May 27, 2011
7 quick takes
-1- I love Adele. Local pop stations are playing her now, which is exciting. I don't know much about her, but I will say I LOVE her style. Clearly she's a little bit bigger - like me - and I'd love to pull off her look.
-2- When looking to celebrities for inspiration I need to remember that if they have kids, those kids were not around when the pictures I am drooling over were being taken. I also need to remember that they have a much bigger wardrobe budget than I.
-3- Today is Travis' last day of work. (My husband is a teacher.) I am so excited! Frankly, with all the crap that's happening in education right now I think it'll be really good for Travis to have this break. The state government is wanting to take more money away from teachers, which is a good idea if you want to attract crappy teachers.
-4- Does anyone know if there's anything you can do with rhubarb besides bake it into desserts? I'd love recipes if you have any.
-5- I watched the final episode of Oprah. I did not cry (though I thought I would). I like Oprah, I like the way she is herself. I did not watch every show, not even most of them, since the four o'clock hour is also dinner prep time and not all topics were kid friendly. I also didn't watch the ones that promoted perspectives I disagree with (moral relativism and new age-y stuff). But I liked her favorite things and when she interviewed celebrities. :)
-6- We're supposed to get central air soon! (Thank you, tax refund!) I'm hoping it happens before the temperature gets over 85 again. I hate heat. And I hate humidity. But I love ac. Sweet, sweet air conditioning...
-7- I am reading a really interesting book right now called Pop Goes Religion by Terry Mattingly. It's a collection of his newspaper columns spanning the late nineties through about 2005. There's a lot of perspectives - Jewish, Catholic, evangelical - represented as they discuss film, tv, music, and how media has shaped our culture and the way we believe and worship. My favorite point made so far is that Christianity used to shape the culture but we are now shaped by it. Wow. And ouch.
May 24, 2011
What I want for my 30th birthday
Wonder blogger Hallie Lord is beginning a new career as a Personal Shopper. She has a variety of packages, all which include an hour long phone consultation and an inspiration board featuring outfit(s) that are available for purchase online. Prices range from $25 - $150. Totally worth it. Plus, she promises to work with her customers until they are satisfied.
Personally, I'd like the Consultation:
Do you prefer to do your own shopping but aren’t sure where to begin? Let’s chat! I’ll give you some tips over the phone and then create a storyboard just for you illustrating my suggestions so that you can go out and shop more fruitfully!
I am in serious need of some help for how to dress a fat body that looks 7 months pregnant. Especially now that I'm almost 30 and the mother of 3. What the heck is even appropriate for me to wear now that I'm not young and hot?
If you're interested in hiring Hallie, or in getting a gift certificate for someone (that's not a cheap attempt to get one of you to buy me a gift certificate - I'm just saying they're available!) please check out her site here!
Personally, I'd like the Consultation:
Do you prefer to do your own shopping but aren’t sure where to begin? Let’s chat! I’ll give you some tips over the phone and then create a storyboard just for you illustrating my suggestions so that you can go out and shop more fruitfully!
I am in serious need of some help for how to dress a fat body that looks 7 months pregnant. Especially now that I'm almost 30 and the mother of 3. What the heck is even appropriate for me to wear now that I'm not young and hot?
If you're interested in hiring Hallie, or in getting a gift certificate for someone (that's not a cheap attempt to get one of you to buy me a gift certificate - I'm just saying they're available!) please check out her site here!
what do we want from the church?
I'm almost 30. My husband and I have 3 very little kids. I am fortunate to be a stay at home mom. My husband and I are too old for youth group and FOCUS. He wants more than just a Men's Club that fries fish once during Lent and otherwise holds business meetings and plays poker. I want more than the female version of the Men's Club or another Moms' playgroup. (Although I am very, very blessed to have some excellent Catholic moms' groups to which I attend.)
We want something we can do together with other couples. We want to be around other Catholics in their 20's and 30's who are striving for holiness while living our their vocations. We want to be challenged, formed, inspired, and fraternally corrected. We want to see examples in our friends and in mentor couples while perhaps mentoring engaged or discerning young adults. We want our children to have friends whose parents have similar moral standards. We want to have the kinds of friends that hang out at each other's homes, cooking out and potlucking together, camping together, helping each other.
