Learning lessons can be difficult for us sometimes. We can get so caught up in the routine of life, that even the occasional stuff has its patterns. I didn't really realize how much it affects me when I have my children for a short time and take them back to their mother, until it was recently pointed out that every time I take them back I go back into a state of despair.
The reality is that I get so physically drained and bummed that the devil reaches up and tries to pull me down and keep me there. Maintaining an awareness of the devil's dirty tricks is a big help in fighting them, but we can't fight him on our own. He attacks when we are at our weakest, and that is why it is so important to persevere in our prayer life. Stick to the habits that we develop when we are closer to God, even when we are having times that we just "don't feel it," so that God can shield us from the devil.
Lord lift up all those who are struggling with difficult circumstances. Those who are following your path and those who have fallen or never found you. Wrap them in your loving arms and help them to know that we love them, even those who have wronged us.~Amen
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Physical and Spiritual Health
I recently came to a realization that with everything that has been going on in my life, I have been gaining quite a bit of weight! It has been mentioned by a person or two that feels they know me well enough to say so. When I decided to start doing something about it, I stepped on the scale to get a base starting point. Could that be right? Could I have really let myself get 80 pounds overweight?
This really does bring me back to the point of striving for balance in my life. God wants our praise and love, but physical fitness is important too. We shouldn't be neglecting our own health. Now, I'm not saying that I couldn't do with cutting back on the snacks, but all of my attention has been focused on everything but diet and exercise.
Right now, I have been going through a couple of rough weeks of sickness, fatigue, and borderline depression. To an extent I have even been neglecting my prayer life. In an effort to reestablish some balance and peace in my life, I am starting to focus some on losing weight. Now that I have brought some new routines in, its time to filter in the things I have been doing and try to make everything balance out. I know it will only work if I allow Him to take the wheel back.
This really does bring me back to the point of striving for balance in my life. God wants our praise and love, but physical fitness is important too. We shouldn't be neglecting our own health. Now, I'm not saying that I couldn't do with cutting back on the snacks, but all of my attention has been focused on everything but diet and exercise.
Right now, I have been going through a couple of rough weeks of sickness, fatigue, and borderline depression. To an extent I have even been neglecting my prayer life. In an effort to reestablish some balance and peace in my life, I am starting to focus some on losing weight. Now that I have brought some new routines in, its time to filter in the things I have been doing and try to make everything balance out. I know it will only work if I allow Him to take the wheel back.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Happy 2013
With the celebrations of Christmas and New Year's and all the driving to transport my children from their mothers to here and back again, it has been an exhausting but incredible month.
Here at the start of a new year, its time that many of us examine our lives, and make resolutions to "do this," or "stop that." I have decided this year to do this by resolving to eat healthier and get back to exercising. Over the last year, I have become increasingly aware of the amount of weight I have gained since the need for bicycle commuting was made nil. With the help of my Lord, I expect to be back to riding my bicycle routinely a minimum of 5 miles a day by late April.
The time constraints of my schedule (not to mention the addition of 45 pounds)have changed my situation for riding to work every day. I refuse to give up serving at daily Mass just to get out the door a couple minutes earlier, so I need to get myself back in shape so that the time required to travel 3 miles on bicycle fits the schedule. This is going to take training, dedication, and a lot of prayer.
Please pray with me: Heavenly Father, we offer every part of our days to your service. Help us to accomplish our goals to keep ourselves healthy enough to continue all the things you have in store for us. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Here at the start of a new year, its time that many of us examine our lives, and make resolutions to "do this," or "stop that." I have decided this year to do this by resolving to eat healthier and get back to exercising. Over the last year, I have become increasingly aware of the amount of weight I have gained since the need for bicycle commuting was made nil. With the help of my Lord, I expect to be back to riding my bicycle routinely a minimum of 5 miles a day by late April.
The time constraints of my schedule (not to mention the addition of 45 pounds)have changed my situation for riding to work every day. I refuse to give up serving at daily Mass just to get out the door a couple minutes earlier, so I need to get myself back in shape so that the time required to travel 3 miles on bicycle fits the schedule. This is going to take training, dedication, and a lot of prayer.
Please pray with me: Heavenly Father, we offer every part of our days to your service. Help us to accomplish our goals to keep ourselves healthy enough to continue all the things you have in store for us. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Bottom or Top
As we approach the 1-year mark of the point that I was blessed to receive the gift of a car, I find myself more dependent on that car than I ever expected to be. I didn't realize just how much I did rely on that car until last week when it broke down on me. There comes a point when it just isn't worth putting more money into a car that still won't get me everywhere I need to go.
While attempting to do the repairs myself, I found a possible replacement that might be a better option. This weekend is full of faith filled moments, between dealing with a car situation and working and a very busy weekend for the RCIA. I am happy to be sponsoring someone this year and we had a retreat plus the rite of Acceptance/Welcome.
It's amazing how things can be so crazy busy things can be and seem to be hitting the bottom, but at the same time they are better than ever. I guess it just proves once again how much faith can do. Jesus I Trust in You!
While attempting to do the repairs myself, I found a possible replacement that might be a better option. This weekend is full of faith filled moments, between dealing with a car situation and working and a very busy weekend for the RCIA. I am happy to be sponsoring someone this year and we had a retreat plus the rite of Acceptance/Welcome.
