Keeping Balanced

 

   Today, I will share an embarrassing story that I'm sure many of you can relate to.  I want to start by saying, "I know I should not have done that."  Here goes.  My daughter and I were shopping at a large department store. We were going to check out the sales on the lower level.  The minute we got on the escalator, something caught my eye. I turned to my daughter while pointing and said, "Look, we have to go back up."  My daughter quickly turned around and easily went up the down escalator.  Unfortunately, I did not.  My shoe hit the edge of the moving stair, and my balance was completely thrown off. I tried to regain my balance, but I couldn't recover. I fell to my knees, praying that no one had seen that.

 My daughter quickly stepped back on the escalator to check on me. Once I confirmed that I was more humiliated than hurt, she said, "I don't mean to laugh, Mom, but you looked hilarious!" I cringed with embarrassment.

 Did I know better?  I sure did.  So, what possessed me to do it anyways?  It was something I had done plenty of times in the past, I didn't think it was a big deal. But the throbbing bump on my knee told a different story. This incident was a wake-up call, a reminder that even seemingly harmless actions can have consequences.

 Ash Wednesday is just a few days away.  Lent is the perfect time to look at what habits are throwing us off balance.  Bad habits usually start small and harmless, and we easily shrug them off as not a big deal. But little by little, a bad habit can tip the scale in the opposite direction, and suddenly, we have trouble juggling everything. Sometimes, it's our prayer life that ends up falling off. This Lent, let's use this time for self-reflection and address these habits before they disrupt our spiritual life.

 Before Ash Wednesday, take a look at your prayer life.  Have you let any new habits steal your time with God?  It can be embarrassing to admit what excuses we give for not praying. Lent is the perfect time to reach out and grab a hold of God's hand before you lose your balance and fall.

-Susan

New Release in Ten Days!

 

  Check out the new season of Lent 2025, which launches in ten days! Be sure not to miss it! There has been quite a bit of buzz about what to expect. The Creator says this season will definitely be different from last season and promises some big rewards to all participants. As in seasons past, this year will again be 40 days. However, everyone is expected to do a complete overhaul of past mistakes.  Everyone will get multiple passes to try again.

  The goal this season is not to let the enemy get between you and God's Will. The path will definitely have new and unseen challenges and surprises. And don't worry; some of the fan favorites will definitely be returning, but hopefully, they will do so with an added layer of zeal.  These favorites include Adoration, Reconciliation, Stations of the Cross, Rosaries, fasting, almsgiving, and service, to name just a few.

  For those who have not participated in the past, here are some insider tips for succeeding.  Call on the Holy Spirit to direct your steps, never miss an opportunity to receive Holy Communion, and praise God wherever you go!  Don't forget to use the intercessory prayers of Mary and all the saints.  They are the perfect go-to if you are confused.  Also, remember that calling on friends and family who are participating can help you stay strong.

  This season promises to be a real game-changer.  Many will obtain holiness.  You could be one of them!  But you can't do it watching someone else.  This new season is all about the decisions and opportunities you create.  Make Lent 2025 part of your legacy.

-Susan

Choose The Word

 

The other day, I had a song stuck in my head.  It certainly wasn't one of my favorite songs.  It was just one of those songs I had heard repeatedly on the radio.  I have no idea why this song came to mind. I couldn't get it out of my thoughts.  It was so annoying. But I can say the exact opposite has occurred as well.  In moments of pain, loss, fear, or frustration, words of scripture or songs from Mass have come to mind, bringing me comfort and hope.  The words we choose to listen to matter. 

 These days, it is more common to memorize memes or TikToks than it is to memorize scripture.  But I've found that memorizing scripture has helped me hear God's voice amidst all the noise. It's not about memorization but about internalizing the words and letting them guide your thoughts and actions. The more familiar I become with scripture, the easier it is for me to hear God.  Like an old friend, God can place an image, a verse, or a story in my mind when I am searching for answers or consolations.  These moments of truth speak volumes.  In just a few minutes, my dear friend reminds me of His unfailing love; sometimes, His thoughts help me grow beyond my pain.

