Author Archives: all4godls
Entrances
I was recently watching reels of extravagant entrances to weddings, sweet sixteens and other parties. In one the groom arrived riding on an elephant, another had a bride arriving in a Cinderella style carriage with six white horses, and a sweet sixteener had her entourage carry her in on an elaborate golden chair. With all of it there was lots of pomp and circumstance including music to accompany the entrance. All the people who awaited their arrival were dressed beautifully and excitedly clapped at their arrival. Now that the entrance had happened the real fun could start. It was definitely something to behold. While I was watching all of it, I could not help but contrast the quietness of Christ’s arrival.
The king of all creation arrives and there is no big hoopla. Scripture lets us know a few details. It occurred in the quiet of the night, during a busy time (a census), in a small village. Mary and Joseph found no space at an inn and in the humble abode of a manger (a cave used for baby lambs or a barn) Jesus arrives. No kings, no dignitaries were present, no friends, no family. Just a young holy virgin and her righteous husband. But heaven doesn’t let this go by in full silence. Angels excited at the new arrival- go and sing- not to the king or the rich tucked away in comfy inns surrounded by their wealth. They go to the fields – to the shepherds – the ones sleeping under the stars. They are the ones who get to see the angles light up the sky, sing and proclaim “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests. (Luke 2 10-14)
Some biblical scholars think that the reason Satan didn’t know if Jesus was indeed the Christ is because of His humble entrance. Satan, who is the father of pride, would expect an entrance worthy of God. Not poverty, indifference and darkness. In a world full of noise where we strive to be seen and heard, how are we missing God’s daily coming into our lives?
Take the following interaction between Elijah and God
Then the LORD said: Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will pass by. There was a strong and violent wind rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD—but the LORD was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake; after the earthquake, fire—but the LORD was not in the fire; after the fire, a light silent sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, “Why are you here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19 11-13)
Here in the silence is where Elijah can hear God speak to him.
We have come to believe that big entrances, opulence, and lots of noise equal important things. I remember a failing restaurant that put a bouncer and a stanchion outside and instantly became popular. Don’t get me wrong- I am not putting down the people described above and their entrances. What I did want to point out is that sometimes we miss God because He comes in simple ways. No grand entrances. And sometimes God misses us because we feel like we have to be something more before we can come to Him.
God is not calling for us to make big entrances, He is just asking us to be present. To allow ourselves to notice Him throughout the day and acknowledge Him in both His greatness and in the little things. Because He is indeed the creator of all good things – He will be found in all.
Why am I sharing this right before Lent and not during Advent? Because my dear friend, God wants to be found. As we approach the desert let us remember what He told Jeremiah “When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me” Jerimiah 12-14. So, this lent, come to God in your littleness. Walk into the desert as you are because “God does not see as a mortal, who sees the appearance. The Lord looks into the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7). And if your heart is just as messy as a manger- don’t worry He has been there before and knows how to make it a home.
Have a blessed Lent!
All Hollows
Every October I start to cringe. It seems our world starts to display its fascination with death. Goblins, ghouls, zombies, and spiders abound. The scary and ugly part of what the secular world displays is a far cry from the beauty of what our Catholic faith teaches us.
And when this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about: “Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? 1 Cor 15:54-55
So, what is the beauty of death? Did you know that you are part of the universal church? When we proudly proclaim we are all one body- it is because the church divided into 3 parts that celebrate together. The Church Triumphant (those in heaven), the Church Suffering (those in purgatory) and the Church Militant (that’s us! Struggling everyday in this valley of tears) Our goal as Catholics is to recognize that we are part of this one body- and one day we will rejoice with the saints in heaven and enjoy the beatific vision.
When I look at the lives of the saints I am filled with hope. I see saints like Padre Pio, St Catherine of Sienna, and others who’s lives on earth were so exemplary that after death God does not show us a rotting corpse, but an incorruptible body, some who hundreds of years later still are intact and emit a beautiful scent. This is a small foreshadowing of what awaits us all, when Jesus comes again, our mortal bodies will once again be joined to our souls not in the thoughtless meanderings of a zombie but in grateful contemplation of the Divine.
Death is not an end- I once heard someone say one day when you read my obituary it will say I died, but don’t believe a word of it- I will be fully alive more alive than I have been in my physical life. I will be in heaven rejoicing. That is the goal to know that we will spend eternity with the one who loves us best. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. John 14 2-3. When my kids come home to visit, I spend so much time making things perfect for them- preparing a place for them that they will enjoy and feel loved in. If I in my human frailty can do this, can you imagine what God is preparing for you?
