Let the Children Come to Me

Well, my challenging year seems to be continuing. Since my last blog post, I have lost a very good friend of mine that I've known since childhood and have had pneumonia and a few secondary infections and things that have sidelined me. Through it all, though, I did have some wonderful moments where I saw and talked to good friends, old friends and family members and that is always a great thing, don't you think? Some days I do feel adrift, from the loss and recoveries, but to be honest I do have a very solid prayer life and that always keeps me centered when I take the time each day to say them. I also belong to an on-line novena group that delivers them right to my email address. If you are interested in receiving them as well, visit www.PrayMoreNovenas.com and sign up for them. Another great thing I do for myself is I have the readings of the day delivered right to my email address. You can get them as well by visiting http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings. 

 

Now you too have a few wonderful sources to help you meditate on the readings of the day and enrich your own prayer life. 

 

Over the course of this year I have a had a few people comment on my faith. Some acknowledge how strong it is and others say they wish theirs was as strong. Do you want me to let you in on my secret? I'm nobody special. The only water I can walk on is the same kind that everyone else can walk on, it's called ice. My secret can be summed up into a few short, but powerful, words:

 

Let Go, and Let God.

 

Trust in Him and let Him work in your life. Let's face it, left to our own devices we can and do make some really stupid mistakes. I know I have. To me, the Serenity Prayer hits the sentiment right on the nose when it says, ""God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;  courage to change the things I can;  and wisdom to know the difference."

Certain things in life you can't change and those are the things that you leave up to God. I was just thinking of when I was lying in the hospital for the umpteenth time this past March, with an I.V. attached to my arm and the antibiotic starting to course through my vein, thinking of my own mortality. I was receiving the best medical care, but, that doesn't always conclude with a restoration of health. People die all the time when they seem to be responding to treatments and doing well. When illness strikes  that is the perfect time to surrender yourself totally and completely to Him. If you are meant to be healed, then you will be healed. If not, offer your suffering up to Him for all of the stupid mistakes aka sins, that you have done in the past. It is purifying. That's where the wisdom part comes in. Seek medical attention if you feel something is wrong physically or mentally. God does work through healers but also trust in Him that what is going to happen to you is meant to be. God doesn't make mistakes. People suffer and die. It is part of the human experience but that doesn't mean that we do it alone. God is always with us, even when we don't feel that He is.

I loved the Gospel reading from May 26th. It was Mark 10:13-16: 

 

"People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it. Then he embraced the children and blessed them, placing his hands on them."

 

 

 

Well, what do children do? Children have open hearts and minds and rely solely on their parents or caregivers to provide everything that they need. Since it is physically impossible to go from child to adult to child again (unless you are Benjamin Button), we must do it mentally and spiritually. We must rely on God our Father to guide us in our decisions with the same childlike faith that we had in our parents as ankle-biters. I'm not going to lie, as an adult it is very difficult to do. When you are facing job loss or dwindling finances or lack of food it IS hard to not feel despair, but if you believe in the Lord with all of your heart and mind and proclaim that the Lord will provide, He will provide.  The Lord hears all prayer. The Lord answers all prayer. Just know that your answer and His answer may not be the same. Of course Jesus just loves children too but the scripture meaning is so much deeper than that.

 

Allow yourself to Let Go and Let God into your life. Enrich your relationship with Him, through His word and your prayer life. Trust in Him with a child-like faith and unconditional love. Again, I'm not saying I'm perfect. I'm very much a work in progress, but I have found that letting go and letting God has increased my faith and conviction in Him tenfold and if I could change my life, then anyone can.

Peace, joy and love to you all.

Mare

Boy, Am I Angry

Gospel Lk 9:51-56

"When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled,
he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,
and he sent messengers ahead of him.
On the way they entered a Samaritan village
to prepare for his reception there,
but they would not welcome him
because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.
When the disciples James and John saw this they asked,
"Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven
to consume them?"
Jesus turned and rebuked them,
and they journeyed to another village."

