What Path Are You On?

   

  Many years ago, when Maps was a new app on my phone, my family and I had a funny experience. Our vacation was over, and we were heading to the airport. My son entered the airport information. As we drove down the expressway, I saw signs for the airport. "Should I get off here?" I asked my son.

  "No.  Just keep following maps.  It always finds the quickest route."  

  We drove for several more miles following the directions from "Maps." After taking a few more turns down what looked like a back road, the voice announced, "You have arrived. Your destination is on the left. Be prepared to walk two minutes." Stunned, we all looked to our left. Behind a very tall fence were the airport runways. We were close to the airport, but definitely not in the right place. What were we supposed to do? Abandon the car, climb over the fence, and run across the runways?! We can laugh about it now, but it was incredibly frustrating at the time. Circling back definitely put us on a time crunch.

  I share this story because I want everyone to check their path this week. Today's world offers many popular options.  Some paths will definitely lead you away from God.  Some will get you close.  But are you on the path that will get you inside the gates? Double-check the voice of scripture and listen to His guidance. God has a very beautiful, intentional path designed just for you.  Make sure the voice you are hearing is His. And don't short-change yourself on time; be sure you have plenty of time to correct for mistakes. 

 So let's double-check our position and direct our hearts toward heaven. God wants everyone to make it back home. In fact, He's waiting for us with open arms.

-Susan

Keep Striving

 

  I have a running game with the children I teach at the church. I bring to mind a previous Gospel story we discussed, share four statements about it, and ask them which one is correct. I make the game easy for them, so everyone will win a prize.  Last week, however, I was surprised by how many children answered the question incorrectly.  I thought the answer was very obvious.  While preparing for this week, I decided to quiz one of my sons with my question.  Again, I believed the answer was clear.  He said," Well, I think number two is the correct answer. 'If we want to be followers of Jesus, we need to make God our number one priority',  but I don't think number four is wrong."

  I look at the fourth statement.  It read, "There is nothing hard about being a follower of Jesus.  It's super easy." My eyebrows and voice raised at the same time. "You think being a Christian is easy? Really?  I certainly don't."

  "Yes, it is, " he answered.

  "So you have no problem with the ten commandments, forgiving others,  praying for your enemies, or being kind to those who mistreat you? What about always being honest? How's that going for you? Or proclaiming the Gospel to others?"

  My son started laughing. "Ok, I see your point."

  This week, ask yourself, "Which of Jesus' teachings do you find most difficult?"  Spend some time in prayer with the Holy Spirit discussing it.  For most of us, following Jesus is challenging.  It's challenging but not impossible.  The Holy Spirit will give us the necessary graces, but we must do the work and stay committed.

  Now that I have given this question more thought, I have decided to change the fourth statement.  Now it will read, "Following Jesus is impossible, and no one can do it."  That statement should be clearly wrong to all my students, and with the Holy Spirit's help, I will pray that anyone who has walked away from the faith will realize this as well. There is a prize to be won, and Jesus wants everyone to obtain it.

-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

  

 

  

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

  

Conflict Resolution

 Conflict. We all experience it. Whether in our families, at work, our small communities, our own countries, or the world. Conflict is almost as old as peace, but there was peace first.  In the beginning, there was peace among all of God’s creatures. But one apple, one bite, one snake changed everything. 

 So, how do we restore that peace?  God still desires that we live in harmony.  The Ten Commandments could be viewed as an anti-conflict ten-step resolution program to live peacefully with one another.  There is a room in every Catholic Church where Jesus calls us to deeply consider embracing the program. He knows there will be setbacks, but He will give us the grace to succeed. 

 God has been dreaming of peace on this earth for a long time.  Let’s do our best to commit ourselves to this ten-step program and see if we can make God's dream a reality. Imagine being part of the team that makes God’s dream come true. Wouldn’t that be the best birthday present we could give the newborn King?  Advent is coming, are we ready to change?

-Susan

Prayers Needed

    

 "Please pray for us!" has been a recurring plea this week. It has been a week of unsettling news for my family, with a few members in the hospital. Being a patient or a patient's family member is a challenging journey.  It's difficult to relinquish control, wait for tests, and ponder the path ahead. But prayer is our anchor, reminding us that the Lord is always with us. We're not alone, nor do we have to face this illness alone. Personal prayer is transformative, but what about intercessory prayer?  Do we really need it? Absolutely!

