A faithful friend...

"A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure."

Sirach 6:14

After Sam's graduation last weekend, and all the ensuing festivities, Sam and her roommates cleaned out the apartment and all moved on to different adventures in different states. It was hardest for Sam and her friend Jac (Jacqueline). They had been through so much together, since freshmen year! Sam called me in tears, saying they had just said good bye...driving away from the apartment caravan-style at first, and then, one turned one way the other turned the other way. On to their new lives, away from Boise State, and all they had shared. I sat there and cried right along with her. It is heart-breaking, even now, to write this, because I've been there, moving away from dear friends and lives shared. But, like I told Sam, thanks be to God that you have friends that are so hard to leave! It is such a gift to share ourselves with these treasures that God puts into our lives! If we went through our lives without feeling the pain of leaving, it means we never really loved. And that would be such a huge loss. So, today, let's use this scripture to really celebrate our friends. Let's thank God for the treasures in our lives we call friends. Blessings on your Memorial Day weekend! Love, heidi

Adding sin upon sin...

"Of forgiveness be not overconfident, adding sin upon sin."

Sirach 5:5

This really made me think this morning. There is a fine line between appreciating God's infinite mercy and taking advantage of it. I thought about the times I go into Reconciliation with the same ol' sins, time after time. I flashed back to the sister who gave a talk at the Fire Rally who said her priest finally asked her what was she doing to actually change the behavior she was confessing each time. It's one thing to faithfully go to Reconciliation, it's another thing to sincerely try to change our attitudes and behavior! I think, the closer I get to God and the deeper the relationship I have with God, the more sincerely I want to be the person God knows I am. It's less about going through the motions of confessing my sins and more about wanting to be a better person. It's less about taking advantage of God's mercy and more about behaving better because I just love God. Wow. Deep thoughts to ponder! Blessings on your Thursday! Love, heidi

Refuge in distress...

"The salvation of the just is from the Lord, their refuge in time of distress.

The Lord helps and rescues them, rescues and saves them...because in God they take refuge."

Psalm 37:39-40

There I was, enjoying a multi-sensory experience in my backyard this morning. The lilacs are in full-bloom and smell like an expensive perfume. The sun was just rising, illuminating the trees. And there were a variety of birds, singing their morning song, in my neighbor's towering pine tree. It was bliss. And yet, my mind and heart were in Oklahoma. I've never been there, but the devastation from the storms is heart-breaking. Those folks aren't waking up to a beautiful morning today at all. My prayers are with them, especially the families who have lost loved ones. It's a sad and difficult day for our Oklahoma brothers and sisters. May God cradle them, comfort them, and begins to heal their sadness. Love, heidi

In awe of the Big numbers!

"The sand of the seashore, the drops of rain, the days of eternity: who can number these?"

Sirach 1:2

No matter what, at some point we get hit with just how vast our universe is. I remember, years ago, gazing at the innumerable stars overhead as we were camping in Island Park. It just boggled my brain to comprehend how many. It was awe-inspiring! We are blessed to have these moments because they illustrate to us just how big our God is. Think of the big numbers--the grains of sand, the drops of rain, the stars, and then think of how big the Creator who counted each one and placed it in our midst. I know, whoa, right? And to think, that very Creator knit us in our mothers' womb. We are loved, beyond measure, by a Creator who carefully placed our eyelashes, one by one. Today, as we celebrate a May Monday, let's us stand back in awe of our God and the world created by One who loves us--just as we are! Love, heidi