My gratitude seems so inadequate when compared to the gifts I've been given. What a generous and loving God we have! I am thankful for nature, especially as I listen to the wind blow outside. I always think of the Holy Spirit movin' in the wind. Might be why I really like windy days (as long as I'm not wearing a hat, that is!).
To our Triune God - thank you for the miracles in nature and for blessing me with my senses so I can experience them. The sounds, smells, sights, feel, and taste of nature is beyond compare when I stop to truly experience Your creation. May I never take this for granted.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Thursday, October 03, 2013
Thankful Thursday 10-3
So many things for which to be thankful, but I'd especially like to express gratitude for my parents. They will celebrate their 61st wedding anniversary on October 7th, which also happens to be the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Please join me in thanking God for my parents, and all who have molded, guided, modeled, and shaped us. Well done, God. Well done. :)
Prayer - God of Creation, Your knowledge is beyond comprehension. Help me to continue to trust in You at all times, for You are worthy of all praise. I wish to express my gratitude for the abundance of blessings in my life, especially for the relationships I have encountered. May I never take them for granted.
Prayer - God of Creation, Your knowledge is beyond comprehension. Help me to continue to trust in You at all times, for You are worthy of all praise. I wish to express my gratitude for the abundance of blessings in my life, especially for the relationships I have encountered. May I never take them for granted.
Wednesday, October 02, 2013
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
http://usccb.org/bible/readings/100613.cfm
Quick recap:
1st reading - Habakkuk - a plea to God
Psalm 95 - If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Epistle - 2 Timothy - just do it! as in holy boldness
Gospel - Luke 17 - the apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith. His response - if you have faith the size of a mustard seed . . .
The reflections in Living Liturgy for this week focus on faith. It said that we must remember that, "faith is more a verb than a noun." I like this concept. I used to think of faith in terms of nouns. Don't laugh. Consider it this way: to me, faith has been a thing (remember, a noun is a person, place, thing, or idea - thank you Miss Nase) that just existed. It didn't move (verb), it didn't grow (verb). I thought of it in passive terms. The reality is, faith isn't a book on the shelf that we pull down once a week for church. It grows with us, just as we grow from a baby to a child, to an adult. Or, it should grow with us. That's the other bit about faith - if we don't use it, it remains a bump on a log. Without our full, conscious, and active participation, faith remains a noun. It is simply 'there'. You could even liken it to a healthy lifestyle. If you don't move, you can't improve. Mentally willing pounds away doesn't actually make it happen. You need a lot of verbs in action - exercise, move, dance, jump, sweat, lift, run, walk, bike, etc. - as a part of your healthy lifestyle. So it is with faith. You don't wake up one day and announce to the world that you have arrived at the place of spiritual enlightenment and need travel no further. Because if you get to that point, you're probably dead.
Another a-ha moment for me: the idea that faith is expressed in the everyday pieces of life. Yes, there can be amazing God-moments and times of wonderment and spiritual fulfillment, but the stable foundation for faith is built in the simple, everyday tasks. When we go about our day with love, we express faith. In the little things, we can show great faith. The same with health. It may not seem like a big deal to add a sweet treat into your day or skip a workout, but in the big picture, you get a momentary pleasure (likely followed by guilt) and a setback. It is hard to be faithful, both to health and faith itself. Struggle is to be expected; temptation is all around. But, if we are honest, we know it is the right thing to do, whether for health or our faith. As stated in Living Liturgy,
Prayer - Lord, You tell us that faith the size of a mustard seed can do amazing things. I want to have that faith. Grant me the desire to increase my faith and to be faithful to You.
Quick recap:
1st reading - Habakkuk - a plea to God
Psalm 95 - If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Epistle - 2 Timothy - just do it! as in holy boldness
Gospel - Luke 17 - the apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith. His response - if you have faith the size of a mustard seed . . .
The reflections in Living Liturgy for this week focus on faith. It said that we must remember that, "faith is more a verb than a noun." I like this concept. I used to think of faith in terms of nouns. Don't laugh. Consider it this way: to me, faith has been a thing (remember, a noun is a person, place, thing, or idea - thank you Miss Nase) that just existed. It didn't move (verb), it didn't grow (verb). I thought of it in passive terms. The reality is, faith isn't a book on the shelf that we pull down once a week for church. It grows with us, just as we grow from a baby to a child, to an adult. Or, it should grow with us. That's the other bit about faith - if we don't use it, it remains a bump on a log. Without our full, conscious, and active participation, faith remains a noun. It is simply 'there'. You could even liken it to a healthy lifestyle. If you don't move, you can't improve. Mentally willing pounds away doesn't actually make it happen. You need a lot of verbs in action - exercise, move, dance, jump, sweat, lift, run, walk, bike, etc. - as a part of your healthy lifestyle. So it is with faith. You don't wake up one day and announce to the world that you have arrived at the place of spiritual enlightenment and need travel no further. Because if you get to that point, you're probably dead.
