Vacationing with God #4- Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels; LosAngels, California

       Right in the middle of downtown LA is the amazing Cathedral Of Our Lady of the Angels.  The modern architecture of this cathedral beckons you to step inside and escape from the business of the city. The cathedral is a work of art filled with beautiful works of art creating an atmosphere of wonder and awe for God.  

  One of my favorite parts of the cathedral were the beautiful tapestries.   I absolutely loved the Communion of Saints tapestries that adorned both sides of the nave. Twenty five of these fresco tapestries bring 135 different saints to life. It is incredible to look at the faces and names of all these holy men, woman, and children. It makes you feel as if you are catching a glimpse of the faithful in heaven as they pray and intercede for us here on earth.  I couldn't help but hum the infamous tune "When the Saints Go Marching In".  Standing there, I desperately wanted to march into heaven with them.  Yes, the calling of all of us to be saints could be heard and felt as one walks down the aisles.  As I knelt down and prayed, I thanked God for these amazing witnesses to the faith and I begged Him to create in me the desire and courage to follow in their footsteps. 

  

  
                                                                                                      Tomorrow is All Saints Day.  Don't forget to thank those who have spiritually helped you along your journey. 

--Susan

Road Closed

  It had been a busy day and I decided to sit on the porch for a minute to rest.  Then without warning,  I felt the presence of the Lord.  "Come, I want to show you something."  Eagerly I followed.  He brought me just around the bend of the road I had been on.  The road divided into two.  He then said, "I'd like you to take the path to the right now."
  I looked at the path.  Really?  It wasn't even paved.  It was steep and bumpy and not well trodden.  I got scared.  "Lord," I said, "That looks a lot harder than the road I've been on.  Do you really think I can handle that?"
  The Lord smiled, His eyes were warm and loving.  "Yes, it will definitely be harder.  Not very many choose that path, although I wish they would.  I have placed many graces along the way to make the journey easier.  There are some spots along this path so beautiful that words cannot describe.  You should travel lightly.  Unburden yourself of some of the world's treasures you like so much, and it wouldn't hurt to leave behind some of your pride.  So, what do you think?"
  I have to admit my eyes filled with tears.  I didn't see this coming--the path looked really challenging.  I was hoping my life would be getting a little smoother.
  "Are you sure this is the path you want me to take?"  I was hoping this was just a mistake or maybe just a test of faith.
  "My dear child, I know your fears.  I feel your heart sadden.  The road you were on is good, but it will never lead you where I know you could be.  I want you to be closer to me."
  "Lord this new path terrifies me, but if it your wish, then.... let Your Will be done."   I turned very slowly towards the new path.  I took a few small steps forward.  The ground was hard and uneven.  I almost lost my footing and my nerve.  Regaining balance, I repeated over and over, "Where You lead, I will follow.  Where You lead, I will follow."  And so began my new journey.

-Susan

Out of Order

  Today was cleaning day.  Tommy had put it off for too long.  He took a good look around his room and cringed.  Yikes!  When did things get so out of order?  He saw a collection of some of his bad habits in a pile against the wall.  "Wow I don't remember using all these four letter words," he thought to himself.  Some of them were streaked with anger and some of them stained with malice.  As he began to pick them up and throw them into his garbage bag,  he noticed just how ugly they were. He shook his head and said, " I really don't need these." 
   As he looked around the room, he noticed a few other things he could do without.  There was the "Do Not Disturb" sign he threw in his little brother's face every time he wanted to hang out with him, and the ear plugs that stopped him from hearing his parents ask for help.  "And what is that stuff on top of my dresser?  Oh yeah, that's my pile of lies that I resort to when I'm feeling lazy.  Hmm... some of these are more transparent than I realized." 
  Next Tommy looked at his bench at the end of his bed.  There were just hours and hours of wasted time piled up.  Hours that he had spent on all his electronics instead of doing his homework or chores. Tommy worked hard cleaning everything up and it wasn't long before he had a couple of garbage bags tied up and ready to go.  He dropped them off at the curb,  grabbed his keys and then jumped into the car.  Before putting the key into the ignition, Tommy turned and looked at his passenger.  "You know, Jesus, you were right.  Those things were really getting in the way of us hanging out.  Thanks for letting me know.  Now, show me where you want us to go next."

