Thoughts on Motherhood

Motherhood means different things to different people.  Some mothers are saints.  Some are not.  No matter, they gave us the gift of life.

When I look at this picture, I have to say to my mother, "I'm so sorry.  You really had your hands full!"
Yes, I was a brat!  I'm sure she smiled and laughed as I raised my own children! 

Thoughts on Motherthood.


"Motherhood:  All Love begins and Ends there." 
Robert Browning


"Motherhood is tough. If you just want a wonderful little creature to love, you can get a puppy."
Barbara Walters


"A miracle is really the only way to describe motherhood and giving birth. It's unbelievable how God has made us women and babies to endure and be able to do so much. A miracle, indeed. Such an incredible blessing."
Jennie Finch


"The natural state of motherhood is unselfishness. When you become a mother, you are no longer the center of your own universe. You relinquish that position to your children."
Jessica Lange


"Motherhood is the greatest thing and the hardest thing."
Ricki Lake


"I never knew motherhood could be so truly gratifying until I had Natasha."
Natalie Wood


"There's no doubt that motherhood is the best thing in my life. It's all that really matters."
Courteney Cox


"It is not until you become a mother that your judgment slowly turns to compassion and understanding."
Erma Bombeck


"Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother."
Oprah Winfrey

"If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do well matters very much."
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Are You Worthy of Love?

The question is asked:  Are you worthy of love? 
The answer is simple:  Yes.
Why are you worthy of love?
You are worthy of love because:   "...He first loved us." John 4:19

We are the children of our beloved of God.  For this reason alone, we are worthy of being loved and loving others.  Our self esteem is dependent on this gift of love.  We must come to believe that our  God loves us with the depth of love that cannot be fathomed by the most brilliant mind on earth.  We are God's beloved children. He made each of us with an immortal soul and He imprinted on our souls, the gift of free will. We can choose Him or not.  Yet, He loves us.  God gave us the gift of His only begotten Son so that we could  be saved.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life."  John 3:16

God is love, and He loves us.  We were created to be worthy of His love and the love of our fellow man on earth.  Not everyone treats us with the love and respect to which we are entitled, and this can cause us to doubt our worthiness to be loved by anyone, much less a Supreme Being whom we do not see, hear, smell, or touch and cannot understand. 

Why would anyone love me, you might ask?  I'm too fat for anyone to love .  Weight is an issue that you can control.  It might take work and discipline to loose the extra pounds, but, with the help of God, you can loose the extra weight.  Even when we are overweight or too thin, or we feel that we are ugly, God loves us.  That will never change.  God loves you.  God is love.  He made you.  You were created in His image and likeness.  You are His beloved child.  You are worthy of love. 

Carl Sagan wrote in "Cosmos,"

"The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of star stuff."

God made us from stars that light up the night skies.  If we are made from the stuff of stars, we must share in the brilliance that is God.  God is love.  This cannot change.  He made us in His image.  We are worthy of love, and we are loved.  

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."   John 13: 34-35

At the End of the Day....

Look to the Creator and talk about your day.
God:: So, tell me about your day.

Me:: Lord, you're God, You know all about my day.

God:: Yes, I do, but I'd like to hear you tell me about it.

Me:: Well, what do You want me to tell You?

God:: Let Me see.  Did you follow My commandments today?

Me:: Well, yes, I did.  Well, most of them, I did.

God:: Really, most of them?  How was your drive to work today?

Me:: Great!  I made record time today.  You couldn't stop me!

God:: I know. You cut off 3 people and nearly caused an accident.

Me:: That wasn't my fault.

God:: Really, you seemed very impatient. That's not a gift of the Holy Spirit.  Think about it.

Me:: Oh, well, I'm sorry.

God:: Be sure to mention that when you go to confession.

Me:: Confession?   I haven't been there in years!

God::  I know.  Remember My love, mercy and forgiveness await you there.  Did you know that when the priest forgives you your sins and talks to you, it's really Me talking to you?

Me:: Oh, I guess I forgot that.

God:: By the way, what's today?

Me:: Sunday?  If you're going to tell me I shouldn't work today, I have a lot to do!  I have to get it done!

God:: What about the commandment to keep holy the Lord's Day?

Me:: I did, Lord.  I thought about you as I worked.

God:: I know you did.  You kept calling on my name, but not to ask for blessings.

Me:: You heard me?

God:: Yes, I did.  You missed Mass, too.  You could have gone last night.

Me:: Sorry about that, but I had to finish the lawn so I could go to work today.

God:: I rested after seven days.  It's good to rest and give glory to your God.

Me:: Oh.

God:: Do you remember the story of Mary and Martha?

Me:: Last names?  I'm not sure...

God:  It's in the Bible, Sacred Scripture?

