Come On In

  French doors, sliding doors, rotating doors, wooden doors, day in and day out we all go through them.  And unless they are locked, we don't really give them much thought.  There is a set of doors, however, that can change our lives forever.  The door to God's infinite mercy.  Not only is this door unlocked, but it has been thrown open so everyone can easily enter.  God has a special invitation for each of us.  He is asking us to draw close to Him, so that He may heal and forgive us, and lavish us with graces.
  God has been calling your name.  Have you heard Him?  He is waiting for you to come home.  "Now is the time."  Do not let this invitation lie unopened .  It requires a response. Can you see God standing there waiting for you to take a step forward?  If not, then you need to open one more door first.  You need to open the door to your heart.  Trust that God loves you.  With great trust take your open heart to God and allow Him to hold it in His hands. Feel the Presence of God, His Very Spirit, enter the door of your heart and fill you with His loving mercy.  Remain open and vulnerable while God transforms you.  He has great plans for you and for the whole world.  A plan that hinges on an open door invitation to you.  

-Susan

Feeling Renewed

  Today is a special day for me.  Today I will be renewing my Consecration to Mary.  It is also the feast day of St. Louis De Montfort.  I mention this, because it was through the readings of St. Louis De Montfort, that I was inspired to give my heart to Mary.  I am so happy to be a hand servant of Mary!  I find myself constantly turning to Mary for help and guidance. 

 I would like to share with you my own personal prayer that I pray every day to Mary:

  "Mary I long to be closer to you. I wish to honor and love you the way you truly deserve. I place myself, my family, and all that we own into your hands. Guide us, teach us, protect us, and show us your ways. Give us the graces we need each day to be an instrument of the Lord's mercy.   As I consecrate myself to Jesus, through you Mary, I beg that you deepen and enrich this devotion. Help me so that I may not fail.  Strengthen this desire to love you more.  Help me to be completely dependent upon you. I love you."

  Since my consecration,  I have come across an excellent book for anyone who is interested in consecrating themselves to Mary. It is called "33 Days to Morning Glory" by Michael E. Gaitley.  It includes the teachings of St. Louis De Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe,  Blessed Mother Theresa, and St. John Paul II.  I use this book to help me prepare in renewing my consecration each year.  I would highly recommend it.

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Susan

My Favorite Love Stories

   Hollywood has made millions of dollars with love stories that touch our hearts,  making us long for a similar relationship.  Often the couple falls romantically in love, endures some type of hardship,  and then come to the realization that they would do whatever was necessary to stay together.  I have to admit,  I enjoy a good love story.  The world looks brighter through the eyes of love.
  Some of my favorite love stories are those of the saints.  When I read their words of love for our Lord, it touches my heart, and I yearn for that same loving relationship. Their love seems to endure trial after trial as they keep their loving eyes on God.   I would like to share a few of the many great scenes of love, hoping that it inspires you as well.

"My Jesus, you are my hope, my salvation, my strength, my joy.  I want you to be my Love: the only one I think about, the only one I desire, the only one I adore."      St. Alphonsus Liguori

After receiving holy Communion just before his death St. Phillip Neri said, "Here is my Love!"

"God loves each of us as if there were only of us."
"To fall in love with God is the greatest romance, to seek Him the greatest adventure, to find Him the greatest human achievement."
        St. Augustine

"Our Lord frequently told me that I should keep a secluded place for Him in my heart where He would teach me how to love Him."
    St. Margaret Mary Alacoque



-Susan

The Bridge

A moment of prayerful reflection....

  Imagine that you are walking along a trail.  The tall, shady trees allow just enough sunshine through to keep you warm, without overheating you.  As you walk, you can smell just a hint of clover and hear the upcoming stream, beckoning you to come closer.  Notice the beauty all around you as you slowly continue to walk.  The tree-lined path now brings you to the edge of a river, where you notice a large wooden bridge.  The bridge reminds you of an outstretched hand, willing to help people easily cross to the other side where a beautiful meadow of wildflowers gently sway to the music of a summer breeze.  You smile as you consider this view to be a taste of heaven.  As you begin to cross the bridge,  try to think of three people in your life that could really benefit from a clearer vision or understanding of heaven and God.........  When you reach the middle of the bridge, stretch your arms and hands out in the form of a cross.  Silently tell God the names of these three individuals and ask God if He would use you as a bridge to bring them closer to Him.  (These people may have obstacles in their life that prevent them from moving forward.)  Ask God for the understanding and wisdom to help.  As you continue to cross the bridge you notice a lounge chair in the middle of the field.  Take the next few minutes to sit in the chair and talk to God about bridging the gap for your friends.