It's amazing how things can be so crazy busy things can be and seem to be hitting the bottom, but at the same time they are better than ever. I guess it just proves once again how much faith can do. Jesus I Trust in You!
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Happy Thanksgiving!
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| Sunrise in New York |
This Thanksgiving was one that will be remembered for a lifetime! Long drives and getting together with family that has not been together in many years. God blessed the journey with gorgeous weather, and beautiful scenery. We had a light snow on the last day just to remind us what time of year it really is.
Friday morning my daughter and I watched the Sun rise together! I couldn't have asked for a better back drop. Only God could paint a picture like this, and I was able to watch it and to watch her watch it. Thank you Lord for the abundant fruits of my life...Thank you for opportunities like this to help me slow down and appreciate this amazing creation of yours and share it with my children. You are Glorious!
This trip reminded me not to get so wrapped up in the mechanics of worship and prayer that you forget to be present in this life and celebrate what He made for us. Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
In light of the Dark!
With Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years approaching, the focus should be on faith and family, and filled with joy, peace, and happiness. For many people this merely means higher stress levels and loneliness with a side order of depression. For a large part of my life, I have fallen into the later of these categories.
The biggest stress for me and for many has always been making enough money to pay for all this STUFF. Sometimes its even just to pay back debts. Then there are all the charities that are asking for our money this time of year, knowing that this is the time when people are the most "giving." I prefer to offer myself instead of the money that in many ways, already belongs to someone else.
If all these local priests in their 70's and 80's can keep serving our parishes where we need help, there is no reason the rest of us can't serve them. I could easily spend more hours working and make more money and faster to cover my budget strain, but if I did, I wouldn't have time to do what God asks of me. If I'm not doing His will, I won't get very far! Experience tells me that much, at least.
Through faith and prayer, I am not worried about this year at all. I am looking forward to seeing my children twice in the next two months, and I'm even not really dreading the long drive. With 3,800 miles of driving to do in the next two months, I think its time for an audio bible or other inspirational talks that will keep my mind from wondering to bad places. I know that God will get me through whatever weather I encounter and any struggles will be another opportunity to grow. The same rules apply to every other day of the year. Bring it on!
The biggest stress for me and for many has always been making enough money to pay for all this STUFF. Sometimes its even just to pay back debts. Then there are all the charities that are asking for our money this time of year, knowing that this is the time when people are the most "giving." I prefer to offer myself instead of the money that in many ways, already belongs to someone else.
If all these local priests in their 70's and 80's can keep serving our parishes where we need help, there is no reason the rest of us can't serve them. I could easily spend more hours working and make more money and faster to cover my budget strain, but if I did, I wouldn't have time to do what God asks of me. If I'm not doing His will, I won't get very far! Experience tells me that much, at least.
Through faith and prayer, I am not worried about this year at all. I am looking forward to seeing my children twice in the next two months, and I'm even not really dreading the long drive. With 3,800 miles of driving to do in the next two months, I think its time for an audio bible or other inspirational talks that will keep my mind from wondering to bad places. I know that God will get me through whatever weather I encounter and any struggles will be another opportunity to grow. The same rules apply to every other day of the year. Bring it on!
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Hello again!
It was brought to my attention this morning that I haven't posted anything for quite some time. It's possible that I was a bit more ambitious about this project from the start than later on. It really testifies to the reality of our spiritual lives.
It doesn't take long to come up with the words to get a message out there, especially when you call upon the help of the Holy Spirit. The time can be found anywhere, so it really tends to be about the motivation and memory. By now, I'm sure that you can tell that I have a busy life.
The truth is, I work two jobs, serve at Mass daily, help with our parish RCIA, provide spiritual reflections for our local Knights of Columbus council, pray the Liturgy of the Hours daily, try to volunteer with other various projects throughout the year, and now I'm trying to get this blog going too. And that's what I do while my kids are at their mother's house.
My next goal is to get back to school. I know that I am perfectly capable of making time for it...and knowing me, I will try to keep up all the other stuff too...but the fact remains that I'm not quite sure how I will pay for it. Surely, God will provide! I will be looking into and applying for a local school in the near future, and I only ask for prayers. The more prayers the better...It's going to be a difficult road ahead...Jesus and I will be able to get through it.
May the Lord bless all those who bear their cross and gladly take on more for the good of all!
It doesn't take long to come up with the words to get a message out there, especially when you call upon the help of the Holy Spirit. The time can be found anywhere, so it really tends to be about the motivation and memory. By now, I'm sure that you can tell that I have a busy life.
The truth is, I work two jobs, serve at Mass daily, help with our parish RCIA, provide spiritual reflections for our local Knights of Columbus council, pray the Liturgy of the Hours daily, try to volunteer with other various projects throughout the year, and now I'm trying to get this blog going too. And that's what I do while my kids are at their mother's house.
My next goal is to get back to school. I know that I am perfectly capable of making time for it...and knowing me, I will try to keep up all the other stuff too...but the fact remains that I'm not quite sure how I will pay for it. Surely, God will provide! I will be looking into and applying for a local school in the near future, and I only ask for prayers. The more prayers the better...It's going to be a difficult road ahead...Jesus and I will be able to get through it.
May the Lord bless all those who bear their cross and gladly take on more for the good of all!
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