Thy Will Be Done - Part 2

     After the preliminary questions, Jonathan was taken back to the examining room. I pulled out my rosaries and began to pray, one mystery after the other, as the medical team went about trying to determine just what was wrong. I also sent out an SOS to all of my prayer warriors to begin to storm heaven!

Thy Will Be Done - Part 1

     My alarm went off last Monday morning and while getting out of bed, I remembered it was Our Lady’s birthday. That thought brought a smile to my face, and I wished my sweet Mother, “Happy Birthday!”  I always hold Mary’s feast days dear and one way I honor her is by wearing something blue. It is my way of keeping her close to me as I navigate through the day.

     I had nothing unusual planned that day: Mass, quiet prayer time, exercise and back to my house to do my normal Monday chores. When I arrived back home, I saw my husband’s car was still there. Jonathan was busy placing some phone calls for work, so I had my breakfast and then began my chores.

Who, Lord, Do You Say That I Am? -- Part 3

     I was back to my original question. Lord, who do You say that I am? If I’m not Your servant, than who am I? Like Jacob, I did a lot of wrestling with God. Through much pain, suffering, and letting go of the burdens I had placed upon myself, the answer finally did come. I was not just God’s servant, but He revealed to me that I am His Daughter, who happens to get to serve Him. He takes all my effort as a gift. He knows that the results of my efforts are not in my control. He reminded me that He is God and I am not. He wants me to trust Him with my children, because He loves them even more than I do. He helped me recall how He has been with me on my journey through life and that I did not always choose as He would have preferred, nevertheless, He was with me in spite of my choices. He has continued to guide and accompany me on my journey.

Who, Lord, Do You Say That I Am? -- Part 2 of 3

     When God poses a question to me, He knows I will not rest until I get an answer. The question that God had placed on my heart was, “Who are you?” I really wasn't sure. What had been such a rock solid identity was suddenly shaky and uncertain. I in turn had to turn to God and ask Him, “Who, Lord, do You say that I am?”  It took some time, but the answer did come, little by little. I knew in the depths of my heart that what I was experiencing was both a natural and supernatural evolution to a better me. I knew that I had to trust that God was involved with every aspect of this change, but that I had to be patient and surrender to His molding and shaping….no matter how painful it seemed at times.

     God had me look at the different identities I played in my life. In my early years, I was daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend. Later on, girlfriend, wife, daughter, sister-in-law, mother, mother-in-law and now grandmother. I had adjusted well to each identity. I had handled our daughter’s marriage quite well and becoming a grandmother was wonderful! Why was I struggling so? What was so different now? This was a wonderful time in our lives, so why did I feel so displaced?        
  

Who, Lord, Do You Say That I Am? -- Part 1

   Knowing who I am and feeling confidant and self assured was normal for me for a good part of my life. I did well in school, had a nice social life, knew my role in my family and had a comfortable relationship with God. I even managed to get through the late 60’s and early 70’s with my faith and morals pretty much intact and marry a wonderful guy, and all this happened by the time I was twenty years old.

     I remember Helen Reddy belting out the song “I am Woman” in 1972 and somehow not really being able to relate to her battle cry. I never felt held down or unable to reach my goals. I never looked at being a woman as something inferior, nor did I feel looked down upon. I was always someone who achieved the goals I had set for myself. I did not feel like I had missed out or was limited by life’s choices because I was a woman and now, a wife and hoped to be a “stay at home” mother.  The role and identity of women seemed to take an even greater shift in the late 70’s and 80’s and by the 90’s, finding fulfillment in “just” motherhood was almost extinct.

God Will Provide

     “We use the talents we possess to the best of our ability and leave the results to God. We are at peace in the knowledge that He is pleased with our effort and that His Providence will take care of the fruits of those efforts.                                                                      Mother Angelica



     It’s been well over four months since the birth of Avia Joy. Like any mother trying to adjust to her “new baby,” I too have had many challenges, as well as life lessons.

     I was way too ambitious, or naive, at first, believing that I could write three posts weekly. I didn't think it would be a problem since I had a “cushion” of nine posts written and would replace them as each one was published. I was shocked to see that life did not afford me that luxury and before I knew it, my cushion was gone!

Blessed Teresa and the Sacrament of Love

     “We have ups and downs and sickness and sufferings. This is part of the cross. Anyone who imitates Him to the full must share in His passion also. That is why we need prayer . . . that is why we need the Bread of Life . . . that is why we have Adoration.”                                                                                                                                                                                            Blessed Mother Teresa


     After her death, Mother Teresa’s spiritual director revealed to the world her intense “dark night.” It became clearer just how deeply Mother Teresa shared in the passion of Christ. Many were shocked and startled by that fact, because her actions gave no indication of her acute suffering. Despite her feelings of abandonment and deep loneliness, she continued to carry out the mission that Our Lord had placed on her heart so many years ago.