So let October come, let the world clothe itself in the scary and spooky. I will keep my eyes focused on heaven where my help comes from, and my hope is made real.
3 Strands
I was recently invited to speak at a marriage retreat with my husband. I was so excited. I mulled over a few ideas and thought I would speak about the most famous married couple of all, Mary and Joseph. When I prayed on it further, I kept receiving a cord of three strands as the theme. Let’s get this straight, I am not a paratrooper – I have no idea of cord strength, the value of a 2 strand cord vs a 3 strand cord or anything else like that, but I just kept feeling that the three stranded cord was to be my direction. When I googled it- I just started laughing- little did I know God had already long ago written about a 3 stranded cord in the bible.
Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12
Two are better than one: They get a good wage for their toil. If the one falls, the other will help the fallen one. But woe to the solitary person! If that one should fall, there is no other to help. So also, if two sleep together, they keep each other warm. How can one alone keep warm? Where one alone may be overcome, two together can resist. A three-ply cord* is not easily broken.
I pondered this for a while. Why would you emphasize the importance of two, the strength of two and the benefit of two, then at the end just add in-as a by the way- a 3 ply cord is not easily broken. That last bit made no sense, until of course it did.
I remembered an article Scott Hahn had posted about marriage in Croatia. When you announce your engagement, people congratulate you on finding your cross. No one says wow you found your perfect person. On the contrary! Instead, they say to them: “You have found your cross. It is a cross to love, to carry it with you, a cross that is not to throw away but to treasure.”
When the bride and groom enter the church on their wedding day, they carry a crucifix with them. The priest blesses the crucifix. When the time comes to exchange their vows, the bride puts her right hand on the crucifix and the groom puts his hand on hers, so that both hands are joined together on the crucifix.
The priest covers their hands with his stole as they exchange their vows, according to the rite of the Church, to be faithful to each other, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, till death do them part. Then, instead of kissing each other, the bride and groom kiss the crucifix. Those who witness the ceremony understand from it that if one of them leaves the other, he or she leaves Christ on the Cross.
After the ceremony, the newlyweds bring the crucifix to their home and put it in a place of honor. It will forever be the point of reference and the place of family prayer. In times of difficulty, the family do not go to the lawyer or the psychiatrist, but kneel down together before the crucifix in search of help from Jesus Christ. They kneel down and maybe even cry and open their hearts asking the Lord and each other for forgiveness. They go to sleep with peace in their hearts because they have received forgiveness from the only one who has the power to save.
Husband and wife will teach their children to kiss the crucifix every day and not to go to sleep like pagans, without first giving thanks to Jesus. They know that Jesus is holding them in His arms and there is nothing to fear.
PS Here is where you find the lowest divorce rate in all of Europe.
This is the cord of 3 strands. In every marriage two become one. The Priest says “what God has united let no man tear asunder.” Jesus is the third strand of this union. Marriages that have Jesus as its center strand are stronger because, you don’t only lean on each other you can lean on Christ. I’ve been married for over 30 years, Jose and I made a promise to each other to always keep Christ at the center of our marriage. Have there been times where we got distracted, allowed other things or obligations to come between us? Yes of course, but we always come back to Jesus. We have found that our strength doesn’t come from ourselves, but is always found in Jesus. He is the very definition of love. His goal is always to draw you closer to Him and through Him each other. A Priest at my cousin’s wedding told them- “Judy – your job is to get Jason into heaven and Jason your job is to get Judy into heaven.” Many of us forget that love is sacrifice. But this is what Jesus teaches us on the cross. That love is sacrifice. It is willing the best for someone else and doing all possible to get them to heaven.
My prayer for you today is that you allow Jesus to be the third strand in your marriage. That you allow Him to be the glue that binds you and transforms you into love.
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Sandpaper
As iron sharpens iron so one person sharpens another- proverbs 27:17
Recently I was speaking with my husband about someone who is really hard to love. I am sure we all have someone who makes our lives difficult. After praying over this for a few days, I found myself in the garage and saw some sandpaper. I felt God tugging on my heart to grab hold of it. As I rubbed my thumb over its abrasive texture, I began to imagine a carpenter using it on a block of wood. The sandpaper would polish down all the splinters and burrs on the wood leaving it smooth. It hit me-was God allowing this abrasive person in my life to smooth ME? Was this person God’s gift to me? Was I the one with the splinters, the one who when the outer layer is removed can display the beauty hidden within?