 Praying for one another is what our faith calls us to do.  We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. We want the Lord to be vividly present to our loved ones.  Often, we know from experience how much grace, love, and support are needed to get through difficult situations. The power of each person's prayer is immeasurable! Other people may pray for graces we didn't even realize we needed. We all have our favorite saints, and by asking others to pray for you, you may be surrounded by an army of saints! And sometimes, in our weakness, we need an army to pray for us.

 Never underestimate the help others can give you through their prayers or the difference your prayer can make. The Lord said, "When two or more are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them." This week, let's gather together in prayer. Let's pray for ourselves and for each other.  We all need God's healing in one way or another.

 -Susan

Out With The Old, Go Bold!

 

  Lent is only a few days away. Perfectly, Ash Wednesday is on Valentine's Day, a day we devote to those we love. Unfortunately, most people don't get excited for the season of Lent. Many of us feel thrown off guard as if it snuck up and yelled, "Surprise! It's Me, Lent!" Sometimes, a mild form of panic or dismay creeps in, asking, "What will you do? What are you giving up?" Fortunately, there are so many beautiful ways to grow closer to Christ. Please pray about it. Don't make this important decision on your own.

 I want to suggest going bold this year. Do something new. Choose something difficult. It's okay if we come up short. It doesn't mean we failed. It just means we have yet to perfect that particular attitude or action. It doesn't mean we should give up or settle for something more manageable. Sometimes, a failed attempt means we need to approach the challenge differently.

 Introspection can be challenging. Recognizing and confronting our shortcomings can be discouraging, but it shouldn't be. Remember, God is in love with you. Where we see weakness, God sees opportunities to grow. He takes great delight in helping us do more than we ever thought imaginable. We might think, "Oh, no, it's Lent again (big sigh). What am I going to do this year?"

 God, on the other hand, is revving up for the big season. God is bubbling with joy as He says, "It's Lent again! Let me show you what I know is possible this year! I Am so excited to grow closer to you!" 

-Susan

DISALLUSIONED BY DEMONS?

 

 It's that time of year when walking down your neighborhood street can make you feel like you are in the middle of a horror story. As I take my daily walk praying the Rosary, I can't help but feel all those demons are trying to distract me. And to be honest, they have caught my eye. Some decorations are fun, but plenty are disturbing. I wonder if they realize how many families with children are in the neighborhood.

 As you might guess, I'm not into horror stories. I did, however, recently pick up a book about spiritual warfare. I was almost afraid to read it because exorcisms scare me. Still, I fear there are too many demons plaguing our society and families. I wanted to know how to protect my children and grandchildren. I wondered if I was strong enough for such a task.

 Fortunately, the book concentrates more on the interior life of those in our families. How can we help each other strive for holiness? What weapons should we use to fight the demons around us? Not surprisingly, many of the answers focused on the Eucharist and Mary. 'The Rosary is a powerful weapon against evil.'

 So, am I strong enough to fight the demons in the world? Not by myself. But I know who my Father is. I am a child of God. My soul is marked by the waters of Baptism. The Holy Spirit dwells in me, I am fortified by the body and blood of Christ, and I am consecrated to Mary. The battle is waging all around me and my family. It is my job to fight. With my Rosary in my hand, I'm ready to fight the good fight. Can I count on your help as well? 

-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

Can You Hear His Voice?

 

 I was talking with a friend about her one-year-old toddler. She revealed that when her son was frustrated, he would bang his head against a wall. "Why would he purposely choose to hurt himself? I spend all day wondering how to make him happy, and this is what he chooses to do." Most parents can relate. We want what's best for our children. It's hard to watch them make a poor decision. But, unfortunately, we can't make our children or others listen to us. We can talk louder so they hear us, but we can't make someone listen. Listening is a choice.

 I wonder if God ever feels this way? Like my friend, He spends all day giving us what we need to be happy, and we sometimes make poor decisions. We may not be banging our heads against a wall, but our choices may be self-destructive. This is why prayer is vital so we can be tuned in to God's voice.

 Over and over, God calls us to a life of holiness and love. Even when we choose to go our own way, God never gives up on us. He continues to pour His love and grace into us. Sometimes we may feel lost, but God never leaves our side. We are His beloved children, and He is calling us to draw near to Him. We have so many choices in front of us every day. Listening to our loving Father should be the obvious choice. Let's choose God and see if life becomes sweeter and more peaceful.

-Susan

Getting Back On Track

 

 I've spent the last couple of weeks a bit under the weather. Nothing serious. I've just been battling a cold that won't go away. I, of course, recognized the early symptoms but failed to realize what it would cost me- sleepless nights, lack of energy, headaches, and a "To-do" list left undone. It's easy to recognize when the body isn't doing well. This got me thinking...how easily do we realize when our spiritual life has caught a cold?

