Giving thanks

“In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Happy Thanksgiving!

This Bible verse seems extremely appropriate today, but at Mass this morning, we were challenged to pay attention to the second word:  all. In all circumstances, not just the ones we like or the times we are happy or when we feel moved to do so.  Even (and perhaps especially) when we’re frustrated, hurting, angry, sad and just don’t want to!  

God is all-powerful and all-good, meaning that nothing that happened in our lives is beyond God’s control. However, because God is all-knowing, He may permit something hard or painful or tragic in our lives that He can ultimately work for our eternal good. Because as a good father, He desires our well-being and ultimate happiness, which is only found with Him for eternity.

The challenge (or opportunity) today, and every day, is to give thanks at ALL times; the good, the bad, the ugly, the joyful, the ordinary. Always.

Limiting God

Limiting God - that sounds like it should be the title of a Science Fiction horror; God is limitless!!!  But yet, all to often we do exactly that.  

It sounds absurd, I know!  

How can we, mere humans, begin to contain the Creator of the Universe?

There are more examples of this than you might care to admit.  In today's Gospel, (Mark 6:1-6) Jesus was limited when he began to teach in the synagogue.  This was the same person who, just when he returned to Nazareth, had been welcomed and greeted and received by family, friends and neighbors.  Yet when he spoke the Truth through the Scriptures, their minds and hearts limited what they were willing to receive.  They couldn't get past what they thought they knew, and thus, no mighty deeds were done by Jesus in Nazareth.  How sad is that?!

A New Normal - one day at a time

Today is Mom's birthday.  She would have been 85.  I'm not sure whether this day will be a day of sadness or a day of grace.  Probably both.  Part of me wants to celebrate her life, and the other part wants June 26 to start immediately.  I guess I'm a little gun-shy after the experience of Mother's Day.


Mother's Day.


Who knew such a beautiful holiday could magnify my grief?

All in God's time

Living in the present - being present - living with full awareness.  I do not do these well all of the time, but I'd like to think that I am persistent in my efforts.  I choose my attitude and my effort.  Some days are harder then others.  Yet, through it all, I am aware of God.

God is good.

So naturally, we all wish to respond:  All the time.

And, if we've done that, the next step is:  And all the time . . .

GOD IS GOOD!

Even when there are crappy times and struggles and pain and hurt, our sovereign God is still loving us, reaching for us, inviting us closer.

And so it goes . . .

Church of the Transfiguration - Israel

Life has been rather surprising the past 6 weeks.  When I started writing my Christmas letter for 2015, my focus was on my pilgrimage to the Holy Land, as most everything else in my life was the same . . . At least at that moment in time.

Advent 2015 began much the same as previous years - focus on preparation, worrying about getting things done, and trying to remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas.  There were Christmas parties to plan, and reconciliation service to attend.  It was especially memorable to think that I was preparing for my pilgrimage to the Holy Land just one short year ago.  I felt a new connection to Mary and Joseph and their journey to Bethlehem.  

The week of Christmas was when life took an unexpected turn.  A casual inquiry about a job quickly became an interesting dilemma.  I wasn't looking, and it showed up.  Lots of prayer and thinking happened over the next days.  It quickly became obvious that this could be a huge opportunity for me, which was both scary and exciting.  Despite the fear of change, I felt called to this move.  This was the opportunity to focus on my passion and dream - a full-time job with a basis in my Catholic faith.

The End . . .

. . . of 2014, that is.  Couldn't let the year end without one last post.  This week hasn't been stellar for me.  I'm ringing in the new year with a nasty cold, likely sinus infection, and I've been home sick all week.  Plus I had an emergency trip to the dentist when I cracked a tooth over the weekend.  Not to mention the last-minute details for my trip (hope I'm recovered by then!).  Yuck!  2015 has to be an improvement, right?  It's been very easy to pity myself, but I want to end this year with gratitude and start the new year with an improved attitude.

I have been beyond blessed in 2014, and I am eternally grateful to God for the graces of this year.  I can't possibly compile a list to encompass everything that happened in this year.  Therefore, I would like to share several verses that have spoken to me during tough times, the happy times, and everything in between.

