "therapy session"!) and as I was browsing through a rack of clothing I looked over at the check out counter and thought I recognized a familiar face. It was a dear friend from my youth...someone I spent many hours with - laughing, crying, praying and sharing. She is a real blast from my past! An old but new dot in my life!
As I stepped out from behind the clothes rack and into her line of vision, I leaned over and caught her attention. At first she looked puzzeled like, "What is this crazy woman doing staring at me?" but then her jaw dropped and she smiled that incredible smile that I remembered so well. I immediately went to her and wrapped my arms around her hugging her with all my might! We were both laughing and I felt such joy in my heart at our reunion.
Just a couple days before this I had been going through some old pictures and had found several of her and her family as well as many of her with my mother as they clowned together in various parades. And I held them in my hands and asked God to be with my friend where ever she was and if it were possible to please bring us together again someday. I desired to see my friend, and God heard the desire of my heart.
She had been through a life change. Her marriage had ended...bitterly. She was adjusting to being alone. As she told her story I found myself nodding and saying, "Yes, I know", but not to empathize but because I truly did know...I know what she has been through. It was all so familiar...and I felt her pain...her anguish. And she knew that I understood.
That afternoon, in the Goodwill parking lot my friend and I touched base and briefly tried to catch up with each other's lives. Unfortunately I had to leave for an Art Club Meeting so we exchanged numbers and vowed to get back together soon. I gave her a copy of "Third & Grace" and "The Mystery History Trunk" books to read. We hugged one more time and then went our separate directions...our separate lives. But for one breif moment our lives connected.
So now this week, we've played phone tag. I called and left a message. She called back and I missed her call. Then I called again and left another message. And I started wondering if she was really a going to be a permanent dot in my life plan or just another fading detour. But I know the joy I felt when I hugged her was so genuine and so sure. I just believed God had our path's cross for a purpose.
I finally reached my friend today. She had been busy at her second job, but stated that she had started reading, "Third & Grace" and was looking forward to getting together again soon...when? I don't know yet...but I know we will...we have much to catch up on. It's good to reconnect to old dots :o)
Anyway, I loved connect the dot pictures. There was something so fun for me about drawing that line from one number to the next and seeing the outcome. It was someone else's plan...someone else's design and I really had no control of it...except to recognize and connect the dots as they were presented to me...as I understood them.
That is my life. God is the Master Designer and he has created a life for me that is revealed to me one simple dot at a time. Occasionally I have detoured off His plan for me and created my own dots (which usually made a real mess of the picture of my life, I might add!) But patiently and kindly He has brought me back to His original plan and He continues to place new dots before me to recognize and connect.
The other day, I was visiting my favorite shopping place (The Goodwill Store - I call it my "therapy session"!) and as I was browsing through a rack of clothing I looked over at the check out counter and thought I recognized a familiar face. It was a dear friend from my youth...someone I spent many hours with - laughing, crying, praying and sharing. She is a real blast from my past! An old but new dot in my life!
As I stepped out from behind the clothes rack and into her line of vision, I leaned over and caught her attention. At first she looked puzzeled like, "What is this crazy woman doing staring at me?" but then her jaw dropped and she smiled that incredible smile that I remembered so well. I immediately went to her and wrapped my arms around her hugging her with all my might! We were both laughing and I felt such joy in my heart at our reunion.
Just a couple days before this I had been going through some old pictures and had found several of her and her family as well as many of her with my mother as they clowned together in various parades. And I held them in my hands and asked God to be with my friend where ever she was and if it were possible to please bring us together again someday. I desired to see my friend, and God heard the desire of my heart.
She had been through a life change. Her marriage had ended...bitterly. She was adjusting to being alone. As she told her story I found myself nodding and saying, "Yes, I know", but not to empathize but because I truly did know...I know what she has been through. It was all so familiar...and I felt her pain...her anguish. And she knew that I understood.
That afternoon, in the Goodwill parking lot my friend and I touched base and briefly tried to catch up with each other's lives. Unfortunately I had to leave for an Art Club Meeting so we exchanged numbers and vowed to get back together soon. I gave her a copy of "Third & Grace" and "The Mystery History Trunk" books to read. We hugged one more time and then went our separate directions...our separate lives. But for one breif moment our lives connected.