 Does a spiritual cold happen because we catch someone else's bad attitude? Is self-indulgence easy to pick up? Do distractions break down our spiritual cells? If our prayer life is dry, how do we hydrate it? What doesn't happen on our spiritual to-do list when our attitudes are cold?

 This week ask yourself how you are feeling spiritually. We have a few weeks before Lent begins. This is an excellent time to see what we should do to get back on track. Keep your soul healthy. You know what they say, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

-Susan

Which Path?

 

  Have you ever wondered if you are on the right path? We are all bombarded with decisions. Sometimes the answer is not always obvious. How do we know if we are making the right decision? Take the question to God and ask for guidance. As you pray, ask God, "Will you be walking this path with me?" Next, be patient, silently listen for His answer, and allow Him to direct your next step. Whether the path is smooth or rocky is not nearly as important as who is by your side for the journey.

-Susan

  

Keeping Balanced

 

"Everyone of us needs half an hour of prayer each day, except when we are busy-then we need an hour."
-St. Francis de Sales

  Being a mother of six children, I heard the following remark often. "I bet you're glad summer is ending, and all your kids will be back in school." My answer was always the same. I much prefer the leisurely days of summer. I hate all the different schedules, activities, and running around that comes with a new school season. I always feel a little off-balanced and tired. 

 I'm sure I'm not alone; feeling a little off-balanced some days. Keeping up with work schedules, school activities, emails, meal planning, grocery shopping, doctor appointments, etc., can sometimes be overwhelming. Often it seems like too much to do and not enough time. While praying, I  asked Jesus, "How did you handle this?" Imagine the demands Jesus must have felt every day in His ministry. The crowds surrounded Him, demanding healing and miracles. But, of course, Jesus answered my question almost immediately. He always found a quiet space to pray.

 No matter how busy our lives are, we must stay connected to God. Our body relies on many muscle groups to keep us physically balanced, and our spirit depends on the sacraments and prayer life to balance our lives. The graces we receive in prayer help us carry our loads, even if they are stacked too high. God doesn't want us to hit rock bottom, but if we do, He wants us to remember that a life based on prayer is the best foundation.  

-Susan

Let's Go!

 

  Just days before my nephew's wedding, I received a text from my sister. Need prayers to St. Anthony. The groom's ring has been lost! I texted back, "I'll go visit St. Anthony right now." I looked at my two prayer warriors sitting next to me. "Come on, girls, we need to pray with St. Anthony!" I quickly explained the situation to my one-year-old and three-year-old granddaughters.

 "Let's go!" said Isabella, and the three of us headed for the backyard.

  I began the prayer with, "Hi, baby Jesus! Hi St. Anthony, we need your help!" The girls listened while I talked with baby Jesus and St. Anthony. Finally, I finished with "Amen."

 Isabella looked at me and said, "I think we should pray a little more." Of course, I was more than happy to oblige. 

 The next day I received another message--the ring had been found! I shared the good news with Isabella. Her eyes got so big with amazement as she exclaimed, "It worked! Our prayers worked!!"

 I'm sharing this story because I think it's important to pray with each other and for each other. If there are children in your life, let them hear you pray. Let them know God wants to be a part of their daily lives! Prayer doesn't have to happen just at bedtime, or a meal, or during Mass. As children of God, we are blessed with the privilege to talk with God anytime, anywhere. Praying not only connects us to God, but it also connects us to one another, including the saints in heaven. It is through prayer that we resemble small children. We stretch out our hands, and our soul screams, "Up!" Our loving Father reaches down, picks us up as He wraps His arms around us, and holds us close. Prayer allows us to rise up regardless of how God chooses to answer our prayers.

 This week let your enthusiasm for prayer go unchecked. "Let's go!" climb into your Father's arms and let Him love you and all those you keep in your prayers.

-Susan

That's Alarming

 

  Recently, I had the opportunity to spend a few days visiting with my sister. One night my sister made dinner reservations at a beautiful restaurant along the river. We had been checking the radar all day because there had been a forty percent chance of rain later in the evening. However, the sun was shining when we were seated at our outdoor table, and we took our time ordering to enjoy the beautiful evening. We had just finished our salads when everyone's phones simultaneously raised a blaring alarm. My sister looked down at her phone. "You've got to be kidding! A tornado was spotted about 30 minutes away. A severe thunderstorm and tornado warning are now in effect!"

 We looked around. It had become cloudier, but still, there was no rain. Just as our entrees were served, so was the rain. Fortunately, the wait staff could make room for us inside the restaurant. The storm blew through as we finished our meal, clearing the city streets.

