Have You Conquered Your Enemies?

  There is a big money making franchise in super hero movies these days. Characters with incredible physical abilities are able to conquer their foes. Everyone wants to see Evil put in its place. Let's face it, evil exists in all of our lives, often on a daily basis. How do you react to injustice, greed, dishonesty, betrayal, profanity, etc.? Do you see yourself as the hero, the villain, or the victim? Does it even matter?
  It definitely matters.  Everything we do matters.  Sometimes evil creeps into our lives and we don't even recognize it.  We can get so comfortable with it, that we  don't even bother to change our bad habits. We may not have incredible physical abilities, but we are given incredible graces to succeed in our quest for heaven. Jesus doesn't want us to be a little good, or a little better than most--He wants us to be very good. God is always good.
   Let's try to focus on honesty, not only in our words, promises, and actions, but also on how we view ourselves.  Let's do our part in conquering Evil.  Let's keep this fight honest.  Let's keep fighting the good fight.

-Susan

Don't Set It Aside

  Have you ever spent a lot time thinking of the perfect gift to give to someone? Have you ever been disappointed when the gift was never really used?  I have definitely had this experience. 
 I was thinking about how God blesses each of us with an abundance of graces so that we may become holy. Each grace is a gift of love from God.  This got me thinking. . . if God is generously giving me graces to make me holy. . . .why am I still so far from obtaining that goal?  Sadly, the answer to that question is "me".   I do not always recognize, unwrap, or use all the gifts God has given me. 
  This week let's spend some extra time in prayer asking God to help us be more open to the graces He has given. God knows exactly what we need.  He gives us the perfect gifts. Today's grace is for today! Don't set it aside.  Just open your heart and put it to use right away!

-Susan

Let's Stay Warm

  After a week of freezing arctic temperatures last week, I certainly appreciated the pendulum swing of warmer weather this weekend.  It felt good to get outside again.  As I was walking my dog, I wondered if the cold ever gets to God. How many times have we given God the cold shoulder because our prayers weren't answered  to our liking?  As God views us from heaven, does He ever look at us and wonder, "How could they be so cold to each other?"
  Wouldn't it be nice if we surprised God and swung our pendulum of coldness the other way? Let's heat things up! Perhaps we could start by placing more trust in God when weathering our personal storms.  Maybe we could blanket one another with love and compassion.  Let's pray for the Holy Spirit to burn bright in us. What if each of us tried to make this a record high year for loving God?  Let's bring a warm front God's way!  I think that would be an amazing future forecast for all of us.

-Susan

Can You Fix It?

  Like many of you, my life is filled with its share of challenges. Sometimes I wonder why life has to be so difficult?  I would like to share a moment of my prayer life with you. Maybe it will encourage you to understand things differently.

  "Lord can you fix this broken heart of mine?”

  I felt the Lord answer, “I could, but my love would not spill out of it the same way.  Your broken heart is not a punishment. A heart that is broken allows My love to flow through the cracks and touch others, because you can not contain it within you anymore.  Your brokenness is a blessing.  An opportunity for me to touch those who are close to you.  The more my love seeps through the cracks of your heart, the more I will fill you with My love.”

 I guess if the Lord is going to continue to fill me with His love, I can live with my brokenness.

