A Downpour of Love

I was reading a new book I got for Christmas from one of my sons - The Long Yearning's End, Stories of Sacrament and Incarnation, by Fr. Patrick Hannon.

The word Incarnation caught my eye. It is a subject that I love writing about. It has also been on my mind a lot lately (being that it is, after all, Christmas.)

Here is a beautiful quote from Fr. Hannon's Prologue: 

A friend once observed that the great tragedy of our time is that for too many people God has become painfully distant. "Here we are," he once told me, "walking in a downpour of Incarnation, and nobody's getting wet!"

Amen!

Emmanuel. God-with-us. 

How many times do we miss seeing God? How many times do we forget that God is with us always?

Do we remember that God cries with us, suffers with us, laughs with us, rejoices with us?

Do we remember that God knows our hearts, our deepest desires, our hopes, our fears?

Do we remember that God comes to us in so many ways, in so many people?

God showers us with graces upon graces. Do we fail to notice? 

Do we forget to get wet?

Lord, help me to remember you are always with me. Help me to recognize you in others, in words, in events. Oh, dear Lord, please soak me with your loving Presence.

Amen.

Thankful for Blessings - A First Christmas

Join Judy, a special blogging friend of mine who hosts this thankful meme every Wednesday at her inspiring blog, A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings. She has another blog and a beautiful website that you need to check out too!
In this meme we give thanks for the five things we are most thankful for this past week and then link to Judy's blog. Thank you, Judy, for reminding me every week to count my blessings!
Some of my blessings this week -
1. Christmas  - it was such a beautiful time with family.
2. Beautiful cold weather, helping us Floridians feel a little bit cold, reminding me a little of my childhood Christmases in New England.
3. Midnight Mass was so beautiful and peaceful and inspiring. I have been going to this Mass for years now and I am always so moved.
4. There is nothing like seeing Christmas through the eyes of a baby. Watching my grandson, pondering on how Mary must have looked at Jesus, how much she must have loved him even before he was born. And how he must have looked at her, loving her.
5. The joy of watching my grandson on his first Christmas.

We Can Count on God

Stay there until I tell you. (Matthew 2:13b)

How scary that had to be. To be sent to a foreign land, a strange place, far from home and family.

What trust Joseph and Mary had, to believe in the words of an angel in a dream.

Would I have listened to those words? How many messages from God have I ignored or dismissed as just my imagination?

God usually speaks to us in ways we recognize. The more time we spend with the Lord in prayer, the more time we spend with the Lord in silence, listening, the easier it is to recognize His voice, the way He speaks to us. 

But that does not mean that God can not speak to us in a different way. That does not mean that God's guidance cannot come from a different direction. God is God. We cannot put limitations on how He can speak to us.

So I guess we need to be alert. We need to be listening all the time. Because we just never know where God's guidance will come from.

We just never know.

What we do know, however, is that God is the God of second chances. And if we miss the message the first time, God will invite us again.

We can always count on that.

We can always count on God.

Emmanuel.

Dear Lord, I may not always hear you or understand you. Or I may be too afraid to do as you ask. Help me to hear you better. Help me to trust you better. Thank you, Lord, for never giving up on me. I love you. Amen.

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Come Let Us Adore Him

Merry Christmas!

Finding Bethlehem

It's almost Christmas. The parish office is pretty busy. I am running back & forth between the church and the office. Each time I do, I feel a nudge to go to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
So each time I go there, I pay attention to that nudge and I go to make a short visit, to say hello to Jesus.
And all I can do, it seems, is stand there in front of the tabernacle, with tears rolling down my face. I really don't know why. I just feel filled up with love for Jesus. And an awareness of His presence.
It's almost Christmas. Perhaps my waiting is over. Perhaps I have found Bethlehem.
Emmanuel.

Thankful for Blessings this Christmas

Judy is a special blogging friend of mine and she hosts this great meme every Wednesday at her inspiring blog, A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings. She has another blog and a beautiful website that you need to check out too!
In this meme we give thanks for the five things we are most thankful for this past week and then link to Judy's blog. Why don't you join us? Thank you, Judy, for this great meme!
Thank you, God...
1. ...for the gift of this Advent Season. This time of waiting and hoping and prayer. May I remember to always keep my eyes on Jesus.
2. ...for the gift of your Son. May I always remember your love for me.
3. ...for the gift of my family, and the time I am able to have with them this Christmas. May I never take them for granted.
4. ...for the gift of Mary, for giving her to us to be our Mother. May I learn to trust like Mary trusted.
5. ...for the gift of life. May I always be aware and thankful for all the gifts and graces you give me.
Merry Christmas to all!

What's in a Name?

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means "God is with us." (Mt 1:23)

I saw a church sign this week that said - "What's in a name? Emmanuel, God-is-with-us."

What's in a name?

God loved us so much that he came to us in a little baby. He was born in a stable. He took on our human flesh.

God walked our dusty roads. He felt our fatigue and hunger. 

God wept and God laughed and God listened to his mother.

God came to save us. God came to let us know who God is. God came so we might know of His love for us.

What's in a name?

