And Now, the Song, "Clouds," Written and performed by Zack Sobiech!

Fly A Little Higher - A Journey Through Cancer written by Laura Sobeich

Zack wrote a song called "Clouds" even as he knew he was dying.

It was just one of those books that popped up on the screen.  I clicked on it to learn a bit more about the book.  I learned the book was written by the mother of a young man who, at age 18, died from a cancer called Osteosarcoma.  The family lives in Minnesota, and the young man, Zack Sobiech became famous for a song he wrote before he died called “Clouds.” 

I sat looking at the screen.  I remember telling myself that this was not a book for me to read.  One of my children, though an adult, has a cancer called multiple myeloma. I felt that this book would make me feel worse than I was that day.  I closed my iPad, but when I came back, I went back to this book.  I finally clicked on the button, “Buy with one Click.”  I downloaded the book and began to read.  I AM SO GLAD THAT I READ THIS BOOK!

This book is the story of faith in action.  The Sobiech family is a Catholic family from Stillwater, MN.  Although dragged through the depths of this cancer journey, the Sobiech family grew in faith and their trust in God increased.  Laura, the Mom of Zack Sobiech, faced the challenges of Zach’s cancer saying,”This is for your honor and glory, Lord.”  She stepped aside and let God do the work.  That is not to say that the days were all joyful.  They weren’t.  There were many bad days to go with the good ones.  Yet, Zach never lost faith.  He chose to live instead of waiting to die.

This book is well written and a fascinating read.  I had a hard time putting the book down!  Yes, I did cry at times, but I also rejoiced with the family, and I enjoyed the humor of the moments of life that Zack chose to live.  For example, when Zach found out his life would probably only last a few more months, he told his mother, “Well, I guess I can quit doing homework now!” 

If I were to recommend one book for you to read, I would recommend this book to you.  I was empowered by reading it.  Zach was right.  You have to live each moment as if it were going to be your last, and live he did!  Zack left behind a legacy of love, kindness, and living in the present.  Was the book a downer?  Not hardly.  This book was a work of love by Laura Sobiech. 
I’m so glad I pressed the “Buy with one click button.”

An Example of a Catholic Family's Faith in Actiion

I recently read a book called

"Fly A Little Higher"

written by Laura Sobiech.

This book is the story of 

Zach Sobieh

and his journey through

osteosarcoma.

This video, although it doesn't capture their Catholicism in action,

tells the story of the Sobiech family and their journey.

You will need about 20 minutes out of your 24 hour day to watch this video.

Keep your kleenex handy,

you will need them.

1 John 4: 7-8

Life Is A Journey - Pope Francis

7 Quick Takes This Week - Interesting People, My New Purse, and my favorite mug EVER broke!!!!

--- 1 ---

 What a wonderful gift from God!  I took Pixie out to go potty, and I happened to glance at the window, and I saw it!  This dragonfly was about 6 inches long.  I saw the pattern on it's back.  The wings were brown with a tinge of black.  The body was black and accented with blue.  What a beautiful insect!!!

--- 2 ---

I was visiting my daughter in her home.  I went to Mass at a church named St. Pasqual Baylon.  The church is shaped like an amphitheater.  I usually sit to the right and one or two from the back.  Shortly after I arrived, I saw a family sitting to my right and down another step or two.  The daughter of the family, who was about 10 or 11.  It turned out later that she was the altar server.  She was simply leaving to get ready for Mass.  As she started down the aisle, she stopped and looked at me.  She gave me a big wink and whispered in my ear, "I REALLY like your hair."  She winked again, and with a big smile, left to dress for Mass! 

--- 3 ---

I had a laugh at morning Mass the other day.  I noticed a gentleman walk into church with a yellow T-shirt.  What's so funny about this, you ask?  Well, it wasn't funny so much as humorous.  His shirt was from an event in which he participated in the year 2000.  I was amazed that a shirt of any kind could last that long.  It looked good, so he must have take care of that yellow shirt.  I'm still amazed!  That shirt was 14 years old.  Do you have any shirts that are 14 years old?  I don't.  I'm still chuckling at that one.

--- 4 ---

Do you have a favorite color?
Well, if you know me, and even if you don't, and you look at my picture, you know that my favorite color is 
PINK!
I do love Pink!
I have had my eye on this purse for a while.  Today,
while I was at Target,
I happened to walk past the the sale rack in the purse section,
I saw it! 
My purse was finally on sale!!!