I kept rubbing this simple sandpaper with my thumb and thought of the spiritual works of mercy I had been speaking with my confirmation students about -bear wrongs patiently, forgive injuries, pray for the living and the dead. These were growing in me every time I encountered said person. I had begun to pray for this soul every time I encountered them. When my thoughts were less than charitable, I would offer up my frustration, and pray for more charity, for more patience, more love, and more peace. We do not become stronger by doing nothing, or more of the same. We become stronger by pushing ourselves past our own limits. I kept imagining the carpenter lovingly sanding down the wood, if the wood could speak it would probably say it didn’t enjoy the process – but the outcome was really worth it. What is my gentle carpenter creating me to be? What virtues are coming to life in this process? Every time I surrender myself to loving my neighbor as God loves, then something has to change.
I took this image to prayer for a few days. The great aha moment wasn’t even revealed right away- The sandpaper itself became less abrasive as it is rubbed against the block of wood. They were both changed. When we can radically love as Jesus loves, then not only are we changed, but those encountering that love are also changed. Slowly, mysteriously as only God can do it- that person’s exposure to patience, love and forgiveness can often mellow their sharpness as well.
I will keep praying and thanking God for all the sandpapers in my life and remember to humbly remind myself from time to time – that I too am somebody’s sandpaper.
Manna From Heaven
This year like many others I started the bible in a year program from Ascension Press with Father Mike Schmitz. (https://media.ascensionpress.com/category/ascension-podcasts/bibleinayear/) To be honest I started and stopped a few times, until I fully committed, so I am still going through it. I cannot say enough great things about it and would recommend it to anyone.
As we journeyed with Moses and the Israelites through the wilderness, I noticed a recurring theme. The Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt. They journeyed through the desert because God wanted to change their slave mentality and help them to see Yahweh-yireh; God provider.
Every day they would see a pillar of fire lead the way. They would see a great cloud in the tent of meeting on the days they were to stay put. Can you imagine seeing palpable proof that God was truly present and leading you? I noticed a recurring theme as they wandered through the desert. Every time things became difficult, they would grumble, and the grumbling would sound like this- why did God bring us out here? – we rather be in Egypt where we were slaves. They complained about everything- especially the manna, literal bread from heaven provided daily. Yes, I am sure that anyone would tire of the same thing every day- but did you ever stop and wonder Why would a God who could command manna to fall from heaven and is the creator of everything- why would God only send manna?
Before I can tackle that question let me tell you a little about my struggle. When I was wandering lost in the world of sin God saved me and led me to His heart. Here every day I would go to Mass and commune with Him. I would meet His mother daily in the rosary, I spent time with Jesus in prayer, I surrounded myself with His saints and learned as much as I could from them. This was a process, not overnight but what I learned was that every time life happened, I had two choices- I could seek God or I could yearn to escape to my Egypt. For each of us Egypt – the land of our slavery is different. Alcohol? Drugs? Stress eating? Gossiping? Gambling? What is your Egypt? What did God deliver you from- that when the going gets tough we longingly look back there and wish to escape to? Many times, I chose wrong, but the Good Shepherd lovingly sought out His lost lamb and brought her back home. After a while though, I started to appreciate my manna moments- Mass, the rosary, my quiet times with Jesus. These moments were the ones that I could rely on and the ones that made me strong. Eventually Egypt just didn’t satisfy, even thoughts of Egypt lost their appeal, and when the going got tough the tough sought manna!
The reason we can take manna for granted is that it can become part of our daily lives- but that is the purpose of manna. To become such a part of us that we know- rain or shine, it is there and that if we can rely on this grace from God- how much more can we rely on God Himself? Many times, the extraordinary is hidden in the ordinary. Manna is where we learn to walk with God, to rely on Him, to turn to Him and to trust in Him.
So, what is your manna?
As we start our Lenten journey in the desert- what are we walking away from? Who are we walking towards? May God provide not only manna but also show us the way. May we realize that He walks with us always and may we become attentive to Him and where He is leading us. And may we come to thank God for the manna!
A King’s Secret
“A king’s secret it is prudent to keep, but the works of God are to be declared and made known” Tobit 12v7
This is a biblical verse I have carried around for many years. When I first read it, I literally stopped and let it settle in my heart. It is what compels me to share my faith-even (especially) when I’d rather stay silent. This verse is what motivates my blog and is why today I am sharing a testimony.
