In light of recent violent events I feel a need to say something. I read a news story that deeply saddened me as a human being, and as a parent. A high school student lost his life due to a bullying conflict. First, my deepest sympathies to the family and friends and community!
We as adults and parents need to do better. Ask your kids questions, lots of them. Pray with them. Talk with them, not at them. Give them a safe place at home to voice their feelings and stressors. Don't dismiss them as kids nonsense. Adults across the country listen up! The hatred and violence among us needs to stop! We are teaching our children to hate, belittle and disrespect anyone that is different or has a difference of opinion. Enough is enough! Children learn what they see, not what they are told. Let's change the world by changing our own behavior. Let's set an example of peace, caring and decency, for the sake of our children, our future.
Monday, October 29, 2018
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Let's Not Be Blind
There is a lot of tension in our society here in America right now. People are arguing left and right, up and down but what the true issue boils down to is humanity.
We need to provide a safe environment in our home country. What good are we to those seeking asylum if we are no more secure than where they are running from? Ok, we need to be vigilant, but also humane.
We can support our President without agreeing with everything he says and does. No matter whom is President, none of us will agree with everything he or she does. That's just a fact. We can also speak up when a policy is inhumane. Many of us are thrilled President Trump is bringing God back to American lives. Many of us are not.
There is something that we all need to come together on, no matter which side of the fence you're on.
First, let's get something straight here. Many of those trying to enter our country from the Mexico border are NOT doing it illegally. They are requesting asylum. That is not illegal. So then, tell me why their children are ripped from their arms and thrown into detention centers. I don't care if it were like the Waldorf! This is an outright attack against the family.
Revelation talks about the last war being against the family. Well here we are! Whether the attack is on your personal family through divorce, or a group of people seeking safety and a chance at a better life for their children, we need to be outraged. We need to speak up loud and clear. Just picture for a moment your own children, taken from you, put into the "care" of strangers, scary looking strangers, with big guns, speaking a language you don't fully understand ...if at all! Can you see it? Picture them, crying and absolutely terrified! Picture them missing you and you not being able to give them any comfort!
Now that you see your children there...how do you feel? And don't say they broke the law. I'm not talking about major law breakers. I'm talking about you. I'm talking about me. What if our home was unsafe and we knocked on our neighbors door seeking help and compassion, but instead they threw you into a car and drove you away, but not before taking your children and tossing them in the cellar?
This is NOT OKAY! This is NOT OF GOD! We have to do better!
Monday, June 18, 2018
You Are Exactly Where God Wants You
I work a job I don't particularly love. I want to be doing something truly meaningful. I want to somehow make a real impact on society. I'm sure many of you feel just like that.
When I first began this job I met a woman. Her current life situation paralleled a part of my life that had since passed. I couldn't believe the similarities! She was at a crossroads and confided in me....a stranger really. I felt compelled to tell her my story and the regret I feel every day for the choice I made. I hoped it would help her avoid making the same sad choice. It's been a year and so far she has taken my story to heart and has done the opposite. I believe that was God. He took my mistake and turned it into a blessing for someone else.
Today, over a year later, I met a man at work. He asked about my daughter and told me about his children. Somehow in the brief conversation he said "You must be a Catholic!". He said he can see it in my love for others. He then confessed that he and his family had not been to church in awhile. He said they believe, but that it wasn't something they felt they had to do regularly because they celebrate the saints feast days and attend for major holidays. I immediately -- without thinking, asked him a very serious question. The question was "Don't you want to receive Jesus in the Eucharist?" To which he looked stunned and replied that that's what his parish priest says! I told him his priest was right. That Jesus is truly present , body and blood, in the Eucharist and that I cannot survive the week in our world without it! I suggested he Google "Eucharistic Miracles ". He promised he would. I pray this is why we met. I pray that our Lord's message was received. Will you all pray as well? I pray you all go to Mass and receive Jesus in the Eucharist each and every week, at a minimum.
I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."
John 6:48-51 ESV
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."
Matthew 26:26-29 ESV
When I first began this job I met a woman. Her current life situation paralleled a part of my life that had since passed. I couldn't believe the similarities! She was at a crossroads and confided in me....a stranger really. I felt compelled to tell her my story and the regret I feel every day for the choice I made. I hoped it would help her avoid making the same sad choice. It's been a year and so far she has taken my story to heart and has done the opposite. I believe that was God. He took my mistake and turned it into a blessing for someone else.