I put that baby in my cart, and off we walked.

I didn't find my child sized hoola hoops, but I did find my purse!!



 --- 5 ---

I walked to the checkout with my new purse.  As I gave my purse to the young man to check me out, I heard a voice behind me say, "Now look at that sassy purse!  Do you think she likes pink?"  I turned to find a woman in an electric wheel chair looking at me.  She had a huge smile on her face.  She was with two women who smiled.  How could I not smile back.  She lifted my spirits.  God sent me a consolation through this wonderful, disabled woman, who was not letting her disability get in the way.  She lives life in the present, and she brought joy into my life.  I thank God for the chance meeting.  I hope she is doing well, whomever she is!!!

--- 6 ---

My favorite cup broke.  When I got home from my shopping trip, I emptied the dishwasher.  One of the last items I took off the top shelf, I noticed the cup was detached from it's handle.  I've had the cup for about 8 years.  I really liked it, too!  I guess if that's the worst thing that happens to me for the rest of the week, I guess it's okay. 

--- 7 ---

Well, tonight is the night.

The gray is showing through.

It's time to go pink again. 

By the time I go to bed,

I will be in the pink

again.  

It's been a good week!

I wish you a joyful weekend.

I wish you a God filled weekend.

 

 For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

30 Words Thursday:: Mathew 6: 25-34, And Yes, I know it's more than 30 words, but It's great advice!

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?  And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin,  yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?  Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’  For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
 “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today."

Praying with Your Fingers - Thoughts from Pope Francis

I was searching the internet looking for quotes about prayer that came from Pope Francis when I stumbled on the Pope's method of intercessory prayer using your fingers. 

You can read the entire article

HERE.

I highly recommend that you read the article.  It's very interesting.

This is a quick break down taken from the article, and I quote::

"1. The thumb is the closest finger to you. So start praying for those who are closest to you. They are the persons easiest to remember. To pray for our dear ones is a “sweet obligation.”

    2. The next finger is the index. Pray for those who teach you, instruct you and heal you. They need the support and wisdom to show direction to others. Always keep them in your prayers.

    3. The following finger is the tallest. It reminds us of our leaders, the governors and those who have authority. They need God’s guidance.

    4. The fourth finger is the ring finger. Even that it may surprise you, it is our weakest finger. It should remind us to pray for the weakest, the sick or those plagued by problems. They need your prayers.

    5. And finally we have our smallest finger, the smallest of all. Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. When you are done praying for the other four groups, you will be able to see your own needs but in the proper perspective, and also you will be able to pray for your own needs in a better way."





Simply put::
The thumb reminds you to pray for those closest to you.
The index finger reminds you to pray for those who teach or heal.
The middle finger reminds you to pray for our leaders and all those in authority.
The ring finger reminds you to pray for the sick, those whose lives are full of problems, those who are weak.
The smallest finger reminds you to pray for yourself.

Thank you, Pope Francis.

Singing at Mass - Make a joyful noise? What do I hear? Silence!

It doesn’t seem to matter which Catholic Church I attend on Sundays, the one thing I hear most often during the liturgy is the organist playing the organ or the pianist playing the piano and the cantor singing——alone.  Once in a while, I do hear other voices joining in song, but most of the time, what I hear in the congregation is silence.  There might be a rustling of pages as someone tries to find the song, but when I look out at the congregation, I see mouths closed and books put away.

The most common reasons given are::

I can’t sing.
I don’t know the songs.
The songs are too high for me to sing.
I sing off key.
I can’t carry a tune.

Psalm 100 says::  “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.”

My friend Maria takes the hour from 1-2 PM for adoration.  I have the hour from 2-3.  As often as I can, I get to adoration early so that Maria and I can make a joyful noises to the Lord in front of the Blessed Sacrament. 

Maria claims that she has a terrible voice.  I will not say that Maria’s voice is terrible, but I will say that her voice is unique.  She is confident in her voice and says, “This is the voice God gave me, so I’m using it.”   As she and I sing, praising the Lord, our voices work in perfect harmony.  We sing the same melody, but the harmony is amazing!  God does not ask us to sing perfectly, but he does ask us to “Make a joyful noise.”  Maria and I make a lot of joyful noises to God.   No one says we are perfect, but we are joyful and very noisy!