We want a Catholic community that prays, worships, loves, serves, and laughs.
I am sure I am not asking too much. In fact, we are on the fringes of several such communities, but distance seperates us. So this summer we're going to try to drum up some friends in our own parish, while strengthening the friendships we already have there. We have an idea for a simple Bible study - not too overwhelming but it will definitely lay a foundation.
But I'm wondering, what do you want from the church? Or if you have a great community what does it offer that makes it so great? If you could create a ministry what would you want it to do? What topics would be discussed? What ideas do you have? And am I alone in craving those types of relationships? Do those even exist? I wonder if we all want the same thing but everyone's too afraid to put themselves out there - is that even partially true?
We want something we can do together with other couples. We want to be around other Catholics in their 20's and 30's who are striving for holiness while living our their vocations. We want to be challenged, formed, inspired, and fraternally corrected. We want to see examples in our friends and in mentor couples while perhaps mentoring engaged or discerning young adults. We want our children to have friends whose parents have similar moral standards. We want to have the kinds of friends that hang out at each other's homes, cooking out and potlucking together, camping together, helping each other.
We want a Catholic community that prays, worships, loves, serves, and laughs.
I am sure I am not asking too much. In fact, we are on the fringes of several such communities, but distance seperates us. So this summer we're going to try to drum up some friends in our own parish, while strengthening the friendships we already have there. We have an idea for a simple Bible study - not too overwhelming but it will definitely lay a foundation.
But I'm wondering, what do you want from the church? Or if you have a great community what does it offer that makes it so great? If you could create a ministry what would you want it to do? What topics would be discussed? What ideas do you have? And am I alone in craving those types of relationships? Do those even exist? I wonder if we all want the same thing but everyone's too afraid to put themselves out there - is that even partially true?
May 20, 2011
the music that got me through
Music has always been very important to me and I often have soundtracks to the different things I do, like driving, cooking, and cleaning. But there was a whole playlist of songs that helped me through the NICU.
James Taylor, Sweet Baby James
Jars of Clay, Valley Song
Jars of Clay, I Need Thee Every Hour
The Beatles, Two of Us
JJ Heller, Little Things
JJ Heller, Your Hands
Sara Groves, Christ Our Joy and Strength
Sara Groves, You Cannot Lose My Love
Chris Tomlin, Our God
B.O.B., Airplanes (I realize it's very different from the others...)
But the song that meant the most - and still does - is the one above: JJ Heller's My Savior's Love Endures. I hear the song and I remember sitting in that blue rocker in James' NICU room, patting his back, and singing the song to him.
My soul does magnify the greatness of the Lord. In me His favor lights. In my Savior I rejoice...
I did not feel like glorifying God or rejoicing in Him. I did not feel favored. I felt scared. I felt tired. I felt alone. But when I sang those words I meant them. I chose to mean them. I had to believe in something so I chose to believe in Hope. I chose to have some One to believe in. I chose to praise.
He has done mighty things, Holy is His Name...
"Yes," I would think, "He has done mighty things and He could do another." I was not wrong or foolish or childish to hope that He would. If God would have left James as a boy with severe disabilities that wouldn't have changed the fact that God has done mighty things. Even if God would have let James die His Name would still be holy. And so I could trust in Him. If He's holy then what He wants is Right and Good. And so if He wanted James to be dead, disabled, or normal then the outcome - whichever one - would be Right and Good. I'm not saying it was (or is) easy to believe these things, but then again it really, truly was. I think it's all about picking up a cross but having an easy yoke, a light burden. I was still carrying a cross - big, heavy, hard - and if we stood back and looked at it we would all agree that it was too much for me to bear. But when I got under it and hoisted it up I found that I could do it. I discovered that it fit me well. It was very, very hard but at the same time it wasn't.
Oh Israel find your help solely in the Lord.