Yesterday I saw an awful post in my personal Facebook feed about the victims of the Las Vegas shooting. It made me so incredibly angry to read it that I didn't comment on it nor use an emoji to share my feelings about it and I just shut down my computer and walked away from it for the remainder of the day. It still makes me angry to think of it today and how close-minded and just awful people can be. Simply stated, the person wrote that the victims were probably all in hell if they hadn't turned their lives to Jesus and accepted Him as their Lord and Savior prior to their deaths. (The person wrote a similar thing after the Orlando shootings.)  What's ironic about that statement is that to assume that you are going to heaven and someone else is going to hell is a sin against the Holy Spirit. Jesus himself said that ALL sins were forgiveable, except those against the Holy Spirit.  There are two sins against the Holy Spirit ~ Despair and Presumption. The post spoke very loud and clear about presumption. Remember the Pharisees? Yeah, that group. They thought they were above everyone else and it was their way or the highway too. Read your Bible. Jesus wasn't a fan of theirs either. (Despair is when you condemn yourself and feel that you, and your sins, are too wretched to merit the saving grace of God btw.)

How timely that the Gospel reading of today deals with a similar event. Jesus rebukes James and John for not only calling out a judgment but also a punishment on the Samaritans that did not welcome Him. Why? Because Jesus is the ONLY just judge who knows the hearts and souls of us all. Who are we to pass judgment on anyone anyway? God help me, even I'm judging the woman that wrote it. Judging and assumption is a slippery slide and one that doesn't necessarily have a very good ending as Jesus said, "Judge, lest you be judged."

Let's stop labeling people and the bullying and the hate. I feel like I'm being bombarded on a daily basis with so much vile and hatred coming from everywhere from the news, entertainment and social media that I've taken to only watching Hallmark movies or nothing at all. I'm sure many of you feel the same way as I do. Worry about your own soul and how you are living your own life and I will do the same. Read your Bible, say your prayers, and leave the judgment up to God of whom, I can assure you, is much more knowledgeable about someone's soul then we are.

God bless and have a PEACEFUL week. Remember to pray for all those that are suffering in the world, particularly in Las Vegas, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Mexico and Montana and for the souls of the dearly departed. May they all rest in peace.

Mare

Nearer My God to Thee

I positively love the song Nearer My God to Thee, which was written by Sarah Flower Adams in 1841 in Loughton, Essex, England. The first to set it to music was Sarah's sister Eliza Flower. The tune I have shared here, without lyrics, is (I believe) that of   John Bacchus Dykes, which is named "Horbury" after a place he found comfort and peace in. Following my thoughts, are the lyrics Ms. Adams wrote, which are just beautiful (IMHO anyway). Hopefully this link to the Youtube video will stay live so that you can enjoy the lovely hymn for yourself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCEfqj9pDAI. It should open in a new window.

When do you feel closest to God? Do you ever feel close to Him or are you too busy during your day to spend a few moments in solitude and prayer? I try to find Him in so many of the little things I do throughout the day, that are part of my humble existence. When I'm washing my dishes, I think of him and thank him for the food he has given me. While washing my clothes, I think of Him and thank Him for clothing me (so do my neighbors, LOL). When I put my feet on the floor in the morning, and every joint in my body seems to scream at me, I think of Him and offer it up to Him as a silent prayer. When I am busy vacuuming, dusting, sweeping, polishing and straightening inside and outside of my house I thank Him for putting a roof over my head. Every little thing you do during your day can bring you closer to God if you offer it up to Him as a blessing or, if suffering, as a sacrifice. Of course, Glory Glory Gifts is doing His work so that definitely makes me feel closer to Him. Yesterday, I continued my efforts to renew and refresh the garden in the backyard by trimming the rose bush and pulling out all of the vines that love to congregate in that general area. All I could think of while doing so was the crown of thorns that was placed on Jesus' head. For me, it was a painful, humbling and poignant experience, as I'm sure you can imagine, and I had gardening gloves to protect my hands. More than once a prickle found some of my bare skin, which drew a yelp from my lips and a trickle of blood. To think that my dear, sweet, Lord, suffered as He did from a crown of them being placed on His head is enough to take my breath away and bring me to my knees. How about you?

Think of the little things in your life that you can offer to God each and every day. Find ways to bring yourself nearer to God. He is, after all, a God of love, mercy and forgiveness. Who doesn't want to be closer to someone like that?

Peace,

Mare

"Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me;

Still all my song shall be nearer, my God, to Thee,

Chorus: Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,

Darkness be over me, my rest a stone;

Yet in my dreams I'd be nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer, etc.