Does it matter to God that you can’t sing?  Of course not.  He gave you that voice, and he gave it to you for a reason.  He wants you to use your voice to sing and give praise to Him.  The psalms were meant to be sung. 

Does it matter to God that you don’t know the songs?  Of course, not!  It doesn’t matter.  God just wants you to open your heart to Him and praise Him and thank Him with all your heart and soul, in song.  To help you, pick up your Bible.  (You might have to dust this sacred book off.)  Turn to the psalms and begin to sing them.  Find the Psalms of praise and thanksgiving.  Open your heart and sing them to God out loud. 

Does it matter to God that the songs are too high to sing?  No, after all you can sing in a lower key.  God doesn’t care.  Lift your voice in praise.  You, too, can make a joyful noise.

Does it matter to God that you sing off key?  God gave you your voice for a reason, and He wants you to use it.  Sing off key.  You won’t be the only one. 

Does it matter to God that you can’t carry a tune?  No, it doesn’t matter.  God just wants you to sing.  Praise Him and Bless Him. Give thanks for everything!  On key or off key, God doesn’t care.  God sang on they day you were conceived.  His love knows no boundaries.  His love never ends. 

Make a joyful noise!!  That’s all that He wants!

Less of Me, More of You

Lord, I see You.
You in Your goodness.
You in Your holiness,
You in Your love.
You, my God, are love.

Jesus Christ is Lord,
Now and forever!

I look in my mirror, and I see me.
I don't see much of You in me.
I am a sinful person
Who stumbles and falls
Even in the light of Your graces
Falling on my wounded soul. 

Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof,
Only say the word, and my soul will be healed.
Splat! I am the lowest of creatures.
I Know I wound Your Sacred Heart,
I Know I add to the weight of Your cross,
I am a slave to sin by my choice.
I am weak.
Yet streams of Your loving mercy flow from
Your wounded side for love of Me.

Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All!
Jesus, You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God,
Have Mercy on me a sinner.

Fill me with You that others may see You in me.
I am not worthy, but
You are the great
I AM.

Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
Make my heart like Yours.

Pope Francis and the Graces of Confession

Ecclesiasted 3: 1-4

7 Quick Takes This Week - Better late than never...

--- 1 ---

Summer has come into full maturity.  As I walk, I see mature gardens.  I see butterflies landing on the milkweeds that are maturing now into pods.
I love the milkweed.  It's really one of my favorite plants, but because they multiply so quickly farmers are getting rid of them.  What this means for our environment is that the butterflies who feed off the milkweed and lay their eggs on these plants are becoming endangered.  I plan to let these beautiful plants grow wildly in my yard.  My neighbor comes over and takes the eggs to her home and lets the butterflies mature and fly away. They are beautiful to watch as they spread their wings to dry.  Truly one of God's miracles!

--- 2 ---

I've been trying to save money and the environment at the same time by making my own household cleaners, weed eliminators, etc.  Here are some of my recipes::

Vinegar:: Good for almost any job alone or combined with any products.

Rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle = one great ant killer (I don't know if they get drunk and die or if the alcohol just kills them on the spot. However, they die.)

1 c blue dawn dish wasing liquid + 1c vinegar = best bathroom cleaner ever!

1 gal vinegar + 1 c Epsom salts + 1 T Dawn = an amazing weed killer.  I've tried vinegar alone.  I've tried this recipe with table salt.  These do not work.  Epsom salts seems to be the ingredient that makes this an effective weed killer. 

1c vinegar + 1 c rubbing alcohol + 1 c water + 2-3 drops Dawn = excellent kitchen cleaner

--- 3 ---

Reasons to pray this week::

Maylasian airliner that was bombed out of the sky with innocent people on board.  Our Lady of Sorrows, comfort those who have lost loved ones on this flight.  Our Lady Queen of Peace, pray for us. 

The on going conflict between Palestine an Israel.  
Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for us.  Bring peace to your homeland.

Human Trafficking:: Our Lady, Mother of all, place your protective mantle around all of those women and children who are enslaved by those who who do not know of God's love.  Pray that these men find salvation and seek forgiveness.