If Jesus had been crucified and ascended into heaven and then we just went back to worshiping a God from afar, Christmas would still have seemed awesome.

But God never left us. God never abandoned us. God came. God stayed.

And God is still with us.

Emmanuel.

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Sunday Snippets - December 19

This is the weekly Catholic Carnival! Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?

Here are my contributions for this week:
Are You the One?
Thankful for Blessings - Signs of Hope

Sabbath Moments - Roller Coaster Rides

Sabbath moments are the moments we rest in God, when we take time to just Be with God rather than Do. Sabbath moments are those times when we live in the moment and find the holy in the ordinary. I invite you to share your Sabbath moment(s) here on Saturdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below. If you don't have a blog, please share about it in a comment!
Please Note - There will be no Sabbath moments post here for the next 2 weeks - December 25th & January 1st. HOWEVER...on January 8th I will be back here and I cannot wait to read about the Sabbath moments that you experienced throughout your celebration of Christmas.
Some of my sabbath moments this week:
1. Eucharistic Adoration - Such a gift. And here, a week before Christmas, all I could think about was Emmanuel, God-with-us.
2. I had an appointment with my dermatologist. I really didn't want to go. I didn't have any major problems. I didn't want to spend the money. I was too busy. The excuses went on and on. But I never got around to canceling the appointment, so I went.
When I left, I was thanking God for helping me to get there. I had 3 pre-cancer spots on my face that she froze and a suspicious mole on my back that she biopsied. I am sure it is fine. But what if I had waited? There is skin cancer in my family. I live in Florida. I mean really, what was I thinking when I wanted to cancel? Thank you, Lord.
3. Speaking of Florida. This week I posted about seeing a rainbow one day and ice on my windshield the next. Well, Friday we hit a high of 78. Talk about a roller coaster ride.
What was nice, however, was on Friday the ducks and pelicans and herons came back to the pond near our home. Our sky was busy with geese honking and flying to I-don't-know-where. It was nice seeing everyone coming out of "hibernation." God has such a sense of humor. I just love Him.

I wish you all a Blessed and Merry Christmas!

Thankful for Blessings - Signs of Hope

Judy is a special blogging friend of mine and she hosts this great meme every Wednesday at her inspiring blog, A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings. She has another blog and a beautiful website that you need to check out too!
In this meme we give thanks for the five things we are most thankful for this past week and then link to Judy's blog. Why don't you join us? Thank you, Judy, for helping me to be more aware of my blessings!!
Some of my blessings this week:
1. A rainbow - a rainbow is a sign of hope and so perfect for Advent! I saw it on my way to work on Monday (of all days)! Thank you, Lord, for such a beautiful gift!
2. Ice on my windshield. Tuesday morning. Really. In Florida. I cannot remember the last time I had ice on my windshield. Now mind you, it was not very thick. The defroster and the windshield wipers got rid of it. But my goodness, what a surprise! I loved it!
3. Music - I always love music but this time of year, I am so inspired and moved by all the beautiful Christmas music.
4. My family. My friends. My blogging buddies. My co-workers. I am grateful for the people God has put in my life to love.
5. Jesus. Thank you, Father, for loving us so much that you sent us your Son.

Are You the One?

When John heard in prison of the works of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to him with this question, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" (Matthew 11:2-3)

The God I knew when I was a child was a God who punishes and judges and keeps a little black book listing all my sins.

I did not know the God of love and compassion and mercy.

I did not know Jesus.

So I understand John's confusion and doubt. "Are you the one?"

I would be in my 40's before I would get to know this Jesus of love and mercy and compassion. 

Jesus the Healer.

Jesus the Teacher.

Jesus the Friend.

I had my doubts. I had expected another. 

But over and over Jesus revealed himself to me through a priest who entered my life "out of the blue." And I found my doubts slowly disappearing.

And I found myself healing.

Jesus said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them." (Matthew 11:4-5)

Dear Jesus, thank you for never giving up on me. Thank you for always being in my life and loving me, even when I did not know you. Even when I did not recognize you. Even when I doubted.

Thank you for loving me and healing me and never leaving me.

My Lord and my God, I love you. Amen.

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Sunday Snippets - December 12

This is the weekly Catholic Carnival! Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?

Here are my contributions for this week:
Silent Monks Sing Hallelujah Chorus (you have to see this!)
Repent
Sabbath Moments: Waiting for Jesus

Sabbath Moments - Waiting for Jesus

Sabbath moments are the moments we rest in God, when we take time to just Be with God rather than Do. Sabbath moments are those times when we live in the moment and find the holy in the ordinary. I invite you to share your Sabbath moment(s) here on Saturdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below. If you don't have a blog, please share about it in a comment!
Some of my sabbath moments this week:
1. Went to penance service last night at our parish. After going up to a priest to confess my sins and receive absolution, I return to my seat and start to pray for others who are still waiting in line. It is peaceful and quiet in church as soft music plays in the background and people throughout the church are either in line or sitting in their pews praying or meditating. I pray the rosary and feel the peace.
2. I put up the creche in the living room. It is a small one and fits on a small trunk we have in the room. I realize that I usually put the shepherd in with Joseph and Mary but there is no baby Jesus yet so I put the animals in but leave the shepherd out along with the 3 Kings (my hubby calls them the "3 wise guys") LOL.
I light the candle in the Star holder. I say a prayer and I look at Mary and Joseph waiting. Like the rest of us. Waiting for Jesus to come.