 Often life's storms can completely blindside us. A financial or health crisis, loss of a loved one, or a betrayal can knock us off our feet. Our perspective may be very cloudy while the storm rages around us. Unfortunately, no phone alarms warn us to take cover and move to safety as life unravels. So how can we protect ourselves? We can't. Pain, in some form or another, is a part of everyone's life. It can't be avoided, but there is something you can do today to ease the storms in your life. Take the time to build up your relationship with God today. Prayer guides us along God's path. We may have to walk through some dark stretches, but we will walk with God. Having an active prayer life doesn't take away the pain of the storm. Still, it teaches us to call out to God amid our sufferings and trust Him to direct our steps, whether it lasts days, weeks, or even years. God will never abandon us.

 We were fortunate that the tornado changed its course that night. We didn't, however, avoid the thunderstorm. The rain pelted us as we ran the ten blocks back to my sister's place. We were dripping wet when we finally arrived, but we were safe. That storm was only a minor inconvenience. It wasn't life-altering. But what has been life-altering for me is my prayer life. It has gotten me through some very dark times. I know it will do the same for you.

-Susan

Hands On Love

 

 I have been blessed to welcome another grandchild into the world this week! My daughter told me, "I just can't stop staring at this baby. He's beautiful!"

 I responded, "He is beautiful! You are right! All of God's miracles should captivate us!"  There is something so special about holding a newborn in your arms. You can feel the miracle of life.  Every inch of them is incredible, from their tiny little hands, ears, nose, to their toes. What a wonderful blessing!

 Later that night, I continued to think about his little hands. I wondered what amazing things his hands would do. I thought about my daughter's hand and all the amazing things her hands have done since I held her in my arms as a newborn and all the amazing things her hand will do to take care of her son. Then, I looked down at my own hands. They are aged and worn, but they have changed thousands of diapers, cooked meals, cared for the sick, and wiped away tears, to name a few.

 This week reflect on how your hands have shown the world God's love. Perhaps no one is cooing over how cute they are anymore. Maybe not here on earth anyway, but I wonder if God still holds us while we are sleeping and marvels at our hands, and thinks, "Keep sharing all the love I put into these hands. I have such plans for you, my child."  

-Susan

Growing in Faith

 

  Our house has a designated wall with coveted marks running up and down. It is the wall used to measure my children's height as they grow. I always enjoyed the look on my kids' faces when I would say, "You grew!" Quickly they would turn around, their eyes eager to see the answer. Then at some point, it would happen. Their height would plateau, and I would have to announce, "Nope, still the same." Eventually, we would accept they had reached adult height.

  I worry that people may also have this same approach to their faith. My kids and I have noticed their classmates were brought to church and religious education classes until Confirmation. I'm not really sure what happens, but it almost appears that either the parent or teen determines they have reached that adult height of faith. I wonder if it's alright to allow one's faith to plateau nearly the same time as their height?

 Fortunately, God has a different plan in mind. He never puts a cap on our faith life. He provides grace upon grace, nurturing our faith to grow deeper and more encompassing. Although God is incredibly generous, He does expect us to do our part. Faith is a gift, but it is also a mystery. It's beyond our understanding yet within our reach. We can't numerically measure our faith because we can't measure love. Our faith is our response to God's love. Our faith grows as we become better at loving God and loving one another.

 I wonder if it may be possible to measure our faith indirectly. Perhaps it is the measurable distance between you and God. The more our faith grows, the closer we come to God. If we are genuinely working on increasing our faith, we will not need God to yell, "You grew!". Ideally, you would be so close that you could feel His breath as He whispers, "You grew!" 

 -Susan

Forecast of Son and Peace

 

 I walked out of Mass with the melody of the closing song still playing in my head. As I approached my car, my pace became slower. I felt so much at peace, and I didn’t want it to end. I thanked the Lord for the beautiful gift of the Mass and prayed that I would not lose this peacefulness in my soul. 

 Unfortunately, only a few minutes passed before one of my children managed to annoy one of their siblings. “Do you know why I walked slower to the car today,” I asked my kids? “I didn’t want to lose that sense of peace that I feel during Mass.”

 My son looked at me and said, “Well, the church is just the place you feel peace amidst all the storms.”

 “But why must the storm always rage?” I asked. “Wouldn’t it be great if there were more moments when the storm was quiet? Is it possible for you to quiet the storm within you?”

 “Ya, I don’t know,” my son replied. 