I have heard mothers of other sick children beg their kids to fight. And I, too, would ask James to concentrate on breathing or swallowing safely or whatever other hurdle he had to surmount. But I didn't ask him to fight. I asked God to fight for him and I asked James to use the strength he was given to get better. If we put our trust in ourselves we cannot be miraculously healed.
His mercy's without end, His promise will endure.
I had to remember these things and I had to teach them to my son:
God's mercy is infinite - He is loving and good. He looks on NICU babies and parents with great tenderness. He holds us in His righteous right hand. He places us in His heart.
And his promise will endure. His promise that He is with us, even unto the ending of the world. His promise that He will never give us something we cannot handle. His promise that suffering is redemptive. His promise that He makes all things new. His promise that those who hope in the Lord will not be disappointed.
When the Blessed Virgin Mary first sang those words she was rejoicing in having been chosen to bear a son. How beautifully humbling to sing them with her.
Glory be to the Father and the Son. Glory be to the Spirit, three in one. Glory be in the beginning and the end. Glory forever, Amen.
May 19, 2011
a small success
Grocery shopping yesterday was awesome.
No one cried.
We were in and out.
I only forgot to get three items.
I stayed on budget ($70).
I got 10 boxes of name brand pasta for $5.
And the best part: by using a couple of coupons and buying sale items I saved $35.71!
Sometimes I feel like I am really doing a poor job with the whole housewife thing. But when I save 1/3 of my grocery bill without really even trying, well I feel a-mazing. Now perhaps part of the reason I saved so much was because of the huge sale on pasta. And of course it's going to take a couple months to eat it all. But dude, I'm owning it. We have space in the cabinets and we eat pasta at least 3 times a month.
People, I was so excited about the deal I actually texted some local friends.
Maybe you're sitting there thinking that I'm a dork for being so excited about $35. A day later I'm still giddy. But, you see, it was almost $36 - which is even more money!
I don't usually have this kind of success at good ole Kroger's. Whatever. Today, I feel triumphant.
No one cried.
We were in and out.
I only forgot to get three items.
I stayed on budget ($70).
I got 10 boxes of name brand pasta for $5.
And the best part: by using a couple of coupons and buying sale items I saved $35.71!
Sometimes I feel like I am really doing a poor job with the whole housewife thing. But when I save 1/3 of my grocery bill without really even trying, well I feel a-mazing. Now perhaps part of the reason I saved so much was because of the huge sale on pasta. And of course it's going to take a couple months to eat it all. But dude, I'm owning it. We have space in the cabinets and we eat pasta at least 3 times a month.
People, I was so excited about the deal I actually texted some local friends.
Maybe you're sitting there thinking that I'm a dork for being so excited about $35. A day later I'm still giddy. But, you see, it was almost $36 - which is even more money!
I don't usually have this kind of success at good ole Kroger's. Whatever. Today, I feel triumphant.
May 17, 2011
quote
"Mommy, what does 'Matthew' start with?" - L
"Sound it out, kiddo, what do you think it starts with?"
"Mmm, mmmm, M!"
"That's right, L! You're so awesome!"
"Yeah, just like you, Mommy."
"Thanks, kiddo."
"You start with 'M', too!"
"Oh. You're right. I do start with 'M', too."
"Sound it out, kiddo, what do you think it starts with?"
"Mmm, mmmm, M!"
"That's right, L! You're so awesome!"
"Yeah, just like you, Mommy."
"Thanks, kiddo."
"You start with 'M', too!"
"Oh. You're right. I do start with 'M', too."
May 15, 2011
for Pete's sake
In honor of my first child, Peter Mark, who we lost to miscarriage, I would love to pray for your intentions that are related to infertility or the loss of a child.
Please leave your prayer intention - for yourself or someone you know - in the comment box. Commenters may leave their name or be anonymous. You may share as little or as much as you like. With great respect, dignity, and affection I would like to pray for you, your pain, your grief, and your hope.
I, of course, invite all those who comment or read the comments to join me in praying for one another.
Thank you for this privilege.
