The Perfect Gift

 

 Recently I celebrated my birthday with my family. We had a lovely day together. At the end of the day, they gave me a large box. It was a very thoughtful present. Looking at it, I imagined how perfect the gift was for me. I was very grateful.

 A week later, the large box was still in the room I received it. It did get pushed from one side of the room to the other, so people didn't have to walk around it. My granddaughter and I had fun drawing pretty pictures on the outside of the box. It still has yet to be opened because I need to learn how to build it. I feel bad because I would really like to use the gift, but I'm afraid to try. I might do it wrong.

 Are there people who approach the gift of faith the same way? Our faith is a beautiful gift from God. A gift that was definitely meant to be unwrapped and used. So many fear speaking about their faith because it might not be politically correct. That is a shame.

 Jesus didn't come to be a political ruler. He came to rule our hearts. Speak His Truth. It's beautifully contained in the Bible. But God never intended for the Word to stay on the pages. He wanted it written on our hearts and proclaimed with love. Don't make God wonder if you will ever use His gift; show God that you can't get enough of Him!

-Susan

  

Loving and Mending

 

 My granddaughter asked me to fix her favorite doll, Dolly. She had a small rip in the arm. She watched me closely as I sewed up the area to ensure I was doing it right. When I finished, my granddaughter was so happy and lovingly hugged her doll. “Honey,” I said, “I noticed another little area with some loose stitches. Can I also take care of that area before it becomes a hole?”

 “What?” My granddaughter replied. “I didn’t even see that.” She examined the doll carefully. “Yes, you can fix it. I don’t want anything to happen to her.” A few minutes later, Dolly was all stitched up and looking marvelous. My granddaughter was thrilled.

 I wish people were as easy to fix when they are torn. It’s hard to watch people we love hurting. It’s also hard to warn someone to reconsider their actions because you fear things may begin to unravel. It’s also tough being the one who is falling apart.

 I used a needle and thread to fix Dolly. Dolly couldn’t fix herself. She needed someone to love her enough to ask for help. Moved by love, our prayers can tug on God’s heart to heal those in need. We may not know where to begin, but God does. Perhaps making you aware was His first move. “Love one another” isn’t just a beautiful scripture passage; it is the thread God chooses to hold us all together.

-Susan

Sunny Days Ahead

 

Faith is like a bright ray of sunlight.  
It enables us to see God in all things
as well as all things in God.
St. Frances de Sales

  August has been an unusual month this year for my corner of the world. It is typically hot and sunny, but lately, the sun can barely be seen through the thick blanket of dreary water-laden clouds. Today, however, the sun broke through, and it was terrific. I love summer and the feel of the sun on my skin. When the sun is out, the flowers are more vibrant, the grass is greener, and the blue skies heighten my mood. Life is just all around better when the sun is shining.

 This is how I feel about the Mass as well. After praising God, the rest of the world looks brighter, and my soul is elevated higher than I deserve. It is beyond amazing! I couldn't imagine life without the Mass.

 Can people actually live without going to Mass? Well, truth be told, I know many who do not. It makes me sad. So today, I want to invite everyone who has taken some time off from going to Church to come back! You have been missed, and the Church isn't the same without you. I want to take this opportunity to tell you that you are loved and needed. It's been a little cloudy without you, but I know the Son has glorious plans for us!

-Susan

  

Mary’s Day!

 

 What a glorious day to honor our Lady! Although the Gospels only record a few moments in Mary's life, each moment spoke volumes of her love for God and her desire to always do God's Will. Imagine what the world would be like if we woke up every morning and said, "I am the handmaiden of the Lord. May it be done to me according to Your Word." 

 Sometimes I think about the people who were considered to be holy during Mary's life on Earth. Jesus made a point to correct what holiness truly is. Many Pharisees appeared holy, but their hearts were far from God. Mary humbled herself and magnified God. Jesus said whoever humbles himself will be exulted. Today we celebrate this truth as Mary is assumed body and soul into heaven. I hope our celebrations here on Earth match the heavenly celebrations of a heart so pure. Let us echo St. Elizabeth's words, "Blessed are you who believe that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled!"

-Susan

The Good Shepherd

 I was lost in my own thoughts and my own problems. I wandered a little too far away.  I turned around, and I didn't know where I was. My anxiety tried to dictate my thoughts. I was scared. It took only three little words to turn everything around.  I whispered, "Jesus, I trust in you." Within seconds, my heart opened my eyes and ears.

  "There you are. I was worried about you.  Are you ready to come back home?" Jesus bent down and picked me up. He brushed away my anxious thoughts and just held me in His arms.

  I took slow, deliberate breaths in and out, trying to inhale His love. Peace pushed away my heavy thoughts as I rested my head on His heart.  I was all HIs.  He left the ninety-nine others to find me.

 "I love you, Jesus.  Thank you for caring so much about me. I thought I was lost."

  "My little one, you have no idea how much I love you. Trust me, I will always be here for you."

-Susan

The Fragrance of Love

 

 

  I visited this beautiful lavender farm while on vacation.  I love the smell of lavender, and its promises to bring a night of relaxation and restful sleep. Unfortunately, this technique isn't always successful. The day's stress cannot always be rubbed away with a fragrant lotion. True peace has only one source--God's love.

  God's love can heal my heart when broken and calm my racing thoughts.  The balm of God's love releases my angry thoughts.  It encourages me to breathe hope into my future.  God's love softly touches my face and tells me, "Don't worry, dear child, we will face this together,"

  The peace of Christ can be found in a pew, a field, on a mountaintop, in your own home, in a smile, or in an outstretched hand. Christ's peaceful love is yours for the asking. Just open the door to your heart and say, "Lord, you are welcome here.  Please come in.  I want you in my life,"

-Susan

  

  

Watch Your Step

 

 My family and I undertook a big project in the backyard this weekend. It was quite literally an "all hands on deck" situation. At the end of the day, I rounded the corner of my house to grab a hose. I was carrying my granddaughter when I mistakenly stepped into a hole left by a talented groundhog. I felt my knee twist as I held onto my granddaughter tight. Fortunately, I was able to keep my balance and not fall. My knee hurt, but it was not a serious injury.

 I was so mad at myself. I knew that stupid hole was there. It was on my "to-do list" to fix. I have managed to avoid it plenty of times in the past month, but this time I was distracted, and my vision was partially obstructed. I had to ask myself, "What was I so busy doing that I couldn't handle this dangerous situation?"

 Sitting on my couch, I remembered one of St. John Bosco's dreams about the boys in his oratory. In his dream, John Bosco saw a large pit in the middle of a meadow and noticed a serpent at the bottom. Its ugliness horrified John Bosco. Then he saw his students jumping over the hole. Some boys jumped over the pit quickly, but not all were so lucky. The serpent got some of them. In disbelief, John Bosco asked the boys why did they keep jumping if they saw what was happening to some of their classmates? The boys didn't think their actions were risky. They didn't perceive the danger of playing near the serpent.

 My children filled the hole for me as I rested. "Wow," my daughter said, "The hole was much deeper than it looked!" It is good that the Lord gave us each other. We need to look out for one another. I encourage everyone to look around their homes and determine if dangerous pitfalls need filling. Not everyone perceives the danger.

-Susan