"For I know well the plans I have in mind for you - oracle of the Lord - plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope." 

~Jeremiah 29:11

"Entrust your works to the Lord, and your plans will succeed."  

~Proverbs 16:3

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."  

~1 Peter 4:8

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus."  

~Philippians 4:6-7

"I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.  All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you."  

~Psalms 38:8-9

And thus we end this year and venture into another one.  Blessings to you in 2015!  May you know joy and peace in the new year.  May God's graces continue to shower upon you as we all journey to Heaven. 

With much love,

Dianne

  "So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love."  

~1 Corinthians 13:13  

A grateful heart

There are so many blessings in my life right now.  Even with the stress and fear that the uncertainty of a loved one's health, I am blessed.  It overwhelms me.  I'm listening to my current playlist called 'Meditation' and I am remembering my blessings.  A wonderful evening spent with a kindred soul, a quick text from a friend, a letter in the mail, looking at the smiling face of my goddaughter; all of these things are pieces of my life, things that feed my soul.  What have I done to earn this?  Nothing.  If that's true, then how can I keep these things from slipping away?  I can't.  But I have faith in God, and comfort in the knowledge that God is certain, even if nothing else makes sense.  

I pick up lots of interesting pieces of information and quotes that catch my attention.  I came across this gem again, and it fit so well with my current thoughts, I wanted to share it here:

"Being grateful makes us happy! Not the other way around, we are not necessary grateful when we become happy, however a grateful heart becomes happy without fail! Find something to be grateful about in every moment, I guarantee you, you will know happiness in every moment. You don't have to be grateful for the bad situations, but in every situation, you can chose to find something to be grateful about, to focus on the good, to count your blessings, there is always! Look at the sun, the moon, the stars, how beautiful and how blessed we are have them at our service!!!"  ~Immaculee

I had the privilege of hearing Immaculee speak at an event last year.  Her story is inspirational and amazing.  I highly recommend her books, especially "Left to Tell".  I want to be a person with a grateful heart.  I want to radiate that love and joy in my life.

Prayer - Lord, I am so easily overwhelmed in my life that I lose focus on You.  Help me to see with the eyes of my heart and to know the beauty that exists even in the midst of sadness and pain.  You are my constant. 

Small blessings

I can't see things getting much better right now.  Tonight is a perfect Advent evening.  Mr. J and I are hanging out, and he once again reminds me that the simple things are enough.  He is currently asleep on my lap, Christmas music is playing, and the only light is the Christmas tree.  When did life get so complicated and busy?  It takes the eyes of a child to really see. 

[Interrupt for a doorbell that woke the sleeping baby :(]

After the rude awakening, we managed some snuggles, but Mr. J has since left and I am free to type with both hands.  As I was holding him, my thinking varied between enjoyment and reverence to mental to-do lists and plans of attack for said list.  I did wonder why the 'stuff' mattered so much?  Yes, I have things to do and places to be, but none of them are more important than taking a moment to give thanks to God for such a blessing as tonight.  

Prayer - Lord, thank you for the simple blessings.  Help me to recognize and appreciate them when they happen.

The End . . . and The Beginning

Happy New Year!  

I am not a month early, nor am I looking at a cultural calendar.  The First Sunday of Advent is the beginning of a new liturgical year in the Catholic Church.  So today is a day of reflection on the last year and anticipation of the coming year.

As everyone knows, New Year celebrations often include New Year's resolutions.  Perhaps we can make some spiritual resolutions for this coming liturgical year.  

The grace of music

Tonight I did something special.  I played the piano for Jesus.  It was after a wedding rehearsal, and everyone else had left, and I could just play for Jesus.  The sun was setting, lighting up the windows of our church, and I just enjoyed making music.  As I was playing, I thought to myself, "Why don't I do this more often?"  Hmm.  Well, if you know me at all, you know I tend to keep my schedule 'full'.  So, the answer seemed obvious.  But it was something about the time I spent there that soothed my soul like nothing has in the past few weeks of my busy life.