Please leave your prayer intention - for yourself or someone you know - in the comment box. Commenters may leave their name or be anonymous. You may share as little or as much as you like. With great respect, dignity, and affection I would like to pray for you, your pain, your grief, and your hope.
I, of course, invite all those who comment or read the comments to join me in praying for one another.
Thank you for this privilege.
May 13, 2011
about the good Archbishop
So if you're here you know that we LOVE Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. You also know that my family and I - and probably most of you - believe that Almighty God brought my son James Fulton back to life and restored his health. We believe this happened through the power of the Holy Spirit and the saving work of Jesus Christ. We believe the prayers of the Body of Christ were and are an integral part in what happened with James, and we believe that the prayers of Archbishop Sheen were especially powerful.
We believe the simple fact that James is alive after being pulseless for 61 minutes is a miracle. We believe the overwhelming evidence of how well he's doing proves another miracle.
We believe they are miracles to be attributed to the intercession of Archbishop Sheen.
But just to make sure everyone is on the same page, I want to intentionally state some things:
- The Archbishop Sheen Foundation, which is promoting Sheen's cause for canonization, is aware of what happened to James, but there have been many, many people who claim miracles through Sheen's intercession. I encourage you to visit the prayers section of their website to read the different stories. God's goodness, mercy, and compassion is so apparent.
- While we call James a "Miracle Baby" the Church would not consider him a miracle until a long, extensive investigation is completed. If the Church says something is a miracle then you know medical and scientific experts all agree that there is no explanation for something being the way it is.
- At this time, James is technically an "alleged miracle." We do not know if the Church will ever thoroughly investigate James' story.
- James' alleged miracle is not the official miracle that will get Sheen beatified and it may not be used for his canonization. I have no idea what miracles the Church will use. We are not setting money aside for an upcoming trip to Rome. ;)
- Any time I share information about James or Fulton Sheen or Sheen's canonization process I am only representing myself and my immediate family, not the Diocese of Peoria, the Archbishop Sheen Foundation, or the Vatican.
All that being said, I will continue to update you on James' continued progress. Also, I would love the opportunity to tell the awesome story of God's workings in James life. If you are part of a Bible Study, youth group, or just want to get some friends together for some beers and a jaw dropping tale of God's goodness, please contact me.
Thank you and God bless.
We believe the simple fact that James is alive after being pulseless for 61 minutes is a miracle. We believe the overwhelming evidence of how well he's doing proves another miracle.
We believe they are miracles to be attributed to the intercession of Archbishop Sheen.
But just to make sure everyone is on the same page, I want to intentionally state some things:
- The Archbishop Sheen Foundation, which is promoting Sheen's cause for canonization, is aware of what happened to James, but there have been many, many people who claim miracles through Sheen's intercession. I encourage you to visit the prayers section of their website to read the different stories. God's goodness, mercy, and compassion is so apparent.
- While we call James a "Miracle Baby" the Church would not consider him a miracle until a long, extensive investigation is completed. If the Church says something is a miracle then you know medical and scientific experts all agree that there is no explanation for something being the way it is.
- At this time, James is technically an "alleged miracle." We do not know if the Church will ever thoroughly investigate James' story.
- James' alleged miracle is not the official miracle that will get Sheen beatified and it may not be used for his canonization. I have no idea what miracles the Church will use. We are not setting money aside for an upcoming trip to Rome. ;)
- Any time I share information about James or Fulton Sheen or Sheen's canonization process I am only representing myself and my immediate family, not the Diocese of Peoria, the Archbishop Sheen Foundation, or the Vatican.
All that being said, I will continue to update you on James' continued progress. Also, I would love the opportunity to tell the awesome story of God's workings in James life. If you are part of a Bible Study, youth group, or just want to get some friends together for some beers and a jaw dropping tale of God's goodness, please contact me.
Thank you and God bless.
7 quick takes
1. I like this song and I thought you might like it, too.
2. L has a lot of interest in learning to write. She's pretty good, even though she usually writes right to left and forms backwards letters. Does anyone have any tips on how to encourage her to write things correctly?