--- 4 ---

Fun day for lunch and shopping with my dear friend.  We meet in a small town that is smack dab in between us.  We have lunch, then we shop.  This town has some wonderful boutiques that we enjoy.  She is an enabler.  I did buy new clothes, but no new shoes.

--- 5 ---

 I've started Hoola Hooping!  I have arthritic knee caps.  If I had arthritic knees, I might get new knees, but when you have arthritic knee caps, there is nothing they can do.  Really, there isn't.  So, I have been trying to find an exercise that will allow me to walk the next day, without pain.  I think I've found it!!!!  I get good cardio using my home made hoop.   That's a story for another day. 

--- 6 ---

I love Psalm 23!

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.      

He makes me lie down in green pastures; 

He leads me beside still waters; 

 He restores my soul. (Isn't that beautiful?  He Restores My Soul!)
He leads me in right paths
    for His name’s sake.

 Even though I walk through the darkest valley^,
    I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff—
    they comfort me.

 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.  

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    my whole life long.

--- 7 ---

My favorite 
POPE FRANCIS
quote this week.

"Although the life of a person is in a land full of thorns and weeds, there is always a space in which the good seed can grow. You have to trust God."

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Feet, His and Mine

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from
God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself.  Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.  He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”  Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.”  Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”
John 13: 3-9



Feet  are the body parts that support the weight of the whole body.
Feet, for the most part, not very pretty because of the work they must do.
Feet take us from one place to another.
Feet need washing because they lead the way when we walk.
Feet go through puddles.
Feet often hurt.  They are often a source of suffering.
Feet swell when injured.
Feet can turn purple when hurt.
Feet have so many bones.  If you break one, you will hurt and limp as you walk. 
People without feet are disabled.
Feet are rugged, not gentle.
Feet are smelly at times.
Feet need to be washed because of the bacteria that grows on them.
Feet often need support so that they are not painful.
Feet need to be taken care of by choosing the correct shoes, using insoles that support the foot, washing our feet, drying them. 
Feet are required to walk.

Jesus bore the weight of His cross with His feet.
When He stumbled and fell, His feet gave out.
His feet were battered.
When He was nailed to the cross, His feet were restrained and He could not move them.
His feet held Him up as He was scourged.
He wore sandals on His feet,
His feet were rugged.
Jesus’ feet took Him where He needed to go to spread His Gospel of love and peace.
His feet often needed to be washed, as was customary.
Mary Magdaline washed His feet with her tears.
She dried His feet with her hair.

Jesus became the servant and washed His Apostles' feet. 
Wash my feet, Lord!

My Lord and My God,

I am here.  I am where you want me to be.  I’m ready to say, “Thank you,” for the gift of depression.  I can feel Your smile now.  Yes, I am ready to say what I never thought I could say, but, “Thank You, Lord, for the gift of this chemical imbalance in my brain.”

The days have not been easy.

The nights have been very long.

Sleep has often been accompanied by dreams that frighten me, sleep paralysis, and furious battles with evil that terrify me and cause me to run to You, to hide behind You and Your Majestic power knowing that You will protect me from evil.  You will walk with me.  When I fall, You will help me up.  When I cannot walk, You will carry me.

Lord, I am not worthy of Your love, yet, You are there with eyes of love for me.  I see Your eyes, and I am no longer afraid.  I feel your strength, and I am comforted.

You send me Your consolations.  I find the image of a butterfly in an orange I am cutting up.  I find that a bruise on my leg is healing, and in the center of this bruise is a heart.  I find a new penny on my purse, where there was none a few minutes before. 

Lord, You are with me always.  Even when I doubt, even when I am afraid, even when I cannot see You, I am learning that You in Your glory and majesty are with me always.

This chemical imbalance in my brain is not an easy cross to bear.  I often feel hopeless, desolate, inconsolable, but in Your goodness and love, You are there silent and full of love for me, the child of Your Heart. 

Like You, I fall down as I carry this thorn of a cross.  I stumble.  I fall.  I skin my knees, and You are always there, the Father, the Brother, the Guide to lift me and hold me and put me on my feet again.  Yes, Lord, like You, I have suffered.  I have felt abandonment.  I have felt rejection.  
I have felt overwhelmed and ready to give up.  You’ve sent Your angels to be with me and to comfort me, these unseen guardians of our souls. 