Have a great weekend!

Susan

Greetings from Paradise

 (Please read previous post "Paradise" first)

  Hi from Paradise!  This will be my only time to post.  I'm traveling in areas were there is no internet.  Not to worry, though, this trip is more than I ever imagined.  I have never been this happy or at peace.  I'm traveling with a guide who knows this world better than anyone.  He is totally amazing!
  I have a whole new perspective on life.  It turns out that Paradise is a slice of heaven, and heaven is right here on earth.  God is present right in our midst, except for some reason, we never recognize Him.  My guide is teaching me to look into the eyes of the poor, the down-trodden, and the meek and know that God is there.  He is waiting for us to respond to Him with love!
  I feel like I have spent too much time focused on all the wrong things.  All my baggage was weighing me down and I didn't even know it.  I am traveling very light now, and I feel exhilarated and free!
  I have to go now.  I love and miss you all!  I can't to share all that I have experienced.  I feel like I am truly living now.   My eyes and ears have been opened and my heart has been softened.  I'll see you all soon.   Love, Tessa


-Susan

Paradise

  Tessa took one last look at her closet.  "Was there anything else she would need?" she thought to herself.  For the past two months she had carefully planned exactly what outfits to pack.  She had chosen outfits that were wrinkle free, could easily be dressed up or dressed down, and everything mixed and matched well.  She could hardly believe her trip was finally here!  It was a dream come true when she had heard her name declared as the winner of the month long trip to Paradise.
  She closed her suitcase and announced to herself  "I'm ready!"  She carried the suitcase down the stairs and set it next to her equally prepared carry on bag.  Within minutes the doorbell rang and Tessa's airport limo driver greeted her with a smile and grabbed her bags.  The airport was a good forty-five minute ride which gave her more than enough time to say some last minute good-byes.  It was difficult to contain her excitement as she spoke.  She seemed to repeat herself with each conversation, "No, I still don't know where in Paradise I'm going....Yes I will call and let you know...of course I will take lots of pictures...don't worry I will post everything on Facebook.."  Tessa said her last good-bye as they pulled into the airport.  
  Tessa was not familiar with this airport.  She had never flown in a private jet.  As the car pulled into a parking space she placed her hand on her stomach hoping to keep the butterflies down.  Tessa stepped out of the car, looked around, and wondered if there were others traveling with her.  She only saw one other man at the gate.  She stood next to the car waiting for the driver to retrieve her bags.  Oddly, he remained in the car.  Awkwardly she waited wondering if she should say something.  "Oh, he's probably waiting for me to tip him.  Of course, what was I thinking?"
  As Tessa looked for some singles in her wallet she did not notice the gentleman at the gate approach her.  "Hello, you must be Tessa.  We have been waiting for you.  Are you ready for your trip to Paradise?"
  "I am!  Let me just tip the driver, grab my bags and I'm all yours."
  "Oh, there's no need for that.  There is no need for any luggage.  We fly very lightly," the man said with a polite smile.
  "Excuse me, I'm confused.  Did you just say not to take my bags.  Your kidding, right?"  Tessa's stomach twisted in a knot.  "Oh my gosh, is this some kind of a scam?  I knew it was too good to be true."  Nervously she reached into her purse for her cell phone.
  "Tessa, I assure you this is no scam.  You were promised a trip to Paradise, correct?"
  "Yes."
  "That is were I intend to take you.  The Lord has been looking forward to your visit.  He will take care of all your needs.  The only thing required is your complete trust.  Do you trust the Lord?"
  Tessa felt her head spin as she tried to comprehend this man's words.  "I'm going to The Paradise as in Heaven?"
  "Yes, of course Paradise is in Heaven.  Where did you think you were going?"
  "I thought somewhere tropical or exotic...never did I think Heaven!" Tessa exclaimed trying not to sound frantic, but clearly  failing at this attempt.  Tessa turned to grab the handle of the car door when she heard another voice.
  "Tessa, it is your choice to leave, but I was hoping you would come with me."  Before Tessa even turned toward the voice, she knew who was speaking to her.
  "Jesus!" was all she could say before she rushed into His arms.  "I love you."
  "I know.  That is why I want to spend some time with you.  I want to share something with you.  Do you trust me enough to leave everything behind and follow me?"
  Tessa nodded her head up and down and said "Yes, I trust you."
    Jesus smiled and then gently held Tessa's hand in His and replied, "Good, then let's begin our adventure."  Together they walked past a pile of luggage and then turned the corner.
  

-Susan

Ordinarily Beautiful!