Today, over a year later, I met a man at work. He asked about my daughter and told me about his children. Somehow in the brief conversation he said "You must be a Catholic!". He said he can see it in my love for others. He then confessed that he and his family had not been to church in awhile. He said they believe, but that it wasn't something they felt they had to do regularly because they celebrate the saints feast days and attend for major holidays. I immediately -- without thinking, asked him a very serious question. The question was "Don't you want to receive Jesus in the Eucharist?" To which he looked stunned and replied that that's what his parish priest says! I told him his priest was right. That Jesus is truly present , body and blood, in the Eucharist and that I cannot survive the week in our world without it! I suggested he Google "Eucharistic Miracles ". He promised he would. I pray this is why we met. I pray that our Lord's message was received. Will you all pray as well? I pray you all go to Mass and receive Jesus in the Eucharist each and every week, at a minimum.
I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."
John 6:48-51 ESV
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."
Matthew 26:26-29 ESV
Thursday, May 10, 2018
I wish I Had
My arms are too fat. I wish they were more trim and muscular. My hair is too unruly. I wish it was more silky and manageable. I wish I could have parked closer to the event! My legs are tired of walking! I wish I had a different job, a bigger house, more money, more food, more, more, more.
STOP!
Smell your roses.
Someone out there wishes they had arms. That woman wishes chemo hadn't taken her hair... and her strength. The young girl bound to a wheelchair wishes she could feel her legs at all. That father, he wishes..he wishes he had any job to feed his children. And the homeless family wishes they had a home.
There is nothing wrong with working towards goals, but let's not take our blessings for granted.
STOP!
Smell your roses.
Someone out there wishes they had arms. That woman wishes chemo hadn't taken her hair... and her strength. The young girl bound to a wheelchair wishes she could feel her legs at all. That father, he wishes..he wishes he had any job to feed his children. And the homeless family wishes they had a home.
There is nothing wrong with working towards goals, but let's not take our blessings for granted.
Sunday, April 8, 2018
The Miracle of Reconciliation
So many people carry the burdens of the mistakes they've made, the hurts they've endured, and the trials they have survived— every day, all day. Many talk with friends about how they feel, some bottle it up in hopes of just forgetting, and some go to therapy.
Therapy can be helpful; I won't criticize it's positive effects. I will however, note that therapy can take many, many years to achieve a breakthrough. (And a lot of money!) What if I told you there was something better, faster and free? What could be better than that? Well good news! There is something, and I experienced it first hand for myself last year. Its effects are so fast, powerful and deep you would think it was magic! It is the power of God's merciful love through the sacrament of reconciliation. And I'll tell you with all my heart, there is nothing like it!
Remember when you were a child and you did something that you knew would really upset your parents? You did everything you could to hide it from them. The guilt gnawed at you day in and day out, right? Like what happens in the children's book A Big Fat Enormous Lie by Marjorie W. Sharmat. You didn't feel better until you confessed to them what you had done and they of course, forgave you! Oh how relieved you finally were! It felt like a heavy rock was off your shoulders, or a huge ugly monster was no longer sitting on your chest. You could move forward not thinking of that mistake any more.
That is exactly what the sacrament of reconciliation feels like! I went through years of therapy off and on in my life. While I was fortunate to have some wonderful therapists, nothing ever truly felt resolved. Last year I made my first confession and was absolved of my past trespasses. I felt....did you hear me?....I FELT Christ's love, mercy, grace and forgiveness flowing through my entire being at the time the priest raised his hand in blessing over me and said the words "I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.". I walked into that confessional in tears, and out 15 minutes later with a smile. I could begin again with the love of Christ in my soul. I truly recommend it to EVERYONE.
Sunday, March 18, 2018
Cleaning Messes
Calling all parents!
How frustrating is it when you ask your child to clean up their room? Doesn't it seem as though the mess just gets bigger and bigger every time? In my house, it drives me mad!
Our home is a bit cramped and it seems to get tinier and tinier every time my daughter gets even one new toy. Grrr! How many times can you tell your child to clean up after an activity before starting the next? I can't tell you how many times I have cleaned up for her simply because I was tired of yelling, begging and pleading to still only end up with a half done room! Even then, it wasn't done right. Mostly, she just shoved as much as she could into a corner after "working on it " all day. Frustrating right?