 God has been speaking to us for thousands of years.  Open His Book, open your ears, and let Him breathe Life into your thoughts.  Both your mind and your soul will thank you for it!

-Susan

  

 

  

Rest With Me

 

    I was home most of the day with my cute little dog. He generally likes to follow me around, so I made a point of just sitting next to him. I brought my laptop and reading materials next to his favorite spot by the window.  Unfortunately, he kept running to the treat cupboard in the kitchen, begging for another treat. Exasperated, I looked at him and said, "Honey, I can't just give you treats all day.  Isn't it enough just to be with me?" Suddenly, I was struck with a thought.  I wondered if God has ever felt that way with me?

  I spend plenty of time praying, and I know there is nothing wrong with asking God to bless and strengthen me.  I am confident He wants me to pray for those He has put in my life.  But is it possible that some days my prayer life is too busy? Do I spend enough time just being near Him?

  This week, I'm going to rest my thoughts. I will match the sound of my breathing to His. I will close my eyes to this world so that I may see Him looking at me. I will hold His hand and whisper, "Lord, You know what is in my heart. Let me rest with You while You show me what's in Your heart."

  What a treat this time will be for me.

-Susan

Are You Coming?

 

  Danny was sitting on his couch in front of the TV when his phone rang.  "Danny, what are you doing?" asked Pete.

 "Nothing much,"' Danny replied.

 "Hey, I'm watching these races at the stadium. You have to come to check it out."

 Danny looked at his watch as if he had somewhere to be, but he knew he had no plans. "Hmmm, I guess I could meet you there."

 "Great!" Pete replied. "Text me when you get here.  I"'ll meet you at the front gate."  Thirty minutes later, Pete ushered his old friend inside the stadium.  "I've got great seats."

 Danny looked down on the track.  Danny saw the runners lining up, but it made no sense. No one looked athletic.  "What kind of a race is this? Is that toddler seriously going to race against those adults?  How old is that woman on the end?"

 "Just watch, trust me, you will love this," Pete answered.  Without any fanfare, the people began moving forward.

 Danny was perplexed.  "Pete, what are they doing.  I only see one person moving fast.  That teenager was in the lead, and now he's just standing there.  I think he even took a few steps backward. That bald guy is moving sideways, and that other woman barely moves. How is this a race?"

 Pete started laughing.  "Isn't this great?  I come here every week just to cheer people on."

 Danny noticed the fast guy was close to lapping everyone.  "So how many times do they go around?  Obviously, that guy is going to win."

 "Oh, I think they are all going to win.  It's not about crossing the finish line first. It's just about finishing the race."  Pete looked down at the racers and screamed, "Come on, keep going. You can do this!"

 "What are they even trying to do?" Danny asked.

 Pete smiled at his good friend.  "Danny, they are each trying to obtain holiness.  Their paths all look different, and sometimes obstacles come out of nowhere.  It's amazing to see how they handle them.  It's really inspiring.  In fact, that's why I invited you down here today.  I'm tired of being a spectator.  I want to enter the race. I want us to enter the race.  I think we could do it!"

 "What? I don't know how to be holy."

 "We could learn together.  There are a lot of good coaches and trainers down there.  You study the playbook, and then you run your own race. We could figure this out together.  What do you say?"  Pete stood up and started walking toward the field.  "Are you coming?"

 Danny's head was spinning.  "You really think I could become holy?'

 Pete modded. "I do."

 Danny had never thought much about becoming holy before, but now that Pete suggested it, he wondered if it was possible.  "People are going to help me?"

 "Yep.  But not just people.  The Holy Spirit is the main coach.  Once you say "Yes," The Holy Spirit knows how to inspire you.  You just have to train yourself to hear His voice and rely on His knowledge."

 "What if I fail?" Danny asked.

 "What if you don't?" Pete replied.  "We've got everything to gain.  Are you coming?"

 Danny took one uneasy step forward and said, "Ya, I'm coming!"

-Susan

 

 

Is The Static Getting To You?