There let the way appear steps unto heav'n;

All that Thou sendest me in mercy giv'n;

Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer, etc.

Then with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,

Out of my stony griefs Bethel I'll raise;

So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer, etc.

Or if on joyful wing, cleaving the sky,

Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upwards I fly,

Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee,

Nearer, etc.

A sixth verse was later added to the hymn by Edward Henry Bickersteth Jr. as follows:^[1]

There in my Father’s home, safe and at rest,

There in my Saviour’s love, perfectly blest;

Age after age to be, nearer my God to Thee,

Nearer, etc."

When God Said Ha!, Ha, Ha, Ha

I'm odd. Not odd like you want to run and hide yourself or your wallet from me odd. I'm just funny, ha, ha odd. Things strike me funny that might not necessarily make someone else laugh, but they do make me laugh. I think that God enjoys a laugh once in a while too sometimes. I don't think He sits there and orchestrates every little thing that happens in people's lives. There is one instance, however, where I think that He had a twinkle in His eye and saw an opportunity that He just couldn't resist.....

It happened on a frigid Christmas Eve night back in the late 90's. One of our local parishes used to have a live nativity in the barn right next to the rectory. On that night, I drove there straight from work. It was a very cold day but when the sun went down, and the wind whipped up, it got quite blustery outside, so I dashed from my car, down the steps and into the barn. There were a few people inside, but because of the cold they bustled away and left me in there alone. The inside is set up so that when you step through the door you walk into an area that has waist-high shelves with bales of hay underneath them. They are against the three walls~ behind you, to your left and in front of you. To your right,  the wall is about 15' away and that is where the animals graze. A 3' fence keeps them in that enclosure and that juts out of the larger barn doors and down the driveway so that the animals have some space to roam. On a cold night like this, though, they were nestled under the stage area, on which the nativity scene was, and huddled around the interior of the barn, rather than outside. Standing in there, looking at the nativity, feeling the air, being engulfed by the silence, is an amazing experience. I stood there for a few moments just breathing in the smell of the hay and letting the stress of the work day evaporate from me. 

It was while I was standing there that I noticed several pieces of mail sitting on the shelf right in front of me. One of them was opened and the letter was just lying there for me to see. It was from a large chain store giving them a discount. I pushed the envelopes around with my gloved finger and there were quite a few of them, but, there was one envelope, unopened, that I could clearly see the address from and well, that one really intrigued me...

I just stood there and looked at it. While standing there I shifted my weight from one leg to the other and cocked my head. My finger reaching up to stroke my chin while I contemplated why they were there in the first place. I had that little niggling nagging going on in my head. Open it, it said. Nobody will know it was you, it said. On the other hand I had another little voice saying, it's none of your business. Leave it alone. Don't touch it. Decisions, decisions. I was so engrossed in my own thoughts that everything around me became unfocused and my fingers now lingered over the mail and my fingertips pushed it around again.  I was probably standing there for a full 3 minutes and finally, just as my hand was closing around that one envelope, a sound EXPLODED in my ear...

MAAAAARRREEEE!!! MAAAAARRRREEEE! 

I almost shot out of my high heeled shoes. Standing next to me, with his head hung over the fence, was the largest freaking goat I had ever seen. I was so engrossed, I never saw it coming. 

Of course, instantaneously I knew that I was about to do something wrong, so I looked up and said, "well played, God. I get it." I scampered out of there like the place was on fire.

When I was leaving, I scooped the mail up in my hands and rang the doorbell of the rectory. It was safely deposited into the hands of the priest that answered the door. Of course, I roared with laughter all the way home, after the shock wore off. In fact, it still makes me laugh all of these years later and I do love to share it too as I am doing here.

I think it was one time that God did say HA to me. How else would the goat know my name? Just kidding folks! Get it? KIDding. Okay, I'll stop now. 

True story and one that I think will put a smile on your face. Have a fabulous week and give someone else a smile. There seems to be a LOT of people that need one these days.

Peace
Mare

No, this is not my "friend". My friend retired from acting in the early 2000's.