Lord, You’ve let me bear this splinter of Your Cross so that I might learn to appreciate the good days, even in the darkest of nights.  You have taught me faith.  You have given me hope.  You have taught me to be grateful for the simplest of tasks and my ability to finish them.  You have helped me to see the beauty in the support of my family and friends.  They have been here for me, and they have lifted me up when I was down.  They have prayed for me and blessed me in their prayers. 

No, Lord, this gift of depression is not easy, but it is the way You have chosen for me to walk.  For all that I have learned and for all the blessings You have given me, I thank You, Lord.

Amen

Song with God

f my prayer is not more than song, then let my song be sung to the highest heaven with my voice praising, God Almighty, Creator of the universe, who begat the Son that He might pay for our sins with His life thus giving us eternal life. 

May my voice praise the Father, the Son, and the unending love of the Father and Son, who is called the Holy Spirit.  May I praise the Triune God:: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who bear the weight of our sin, granting us forgiveness and strength when forgiveness and strength are implored by the penitent people.

"My people," they cry out, "My children," they implore.  "Turn back from your evil and look into my eyes.  See the love I have for you.  You are mine.  I have chosen you for this mission.  Go out into the world and take Me to those who do not believe.  Show them my love through your love for each other. Forgive each other.  Put Ill feelings aside. Know that I AM with you as I was with Abraham, Isaac and Joseph.  I chose the weak and made them strong.  I chose the sinful and made them saints.

I gave you My Son who sent the Spirit to guide you and protect you after He opened the gates of Heaven for all those who awaited the Promised Messiah.  I keep My Promises, My children.  I do not go back on My Word.  I sent your Brother, Jesus, to die on a tree for you.  I sent Him to suffer for Your sins, for He was sinless, and His sacred Heart burned with love for You.  He gave His life that you may live.  He accepted His sufferings, not because to suffer and die for you was His Will, but because it was My Will.  We are one, the great I AM.  He asked to let this cup pass, but I was silent and turned my head because I love You so much.  I sent my Son to die a terrible death so that You might live for eternity with us, in heaven.  He accepted My Will so that you will live."

I cover my head and look to Your eyes with holy fear.  I sing Your praises, Lord.  I cry out with shouts of joy.  You are my life and my salvation.  I am not afraid.  I know that You are with me.  You walk beside me all the way.  You protect me when I stumble.  You lift me up when I fall.  You carry me through raging waters.  You divide the sea and I walk on dry land. 

You are the Holy One.  You are divine.  You chose your holy ones.  You turned sinners into saints.  You took the weak and made them strong.  I kneel before You.  I place my hand in Yours.  You are the mighty one.  You gave me life to live.  You are the gentle one.  You hold me when I sleep.  You are the creator.  You made me and I am yours.

John 11: 38-44

"Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.”  Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”  So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me.  I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.”  When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”  The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

John 11: 38-44

7 Quick Takes This Week - The Challenge of Clinical Depression

 

--- 1 --

 Every week has it’s ups and downs.  I’m fighting an ongoing battle with depression.  I have to remember there are good days and bad days whether you have this illness or not.  I have to acknowledge that depression is a mental illness.  To have your mind be infected with such a disease is not something about which anyone should be embarrassed.  Depression, like all illnesses, is real.  It is something I feel in my body and in my mind.  My body hurts, at times, because of this illness.  My mind suffers from the sorrow.  I’ve controlled this disease for 3 years, now, there has been a flare up.  As with any illness,  is time to explore more treatment options.  I need strategies to cope with my days.  I have to hold my head high when people shake their heads and say, “Get over it.  It’s all in your head.”  Yes, it IS in my head.  Everything begins in the brain.  Right now, my brain is sick.  Like any other organ is not functioning properly, I need treatment.  I am finally treating this disease with both homeopathic and pharmaceutical remedies.  I am also treating this disease with therapy. I am beginning to feel better.  God is good.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted,
    and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34: 18

--- 2 ---

 Treatment of depression has also sent me to my neurologist and my cardiologist.  Both of these women are kind and compassionate.  They listen to me and form plans to treat the assault on my heart and on my neurologic system.  They advise me about the side effects of certain anti depressants.  They understand the why of my illness.  They take the time to help me.
God is good.

“But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
    they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40: 31

--- 3 ---

Sometimes on social media there is so much drama.  Some days are more interesting than others, especially in the artist community.  I think Pixie says it best.  I like the way she thinks.  (This is just a deflection from the rest of the post!)