Silent Monks Sing Hallelujah Chorus

Someone told me about this so I just had to share. You may have seen it before, but I think it is one of those things you cannot get tired of seeing.
I love this song anyway (sung seriously) but we all can use a good laugh!

Thankful for Blessings - Books, Baking & Faith

Judy is a special blogging friend of mine and she hosts this great meme every Wednesday at her inspiring blog, A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings. In this meme we give thanks for the five things we are most thankful for this past week and then link to Judy's blog. Why don't you join us? Thank you, Judy, for helping me to be more aware of my blessings!!
Some of my blessings this week:
1. Cold crisp mornings, airing out my home that has been closed up with air conditioning on for months! Feeling like fall and reminding me of New England. Wearing sweaters I have not seen for a year. Love it! Thank you Lord!
2. Baking for Christmas - not me! My hubby! So far he has made biscotti! Yum! He has a whole list! (My contribution will be fudge.) Not good for the waist line, but oh well...
3. My Catholic faith - Mass. The Eucharist. Adoration. Mary. All the rich traditions and the prayers and symbols. Thank you, Jesus!
4. My husband, my best friend, who makes me laugh and takes good care of me and works so hard at church and at home. He is the love of my life. Thank you, Jesus!
5. Books. What would my life be without books? Don't get me wrong. I love the nook and the e-books, but still, nothing compares with an "ordinary" book made of paper and ink and real pages to turn.
What are some of your blessings this week?

Repent

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" - Matthew 3:2

To sin means to turn away from God. When we repent, we turn back to God. Repentance means we are sorry. We regret our behavior. We want to change. We want conversion.

We want to be close to God again.

I used to worry about every little thing I did wrong. I tended to be a perfectionist and a worrier. I don't think I trusted very much in God's mercy. After all, I was a new Catholic and very new to this whole spiritual journey thing.

My spiritual director knew me very well and knew that I tended to be too hard on myself. So he told me that when I do some little thing that I think displeases God, just say - Lord, I repent - and let it go.
Not an easy thing for me to do, the "letting go" part. But I learned to do that. I learned to say I repent each time I turned away from God. and soon, I began to trust in God's mercy. And worry less.

Conversions are not just the big things that happen to us. Conversions can happen every day. Those little conversions when we know we need to change, when we know we need to turn back to God.

I went to the vigil Mass at my church this weekend and the priest giving the homily told a great story about a girl who misbehaves and afraid that her mother won't forgive her, cries out, saying - "Mom, mom, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Please take me back!"
I really loved that story for I recognized myself in it.
Lord, Lord, I repent. Please take me back.
The Good News? God always does.
Dear Lord, thank you for never letting go of me, even when I turn away from you. Help me to always turn back to you and to grow closer to you everyday. Amen.

Sunday Snippets - December 5

This is the weekly Catholic Carnival! Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?

Here are my contributions for this week:
Come, Lord Jesus
Thankful for Blessings - Pelicans and Family

Sabbath Moments - Focuse on Jesus

Sabbath moments are the moments we rest in God, when we take time to just Be with God rather than Do. Sabbath moments are those times when we live in the moment and find the holy in the ordinary. I invite you to share your Sabbath moment(s) here on Saturdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below. If you don't have a blog, please share about it in a comment!
Some of my sabbath moments this week:
1. Eucharistic Adoration - ahhhhh. What a relief it was to go to church and to sit in silence before the Lord. To take this time in the middle of the night to focus on Jesus and to rest in His presence.
2. Music - listened to one of my cd's that I put together of favorite Christian songs and one of them just grabbed my heart this week and won't let go - This is the Air I Breathe. I had many Sabbath moments with this song this week, a wonderful song to help me focus on Jesus. I was going to put it in for the Music Monday meme but it fits here and I can't wait!

Thankful for Blessings - Pelicans and Family

Judy is a special blogging friend of mine and she hosts this great meme every Wednesday at her inspiring blog, A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings. In this meme we give thanks for the five things we are most thankful for this past week and then link to Judy's blog. Why don't you join us? Thank you, Judy, for helping me to be more aware of my blessings!!
Some of my blessings this week:
1. This precious picture of hubby with our newest grandson -

Pop-Pop! You are so cool!

2. Time with family over holiday weekend. Youngest son and his wife down for Thanksgiving which meant we were all together!
3. Convertible weather! Drove home from work with car top down and it was beautiful. Gets dark earlier now so seemed weird but really pleasant. Cold front coming!
4. My blogging friends - thanks for support and friendship. I posted on my survivor's blog about feeling invisible and blogging friends commented quickly to comfort me. Pretty cool.
5. Nature - Beautiful sunsets and cool weather and pelicans! Gosh, I love them. Very funny looking and funny acting and just plain amusing. Watching them dive bomb into the water for their meal is pretty amazing. Evidently, the Lord loves to entertain us.