 

  My daughter came in from outside, plopped down on the couch, saying. "Mom, there is something wrong with the radio in my car.  It's all static.  I don't know what to do.  I really don't need to deal with another problem right now."  

 My advice was not very helpful:  "You'll have to have someone look at it and determine whether it can be fixed or if you need to have it replaced."

 "Do you know how annoying it is to just hear static?"

 My daughter's question lingered with me for a while.  Sometimes, the world's noise can get to us, especially when praying.  How do we tune into God amidst all the distractions around us? Just like turning a radio to a specific frequency, tuning into God means focusing our thoughts and prayers on Him, blocking out the 'static' of the world. Some days, this can be a real struggle. If the station you're tuned into has static, don't be afraid to try a new channel.  You don't always have to listen to the 'Oldies' station. Discover a saint you are unfamiliar with and see what prayer they like singing.  Tune into a meditation. Psalm, or Christian artist.

 Sometimes, finding a quiet spot to be with God can be helpful.  Rest your head on His shoulder and say nothing at all.  Let His love permeate and rejuvenate you.  Don't let your relationship with God go static; allow it to be dynamic. Spending Eternity with God isn't just for the future.  Eternity can begin right here, right now.  We just need to tune into God.

-Susan

  

Getting To The Heart Of The Story

 

   

  Helen entered the kitchen as a loud discussion ended between her daughter and fourteen-year-old granddaughter. Her daughter, red in the face, exclaimed, "As long as you live in my house, you are going." She quickly brushed past Helen.  Fourteen-year-old Brooke defiantly sulked in her chair.  She barely noticed Helen sitting down at the table.

 "Brooke, could you pass the sugar my way?"  Without speaking or even looking, Brooke slid the sugar to her grandma.  Helen took a spoonful of sugar and stirred it in her coffee.  She looked at her granddaughter and then said, "You know, there was a time I didn't want to go to church either,"

 "Did your mom make you go, too?"

 "Yes, she did. I even told her I wouldn't go once I moved out."

 Surprised, Brooke turned toward her grandma and said, "What did she say to that?"

 "Nothing, but I saw her eyes fill up with tears.  I knew I had hurt her.  I felt bad. Then, about a week later, she told me this story.  She said her mother gave her a beautiful glass heart when she was young. Her mother said it was priceless because she had poured all her love into it. A few months later, my grandma died.  At first, my mother just placed the heart on a shelf, and from time to time, she looked at it and thought of her mother.

 Then, one day, my mother became very sick, and the doctors thought she would die.  She felt so lost that she picked up the heart from the shelf and placed it in her pocket.  It wasn't until she carried that heart with her every day that she began to feel the waves of love throughout her whole being.  That love strengthened her, guided her, and comforted her.  She began viewing her circumstances differently.  She viewed others differently.  She carried that heart with her all her days."

 "Did she die?" Brooke asked.

 "No.  To everyone's surprise, my mother got better. She always claimed that love healed her."

 "Her mother's love healed her?" Brooke asked.

 "No.  My mother said her whole life changed one day at Mass. After receiving Holy Communion, she realized that if she could feel her mother's love from this crystal heart in her pocket, how much more love could there be in the host she had just consumed. She told me before that day she had faith, but it was just something nice to look at occasionally.  It wasn't until she opened her heart to Jesus in the Eucharist that she started living her faith.  As I said, her whole life changed.  Love healed her."

 "Wow, that's quite a story, Grandma," Brooke said.

 "Yes.  After my mother told me this story, she slid that crystal heart over to me.  I had tears in my eyes this time as I placed it in my pocket. The next time I went to Mass, I asked Jesus to let me feel his love, too.  My whole life changed."  Helen reached into her pocket and slid the heart over to Brooke. "Brooke, Love can heal you, too. I would love it if this was your story, too."

 With tears in her eyes, Brooke placed the heart in her pocket.  She kissed her grandma on the forehead and said. "I'm going to go get ready for church, Grandma.  Tell Mom to wait for me."

-Susan