Another a-ha moment for me: the idea that faith is expressed in the everyday pieces of life. Yes, there can be amazing God-moments and times of wonderment and spiritual fulfillment, but the stable foundation for faith is built in the simple, everyday tasks. When we go about our day with love, we express faith. In the little things, we can show great faith. The same with health. It may not seem like a big deal to add a sweet treat into your day or skip a workout, but in the big picture, you get a momentary pleasure (likely followed by guilt) and a setback. It is hard to be faithful, both to health and faith itself. Struggle is to be expected; temptation is all around. But, if we are honest, we know it is the right thing to do, whether for health or our faith. As stated in Living Liturgy,
"The faithful disciple of Jesus is never finished serving. The faith of a disciple is never finished increasing."Challenge - pick an everyday task that you do and do it with love. Do that task to the absolute best of your ability. Express your delight for God's gift of faith through this action. Bonus challenge - add a healthy activity to your schedule and be faithful to it this week.
Prayer - Lord, You tell us that faith the size of a mustard seed can do amazing things. I want to have that faith. Grant me the desire to increase my faith and to be faithful to You.
Lean on Me
This song has been a standard in my playlist for years, and I wanted to share it with you.
Prayer - Lord, I struggle to admit my needs, believing that it makes me weak or incapable. Help me to recognize that my challenges have a twofold purpose: 1) to allow others the opportunity to minister, and 2) to relinquish control (especially since thinking I am in control is generally an illusion!). It may not be easy, but with Your grace, it is possible.
Lean on Me
Sometimes in our lives
We all have pain, we all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow
Lean on me when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on
Please, swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you won't let show
You just call on me, brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on
Lean on me when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on
You just call on me, brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on
If there is a load
You have to bear that you can't carry
I'm right up the road, I'll share your load
If you just call me
Call me (If you need a friend)
Call me (Call me uh-huh)
Call me (When you need a friend)
Call me (If you ever need a friend)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (If you need a friend)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me
We all have pain, we all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow
Lean on me when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on
Please, swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you won't let show
You just call on me, brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on
Lean on me when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on
You just call on me, brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on
If there is a load
You have to bear that you can't carry
I'm right up the road, I'll share your load
If you just call me
Call me (If you need a friend)
Call me (Call me uh-huh)
Call me (When you need a friend)
Call me (If you ever need a friend)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (If you need a friend)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me
I appreciate the honesty of the music, and the ability to admit that things aren't perfect. No one likes to fail or . . . gasp . . . have others think we are less than perfect. (as if that is even possible!) But as the song states, sometimes we just need help from someone. I know I would prefer to be in a position of helping someone else rather than needing help myself. It basically stems back to the desire for control. I know, I'm working on it. But in the meantime, I can use a reminder from the song to help me let go.
Prayer - Lord, I struggle to admit my needs, believing that it makes me weak or incapable. Help me to recognize that my challenges have a twofold purpose: 1) to allow others the opportunity to minister, and 2) to relinquish control (especially since thinking I am in control is generally an illusion!). It may not be easy, but with Your grace, it is possible.
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
Health
Why do I exercise?
I recently was asked this question at my gym. We are in the midst of the "Stupendous Chase" - trekking across the U.S.A. in teams of 4 - and our leader wanted to know the answer to this question. My first response was, duh, 'To win . . . 'cause it's a competition.' I know that's only a short term answer; yes, we have a great activity with competition and camaraderie, but what happens after that? If I don't have some internal motivation, where will I go from here?
