Say yes and then watch...

"We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:28

 

One thing I'm learning, slowly, as I progress along on my journey, is that when God calls us to do something, God also gives us what we need to do it.  We may feel a tug to do something out of our comfort zone.  We may be asked to do something we've never done before and may not be within our skill set.  Or, like me, we may daily be faced with a calendar of appointments and each one is a challenge!  And, just like Mary, we can answer the call, tug, and face the calendar with faith and trust that God will help us meet the challenge.  I think the first thing we need to do is admit that we actually need God's help.  And then we need to be open to watching God work.  God may not do things exactly as we do, so things may play out differently than we expect.  Later, we can look back and be amazed at what God has accomplished through our unwitting selves!  Today, let's step out in faith, ready to watch God work through our day.  Love, heidi

Depart from me!

"When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, 'Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.'"

Luke 5:8

 

I have really enjoyed re-reading the parts of "Jesus: A Pilgrimage" as the Gospel stories come up in the daily readings.  Today, I re-read the chapter on Gennesaret and I loved Fr. James Martin's take on why Peter told Jesus to depart and then, almost immediately, dropped everything to follow Jesus.  According to Fr. Martin, Peter felt unworthy and fearful (fearful in general, fearful of change and also fearful of intimacy).  We all, too, may experience these feelings and thus, not be eager to step out of the boat and follow Jesus.  One line, though, strikes me:  Fr. Martin says, "Jesus knows Peter's weaknesses and call him anyway.  Jesus calls us anyway, too, in spite of our weaknesses." Peter knows he is just a guy--a fisherman.  His humanness shows up time and time again, through his impulsive behavior.  He gets it wrong as often as he gets it right...and yet, he is the man for Jesus.  As Fr. Martin points out, "It took time, after all, for Simon to become Peter."  That is such a wonderful comfort for us, too, Friends.  It takes time for us to become the people Jesus knows we are.  Jesus will never give up on us, and we must never give into the fear and unworthiness we may experience when Jesus calls us!  Love, heidi

The Great Stuff Lesson

"While there is still jealousy and rivalry among you, are you not of the flesh, and walking according to the manner of man?"

1 Corinthians 3:3

 

This reading got me thinking this morning: at what point can we lose our concern for things of the world or of the flesh?  At what point do our yearnings for material things, our petty jealousies and rivalries drift away? The other day at lunch, we were talking about the relative burden of "stuff." It has to be stored, arranged, locked up, and the worst of all--moved. At what point do we cross over from wanting more stuff to letting go of it and freeing ourselves of its burden? I would say the closer we get to God and God's glory, the easier it is to let go of stuff.  It may take until the end of our lives or it may happen as we draw closer to God even here in this world.  My mom was the great teacher of the Stuff Lesson for me.  She went from having to share a dress with her aunt during the Depression, to having two closets full of clothes at her peak, to having everything she owned fit into a small box by the time she went to her glory.  I hope to move to the "small box" stage a bit sooner!  What about you?  Love, heidi

Prayer for today...

"Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you."

St. Thomas Aquinas, as quoted in "Living With Christ"

 

As we begin a new month, new work week, new school year, this prayer is a beautiful way to ask God for exactly what we need! How do each of these elements look in our daily lives?  We cannot know God's ways without studying God's word.  We cannot love like God without turning our hearts over to God--our human hearts just can't love that big.  We can ask God to help us to do what we should do--conduct ourselves with honesty, integrity and compassion. And finally, we wait for God-patiently, and with eager anticipation.  God will answer our prayers and give us exactly what we need to live our lives in love.  Blessings on your new week, month, school year!  Love, heidi

Life-long mission

"St. Monica (332-387 AD)  Born a Christian in North Africa, she married and bore three children..."

Living With Christ

 

We know the story of St. Monica...she was a faithful, devoted mother, whose husband and kids were not exactly the picture perfect family.  She prayed devotedly for them all and was rewarded, just before her death, by her husband and eldest son turning around. I am reminded of an elderly client I had years ago.  She was nearly 100 years old, still living on her own!  One day, she sighed to me, "I'm so worried about my daughter..."  I did a double-take.  "How old is your daughter?" I asked.  "Oh, she's 76.  She just found out she has diabetes."  "Holy cow," I thought.  Then I blurted out to this dear woman, "You mean I have to worry about my kids until they're 76?"  I suddenly realized that this raising children is a life-long mission! I may be 100 years old, but I will still be a mother and concerned about the kids.  Wow. Just wow.  So, we can look to St. Monica, whose oldest ended up turning out pretty well...St. Augustine.  St. Monica, pray for us, as we mother our kids until we take our last breath!  Love, heidi

Scrub your cup!

"You cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence."

Matthew 23:25

 

I always smile at this reading, because I remember, nine years ago, when it was so vividly illustrated to me when son Blaine left for college.  We always called his downstairs bedroom the "Bermuda Triangle" because things disappeared down there, never to be seen again!  After he left, we ventured in and found a cup that had been there for years, with whatever-had-been-in-it dried and crusted.  With a little soaking, bleach, and scrubbing, the cup became like new again.  It is so much easier for me to look like a good girl than it is for me to actually think kind and loving thoughts!  Appearances alone should be enough, shouldn't they? No.  Not according to Jesus.  God looks much more at the inside of our cup than the outside.  God can see the potential of the insides of our cups, and how, with a little soap and scrubbing, we can be made new again.  I tend to think of that scrubbing as the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which sure seems to help me feel clean and bright!  Love, heidi