Keep CHRIST in Christmas

Crikey, here we go again. Another mall has consumers up in arms because there isn't a Christmas tree  but a small "holiday" tree or Santa is being placed at the end of the long hall to the left of the water fountain on the lower section of the mall near the parking garage. Don't even get me started on the nativity displays which are nowhere to be found. They have been reduced to diorama, shoe box size, or not displayed at all because someone was offended. Who could possibly be offended by a jolly, chubmeister that likes to shower kiddies with presents, but whose ideal probably arose from the legends of St. Nicholas?

What about the Christmas tree? it's origin is linked to the Christians of Germany in the 16th century. They bought them into their homes to decorate with candles for Christmas. Sure, they were used way before the 16th century by the pagans but the German Christians started the Christmas tree tradition.

The nativity, huh, well God only knows when that tradition was started but I think that if I was a betting woman I could pretty much win by a landslide if I said that it was started by the Christians to remind us of why we celebrate Christmas. The first to be recorded historically was one that St. Francis of Assisi created in front of a cave in Greccio, Italy in 1223. He created it because he was sick and tired of the greed and materialism that was rampant in Italy at the time. Can you imagine that today? Greed and Materialism during Christmas? I can't imagine that. HA!  Greed has been around since the very beginning. (Too bad Eve just had to have that darn apple.) I bet materialism started with her too (sorry Eve). I'm naked? I need fig leaves! I need more fig leaves, and more to match the season change. I need a satchel from a sow's ear to carry my apples in.... and on an on...

It makes me wonder just who these offended people are? Hmmm, let us ponder this.

Are they the Muslims? Umm, I don't think so. The vast majority of them are just ordinary people trying to live ordinary lives in a complicated world

Is it the Jewish people? I don't think it is them either. They are too busy at this time of year trying to find blue & white Hanukkah decorations, which are more elusive than the nativity scenes

The Buddhists, Hindus, Taos, Shintus, Wiccans, Sikhs? Nah, they are all pretty passive folks.

So who does that leave? Is it.... wait for it.... those that do not believe in God? Could it be those that do not believe in The Christ, His birth, and the celebrations and traditions surrounding it that are offended by all the hoopla of the season? Ding! Ding! Winner, Winner, Chicken dinner!

Seriously folks, DO NOT go softly into the night. Stand up and fight! CHRIST IS CHRISTMAS.
Christ is the light of the world. Christ is the greatest gift of all. Christ is the love that abounds during this time of joy. Christ is that baby in the manger and the King of Kings. Put up those Christmas trees. Sing those wonderful carols at the top of your lungs. Give presents to those you love. Say Merry Christmas to people you know and meet. Fight for Christmas and all that it stands for before it becomes just another day of sales at your local mall. "God bless us, every one."* Let us stand together as Christians.



Peace,

Mare


*Excerpt from Charles Dickens, "A Christmas Carol"

What We Can Learn From Birds

Okay I will admit it. I am having a terrible day and it is drippy and dreary out to boot. But while I sat, with my teacup in hand, looking out of the window I noticed something. It is pouring out, but the birds hidden in the trees were all singing. Even a bird sitting on a wet wire was answering that call of the wild. Now if they were chattering I would say they were definitely complaining about the weather, but no, it was a sweet, chirpy sound that I heard. I think, as the supposedly, smartest of the species on this earth that we could all learn something from this tiny creature. After all, we have the brain cells to acknowledge God and his workings in our own lives, yet, to us the birds are just tiny creatures that probably do not have any ponderings about God. Their worries are more about where that darn neighborhood cat went that has been eyeing them up and down all week and trying to climb the tree to get them. Worse yet, the pesky squirrel that sneaks into the neighborhood bird feeders that they have to fend off or avoid even though they are starving; they do eat their weight in food a day after all. Even with their tiny worries though, they still take joy in sitting on a branch, even in the rainiest of days, and just singing.

Why do we, smarty pants that we are, throw ourselves the occasional pity parties? We know that God is watching over us, just as he is watching over the birds, and that he loves us and knows our struggles and our shortcomings and guess what? He loves us anyway. My mom used to say, about my dad, I love him warts and all. (No, my dad was not covered in warts.) She loved him unconditionally just as God loves us all.

I have decided that next time I feel like throwing that little pity party for myself that I am going to crank up the music and just sing. (Heaven help my neighbors.) If the birds can sing through the worst of days, well then, so can I. Keep smiling and look! My lilacs are in bloom!

Have a blessed weekend.

Mare