Lectio Divina- Many of us are familiar with this way of praying the bible, It’s a meditative way of reading the Bible in which we let go of our own agendas and open ourselves to what God is trying to say to us. For those who are new to this-here is a quick intro to Lectio Divina
- Reading. Read a passage slowly and carefully within the bible. …
- Meditation. Read the passage again, thinking deeply or dwelling upon a spiritual reality within a text. …
- Prayer. Having a loving conversation with God.
- Contemplation. Resting in God’s presence.
- Action. Go and do likewise
Earlier this year I was introduced to Lectio Divina in a zoom class I was taking through Encounter School of Ministry (https://encounterschool.org/) The verse we were given was Matthew 8 5-11 The healing of the Centurian’s servant.
When he entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully. “He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the kingdom of heaven.
I immediately became excited because at every Mass when we pray-Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed, I pray under my breath- “send your word to my children as well and meet them on their road to Emaus” Like most parents today, I worry over my children’s faith journey. A few of my kids no longer attend Mass. So being assigned this reading for our group, I felt like God was winking at me. He was, but not how I expected. Our group leader read the scripture three times- the first time we were to just receive it, the second time we were to ask God what part of the scripture He wanted us to rest at. The third time we read the scripture we were to ask God what message He had for us.
The second time we read the scripture I wanted to rest at “Lord I am not worthy that…” but I felt the spirit saying no, not there keep going, I was surprised but kept going “send your word” no, not there either- the fruit is further along. This is where I felt the Spirit say here- this is for you. “I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the kingdom of heaven.” I remember being surprised and then I scrunched up my nose and said there Lord? Are you sure? What could you possibly have to say to me in this verse?
Are you ready? I sure wasn’t. I felt that gentle voice within say google the phrase “many will come from the east and the west” and find where else it exists in the bible.
Before I go on-the reason I am sharing this with you is because when God feeds one of His children, He expects us to share. His promises are not just for a few but for all His children. So, parents who are reading this – this is for you as well! I want to make sure that when you read this you know that this wasn’t just for me- it’s for you too! This is what I found.
I read this over a few times and just felt God hug me through His loving words. My kids are His kids. He is more interested in their salvation than I am. In His time, He will lead them all home. My job is to stay steady in prayer and thanksgiving, all the while planting seeds of love and faith that He will bring in.
St Peter says in his letters to always be ready to share the reason for your hope. Jesus is my hope. The way that God shares His abundant graces and continuously reassures us and feeds us demonstrates His love in a tangible way. I may not be able to touch it, but I can surely feel it in my soul.
I hope this testimony lifts you up as much as it did me. Anytime I read a testimony, I see it as food for the journey. It sustains us as we walk towards heaven.
Jesus the Gardener?
As we round up September and the meager harvest of my garden I am reminded of when Mary Magdalen was weeping at Jesus’ tomb. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?”h She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him” John 20 v 15
I was always perplexed as to why Mary Magdalene would assume Jesus was a gardener. Some theologians surmise that gardeners of that time wore white and as Jesus was wearing white, she made the logical conclusion. Others say it’s because He is the new Adam. When I moved to my house, I learned to look for Jesus in the garden. So many lessons can be found if we take the time to look. Here are a few of my favorites.
Want to grow- you need to prune. I would often look at my neighbor’s abundant flower baskets and wonder why mine looked skimpy compared to hers. When I asked her, I heard the opposite of what I expected. If you want to grow first cut, cut, cut! Her secret was to cut back the dead flowers – this encouraged the flowers to grow more. I thought of how in my life I start to grow messy and out of sorts and then feel overwhelmed – that’s the time to sit back and think what isn’t growing or producing fruit in my life? What do I need to cut back? While this can sometimes be a painful process, I can say that when I have done it in my life- entrusting the shears to Jesus my gentle gardener- it has helped me to grow in other areas.
I am the vine you are the branches” john 15v5. This image came to life for me this summer when I watched my cucumbers grow. Cucumbers grow on a vine, and you guessed it there are branches involved. I noticed something very curious when I took a good look. The vine keeps going, it puts out branches which are tiny tendrils that wrap around any given object (fence, stake) and take hold. Where the branches take hold, the vine produces fruit. As I sat there, I realized what Jesus meant- He is the vine- the vine keeps going, it keeps growing and giving life, but the job of the branches (there’s never just one) is to hold an area for the vine, and there allow the vine to produce fruit. That’s us! As Christians we are called to disciple the world, to hold our ground- to stand firm so that God can produce fruit through us. This is how we do it- by remaining connected to Him. Where am I to do this? Everywhere- St Peter says always be prepared to give a reason for your faith. Where is God calling you to spread out, where does He desire to grow fruit through you? How is He asking you to feed His church? Not just in the parish, at work, at home, in the gym all of these are places that we can stand firm in our faith and let God be God.