Time and again I found myself angrily redoing her cleaning job so that it will actually be clean. There had to be a better way I told myself over and over. While I'm cleaning up her mess, being bitter and yelling at her how I am not the maid, she is just standing there looking at her feet. This is not the parent I pictured I would be. I am tired, frustrated and stressed to the max. But this isn't the worst part. The worst part was seeing the effect my own feelings were having on her.
It wasn't until I decided to clean out a closet and found myself surrounded by a mess I had created, and feeling overwhelmed at where to start, did I have an epiphany. If I, an adult with much experience in cleaning and organizing, could feel so overwhelmed and unsure of where to start...my child must feel the same!
The next time her room got out of hand I decided to say a Hail Mary and offer her my help. We cleaned out the toy box, made alms giving bags of toys and puzzles, and organized the rest of what she was keeping...together! We even had some fun and laughs. I didn't yell. I didn't feel angry. At the end the room was in order, we had some things to give away to those less fortunate (in the spirit of Lent) and it didn't take up our entire day!
I started thinking back in my life. How many messes have I made? And not just the physical ones. I mean the ones where maybe instead of saving, I spent and then needed it. Or how about when you let words you didn't even mean slip out and damage a relationship, because you were angry or feeling hurt? Every mess I have made, Christ was with me; the gentle, loving Father helping me to clean up the mess. How many messes has He cleaned up for you? He is always ready to help us out, even when it's our own fault.
Thank you Lord for always helping me and giving me this opportunity to learn from you.
Hebrews 13:5-6
"I will never leave you, nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, " The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Her Goliath
Since kindergarten, my daughter has been picked on and bullied. No one can ever understand why this happens. The truth of the matter is, it has more to do with the self esteem of the bully than it does any trait of the bullied.
Most bullied children have one thing in common, they show the bully that they have affected them. If they see they have effectively upset you, they will continue to berate you.
I have continually tried to teach my daughter that she doesn't have to be afraid and should stand up for herself, or completely ignore it. Unfortunately, neither happened.
Fast forward to second grade. I received a phone call no parent ever wants to get, especially concerning their young child. My daughter had had enough when a girl in her class told her what to do. She lost it! She screamed out that she wanted to die because of said girl.
Now, she said she didn't mean it; That she was just upset, but my heart ached. I prayed and cried while I watched her sleep that night. There had to be a way to put an end to this. We can't eliminate bullying overnight, so I had to find a way to strengthen her and boost her confidence. I called my parish and made an appointment for her to speak with one of our priests.
The day came to see the priest for counselling. We both went into his office. He listened carefully and offered a lot of faith based ideas. We ended the meeting with a prayer and she immediately felt better and more engulfed in God's love.
Then I found Superbook cartoons! She watched the story of David and Goliath. She watched this episode over and over! She still can't get enough of it! If you don't know the story, David, a small but clever shepard boy, is the anointed one of God who defeats Goliath. Goliath is the giant of the Philistine's army sent to take over Israel. David becomes king of Israel.
She came home from school a few days ago a completely different child. Not only have her tormentors stopped bothering her, but she stood up to a bully in defense of another child! My little, quiet, fearful child has become like David!
I asked her if she was afraid and her response was why should she be? She has God!!!
http://us-en.superbook.cbn.com/gizmonote/g106
God is good all the time, and all the time God is good!!!
Most bullied children have one thing in common, they show the bully that they have affected them. If they see they have effectively upset you, they will continue to berate you.
I have continually tried to teach my daughter that she doesn't have to be afraid and should stand up for herself, or completely ignore it. Unfortunately, neither happened.
Fast forward to second grade. I received a phone call no parent ever wants to get, especially concerning their young child. My daughter had had enough when a girl in her class told her what to do. She lost it! She screamed out that she wanted to die because of said girl.
Now, she said she didn't mean it; That she was just upset, but my heart ached. I prayed and cried while I watched her sleep that night. There had to be a way to put an end to this. We can't eliminate bullying overnight, so I had to find a way to strengthen her and boost her confidence. I called my parish and made an appointment for her to speak with one of our priests.
The day came to see the priest for counselling. We both went into his office. He listened carefully and offered a lot of faith based ideas. We ended the meeting with a prayer and she immediately felt better and more engulfed in God's love.
Then I found Superbook cartoons! She watched the story of David and Goliath. She watched this episode over and over! She still can't get enough of it! If you don't know the story, David, a small but clever shepard boy, is the anointed one of God who defeats Goliath. Goliath is the giant of the Philistine's army sent to take over Israel. David becomes king of Israel.