 This got me thinking. How much do I contribute to the storms around me? Do I allow the clouds to darken my thoughts and words? Do I treat others/family differently once I’m outside the Mass? What changes in me, or is it because I haven’t changed enough? How different would the world be if each of us tried to quiet the storms we stir up?

 I realize changing the seasonal forecasts of life is not in my control. Still, maybe I could try to influence a partly cloudy day to become partly sunny as well. I truly desire to carry the peace of Christ past the church doors, and I want His peace to influence my thoughts and everyday moments. I often think it would be great to be sheltered from life’s storms. But learning to sing God’s melody of peace through the unexpected downpours of rain may ultimately be the best change to my future forecast.

  

-Susan 

The River of Grace

  After driving aimlessly for an hour, Tori saw a sign-St. Joseph's Retreat Center.  "Retreat is exactly what I need," she thought to herself.  "I need a retreat from all my problems."  She pulled into the small parking lot and put the car in park.  She smiled at the large statue of St. Joseph holding the child Jesus surrounded by a wall maintained garden of flowers.  Tori suddenly felt the urge to draw closer to the statue.  Without thinking she got out of the car and began walking down the short path towards an empty bench in front of the statue.  She just sat there and allowed her tears to slowly roll down her face.  "I've really messed things up this time.  I don't know what to do," she thought to herself.  She looked at how lovingly St. Joseph looked at the little Jesus in his arms, and longed to be able to embrace Jesus as well.
  Tori was so lost in thought that she didn't even notice the priest walking up the path until he cheerfully announced, "Good morning! How are you today?  It sure is pretty out today!"
  Tori did her best to fake a smile.  "Yes, the weather is perfect today." she said without much enthusiasm.
  "You look like you have a lot more than the weather on your mind."
  "Yes, I suppose I do," Tori replied.  "I actually don't know how I even got here.  I just got in my car and started driving, and this is where I ended up.  Is it okay that I am sitting here?"
  "Of course it is.  It's a great place to think.  I come here often myself.  Anything I can help you with?"
  "Not unless you're good at erasing mistakes," admitted Tori.
  "Well...I may be able to help you out.  Have you visited the River of Grace?  It flows right through the Church. It's known for its healing power."
  "River of Grace?  No, I've basically just been sitting outside here."
  "It's really something.  I would love to share it with you."
  "It runs right through the Church?"
  "Yep."
  Tori shrugged her shoulders and then raised her eyebrows, "Ok, that sounds pretty interesting."  Tori followed the priest into the Church.
  "Now it starts right here at the Baptismal font.  Just put your hand in there for a minute.  I want you to close your eyes, bless yourself with the sign of the Cross and then let the Spirit show you the River of Grace."
  Tori followed the priests instruction.  She closed her eyes as her hand went into the water and then blessed herself in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Suddenly Tori's eyes became wide open and she saw the River Of Grace flowing from the Baptismal font.  It was absolutely amazing!  It was so beautiful! Without thinking she removed her shoes and starting wading in the water. The gentle, warm current nudged her forward little by little.  With each step she felt completely immersed in love.  The pain of her mistakes ebbed out of her heart and disappeared into the water.  She felt a peaceful wave flow right through her.  She felt as if she had been reborn! Inspired by the River of Grace, she looked up towards the heavens and cried, "Father, forgive me, I am so sorry."
  And then she heard the Father's voice, "I absolve you of all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
  " I'm ready to begin again."  Tori was silent for a minute. "Father, thank you for inviting me in.  I didn't even realize how much I was missing by staying outside."
  Father Jim smiled.  "Jesus patiently waits for each of us to come inside so that He can heal us through the sacraments with His Divine Love and Mercy.  I'm so happy you said 'Yes' to the invitation."

-Susan
  

The Path Of Life

  These days our financial, educational, and career paths have detoured off our intended courses.  We did not foresee a world pandemic changing everything. Social distancing is necessary. Face masks are the new norm. Travel is difficult or discouraged. We have all become more introverted.  News reports and talk shows are being recorded outside the studios allowing us glimpses of celebrities interior spaces.  Perhaps, then, there is no better time than now to focus on the interior spaces of our lives.
  Spend time walking with the Lord in the interior of your mind and heart.  Take off your mask and cast away your public persona.  Put aside any thoughts of getting ahead.  Get close and personal with God.  Let your guard completely down and let the Lord love you.  Let God show you what life is really about.  God has desired so much more for us than we could ever imagine.  It's time to turn things inside out, and let God show us our real intended course. Let our spiritual distancing be something of the past as we travel as one with God towards our future.

-Susan