"For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death.” 2 Corinthians 7: 10





 

--- 4 ---

I’m learning to detach myself from the things that trigger my negative emotions.  In order to do this, I am working with my therapist.  My therapist doesn't like to show it, but she doesn’t like Catholics, Catholic priests, or God.  I suspect that she does not believe in God, but that is not a topic we have discussed.  It’s just that I see her face when I bring up my religion or the priests whom I have consulted to deal with the issues of depression and my soul.  I had considered finding a new therapist, but two things happened this week.  1) We had a good session, and I was very inspired by her insights, and 2) my confessor suggested that, perhaps, I was supposed to be there for her.  God ways are amazingly creative.  God is good.

He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”  Luke 10:27

--- 5 ---

One of the advantages to suffering is that when we suffer, we have the advantage of uniting our sufferings with Jesus for the good of souls.  Jesus suffered great psychological pain in the garden.  He felt the pain of fear as He saw His Passion and Death.  He felt the pain of abandonment as His beloved apostles slept rather than supported Him in prayer.  He felt the pain of rejection as those He had loved turned against Him and demanded His death and the freeing of Barrabas.  Yet, even in His time of great sorrow and suffering.  He clung to the love of His Mother and the women who followed Him and sought to care for Him, as did, Veronica who ministered to Jesus by wiping His Face.  I try to remember, each time I slip into the depths of depression, Jesus and how He gave us the gift of salvation.  I offer up that suffering to Him for souls. 

 “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
Phillipians 4: 13
 

--- 6 ---

The fog is beginning to lift.  The storm is beginning to ease.  I have  been in the middle of the storm, with the waves pelting my skin like sharp whips on my body, leaving my face is soaked in tears because my heart breaks.  What is this teaching me?  What am I learning besides the pain of dreams that have died, and the sorrows that I must endure?  I am learning that God is good.
I am learning that in  God I find my hope, my life, my salvation. 

“He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.” Psalm 40:2
 

--- 7 ---

 As I move from illness into health again, I realize that God has a plan for each of us.  Part of my plan for sanctification and service is this gift, yes, I said, gift of depression.  I have been put on this earth to glorify Him through my depression.  I have been put on this earth to teach others of God’s great graces in this suffering.  I have been put on this earth to love others and help them on their path to God.
“I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.  For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God;  for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”  Romans 8: 18-21

 

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30 Word Thursday: Blessed Are...

Close Enough

Words Make A Difference. These Are Words That Have Made a Difference in My Life!

24 Words I Carry In My Heart

I love you.

Peace be with you.

I’ll pray for you.

God be with you.

Thank you.

You really look pretty today.

I can hardly wait for us to get together.

I’ll call you in an hour.

How are you feeling?

I’ll drop the food at your door.  I know you’re sick.

Those shoes are beautiful.

I said a prayer for you today.

Do you know that you are a blessing to me?

Can I help you?

I offered up my Mass for you today.

You’re the best thing that ever happened to me. 

I have an hour, let’s talk.

I understand how you feel.

I support you.

Dinner was delicious.

You are God’s blessing to me.

The sound of your voice is music to me.

I saw a pool of water today, and I saw your eyes.

God loves you.



Matthew 12: 36-37
^"I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter;  for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Thank You, Lord!!

Lord,
I just wanted to say thank You for today.  I didn't ask for the blessings You sent me, but out of Your great and unending love, You graced me.

1) Thank You for the gift of my children!  How blessed am I to have them.

2) Thank You for the gift of my doctor.  She was so kind to me.  I cannot tell you how much her kindness meant.

3) Thank You for the gift of the Eucharist that I received today.
Your praises should be sung to eternity.

4) Thank You for the wonderful conversation I had with Hannah today.  I haven't talked with her in so long, and it was so much fun! 

5) Thank You for the gift of my friends!  They mean so much to me.

Lord, I could go on and on.  I thank You for everything.  You are my God who loved us so much you died on that tree for us.
Thank You, My Jesus!

Praise You, Father, Creator!
Praise You, Brother Jesus!
Praise You, Holy Spirit!
Praise You our Triune God!
May I praise You from midnight to midnight.
Thank You!