She came home from school a few days ago a completely different child. Not only have her tormentors stopped bothering her, but she stood up to a bully in defense of another child! My little, quiet, fearful child has become like David!
I asked her if she was afraid and her response was why should she be? She has God!!!
http://us-en.superbook.cbn.com/gizmonote/g106
God is good all the time, and all the time God is good!!!
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Make A Difference
A few weeks ago I was asked to speak to the new RCIA class at my parish. I completed that program almost a year ago. For those that are not familiar, RCIA is an adult CCD program. It is a very in depth class culminating in receiving the three main Sacraments at the Easter Vigil, rather than receiving them over a span of years like children do.
I was honored to have been asked to give my testimony, but was also very nervous. Speaking in front of a group of people known, or unknown to me, has always stirred my anxiety. I spent the last few weeks desperately trying to come up with something encouraging and inspiring to say to the catechumen. I mulled over a plethora of ideas, none of which seemed so great. While they served their basic purpose of complimenting the program and its wonderful, voluntary teachers, they were less than awe inspiring. I needed a fire!
I prayed and prayed asking Christ to help me. I needed a speech, not too long and drawn out and not so short as to give the appearance of dismissiveness. I felt a bit overwhelmed. I mean, becoming a Catholic is beautiful for yourself of course, but what does it really mean to be a Catholic or a follower of Christ in any denomination? It means becoming a disciple. Christ called us to evangelize, to spread the Gospel and make disciples of all the world. We are called to be different and to make a DIFFERENCE.
This morning I brought my daughter to her usual mass to join her choir and left her in the care of her doting father. I was to speak to the class during that mass. I kissed her goodbye and made my way to the rectory. My heart was pounding, and I felt physically awkward, but excited to see the new faces. I couldn't go directly in. I needed another moment to speak with the Holy spirit and ask Him again to speak what they needed to hear through me. I was on fire!!! I felt His presence coursing through me as I delivered words in a fashion only He could have! Praise be to God!
I was told I was welcome to stay for the rest of the class if I wished. I considered quietly leaving and getting the tail end of my daughter in the children's choir but He wanted me to stay. I was blessed at the end of class when a young lady approached me and told me that she felt a connection to what I had said; that it resonated with her. My prayer had been answered! Christ, through me, made a difference!!!
I am the one who was blessed. These fresh faces give me hope when we are surrounded by so much darkness. I now understand the joy of watching catechumens become Catholics. Praise the Lord and may He bless you!!!
I was honored to have been asked to give my testimony, but was also very nervous. Speaking in front of a group of people known, or unknown to me, has always stirred my anxiety. I spent the last few weeks desperately trying to come up with something encouraging and inspiring to say to the catechumen. I mulled over a plethora of ideas, none of which seemed so great. While they served their basic purpose of complimenting the program and its wonderful, voluntary teachers, they were less than awe inspiring. I needed a fire!
I prayed and prayed asking Christ to help me. I needed a speech, not too long and drawn out and not so short as to give the appearance of dismissiveness. I felt a bit overwhelmed. I mean, becoming a Catholic is beautiful for yourself of course, but what does it really mean to be a Catholic or a follower of Christ in any denomination? It means becoming a disciple. Christ called us to evangelize, to spread the Gospel and make disciples of all the world. We are called to be different and to make a DIFFERENCE.
This morning I brought my daughter to her usual mass to join her choir and left her in the care of her doting father. I was to speak to the class during that mass. I kissed her goodbye and made my way to the rectory. My heart was pounding, and I felt physically awkward, but excited to see the new faces. I couldn't go directly in. I needed another moment to speak with the Holy spirit and ask Him again to speak what they needed to hear through me. I was on fire!!! I felt His presence coursing through me as I delivered words in a fashion only He could have! Praise be to God!
I was told I was welcome to stay for the rest of the class if I wished. I considered quietly leaving and getting the tail end of my daughter in the children's choir but He wanted me to stay. I was blessed at the end of class when a young lady approached me and told me that she felt a connection to what I had said; that it resonated with her. My prayer had been answered! Christ, through me, made a difference!!!
I am the one who was blessed. These fresh faces give me hope when we are surrounded by so much darkness. I now understand the joy of watching catechumens become Catholics. Praise the Lord and may He bless you!!!
Monday, February 26, 2018
Is God Our Priority?
