Struggles
Step Closer or Further
My mom and I started praying a Novena today in preparation for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is on September 8. Today’s intentions were for marriages and families. I thought specifically about the recent blessings, struggles, illnesses, and causes for celebration. I remembered that God is in them all. […]
Discipleship
Tonight my mom read from her “the WORD among us” magazine. Part of it followed nicely with what I meditated upon last night. That’s when I know God is speaking to me. It said in part, “Even without persecution or martyrdom, every disciple of Jesus will go through some type of suffering as we follow […]
Dying To Self
Today I listened to a meditation that focused on dying to self. The message was about our need to allow parts of ourselves to “die”. Perhaps bad habits, thoughts, ways we treat others, burdens we carry,..etc. We need to let go of the things that are not of God – not blessing us or others. […]
Shia LaBeouf and Padre Pio
This evening I watched an amazing discussion with Shia LaBeouf and Bishop Robert Barron. Shia had admittedly hit rock bottom and experienced an incredible conversion when he was offered an acting roll to play St. Padre Pio. It was a very powerful video and I highly recommend it. https://youtu.be/hjxKG4mR3U4. I Found God today in an […]
Doing Well
I took my mom for her haircut today and got talking with one of the ladies there. She asked about my mom and when I told her she was 90 and had Parkinson’s disease, she was surprised. She said what a blessing it is that mom is still mobile and functioning. I agreed and told […]
Faithfully Stay the Course
This morning the bishop of our Diocese celebrated Mass in our parish. I have seen him once in person and a couple of times online. He is a very humble, peaceful man and always speaks in a way that is important and relevant. Today he pointed out that as Jesus was making His way back […]
Airport Blessings
I talked with a far away friend today who traveled over the weekend. She was a little nervous after not flying for over 27 years. She told me how she was struggling to figure out how to get from the airport to the hotel. She prayed right then and there and God helped her through […]
True Strength
Many times, perhaps most, strength doesn’t meant going it alone, standing and fighting by yourself. It means relying on others, allowing others to help. Mostly, relying on God. A friend of mine’s husband died unexpectedly several years ago. As she was reflecting on the anniversary of his death, she shared a quote that I thought […]
St. Neighbor
We quickly became friends with our neighbors when they moved in several years ago. They are kind, generous, faithful, and have lots of great stories to tell. Recently, I have been asking the husband to take care of some things that I just can’t do. My mom and I were talking about him at dinner. […]
Grateful Reminder
I went to get a bone density test today, which I have never had before. It was just like a low powered x-ray. I have had x-rays on my back at different times during my life for different reasons. The technician today said the same thing that the others have said… “Um…did you know your […]