Matters of the Heart

Neva slowly climbed the steps to the front entrance of the church.  She remembered the days when her steps were lighter and her heart was filled with love and joy. Unfortunately, her heart had to work so much harder now to pump life into her body.  She carried with her a pain that had eroded an area of the muscle in her heart. 
  Neva slid into her usual pew and prepared her heart for the celebration of the mass.  Like every week, she listened intently to the readings and the priest's homily.  She was completely unaware what was about to occur.  As the priest held up the consecrated host at the alter, Neva saw Jesus standing behind the priest.  He held out his hand and asked her to draw near. Without hesitation, Neva drew closer.
  "My Lord, I have a pain in my heart that I can no longer carry.  I have tried to leave it behind, but it is so deeply imbedded in me, that I have failed in my attempts.  Lord, will you please heal me?"
  Jesus smiled and said, "Give me your pain, dear child, and I will restore your heart with my own."  Jesus placed one of the consecrated hosts from the alter unto Neva's hand.  With tears streaming down her face, Neva released her pain and then placed the host into her mouth.
  Within minutes her heart began to change. She took a deep breath in and slowly exhaled.  It was gone.  That heavy feeling was gone.  She touched her heart as her brain began to process the change. The Lord's peace and love began to declutter her thoughts.  Her eyes could clearly see those around her. Her ears listened to the new rhythm of her heart.  She was healed! She was healed!  Filled with joy, Neva praised God every day that followed for this loving act of mercy.

-Susan

Celebrating Mary

  October is the month dedicated to Mary and the Rosary.  The Rosary is my "go to" prayer.  Whether I am excited, scared, nervous, confused, angry, depressed or happy, the Rosary helps me celebrate life.  More specifically, it helps me celebrate God's life within me.  Sound mysterious?  Well that is the whole idea.  By dwelling on the mysteries of Jesus' life, I begin to unravel the mysteries of my own life. 
   God is amazing and loving far beyond my comprehension.  Like any good mother, Mary can sense my perplexity.  Gently she holds my hand and slowly helps me to understand.  She is so patient with me even when my mind is clouded with distractions, or my heart is too angry or too sorrowful to grow.  Linked together by the Rosary beads, Mary stays close to me. As I hold the beads, I can sense that Mary holds the answers I so desperately desire.  I want to love God more, but I let so many little things get in the way.  As I close my eyes and pray the Hail Mary, Mary opens my mind and heart to embrace God's loving plan.  She helps me understand things I could not comprehend on my own. 
  I have fallen in love with the Rosary.  The Rosary is my mysterious, inspiring connection to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  I believe the Rosary is the lifeline of my soul.

-Susan

Who Is Your Hero?

  I wanted to share a special part of my weekend with you.  This weekend I was honored to attend the 6th Annual Dutton Farm Fashion Show.  Dutton Farm is an amazing place dedicated to helping adults with mental or physical impairments. They provide opportunities for the adults (affectionately termed "farmers") to learn new vocational and social skills.  It is a place where love has no boundaries and the hands and feet of Jesus are visibly evident.
  This year's theme centered around the "Celebration of Heroes".  Each "farmer" walked the runway dressed as their favorite hero.  Some of the costumes included super heroes like Spiderman, Wonder Woman, the Hulk, or a firefighter.  I couldn't have been more proud when my niece, Katie, walked down the runway.  She was dressed as Mary, the Mother of Jesus.  Tears filled my eyes as I cheered for her.  The world often overlooks what my niece so clearly understood.  She wanted to be like Mary.  She was probably the wisest person in the room.  With a smile on her face she walked down the runway evangelizing the room without saying a word!  My niece Katie is incredible!
  After the show, a woman came up to Katie and said she was so moved by her, that she wanted to give her something.  She handed Katie a necklace with a Mary on it.  She told Katie it was from Medjugorje!
  Afterwards, my sister told Katie, "You must have really touched her heart."  Katie smiled. 
  I thought about this later as I drove home.  Katie, in that moment, was just like Mary.  She was gently touching people's heart, reminding them that there is so much more to life than what the world deems important.  There is nothing more important than God's love. Katie gets it.  I hope the rest of us are wise enough to discover that as well.

-Susan

If you are interested in learning more about the wonderful things occurring at Dutton Farms please visit their website: duttonfarm.org