So it's Lenten season. My daughter and I attended the Stations of the Cross last Friday at our parish. What a beautiful way to pay homage and truly walk through the last days of the life of our Lord Jesus! We had intended to go every Friday of Lent, but the first one we had to miss. My daughter appeared to be coming down with a serious cold. Thanks to God she was fine the next morning!
My parish is overcrowded every Sunday for mass which makes my heart soar, but for some reason attendance Friday night was bleak. Maybe others were ill given the dreaded Flu season we happen to be in as well. I hope that is the reason (although I don't wish anyone to be sick). The thought that so many feel it is enough to attend only Sunday mass is disheartening. Do we not call upon God when we feel down any day of the week and expect Him to be there to fix it all for us? He isn't some magic genie. He is our heavenly Father, our creator, our very means of existence! So then why not speak with Him throughout every day? The good, the bad and the mundane. Why not attend more masses as possible? Why do we feel He can be left on the back burner until Sunday when we do our "duty" of going to mass? Why can't we make Him a priority in our lives to attend a homage to His love for us. His death on the cross is the ultimate testament of God's unconditional love for us all.
If you want to know the truth about God's love and existence, ask a child. Upon leaving Stations with my daughter (she is 7) she looked deeply wounded. I inquired, wondering if Stations may have been too descriptive for her, what was on her mind. Her response floored me. She said why don't people love God anymore? I said I believe many people do. She said they don't love Him like He loves us, because if they did they wouldn't think skipping Stations of the Cross was acceptable. He is there for us all the time but we only give Him some of our time. She said He must feel so sad to see how much He loves us and how little we love Him. From the mouths of babes comes the truth.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
My parish is overcrowded every Sunday for mass which makes my heart soar, but for some reason attendance Friday night was bleak. Maybe others were ill given the dreaded Flu season we happen to be in as well. I hope that is the reason (although I don't wish anyone to be sick). The thought that so many feel it is enough to attend only Sunday mass is disheartening. Do we not call upon God when we feel down any day of the week and expect Him to be there to fix it all for us? He isn't some magic genie. He is our heavenly Father, our creator, our very means of existence! So then why not speak with Him throughout every day? The good, the bad and the mundane. Why not attend more masses as possible? Why do we feel He can be left on the back burner until Sunday when we do our "duty" of going to mass? Why can't we make Him a priority in our lives to attend a homage to His love for us. His death on the cross is the ultimate testament of God's unconditional love for us all.
If you want to know the truth about God's love and existence, ask a child. Upon leaving Stations with my daughter (she is 7) she looked deeply wounded. I inquired, wondering if Stations may have been too descriptive for her, what was on her mind. Her response floored me. She said why don't people love God anymore? I said I believe many people do. She said they don't love Him like He loves us, because if they did they wouldn't think skipping Stations of the Cross was acceptable. He is there for us all the time but we only give Him some of our time. She said He must feel so sad to see how much He loves us and how little we love Him. From the mouths of babes comes the truth.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Monday, January 22, 2018
Sacrifice and Humility
I took my daughter to the park this past Saturday. We had just finished running errands. Although it's the middle of January in New York, the temperature is in the mid fifties. We weren't the least bit chilly while going store to store across parking lots without our coats. There was a slightly cold breeze that came about here and there.
So there we were at the playground for all of three minutes when I find it is suddenly very cold. That intermittent, somewhat cold, breeze had become icy and frequent. My daughter, clad in her pink puffer and white high tops, felt perfectly snug while happily running from the swing set to the jungle gym and back again. It seems children do not feel the cold as much as adults do. I told her it was too cold to stay very long.
We were the only people there. A half hour had passed and I decided I couldn't take the cold any longer. At that moment two children arrived with their parents. Oh how my daughter's face lit up with excitement! Instead of telling her we were leaving, I encouraged her to make a friend. She did so and was soon zooming all over the playground with her afternoon bestie. As I shivered watching them in all their innocent glory, I recalled a particularly cold day at the park with my own mother, God rest her soul. I was my daughter's age then and everything was covered in snow. The lake was a glorious sheet of sparkling glass. The tips of the trees were adorned with dazzling icicles. To my child eyes, this place was a winter wonderland that needed to be explored! Might I add, this park had three levels and boasts 209 acres!
My mother indulged my desire to walk and see all the beauty there. She loved it too. What her body didn't love was losing feeling. After some time she suggested we start heading home. My reply? "Walk mommy, please." So we continued our adventure.