3. Do you read Hallie Lord's blog Betty Beguiles? If not, then you should check it out. Her writing has inspired me to re-wear outfits and not feel bad about it, buy some cute shoes, and put concealer on every day. I feel better about myself and how I'm presenting myself to the world. Thank you, Miss Lord!
4. If you do not know me personally, let me explain that my hair is wavy, light brown, and goes all the way down to my lower back. I like how long it is, and have often joked that it is my one beauty. My husband loves it. So does my mom. But I have been itching to try something new with it for a little while. Something shorter and chic and something I can actually style. However since I want to remain attractive to my husband I will be keeping it long. Oh the sacrifices that marriage brings!
5. I've gotten all kinds of great tips on how to make it through the hot summer. Seems like a lot of parents opt for long baths. I will definitely be putting that one into practice! Thanks, friends!
6. Exciting news for all of you who love Archbishop Sheen! The Positio - a book which summarizes the life and holiness of Archbishop Sheen - will be presented to Pope Benedict on May 25th! "The Positio, or position paper, will be filed formally with the Congregation for Saints' Causes as the initial step in the Vatican's process to determine whether Archbishop Sheen should be beatified and canonized." To read more check out the website for Sheen's cause.
7. Just to keep it real I feel like I should confess that I have yet to use any of my bold new moves. But, I really liked what Sarah H. said in the combox about using Scripture when we pray over people. My priest is always encouraging us to memorize the Psalms so we can use those to pray for and with others and my goal for this weekend is to pick out a Psalm and start. I'll take suggestions if you've got a favorite!
May 11, 2011
Sweetie Pie is 3!
The day of her party, showing off her bed head and the Happy Birthday sign written with bar soap on the mirror.
Pendant banners sewn by Crafty Katie, L's godmother.
They were made by cutting up scrapbook paper and sewing it to ribbon.
So cute!
A favorite gift.
Her pink birthday cake.
Oh how I love you, L! You bring such joy to my life!
words to eat by
Mark Bittman was on The Today Show awhile ago and he said something that I will never forget:
"No one's ever gotten fat from eating vegetables."
I have adopted this attitude as I fill my plate. Little bit of meat, little bit of bread, and heaps of veggies. Seconds on the main dish may come but first I make myself eat more vegetables. I will finish the green beans. I will snack off leftover salad. I will eat the carrots off my children's plates.
I love to eat but I hate being fat. And right now I'm really fat. So while I try to lose weight by cutting back sugar, non-water beverages, and starches I will eat all the asparagus and broccoli that I want. Thank you very much.
"No one's ever gotten fat from eating vegetables."
I have adopted this attitude as I fill my plate. Little bit of meat, little bit of bread, and heaps of veggies. Seconds on the main dish may come but first I make myself eat more vegetables. I will finish the green beans. I will snack off leftover salad. I will eat the carrots off my children's plates.
I love to eat but I hate being fat. And right now I'm really fat. So while I try to lose weight by cutting back sugar, non-water beverages, and starches I will eat all the asparagus and broccoli that I want. Thank you very much.
May 10, 2011
WALK
Literally the first word Ben speaks in the morning: WALK!
At breakfast, lunch, and dinner: WALK!
When we leave the house to get in the car: WALK!
While I'm getting him dressed for the day: WALK!
As soon as we get home from a walk: WALK!
Some mothers have to listen their toddlers say "no" all day long. My son says "walk". Usually we go on one walk a day, which I feel is pretty good. We stop by the park and play a while and then continue on home. But I hate the heat and humidity that a central Illinois summer brings and I'm afraid Ben might be a little disappointed when his mom wants to spend 10am-7pm indoors.
So I'm wondering what your plans are for beating the summer heat? Do you have tips on cheap entry prices for swimming pools? How do you fill the long days of June, July, and August with toddlers but little sweat and screen time? Is that even possible?
At breakfast, lunch, and dinner: WALK!
When we leave the house to get in the car: WALK!
While I'm getting him dressed for the day: WALK!