There was a time in my life I was in so much pain that I just wanted to give up. Life wasn’t meant to be so difficult. What helped me get through was a parable from Luke 13 6-9. Here the owner of the garden comes in search of fruit- finding none he tells the gardener to take down the tree. I love what the gardener suggests- “Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it” Sometimes we need to cultivate the soil we are planted in and give it nourishment. I stopped watching tv all day and doing mindless things that filled my time but left me empty. I started to fill my days spending time with my gardener- His words and love were able to help me take my mind off my sad state and focus on what was truly important. This is what got me through. Knowing that He was tending to me- That His word was nourishing me. I went to daily Mass, Adoration, I played Christian music all the time and listened to uplifting preachings on YouTube until I was strong enough to produce fruit again. We need to fertilize the soil we are in- what surrounds us? What are we feeding our spirit? What we plant is what we grow.
As October starts and many gardens are being put to bed for the fall, know that our Gardener never sleeps- He is always at work, breaking down the unused and bringing life to it preparing for your next harvest.
Under the Shadow of the Most High
One day I was speaking with someone about their first visit to a therapist. I jokingly said I bet they blamed it all on your mom. He smiled and said what I least expected to hear. “Some of it is.” You see this surprised me because I know his mom and she is a good person- so anything negative about her was a shock. Then he clarified it. You see she was so good that he never felt that he could live up to that level of goodness. He almost didn’t feel like trying. He told me she always encouraged him and helped him to see the good in himself, reminding him that he was at the beginning of his faith journey, and that it had taken her many years and falls to get to where she was- but he always felt little in comparison to her.
This hurt my heart, and I thought of my early relationship with God. All I could hear was the beginning of Psalm 91 “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Have you ever contemplated the goodness of God? I mean really looked at the whole picture, His faithfulness, His patience, His radical love for us that while we were still sinners and lost in this world, He chose to die for us? Sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming. Years ago, I didn’t realize I was supposed to rest in His shadow, that I was supposed to find comfort and security in it. I just felt smothered by it. God was so good, how was I ever supposed to get to that level, let alone be in a state of grace where I could approach Him. Almost not worth trying. The age-old question is how can a God who is so good want to associate with someone who is not?
Leviticus 19:2 Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.
We all know we were made in His likeness and image; this includes holiness. But this word holiness has been a stumbling block for many of us. Who can really be holy? What does that entail? How many things do I need to give up? To hear my confirmation students speak of it- holiness sounds like kryptonite. Something to keep at arm’s length and that only a select few can handle.
If we can look back to our own conversion story, we can see clearly what we didn’t back then- how God continued to approach and call us, and how He finally was able to draw us to Himself. God was looking for us when we were still lost in sin. He is continuously approaching us, and we keep running away saying like the lepers in the old testament – “stay away, unclean” The fact is that a perfect God who can dwell anywhere, chooses to live in us.
Thoughts like, I will never be good enough, how can He love me? and I will never be worthy- come from the evil one. Satan’s goal is to make us think that we are hypocrites and dirty and should never approach God, let alone think that God wants to approach us.
The truth is that God is not human, He is Love. His holiness should be something to aspire to and should draw us nearer not set us apart. The God I know isn’t sitting back with a list and checking it off. He is merciful and patient. What I have found is that the closer I draw near, the more I love Him. The more I love Him the more He helps me to get over my imperfections. It is not an overnight change but like any good relationship it takes time and fidelity.
After some reflection I went back to my friend and told him my thoughts. How he needed a new perspective. His mother’s goodness should not be something that makes him feel small- it should make him proud, empower him and give him hope. He was her son and had so many of her qualities. Looking at my relationship with God- His holiness makes me proud to be His daughter and empowers me because His Holy Spirit dwells within me and makes all things possible; this is life giving hope. I pray that you also can be drawn closer to Him and that His graces can be abundant in your life, and that you too can dwell in the shadow of the Most High.