Isaiah 40: 6-8

A voice says, “Cry out!”
    And I said, “What shall I cry?”
All people are grass,
    their constancy is like the flower of the field.
 The grass withers, the flower fades,
    when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
    surely the people are grass.
 The grass withers, the flower fades;
    but the word of our God will stand forever.

Isaiah 40: 6-8

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

God Bless America!!! Psalm 27:: 1-14

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
    of whom shall I be afraid?

  

When evildoers assail me
    to devour my flesh—
my adversaries and foes—
    they shall stumble and fall.

  

Though an army encamp against me,
    my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
    yet I will be confident.

  

One thing I asked of the Lord,
    that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord,
    and to inquire in his temple.

For he will hide me in his shelter
    in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
    he will set me high on a rock.

  

Now my head is lifted up
    above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
    sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud,
    be gracious to me and answer me!

  

“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, do I seek.     Do not hide your face from me.

Do not turn your servant away in anger,
    you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,
    

 O God of my salvation! If my father and mother forsake me,
    the Lord will take me up.

 Teach me your way, O Lord,
    and lead me on a level path

 because of my enemies. 

  

Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
    for false witnesses have risen against me,
    and they are breathing out violence.

 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living. 

  

Wait for the Lord;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;
    wait for the Lord!

30 Words Thursday:: Hebrews 3:7-10

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts..."

Hebrews 3:7 

 

Ooops, this week it wasn't 30 words, but that's okay!

Silence, The Voice of God

The Blessing of Silence

One would think that the sound of God would be a mighty blast of the trumpet or the crashing sound of a tree falling in a forest.  One might expect that the Voice of God would deafen the ears of His creatures and force us down on our knees. 

Yet, in the silence of the burning bush, Moses heard the voice of God. 

"Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Mid′ian; and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush; and he looked, and lo, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed.  And Moses said, “I will turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here am I.”  Then he said, “Do not come near; put off your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God."
Exodus 3: 1-6
Elijah met God, not in the thunders of the wind, earthquakes and fire, but in the silence that followed.

"And he said, “Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.  And when Eli′jah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Eli′jah?”
1 Kings: 11-14

Our days are blasted with noise that we both invite into our lives and noise which we do not.  The media explodes in our homes bringing with it sounds and words that are not from God.  Music, louder than the voice of God, pounds our ears.  Often there is no rest from these influences. 

Modern day saints have spoken of the need for silence.

Mother Teresa said:  "We need to find God, and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls."

Pope Francis has said, "In the history of salvation, neither in the clamour nor in the blatant, but the shadows and the silence are the places in which God chose to reveal himself to humankind."

Pope Francis has also said: Each of us knows how mysteriously the Lord works in our hearts, in our souls. And what is the cloud, the power, the way the Holy Spirit covers our mystery? This cloud in us, in our lives is called silence: the silence is exactly the cloud that covers the mystery of our relationship with the Lord, of our holiness and of our sins. This mystery that we cannot explain. But when there is no silence in our lives, the mystery is lost, it goes away. Guarding the mystery with silence! That is the cloud, that is the power of God for us, that is the strength of the Holy Spirit."

With silence, we allow the Holy Spirit, then, into our lives.  By surrendering in this silence, by shutting off the noise, we are gifted with the presence of God within us and He can then work in our lives.  Think of all the noise you hear.  Is this God?  Most likely not.  God can find you and prompt you in the midst of the noise.  God is a God of miracles and He hungers for your soul.  However, if we seek the presence of God in our lives, we need to seek silence and prayer.  We need to let The Lord envelope us in His love which is a gift of silence.

Sometimes God Reveals Himself in the Consolations that He sends in the Most Unlikely Places

Sunday was our Parish's celebration of the Saints Peter and Paul.  Since that is the name of our church, we also celebrate our Taste of the Parish that day.  Shirley, our church secretary, asked me to come in and help set up.  I was happy to do so.  Then she asked me to cut up some fruits for the fruit tray.  This where I found God's consolations.  Like I said, God sends His consolations in the most unexpected ways and places.

I started cutting the oranges first.  As I cut the ends I saw these:; flowers.  God send me flowers in the oranges.  I was very happy to see the flowers.

But even more exciting is what happened next.

Do you see the butterfly?  When I cut this orange I found a butterfly!
A butterfly is the sign of new life.

God has a plan for each of us!  For me, this was an amazing consolation!