When we eventually returned home to our apartment across the street she was visibly an ice cube! She hurriedly removed her tattered boots and wet socks and made for the bath. She soaked her frozen feet in hot water and yet she smiled. Despite her pain, she smiled for my joy! When she had thawed, she made us hot cocoa and we talked about all we had seen.
It seems, until we have our own children to sacrifice warm toes or a quiet night for, we never really acknowledge or understand the sacrifices our parents made for us. What about the sacrifice God made for all of us? Can we humble ourselves to recognize and appreciate that? With what all our mothers have done for us, will our Lord and Savior, the one who created mothers, not do more so? Has He not already? What will you sacrifice?
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 3:16
So there we were at the playground for all of three minutes when I find it is suddenly very cold. That intermittent, somewhat cold, breeze had become icy and frequent. My daughter, clad in her pink puffer and white high tops, felt perfectly snug while happily running from the swing set to the jungle gym and back again. It seems children do not feel the cold as much as adults do. I told her it was too cold to stay very long.
We were the only people there. A half hour had passed and I decided I couldn't take the cold any longer. At that moment two children arrived with their parents. Oh how my daughter's face lit up with excitement! Instead of telling her we were leaving, I encouraged her to make a friend. She did so and was soon zooming all over the playground with her afternoon bestie. As I shivered watching them in all their innocent glory, I recalled a particularly cold day at the park with my own mother, God rest her soul. I was my daughter's age then and everything was covered in snow. The lake was a glorious sheet of sparkling glass. The tips of the trees were adorned with dazzling icicles. To my child eyes, this place was a winter wonderland that needed to be explored! Might I add, this park had three levels and boasts 209 acres!
My mother indulged my desire to walk and see all the beauty there. She loved it too. What her body didn't love was losing feeling. After some time she suggested we start heading home. My reply? "Walk mommy, please." So we continued our adventure.
When we eventually returned home to our apartment across the street she was visibly an ice cube! She hurriedly removed her tattered boots and wet socks and made for the bath. She soaked her frozen feet in hot water and yet she smiled. Despite her pain, she smiled for my joy! When she had thawed, she made us hot cocoa and we talked about all we had seen.
It seems, until we have our own children to sacrifice warm toes or a quiet night for, we never really acknowledge or understand the sacrifices our parents made for us. What about the sacrifice God made for all of us? Can we humble ourselves to recognize and appreciate that? With what all our mothers have done for us, will our Lord and Savior, the one who created mothers, not do more so? Has He not already? What will you sacrifice?
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 3:16
Monday, January 15, 2018
Sex Is In...Guess Who's Out
It's amazing to see how much times have changed. Some things for the better for sure, like the end of slavery. In recent years the morale of our society has been falling like a mudslide. Does anyone remember when it was unheard of to swear at work? I sure do, and I am only in my thirties. I wish I could say that was the worst of it. Unfortunately, decorum has disappeared and has been replaced with raunchy sex driven conversations...even in the workplace! Last night's conquest is not something I wish to know about my co-worker. Nor do I wish to know their sexual fetishes and fantasies. Better yet, this is acceptable but Heaven forbid someone mentions God! Imagine saying the phrase "Thank God it's Friday!" and having it met with the correction "Thankfully it's Friday!" followed by "No one is to discuss God here!" As a Catholic, who loves God, this breaks my heart. As a decent human being, save the religious choice, this downright infuriates me. Our society is deteriorating into a cesspool of all things foul are acceptable and all things of morality are condemned. Is this the Twilight Zone? Freedom of speech has to work on all sides but we have entered a time when only the immoral are allowed to have speech. Be careful not to hurt their feelings with the truth! I will not be silenced and I will fight, but I will not fight dirty.
Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.
1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.
1 Corinthians 6:18
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
What's Wrong With Kindness?
When I was a child in school class began with saying good morning. We were taught, by example to be kind, to wait our turn in line, and to just be respectful towards one another. Basic social skills, right? Today my seven year old came home and was a bit upset. She told me that no one even says hello when entering the school building, and no one says good morning upon arrival in the classroom. She stated that an administrator she liked has left the school and has been replaced by one she isn't so fond of. The woman she liked would compliment her and thank her for holding a door open for the next student. Today, she was scolded for holding the door open for the next student behind her. So what is essentially being taught is that kindness is no longer valued. Are we really so rushed and stressed that a moment of kindness costs too much time? Can we truly afford the cost of not spending that moment? Where will society find itself in a month, a year, five years if this unpleasant trend continues?
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