Oh, His Light!

  

 My sister and I went on a girls' trip to Antelope Canyon in Arizona earlier this year. We were lucky enough to take three different tours of the canyons: one by boat and two separate hikes. The canyons were breathtaking and mesmerizing.  Depending on the sunlight filtering through, the canyons looked completely different.  You could stand in one spot and turn 360 degrees, watching the color intensity shift before your eyes. I took picture after picture trying to capture their beauty, but I fell short of doing it justice.

  Faith can be like that, too. Feeling God's love is incredible! Then God reveals a little more, and you are even more amazed. As you turn to focus on His mercy, you can't even fully grasp it! As you try to share this experience and describe God's love to someone else, your words fall short because you can't truly capture how He has touched your life and changed your heart. His beauty can't be contained in just one conversation or thousands of books. His Light transforms everything! God is the adventure of a lifetime, and we are all lucky enough to experience it!

-Susan

Listen Carefully

 

  Last week, I was shopping for a new rocking recliner. With the arrival of another beautiful grandchild, I thought it would be a good idea. I found the perfect chair until I looked at the price tag. I guess it had been a while since I bought my last rocking recliner, and needless to say, prices have increased. I remember the saleswoman telling me there were additional chairs on the other side of the store. I wondered if they would be more affordable. Disappointed, I strolled over to the other side. I told myself it would take an unexpected windfall to afford a new chair. 

  As I went to try another chair, I saw something interesting sticking out of the side of the cushion.  It was a wallet with an outside money clip filled with money! I laughed, thinking, "Wow, my wishes usually don't come true like this."  I immediately turned in the wallet, knowing the owner would soon panic over its disappearance.

  When I returned home and told my daughter the story, she laughed and said, "You know, Mom, if it wasn't for your morals, you would be sitting in a new chair."

  "I'd rather have my morals."

  "What if that was God's way of helping you?' my daughter teased.

  "I don't think that's the way God works.  But that is how someone else works, and I don't like being trapped in his lies."

  I share this story because we live in a world filled with many voices, opinions, and versions of the truth.  There is, however, one Truth.  Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)  Consider how valuable the Truth is.  It is the path that leads to the Father.  Avoid any shortcuts or alternate routes.  Know the voice you are listening to and stay on the path leading to Eternity.

-Susan

Walking Towards Heaven

 

  Paulina knew she had tried hard to "fight the good fight."  Was she perfect?  Of course not.  She did her best to listen to the Lord's voice when making decisions.  She could clearly hear His voice right now. He was calling her.  A small smile appeared as she took her first step.  As she slowly walked toward heaven, she fixed her eyes on the Lord.

  The path was straight and narrow, but many others were on the same path with numerous familiar faces around her. The music softly touched her ears, seeming to amplify the Lord's call at the same time. She was almost there. The glories of heaven surrounded her.  

  Paulina trembled slightly as she took her last step forward. Reverently, she bowed before the Lord, then fixed her eyes entirely on Him. This was the moment she had prepared for, and she was ready. She reached out her hands, eager to embrace Him. Then the sweetest words were spoken to her, "The Body of Christ."

  Paulina let her heart, mind, and soul speak at the same time, "Amen!"

-Susan

A Far Greater Plan

      

  Last week, I talked about my family trip to Boston. One of my favorite things about vacations is that they can provide rest and a new perspective. My oldest daughter was excited to experience the Freedom Trail in downtown Boston.  She had learned earlier in the year that her husband's great-grandfather (x 5) was buried in one of the cemeteries on the Freedom Trail. Both my daughter and son-in-law wanted to pay their respects. Later, one of my other children asked my daughter why she was so excited about it, since it wasn't her heritage. My daughter quickly responded, "I wanted to say thank you. My husband or children would not have existed if it weren't for him."

  I reflected on this conversation later.  Each of us, no matter how ordinary our lives may seem, is so important to God's plan of salvation.  Our names may not be written in the history books, but they are engraved in God's heart. Every time we respond "Yes" to God, we have the potential to change the world.  The measure of our success is not how we or the rest of the world view our lives, but how God sees them.  God's plans are far greater than we could ever imagine, and this thought gives me great hope.

  People may not know about our trials, failures, or joys in a few hundred years. Perhaps the only thing that may endure is a name etched in stone.  Yet, I would consider it an honor to have a young family approach that stone and say, "Thank you, your life made all the difference in our lives."  And I hope they thank God for all His Plans known and unknown to them in their next breath.