Make Christ the Center of Your Life

  A young woman found herself staring at the church crucifix one day.   She thought, "Jesus it is so sad that you are all alone on the cross.  You must have felt so lonely." 
   And then Jesus said to her, " I would be even more sad if you just walked away and left me here.  I do not desire to hang on a wall, I desire to live in your heart."
  The woman thought for a minute and then said, "Is my heart big enough for you?"
  Jesus replied, "That my dear, it entirely up to you.  Would you be willing to make some room for Me?"
  A smile formed cross the woman's face as she answered, "My Lord if You desire to live in my heart, I will not only make room for You, but I will place You in the very center of it."  The woman gently lifted the crucifix off the wall, placed Jesus against her heart, and embraced Him with both arms.  And then she whispered, "Please, Jesus,  enter my heart and promise me you will never leave it."
  Next, it was Jesus' turn to smile and He whispered back, "I have been dying to hear you speak those words to me.  Place me in the center of your life and the glories of heaven shall be yours."
  From that moment the woman's life changed forever.  She still walked the same city streets she always had, but now she also lived in the Kingdom of God.

-Susan

Sharing the Rosary with My Children

  October, the Month of Mary

  What is the best age to learn the Rosary?  I don't really know the answer to that question, but I would just like to share a few of my experiences with my own children when they were very young.  My children grew up knowing that every night I spent time praying the Rosary.   I never had to teach them how to pray the Our Father, the Hail Mary, or The Glory Be.  They had heard these prayers so many times that one day I would just hear them join in.  Sometimes, after putting them to bed and saying prayers with them, they would complain they were not tired and they weren't ready for bed. (Of course, I was usually tired and more than ready for them to go to bed.)  So I would say, "Ok if you want to stay up and say the Rosary with me you can."  So together we would begin saying the Rosary.  But more often then not, I found that after a couple of mysteries,  my children would nod off to sleep and I would finish the Rosary by myself.  There is something very peaceful and calming that occurs with the Rosary.  I loved knowing they fell asleep thinking about Jesus.
  At other times, I liked to pray the Rosary after dinner and I would leave the kids with my husband and go to my room and close the door.  One by one they would find me.  Sometimes they would just sit on my bed and play.  I would ask my husband, "Can't you just watch them for a few minutes so I can pray by myself?"  He would just shake his head. "No, for some reason I can't keep them away while you are praying.  They want to be with you."  Although I longed to have my alone time to pray,  I couldn't really get mad.  My kids just wanted to spend time with their mother, and really, isn't that the essence of the Rosary-just spending time with your Mother?  As most parents discover, kids don't always do what you say, they tend to do what you do. And with that being said, I hope Mary will always have a special place in the lives of my children.

-Susan

He Waited....

  After watching the morning sun slowly sneak past the horizon's golden edge, Jesus smiled and began walking down the pebbled path.  In His eye, each day was beautiful, filled with endless  opportunities.  Jesus quickened His step as he thought, "I wonder if they will notice how much I love them today?  I have so much I want to share with all of them."  Jesus stopped for a moment just in front of the church doors.  His hands were loaded with so many graces, that opening the door was a little challenging.  He walked inside and waited.

  Hour after hour,  He waited.  Nobody came in.  Patiently He waited until He heard the sound of the church doors being locked.  Jesus stood up and slowly walked out of the church and down the path.  Another day came and went and people were just too busy to stop by for a chat.  As He walked, Jesus thought to himself, "So many distractions cloud their vision.  I will continue to call them all by name.  I hope tomorrow they will hear My voice."

  (Will you be too busy tomorrow to hear His voice?)

  

-Susan

What do you see when you view the world?

Wouldn't it be great if this was how everyone viewed the world?

-Susan