So now this week, we've played phone tag. I called and left a message. She called back and I missed her call. Then I called again and left another message. And I started wondering if she was really a going to be a permanent dot in my life plan or just another fading detour. But I know the joy I felt when I hugged her was so genuine and so sure. I just believed God had our path's cross for a purpose.
I finally reached my friend today. She had been busy at her second job, but stated that she had started reading, "Third & Grace" and was looking forward to getting together again soon...when? I don't know yet...but I know we will...we have much to catch up on. It's good to reconnect to old dots :o)
Monday, February 9, 2009
A New Year - New Resolutions
We are well into the new year and those resolutions for self improvement I thought of making just might have to wait for 2010! Seriously, though, I am trying to make some simple changes and improvements in my life as I know many are.
Not long ago I heard a message on Matthew 25:31-46 and I have decided to make the stipulations for judgement to be the resolutions for my life; to feed the hungry, to quench the thirst of the thirsty, to welcome the stranger, to clothe the naked, to visit the sick, and to minister to the imprisioned. I have resolved to try and do these things through how I live my everyday life; for there are many ways to feed the hungry, quench a thirst, welcome a stranger, clothe the naked, visit the sick and minister to the imprisoned. It may take some creative thinking, but then that is what I enjoy. Who are the hungry? Who are the thirsty? Who are strangers? Who is naked? Who are the sick? Who are imprisoned? If these acts truly separate the sheep from the goats (along with a pure and devoted heart to Jesus) then I can't think of a better resolution for my new year. So as the year progresses you may see these resolutions in some of the stories I share on this blog.
I will still attempt to get healthier through eating right and exercise, live more simply, pay off bills, spend less, and value PEOPLE more than things, but these aren't and shouldn't be considered 'resolutions' as they should be just the normal way of life. I will, however, resolve to grow more diliberately in my faith through study of God's word and a consistent, deeper prayer life. I will resolve to be a better wife and help-mate to my husband as I feel there is and will always be new areas of improvement as our life together continues. I will resolve to share my faith with my family and others through my actions and words if and when the opportunity presents itself...confident and without fear...but with tenderness and love...always. I will resolve to surrender all my talent and ability to the Lord, for His purpose, and remember to give Him all the credit and glory (this is often a struggle for me as it is so easy to get caught up in the self-success mode that the world expects). I will resolve to accept whatever happens in my life as part of God's incredible plan for me...whether it be good or bad...happy or sad...joyful or painful, because I know who is in control of it all. No matter what, 2009 promises to be a GOOD year!
Not long ago I heard a message on Matthew 25:31-46 and I have decided to make the stipulations for judgement to be the resolutions for my life; to feed the hungry, to quench the thirst of the thirsty, to welcome the stranger, to clothe the naked, to visit the sick, and to minister to the imprisioned. I have resolved to try and do these things through how I live my everyday life; for there are many ways to feed the hungry, quench a thirst, welcome a stranger, clothe the naked, visit the sick and minister to the imprisoned. It may take some creative thinking, but then that is what I enjoy. Who are the hungry? Who are the thirsty? Who are strangers? Who is naked? Who are the sick? Who are imprisoned? If these acts truly separate the sheep from the goats (along with a pure and devoted heart to Jesus) then I can't think of a better resolution for my new year. So as the year progresses you may see these resolutions in some of the stories I share on this blog.
I will still attempt to get healthier through eating right and exercise, live more simply, pay off bills, spend less, and value PEOPLE more than things, but these aren't and shouldn't be considered 'resolutions' as they should be just the normal way of life. I will, however, resolve to grow more diliberately in my faith through study of God's word and a consistent, deeper prayer life. I will resolve to be a better wife and help-mate to my husband as I feel there is and will always be new areas of improvement as our life together continues. I will resolve to share my faith with my family and others through my actions and words if and when the opportunity presents itself...confident and without fear...but with tenderness and love...always. I will resolve to surrender all my talent and ability to the Lord, for His purpose, and remember to give Him all the credit and glory (this is often a struggle for me as it is so easy to get caught up in the self-success mode that the world expects). I will resolve to accept whatever happens in my life as part of God's incredible plan for me...whether it be good or bad...happy or sad...joyful or painful, because I know who is in control of it all. No matter what, 2009 promises to be a GOOD year!
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