-Susan

Looking For Help

 Dean followed the middle age friar down a long narrow hallway.  As he looked at the beige stone walls, he wondered if he had made a mistake coming here for the weekend.  He almost changed his mind when at last the friar opened a door at the very end of the hallway.
  The friar smiled at Dean and said, "I hope you enjoy your stay. Let me know if you need anything."
  Dean looked around the room as the friar dismissed himself.  There was a simple, solitary bed, a desk and a chair.  "Need anything? It looks like I need everything.  This is so basic," Dean said out loud to himself.  Dean sat at the edge of the bed and stared at the only thing hanging on the wall-a small, very simple crucifix.  He just sat there staring at the crucifix as he tried to push away the problems brewing in his head.  He felt as if things were really out of control in his life.  Pressure was mounting in so many directions, and he couldn't see any solutions.  He shook his head, looked at the crucifix and said, "My hands are tied, and Yours are nailed to a cross.  I need help. You need help.  How can either one of us do anything?"
  Dean had buried his head into his hands when he heard the Lord's voice say, "There is something you could do. I would like you to find My mother and embrace her?  It would please me a great deal." Dean hesitated for a minute. He did not understand Jesus' request.  Jesus continued, "It is not your hands that are tied, but rather your heart and mind.  Go find Mary and she will help you loosen that which binds you."
  Dean looked around the room. Mary?  He did not see any pictures or statues of Mary in his room.  Dean was confused and wondered where he was supposed to find Mary. He wondered if maybe the friar knew where he could find Mary. Dean opened the door to his room and quickly walked down the hall searching for the friar. "Well that's just great," Dean thought to himself, "I can't find the friar either."  The friar was no where in site.  As Dean walked the hallway he saw a table with a small opened box containing rosaries.  There was an adjacent sign that read, "Please help yourself."
  Dean picked up a rosary and looked at the wooden beads.  He hadn't prayed the Rosary in a very long time.  He thoughtfully carried the rosary back to his room.  He entered the room and enthusiastically said, "Jesus, I found Your mother!"  Dean smiled at Jesus as he gently embraced the rosary.  As he meditated on the mysteries of the Rosary that weekend, he began to see things differently and He felt more peaceful.  Dean began to feel Jesus' love for Mary, and Mary's love for her Son. It was a beautiful, amazing experience of love.
 The weekend passed very quickly and Dean discovered that he really didn't need much more in his room then the basics.  He focused on listening to Jesus plea to embrace His mother.  As Dean embraced Mary, Mary embraced Dean and loosened the knots that were binding him.  Dean discovered something very important that weekend.  He realized that if he continued to pray the Rosary with Jesus and Mary, his life would be filled with love and unimagined possibilities.

-Susan

In Search of the Newborn King

  This past weekend we celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany. I'm always amazed when I hear this story.  These men traveled so far in search of baby Jesus. They were guided by a single star, a sign from heaven.  I wonder if they had ever felt lost or questioned if they were on the right path?
  Have you ever wondered if you were on the right path? I have to admit, I have had plenty of those moments in my life. I'm sure if I had a bird's eye view of my life's journey so far, I would see that I have veered right and left quite a bit, and there were plenty of times I kept going in circles. It's frustrating because I desire to take the most direct route to Jesus, but apparently lots of little things seem to distract and confuse me. I look for signs from heaven, too, but I am not always wise enough to recognize them.  Sometimes I wonder how will I find the newborn King?
  Fortunately, I have discovered the best way to find Him is to kneel down, open my heart, and call His name. No matter how lost I may be, Jesus hears my voice and comes to me. I am completely amazed with God's love. I am nothing but a grain of sand in a vast desert, yet He picks me up and wraps me in His love, as if I were the only grain of sand. I do not have frankincense, gold, or myrrh to offer. Instead I offer Jesus my trust, my heart, and my will.  Amazingly, these gifts are enough to make the little baby Jesus smile.

-Susan

A Very Special Bond

  I have had the wonderful opportunity to spend time with my family over this past week. I just love watching my little granddaughter coo and smile and laugh with my daughter.  The two of them are so in love and mesmerized by each other.  The bond between a mother and child is so very special.
  Observing my daughter and granddaughter got me thinking about Mary and baby Jesus. It must have been absolutely amazing for Joseph to watch Jesus and Mary smiling at each other.  I wonder what Mary would do or say to make baby Jesus smile or laugh?  
  I would like to suggest that we hang on to Christmas a little longer and spend some time with the Holy Family.  We don't have the distractions of presents, festivities, or traveling any more.  We can just sit down, quietly place ourselves inside the manger, and be mesmerized by the special bond between Mary and Jesus. I can't imagine a more peaceful or more beautiful place to be.  Enjoy spending time with the Mother of God and the Christ Child. I know I will.

-Susan