A Shoulder to Stand On
When I was a kid my dad would carry me around on his shoulders, literally and figuratively. In a literal sense I can remember sitting on his shoulders and seeing the world from a perspective that my short legs denied me. I was always amazed at what I could see. Perspective was everything. In a figurative sense he carried me in my spiritual life. My dad had a third-grade education and could never aspire to a degree in theology- but it was his dream so he read everything he could get his hands on. I of course had no idea of this as a child, but boy did, I benefit from it. I remember sitting in the car on long drives and asking all sorts of questions about God and our faith. His answers helped to shape my faith and my thirst for God. He once told me that my questions made him read more since he always wanted to be prepared.
Funny how God works. I would never have guessed that all the effort my dad put into his own spiritual growth would propel me forward in mine. But God is like that. What I start for myself, He finds a use for in others. My siblings and I still call my dad who is 92 to ask him questions when we need direction. It’s like standing on his shoulders allows us to see over the obstacles and hurdles of life and see the world through this new perspective. A perspective always tinged with the love and grace of God.
Did I ever tell you that I am the youngest of 9? Yes, your eyes do not deceive you 9. Raising 9 kids is not the easiest thing in the world- I have 4 kids and think I am in line for canonization, and I am not even dead yet. Raising 9 kids, in a country where you don’t understand the language and can’t afford the dreams you have for your kids, well that is an uphill battle. How did he do it?
Prayer. prayer and you guessed it more prayer. My dad woke up every morning before work and prayed, and at night he made sure we all prayed the rosary together, before bed I could hear him praying again and I’m sure that there were a few more prayers snuck in between as well. I remember that when he started his own company and set his own hours, his workday started after daily Mass. After seeing this go on for years, I asked him why? If it was a routine he couldn’t let go of, or if there was a purpose to all of it. His answer was that when you find the love of your life, you strive to spend every moment you can with them. Jesus was that faithful friend who He visited every day. He told me that at his most stressful moments he was sure Jesus would return the visit and bring him the peace he needed.
In a way we all stand on the shoulders of giants, people who in small or big ways have helped us to see the truth and helped to set us on the right path. We hopefully have been the shoulders others have stood on to get a glimpse of the love and peace that await them when they walk with God. My favorite giant is the bible. The living word of God is the solid foundation we can stand on when our world is shifting like sand beneath out feet.
Here’s to all the shoulders we have stood on, may they be blessed in seeing the heights they have helped us achieve.
Hello May
May is easily my favorite month of the year. Spring is well on its way and flowers and trees are blooming. The world after a dreary and silent winter seems to be rejoicing. As I was driving through my neighborhood thanking God for all the flowers in bloom, God reminded me that all of this started in the quiet place.
It was the quiet of winter that produced the beauty of spring. I want to write to all you beautiful quiet souls. The ones who receive God’s word and bury it deep within their hearts, nourishing it and transforming it into abundant fruit that in their own way they feed the world with. I was speaking with a new friend who said she didn’t do anything big, she preferred to remain in the background. I was so touched by her simplicity and had to remind her that in her quiet nourishing way she did more than those who God called to be in the forefront.
The quiet place is not a place that many of us can linger, but it is the place where the most growth happens. I have a sister that became a prayer warrior in the quiet place. I always tell her that rockets are made underground. They are not made in plain sight, being hidden away allows for the creation of something that is simultaneously surprising and enormous. She was rebuilt in the quiet place. Now she impacts us all by daily shining God’s light on us and reminding us of His love.
Jesus’ resurrection took place in the quiet place. In the darkness of a tomb, God chose to show us the power to be had in the quiet place. Not all of us can sit by the quiet tomb, waiting patiently to see God’s handiwork. To those of you who do, know how vital you are for the growth that happens all around you.
I heard a story this weekend that illustrates you best. Back in early England before electricity lit the nighttime sky, there were Lamplighters. It was someone’s job to go around at dusk and light the lamp posts. The interesting thing is that the lamplighter always walks forward into the darkness and never into the light they are leaving behind. Always lighting and moving forward, they don’t perceive all the light, safety and peace they create as they cross countless towns ensuring that the darkness cannot overtake the light.
This is what we are all called to. To be lamplighters. In heaven we will get to see the light we left behind but here let us persist in our walk and know that the light we share is not our own.
When was the last time we allowed ourselves to be quiet? To not jump in with the answer? To let someone else’s light shine greater than ours? To all you quiet souls. Thank you for teaching us the power of the tomb.
Finding God In The Everyday 