Me:: I don't have one.

God:: Martha was busy in the kitchen. Mary chose to sit and listen to My words.  Martha was very upset with Mary because she was stressed out over the supper preparations.  I reminded Martha that Mary had chosen the better way. Martha realized I was right.  She relaxed and listened to me.  Dinner was wonderful!  Martha chose Me.

Me:: Oh.  Lord, look, I have a lot to do.

God:: Yes, I know you do, but when do you make time for Me?

Me:: Come on, you're God.  You don't need me!

God:: You're right. I don't need you, but you need Me.

Me:: I know that, but when things slow down, I'll make the time.  I promise.

God::  Well, I gave you the gift of free will.  It's your choice. 

Me:: I promise, Lord!  I will.

God:: My graces await you.  Please don't wait too long.  Life is short.  Eternity is forever.

Me:: I know that.

God:: Your friend, Phil?  He died yesterday. He was a year younger than you.

Me:: What?

God:: Think about what I said.  My graces await you, but it's your choice.  I love you and My Love is Unending.  No matter what, I'll always love you.  Remember that.  I'll always love you.  Good night.

Oxygen and Padre Pio

The Cross and St. John Bosco

Seven Quick Takes Friday - Thoughts and Happenings on Divine Mercy Sunday

--- 1 ---

Two magnificent men were declared saints by our most beloved Pope Francis on Divine Mercy Sunday - Saint John XXIII and Saint John Paul II are now officially saints in heaven, standing before the Throne of God! Praise God for these wonderful Popes now declared saints! Praise God for our Beloved Pope Francis!

--- 2 ---

Divine Mercy Sunday, decreed in 2004 as the Sunday after Easter by Pope John Paul II, is the day in which God pours out His Mercy into our sick and troubled world for all who seek Him and His Mercy. The simple catch is that we must open our hearts to God so that our hearts may be infused with His Mercy. We must also bring to God all of those souls for whom He seeks to infuse with His Mercy: all mankind, especially sinners; the souls of all priests and religious; all devout and faithful souls; all those who do not know Jesus or love Him; the souls of separated brethren; the meek and humble souls and souls of children; the souls who venerate and glorify Jesus' Mercy; the souls in Purgatory; souls who have become lukewarm. His Love is Unending!

--- 3 ---

Our priests were very busy hearing confessions before, during, and after our Divine Mercy celebration at church. I tried to get into line before the celebration began, but the line was long already. I wanted to stay, but I couldn’t because I had to be up in the choir loft ready to sing the Chaplet with our music director. I went back upstairs, reluctantly, but the prayer was AWESOME! After the celebration ended, I raced downstairs thinking our priests would be ready to leave, but I still had to wait in line for confession! God's mercy poured down on our souls! We are so blessed!

--- 4 ---

Our community was doubly blessed on Divine Mercy Sunday. It looks like we are no longer in drought conditions here. Today, along with a multitude of blessings, God poured down His rain, not snow, in many precious drops today. It's still cool here. I wish it were warmer, but it does please God to hear us say, "Jesus, I trust in You."

--- 5 ---

Waiting in line for confession was interesting. As I waited, I prayed for the Holy Spirit to enlighten me so that I would make a good confession. In order to remember my sins, I write then down in small notebook I carry in my purse. (I can never remember them all!) My daughter has offered to write the list for me, but that’s another issue! One person, next to me in line, noticed that I was writing in my notebook. (It's hard to keep things private if you want to remember what to confess.). He thought that this was a lot to write for anyone. The truth is that when you ask the Holy Spirit to help you remember your sins, the list gets terribly long, even after one week. Reconciliation is such a gift! I felt God's Mercy in my soul today!

--- 6 ---

Once in the confessional, my confessor noted that my notebook seemed to be getting full. He suggested that I should get a new one, and, perhaps, a thicker one? He, like God, has a keen sense of humor. :0)

--- 7 ---

Jesus, I trust in You. It’s been a rough journey, but you have brought me this far. Mother Theresa used to pray, even in her dark night of the soul, "Jesus, I trust in Your tender love for me." Jesus, increase my faith and trust in You. Jesus, infuse my heart with Your Love and Mercy. Jesus, I am yours. I, finally, trust in You!!! Thank You! (Another gift of God’s Divine Mercy!)

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

30 Words Thursday - May is the Month of Our Mother - Pull Out Those Rosaries and Honor Our Lady

“‘Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee!’ No creature has ever said anything that was more pleasing to me, nor will anyone ever be able to find or say to me anything that pleases me more.”
Our Lady to Saint Mechtilde

Foot note:  Yes, I know this quotation has more than 30 words, but it's for Our Lady, right?

Say your Rosary with Love.  

Click HERE for information on how to say the Rosary!