Yes, it was good that I stopped to just be, but I think that there were 2 other pieces that made it even more soul-touching:  1)  I was making music, and 2)  I was aware of God's presence.

Music is an amazing thing.  I feel so very blessed that I am gifted with music.  I love singing and playing, enjoying and listening to music.  It speaks to me in a way that words can't describe.  I pray best through music.  Music is my prayer.  Music has the power to express emotions that words can't touch.  Without music, I feel less alive.  So, taking the time to make music was an opportunity for my soul to bloom.  I played a variety of songs, and I ended with a favorite that is fun to play and has a beautiful melody.  As I listened to the last note fade in the church, I felt peace.  I hope I never take this joy for granted.

While I was playing, I imagined God smiling at me.  Probably the indulgent smile of a parent who sees their child experiencing a simple joy.  I also imagined that God was also wondering why I waited so long to do this.  You see, I used to go and play just for Jesus every week when I was growing up.  I'm not talking about playing for a liturgy or church event.  My parents always kept a holy hour of Eucharist Adoration every week, and when I went, I would play the piano.  It always felt different at church.  My music was more . . . . . . everything!  The notes were right, the songs were uplifting, and it was just better.  I don't attribute this to a better piano or improved acoustics.  It's because I was very aware of my audience.  It's hard to miss Jesus when the tabernacle is in the same room!  The same was true tonight.  My music sounded sweeter than anything I could play at home.  I'm not saying I can only play for Jesus in a church, but the environment certainly impacted my awareness.  Yes, God is everywhere.  But being on holy ground, in a sacred place, with Christ present is almost beyond words.  It makes the good stuff even better.

In our catechism study last week, we looked at the section on singing and music (yay!).  I especially appreciated the quote from St. Augustine, "He who sings prays twice."  [please note that it doesn't say he who sings well prays twice - any singing will do!]  When I heard Immaculee Ilibagiza speak (her website is here), she emphasized how beautiful music is to Our Mother Mary.  Music drops defenses and allows our souls to open.  I encourage, no, I beseech you to use music as a way to open your soul to God.  The next time you are in church, fully participate in the music.  It can be intimidating, but God is not glorified by our self-consciousness.  We must act with holy boldness so we can praise God with our full, active, and conscious participation, both in our liturgies and in our lives.  

Prayer - God, thank you for the gift of music.  I can open myself to You through song.  I want to find the joy in every act; help me to see the blessings all around me.  "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.  My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him."  ~Psalm 28:7

Thankful Thursday 8-29

Life is very full right now.  There are so many things for which to be thankful.  Currently, I'm working on cultivating an awareness of the little things in life.  Getting an email from a friend, receiving a quick text that says 'hello', or sharing a smile with a co-worker.  It's too easy to only focus on the 'big events', that we miss the simple graces in life.

For what simple grace are you thankful?

Prayer - Lord, help me to appreciate the simple blessings in my life.  I keep myself busy and distracted, and I don't want to miss the moments of grace.  Open my mind, my heart, and my eyes to You.  

Blessings

Tonight I held my great-niece for the first time, and she was just barely 24 hours old.  She is so precious and amazing, I am in awe of her perfection.  She still has the Heaven smell, of innocence and purity.  I imagine God cradling her as she grew in her mother's womb, preparing her for this time and place.  As I was holding her, all I wanted to do was pray.  I held this tangible link to Heaven, and I couldn't get enough.  Maybe that's why we are drawn to babies; we know that they emanate God, and we just soak it up.  I'm not really sure when exactly we start hiding that love or when we sever that link to God (or at least try to).  Tonight, I was reminded of how much God loves us, no matter what.  Just as we look at a sweet baby with love, God constantly embraces us like that, even when we are yucky and hurtful and covered in human sins.  God's love is bigger than anything we can imagine.

Prayer - God of Love, help us to be open to Your love.  You came to earth so that we might relate to You, and You have a love so perfect, we cannot comprehend it.  Help me to accept this love and to trust in it.  My human knowledge of love is so limited when compared to You.  May I live my life secure in Your love.