As soon as we get home from a walk: WALK!
Some mothers have to listen their toddlers say "no" all day long. My son says "walk". Usually we go on one walk a day, which I feel is pretty good. We stop by the park and play a while and then continue on home. But I hate the heat and humidity that a central Illinois summer brings and I'm afraid Ben might be a little disappointed when his mom wants to spend 10am-7pm indoors.
So I'm wondering what your plans are for beating the summer heat? Do you have tips on cheap entry prices for swimming pools? How do you fill the long days of June, July, and August with toddlers but little sweat and screen time? Is that even possible?
May 9, 2011
it just isn't salty enough
"[T]he church has abdicated its role as salt and light." Bob Briner
I am currently making my way through Pop Goes Religion by Terry Mattingly.
Schubert and Michelangelo lived a long time ago. If I were asked to name great Catholic contributers to the world of art I don't know if I'd be able to name one who was alive - Flannery, Tolkien, Chesterton... The closest we've got is Matt Maher, Mel Gibson, and Mark Walberg.
What have we got instead? What is the best offering? The Catholic View for Women.
I am currently making my way through Pop Goes Religion by Terry Mattingly.
Schubert and Michelangelo lived a long time ago. If I were asked to name great Catholic contributers to the world of art I don't know if I'd be able to name one who was alive - Flannery, Tolkien, Chesterton... The closest we've got is Matt Maher, Mel Gibson, and Mark Walberg.
What have we got instead? What is the best offering? The Catholic View for Women.
May 7, 2011
Happy Mother's Day!
Wishing all of you moms out there a beautiful day. I especially want to say Happy Mother's Day to my awesome mom. You are awesome. And to my mother-in-law - I couldn't have asked for anyone better.
I know that today will be a hard day for many women who cannot hold the baby they so long to have. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers today. You are not forgotten.
God bless!
May 6, 2011
7 quick takes - the really fast edition
1 - I am so tired. I've been getting pretty good sleep - L and B sleep through the night and J wakens only once for a quick bottle and right back to bed. But no matter how many hours of sleep I have, 6 or 7 or 8 or even 9, I still feel like crud in the morning.
2 - JF has a bottom right tooth, ladies and gentlemen! And I didn't even know he was teething!
3 - He is also sitting now. His physical therapist wants him to be able to transition from laying to sitting and to work on reaching across "midline" to play with toys, etc. I guess at 8 mo (he's 7.5) most babies would be doing that but I sometimes think that doctors and therapists are trained to find things wrong and would have found much fault with my other two kids.
4 - L turned 3 on Tuesday. Her birthday party is tomorrow. Everything will be pink, per her initial request. I say "initial" because on her birthday she told me that purple is now her favorite color and everything should be purple for her birthday.
5 - Last night L was practicing writing. "How do you spell 'cat'?" she asked. "C-A-T," I told her. A minute later she was holding up her paper with "CAT" printed clearly. We were impressed.
6 - A friend called and offered to babysit the kids so Travis and I could go out. It was awesome and we were happy to take her up on it. Wednesday was a much needed date night for the two of us and the kids were very happy to spend time playing with our lovely friend.
7 - It feels like I've been potty training L for a year. Oh wait - I have! When is this girl finally going to get it?!
2 - JF has a bottom right tooth, ladies and gentlemen! And I didn't even know he was teething!
3 - He is also sitting now. His physical therapist wants him to be able to transition from laying to sitting and to work on reaching across "midline" to play with toys, etc. I guess at 8 mo (he's 7.5) most babies would be doing that but I sometimes think that doctors and therapists are trained to find things wrong and would have found much fault with my other two kids.
4 - L turned 3 on Tuesday. Her birthday party is tomorrow. Everything will be pink, per her initial request. I say "initial" because on her birthday she told me that purple is now her favorite color and everything should be purple for her birthday.
5 - Last night L was practicing writing. "How do you spell 'cat'?" she asked. "C-A-T," I told her. A minute later she was holding up her paper with "CAT" printed clearly. We were impressed.