-Susan

You Will Be happy

 

  One of my favorite movie lines came to mind today. The main character is about to get married and asks his best man for advice on marriage. The best man responds, "You'll be happy; you just won't know it." That simple truth always makes me smile. We often overlook the small, joyful moments, wishing for a fairy tale life full of endless fun and happiness. Rather than focusing on everyday blessings, we tend to judge our lives based on our worst moments and what we lack.

  God is always working in our lives. Jesus reminds us of this during His Sermon on the Mount and His teachings on the Beatitudes. Even when life is tough, God is close to us, drawing us nearer to Him. Can we truly be happy despite our pain? Jesus tells us, "Yes." Even on our worst days, we can receive the Eucharist, and the Holy Spirit always dwells with us. Our cup isn't half full; it's overflowing with divine graces. We are blessed beyond understanding!

  This week, do yourself a favor and try to remember all the blessings in your life. Our lives are better than any fairy tale. They are filled with God's love and Divine Presence! My advice is to remember that you are blessed, even when you don't feel it. If you spend your life united to God, you will be happy, and you will know it!

-Susan

I'll Take That To Go

  

    Jack pulled up to the window and rolled down his window. “Welcome to Heavenly Treats. Can I take your order?” asked the polite voice through the speaker.

“Yes, please, I’ll take the large cup of blessings, one order of forgiveness, and a side of charity.”

“What type of forgiveness would you like?” asked the voice.

“Oh, just give me a variety. I’m sharing it with my coworkers.”

“Would you like to supersize your cup of blessings?”

“No, thank you. I’m trying to sacrifice this week.”

“OK, pull up to the first side altar window, and we’ll prepare it for you.”

 Clearly, this is not how we develop faith. We can’t demand God bless us (even though God freely offers this). Forgiveness should be given genuinely and intentionally, reflecting on our actions and the desire to rebuild our relationship with God. 
 Growing in faith requires time, commitment, patience, love, and trust. Some days are easier than others, and it involves prayer, reflection.  We need to discern God's call and then respond. We can’t just pick up some faith; we must dedicate our lives to honestly examining the truth of the gospels. We can’t just stop by church to meet our needs; we should bring the church to those in need. It will take effort, but as they say, “If you enjoy what you are doing, it doesn’t feel like work.”
 Please come by the Church this week. Ask Jesus to bless and forgive you.  Spend time with Jesus and ask Him to reveal His heart to you. Stay as long as you can, then take Jesus by the hand and share Him with the world.  It’s okay to take Jesus to go.

-Susan

Drive Safely

 

    During a recent family road trip, I took the first shift driving so my kids could sleep. A few hours later, my son volunteered to take his turn behind the wheel, and I was glad to let him. It wasn’t long before I nodded off in the backseat, but I wasn’t asleep for long.

  "Hey Mom, I think you should wake up now.”

  I opened my eyes. “What’s wrong?”

  “I think I’m going to get pulled over pretty soon. There’s a cop behind me.”

  “Were you speeding?” Of course, I already knew the answer. I breathed a heavy sigh. “How much were you going over?”

  My son, who has mastered the art of giving his mother elusive answers, replied, “Enough.”

  I quickly saw him make the sign of the cross. I was about to comment that’s not how that works, but I kept quiet. We sat silently for a few miles until we saw the cop turn off at a different exit. My son got lucky.

  As we continued to drive, I thought about my son making the sign of the cross. While our faith is not a “get out of jail free card,” I’m glad he thought to turn to God after making a mistake. Turning to God doesn’t get us out of the consequences for our actions, but God’s grace helps us navigate those consequences. Fortunately, we are never alone. God is always there to help us. We only need to open our hearts to Him and ask for His forgiveness.

  Whichever road you choose this summer, I hope it draws you closer to God. Hopefully, the sign of the cross will be the only hand gesture you turn to while driving.

-Susan

Thank God!

 

  A few days ago, I turned on the morning news while drinking my coffee. After finishing my coffee, I went about my day, addressing various tasks. I had forgotten to shut the TV off, and I happened to walk into the room an hour or so later. A different talk show was on, and the guest was encouraging everyone to ask for signs from the universe to help manage their life. Signs from the universe, what is she talking about?

  I didn’t know if she thought stars and planets cared about her problems and could help her, or if she was just trying to discuss God without actually mentioning His name.  Either way, I was annoyed, so I shut the television off.   I wondered why it is so difficult for people to say, “I believe in God, the Creator? I believe that God cares deeply for me.  I pray to God because I know He is listening to me, and I am listening to Him as well." Our love for God should not be kept a secret. 

 This week, I would like us to all be bold. Each day, find a way to let others know how grateful you are for God’s love. Find ways to express gratitude or praise to God in your daily conversations with others. Don’t leave people wondering if God is essential to you; leave them knowing that God is everything to you!

-Susan

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

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