  As I walked the shoreline with my daughters, we saw a multitude of different shells.  From a distance the shells all looked very similar, but as you got closer, each shell was a different size, a different color, a different shape. They were not the extraordinary ones you would photograph or prominently put on a shelf.  These were the ones people walked past without noticing. However, each one was beautifully created. 
  My daughter began collecting shell after shell. "Look, Mom, this one has a hole in it!  I could do so much with it!"  Then she picked up a broken shell and said, "Wow, even this broken one is beautiful!  I could fix this one or make it into something better."

  The thrill of my daughter's excitement caught me by surprise.  As she spoke,  I felt God's Presence with us.  I looked out at the ocean for a minute and silently took in the beauty all around me.  It was the perfect opportunity for a moment of prayer.  I wondered. "My Lord, You are an amazing Creator. You put so much thought and detail into each shell. If you cared this much about a shell, Your love for us must be tremendous.  Do you ever look at humanity the way my daughter marvels over these shells?"

  I stood there drinking in the magic of the seashore for a few minutes hoping for a response. When I looked back at my daughter and saw her standing there smiling,  I felt as if I had found my answer. 

-Susan

I Promise

  I love the fact that God goes out of His way to remind us how much He loves us.  Through our personal storms and moments of sunshine, He reaches out to touch us and immerse us in His Light.  How has God shown His love for you this week?  Find some quiet moments today counting the ways God has  blessed you.  When you feel you are finished, ask God to enlighten you to anything you may have overlooked.  You may be pleasantly surprised just how much God was thinking about you.

-Susan 

A quote from St. Therese

- Theresa

Temptation

  This morning I sat down and poured myself a bowl of cereal.  I noticed someone must have had cereal late last night, because they didn't put the box away.  I glanced at the back of the box and saw a heading- "How do you fight temptation?"  What?  Since when do cereal boxes address sin?  As I read the smaller print, I realized they were addressing the temptation to eat unhealthy foods and instead we should try to start the day off right with a balanced breakfast (which of course makes more sense.) 
   But it did get me thinking.... what if we all started the morning considering what our temptations cause us to sin, would that help us avoid it?  What if our morning prayer included, "Lord please help me to recognize those situations I should try to avoid today."  The fifteen seconds it takes to say that prayer may truly help us start our day of right with a breakfast that keeps us balanced.

-Susan

Mercy Rules!

  I am excited to share with you that I consecrated myself to Divine Mercy on Divine Mercy Sunday following the example of St. Therese of Lisieux!  My preparation centered around the book "33 Days to Merciful Love" by Father Michael E. Gaily, MIC.  I am eager to begin this new path or "Little Way" as St. Therese, herself, would describe it.
  As I was talking to my son about my consecration, I said, "I wonder what plans God may have for me?.......I really don't know......but I know what my response will be. 'Put me in coach, I'm ready to play, today' (You have to imagine me singing the song "Centerfield" by John Fogerty and then I changed the next line to:  Look at me, I could be, your hands of mercy!)  As I sang and danced around the kitchen my son shook his head and said, "That's cool, Mom, but please just stop singing."  I know he thought I was embarrassing myself, but I couldn't help it, I was filled with joy!
  I realize I'm just a small member of the team.  I'm not one of the heavy hitters, but that's okay with me.  I'm just happy to be part of the team!  I'm just going to keep practicing the ways of "Merciful Love" and trust in God's game plan.  Yes, I am looking forward to a winning season where mercy rules.  And, it is my understanding, that there are plenty of open positions, so please consider joining the team.

-Susan

Divine Mercy Sunday

           May God’s Mercy  fill 

                     you with Joy!

Have a blessed day!

Susan

The Path of Holiness

  

  I was in the bookstore today and I noticed a book describing the holiest places on earth to visit.  Of course I had to pick it up and skim through the pretty pages.  I wondered what makes a certain location more holy than another?  
  I think the holiest places have more to do with our journey towards God and less with the geographical location.  We have just spent the last week with Jesus in the Upper Room, the Garden of  Gethsemane, Calvary, and the tomb where Jesus was buried and rose on Easter morning.  Although I have never physically visited any of these places, the spiritual journey of walking with Jesus during these events is definitely a path of holiness.  I also believe the steps I take towards Holy Communion and Reconciliation are very holy paths.  What steps do you take to bring you closer to Christ?
  This Sunday I hope you choose to continue to walk with Jesus and celebrate His great mercy.  Jesus said to St. Faustina, "I desire that the whole world know My infinite mercy.  I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in my mercy."  (Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul).  "My dearest secretary, write that I want to pour out My divine life into human souls and sanctify them, if only they were willing to accept my grace."

-Susan