6 - A friend called and offered to babysit the kids so Travis and I could go out. It was awesome and we were happy to take her up on it. Wednesday was a much needed date night for the two of us and the kids were very happy to spend time playing with our lovely friend.
7 - It feels like I've been potty training L for a year. Oh wait - I have! When is this girl finally going to get it?!
May 5, 2011
my new bold move
It seems that I am not alone in my desire to step out of my comfort zone a little and serve.
This season of life that I am in right now has my hands literally full. Toddlers, a baby, a heavy diaper bag, a cup of coffee, and a list of appointments, errands, and chores can keep me very focused on myself, my family, and the task at hand. Thankfully, that's how it's supposed to be. God does not expect me to carry things for other people when I'm carrying other people. I need to notice the tears in my children's eyes and tend to them before I reach out to someone else. I need to make sure I am charitable, compassionate, and merciful to the people I live and spend the most time with before I extend myself. This is not to say that I should ignore others - especially when an obvious need is brought to my attention. It just means I have no reason to feel guilty for not doing more for the world.
Yet I feel called to be bold, to stop being afraid, and to live out my Catholic faith in a very tangible way. In particular, there are two things that I have wanted to do for a very long time but I've been afraid to attempt.
The first is to greet people by saying, "Praised be Jesus Christ!" or "Jesus Christ is risen!"
I wouldn't greet everyone this way, of course. I think that I might come off slightly nuts if a waitress approached saying, "How is everyone doing tonight?" and I responded, "Praised be Jesus Christ!" Awkward.
But I would love to greet my friends that way. I think it would be such a wonderful way to set the tone for our conversation and to remind us of who we are (an Easter people) and what our lives are supposed to be about (knowing, loving, and serving God). I know this is not necessarily serving anyone in the common sense of the word, but I do think that it has the possibility of altering attitudes, establishing context, and realigning the day - for myself and those around me.
My second bold move is to pray in the moment.
Usually when someone is tells me about their life - the worries, joys, or sorrows - I tell the person that I will pray for them. Sometimes I remember to do so - to specifically lift up the person and situation to God - but usually I don't. The best that person gets from me is a, "Lord, I give you all the people I promised to pray for." Not that that's bad, but it can be so much better.
Whether the news I hear is good or bad I want to take a moment to say a prayer with the person to whom I am speaking. "You're pregnant after two years of trying? Wow! Praise God! Would you join me in a Glory Be?" "You unexpectedly lost your job? I'm so sorry. Could I pray with you right now?"
I think I will have to really pray for the gift of discernment when it comes to putting this bold new move into action, but I think that a lot of beauty can out of it. I remember a girl I met after a daily Mass in college. As everyone filtered out of the chapel she knelt crying. I had never seen her before but I empathized with her. So instead of leaving the chapel, I said a prayer to the Holy Spirit and knelt next to her. "My name is Bonnie. I saw you and I thought I'd come pray with you. Is that okay?" With her permission I prayed over her, asking God to heal her wounds, bathe her in His mercy, and show her His love. It was a beautiful moment and she later found me and thanked me for helping her through that tough time. It was the only time I've ever done something like that but I can say confidently that I was following the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Doing these things will definitely be bold moves for me because, quite frankly, I'm afraid to do them. I am afraid of rejection, having my faith look forced, making my faith look stupid, and making myself look stupid. I just try to remember that "God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control" and so I can do these things. I will ease myself into doing them, and probably recruit some people to do them with me. My hope is that once I am comfortable doing these things amongst those who love me I will able to step out of my comfort zone. But don't worry - it'll be awkward to do these things around friends and family at first, too!
What about you? Would you like to join me? Or is there some other way you are being bold? I'd love to hear!
This season of life that I am in right now has my hands literally full. Toddlers, a baby, a heavy diaper bag, a cup of coffee, and a list of appointments, errands, and chores can keep me very focused on myself, my family, and the task at hand. Thankfully, that's how it's supposed to be. God does not expect me to carry things for other people when I'm carrying other people. I need to notice the tears in my children's eyes and tend to them before I reach out to someone else. I need to make sure I am charitable, compassionate, and merciful to the people I live and spend the most time with before I extend myself. This is not to say that I should ignore others - especially when an obvious need is brought to my attention. It just means I have no reason to feel guilty for not doing more for the world.