So, I wanted to start back at the beginning. Not exactly sure that I had one particular moment of precise clarity. Rather, it was more of a general awakening to my life and current circumstances. I wasn't happy. Not that was I miserable or particularly un-happy, but I wasn't a happy person. Sometimes it was a struggle to move (mentally more-so than physically), and I had bouts of depression, laced with apathy and overall tiredness. Life felt blah. Little by little, I started attempting change. My parents were a big support and source of encouragement. I was ready for a change, and they provided the push to get me started. My niece, Tasha, was another influence. She was interested in health and wellness, and we would talk about apps like MyFitnessPal and I just knew that after her shoulder healed, we would become work-out buddies (with her likely pushing me to test my limits and stamina!). She died in a car accident that July, and my goal became a little more clear and a lot more dear to me. Grief decreased my appetite for a while, so I got a bit of an unintended jump start on my journey. Then I was invited to participate in a Couch to 5K. Talk about terrifying. But with other family members participating, I decided that this was the next step. I'd always wanted to do a race, although it seemed very far-fetched. Towards the end of that training program, I learned about a program at my gym called 'Choose to Lose'. This was an amazing 16 week program with great teachers and I learned so much. Before that time, I didn't realize how much I was hurting my own body with poor choices in food. I had been in a vicious cycle - I would eat something (such as greasy pizza or empty-calorie donut), then feel yucky and lack energy, so I wouldn't get up and move, let alone exercise, and then I would get lethargic and try to fill the void with more bad food. Rinse, repeat, and go deeper into the spiral. In our classes, I was exposed to exercise and good nutrition. For a while I went kind of crazy with my food journal and meal plans. It felt good to be in control of food, instead of the other way around.
It's been a year since that class, and I feel great. I'm still on the healthy lifestyle path, and I know that I will be for the rest of my life. This is not a destination, it's a journey. I've had a few detours and roadblocks, but I'm happy with me. Although ignorance is bliss, I can't mindlessly eat junk food anymore. If I do, my body cannot function at its best, and that has become more important to me. I want to become the best version of myself in all areas - physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Exercise is a part of that equation. I believe I was created by God for a purpose, and I can more fully respond to that call when I am whole and healthy.
So, why do I exercise? Because it is the right thing to do. Because I want to do more 5Ks. Because I like how I feel when I'm healthy. Because I want to do more than I thought possible. Because God created me to do things that only I can do. I joined the Stupendous Chase for the motivation to keep going. But I'm going to keep exercising because I'm worth it. I can't wait to see what the future holds!
I recently was asked this question at my gym. We are in the midst of the "Stupendous Chase" - trekking across the U.S.A. in teams of 4 - and our leader wanted to know the answer to this question. My first response was, duh, 'To win . . . 'cause it's a competition.' I know that's only a short term answer; yes, we have a great activity with competition and camaraderie, but what happens after that? If I don't have some internal motivation, where will I go from here?
So, I wanted to start back at the beginning. Not exactly sure that I had one particular moment of precise clarity. Rather, it was more of a general awakening to my life and current circumstances. I wasn't happy. Not that was I miserable or particularly un-happy, but I wasn't a happy person. Sometimes it was a struggle to move (mentally more-so than physically), and I had bouts of depression, laced with apathy and overall tiredness. Life felt blah. Little by little, I started attempting change. My parents were a big support and source of encouragement. I was ready for a change, and they provided the push to get me started. My niece, Tasha, was another influence. She was interested in health and wellness, and we would talk about apps like MyFitnessPal and I just knew that after her shoulder healed, we would become work-out buddies (with her likely pushing me to test my limits and stamina!). She died in a car accident that July, and my goal became a little more clear and a lot more dear to me. Grief decreased my appetite for a while, so I got a bit of an unintended jump start on my journey. Then I was invited to participate in a Couch to 5K. Talk about terrifying. But with other family members participating, I decided that this was the next step. I'd always wanted to do a race, although it seemed very far-fetched. Towards the end of that training program, I learned about a program at my gym called 'Choose to Lose'. This was an amazing 16 week program with great teachers and I learned so much. Before that time, I didn't realize how much I was hurting my own body with poor choices in food. I had been in a vicious cycle - I would eat something (such as greasy pizza or empty-calorie donut), then feel yucky and lack energy, so I wouldn't get up and move, let alone exercise, and then I would get lethargic and try to fill the void with more bad food. Rinse, repeat, and go deeper into the spiral. In our classes, I was exposed to exercise and good nutrition. For a while I went kind of crazy with my food journal and meal plans. It felt good to be in control of food, instead of the other way around.
It's been a year since that class, and I feel great. I'm still on the healthy lifestyle path, and I know that I will be for the rest of my life. This is not a destination, it's a journey. I've had a few detours and roadblocks, but I'm happy with me. Although ignorance is bliss, I can't mindlessly eat junk food anymore. If I do, my body cannot function at its best, and that has become more important to me. I want to become the best version of myself in all areas - physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Exercise is a part of that equation. I believe I was created by God for a purpose, and I can more fully respond to that call when I am whole and healthy.
So, why do I exercise? Because it is the right thing to do. Because I want to do more 5Ks. Because I like how I feel when I'm healthy. Because I want to do more than I thought possible. Because God created me to do things that only I can do. I joined the Stupendous Chase for the motivation to keep going. But I'm going to keep exercising because I'm worth it. I can't wait to see what the future holds!
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