Yet I feel called to be bold, to stop being afraid, and to live out my Catholic faith in a very tangible way. In particular, there are two things that I have wanted to do for a very long time but I've been afraid to attempt.
The first is to greet people by saying, "Praised be Jesus Christ!" or "Jesus Christ is risen!"
I wouldn't greet everyone this way, of course. I think that I might come off slightly nuts if a waitress approached saying, "How is everyone doing tonight?" and I responded, "Praised be Jesus Christ!" Awkward.
But I would love to greet my friends that way. I think it would be such a wonderful way to set the tone for our conversation and to remind us of who we are (an Easter people) and what our lives are supposed to be about (knowing, loving, and serving God). I know this is not necessarily serving anyone in the common sense of the word, but I do think that it has the possibility of altering attitudes, establishing context, and realigning the day - for myself and those around me.
My second bold move is to pray in the moment.
Usually when someone is tells me about their life - the worries, joys, or sorrows - I tell the person that I will pray for them. Sometimes I remember to do so - to specifically lift up the person and situation to God - but usually I don't. The best that person gets from me is a, "Lord, I give you all the people I promised to pray for." Not that that's bad, but it can be so much better.
Whether the news I hear is good or bad I want to take a moment to say a prayer with the person to whom I am speaking. "You're pregnant after two years of trying? Wow! Praise God! Would you join me in a Glory Be?" "You unexpectedly lost your job? I'm so sorry. Could I pray with you right now?"
I think I will have to really pray for the gift of discernment when it comes to putting this bold new move into action, but I think that a lot of beauty can out of it. I remember a girl I met after a daily Mass in college. As everyone filtered out of the chapel she knelt crying. I had never seen her before but I empathized with her. So instead of leaving the chapel, I said a prayer to the Holy Spirit and knelt next to her. "My name is Bonnie. I saw you and I thought I'd come pray with you. Is that okay?" With her permission I prayed over her, asking God to heal her wounds, bathe her in His mercy, and show her His love. It was a beautiful moment and she later found me and thanked me for helping her through that tough time. It was the only time I've ever done something like that but I can say confidently that I was following the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Doing these things will definitely be bold moves for me because, quite frankly, I'm afraid to do them. I am afraid of rejection, having my faith look forced, making my faith look stupid, and making myself look stupid. I just try to remember that "God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control" and so I can do these things. I will ease myself into doing them, and probably recruit some people to do them with me. My hope is that once I am comfortable doing these things amongst those who love me I will able to step out of my comfort zone. But don't worry - it'll be awkward to do these things around friends and family at first, too!
What about you? Would you like to join me? Or is there some other way you are being bold? I'd love to hear!
May 4, 2011
it happens in motherhood
Yesterday I was tired of being touched. I was tired of all the noise: songs, shrieks, whines, cries, shouts. I did not want to change anyone, help anyone go potty, help anyone wash their hands. I did not want to give anyone a drink or snack. I did not want to hold or hug or snuggle. I did not want to read a book or tickle or build a tower. I did not want to figure out what my son wanted or talk things through with my daughter.
I wanted quiet. I wanted to be by myself. I wanted nap time.
But instead what I got was L and Ben bum rushing me, jumping onto my lap, wrapping themselves around me, and holding on tight. L began singing a made up song about how I was the best mom ever and she loved me very much. Ben smiled and giggled and put his head on my shoulder.
I was saved by my kids and instantly back in love with my vocation.
I wanted quiet. I wanted to be by myself. I wanted nap time.
But instead what I got was L and Ben bum rushing me, jumping onto my lap, wrapping themselves around me, and holding on tight. L began singing a made up song about how I was the best mom ever and she loved me very much. Ben smiled and giggled and put his head on my shoulder.
I was saved by my kids and instantly back in love with my vocation.
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