Happy New Year! Sometimes I am sad to see the year end, and other years, I am delighted. A new year comes with new possibilities, a fresh start if you need one, and the promise of the goodness to come. So today I am pondering unexpected gifts or blessings. Just this week, I have received… Continue reading A shower of unexpected blessings…
Are we there yet?
In the past week, people all over the world got in cars, trains, buses or planes to go visit family and friends for the holidays. You may have small (or not so small) children who ask the question 30 minutes into a long trip….are we there yet? When are we getting there? I am sometimes… Continue reading Are we there yet?
Are you peace-full?
It’s the end of the second week of Advent. This week was all about peace. How peaceful are you feeling at the moment? If this is the “most wonderful time of the year” there sure are a lot of grumpy people out there. I think they have lost their peace. (or their minds in holiday… Continue reading Are you peace-full?
Listen to the sound of silence.
I made my first silent retreat in 2004. It’s been 20 years that I have been spending a weekend (or two) away each year just to spend time praying with God. The first few times I went, it wasn’t as peaceful as it is now, you must practice the silence of mind and heart, it… Continue reading Listen to the sound of silence.
What’s in your hope chest?
It’s officially Advent. It’s the most busy, I mean wonderful, time of the year. In the Catholic tradition, we have Advent wreaths, and each candle/week focuses on a different element. It’s week one, so the focus of this week is hope. Jesus’ birth and the promise of Him coming again gives us hope in what… Continue reading What’s in your hope chest?
What verses or quotes are on your desk?
You may be thinking- there are not Bible verses on my desk, maybe you have inspirational sayings, or just things you would like to remember. If you are anything like me, in my line of sight right now, are several Bible verses and thoughts/sayings I have written on sticky notes. I don’t actually ponder them… Continue reading What verses or quotes are on your desk?
Give thanks to the Lord….
Today is Thanksgiving in the United States and all around the country people are gathering with family, friends, and loved ones. Often before we eat our meal, we go around and say why we are thankful, there is always a reason to be thankful. It’s been an interesting year, when is it not? This year,… Continue reading Give thanks to the Lord….
Progress, not perfection is the key.
I am always struck at people’s streak of perfectionism. I like it when everything ends up neat and perfect, but have experienced enough of life to know that perfect doesn’t always mean progress. Plenty of things can be “perfect” but a hot mess behind the scenes. If I can claim the hot mess, I can… Continue reading Progress, not perfection is the key.
It’s a new season. Do you need to let go of something?
I know it’s been fall for more than a minute and I am enjoying it. The leaves are a changing, I get to put on a sweater every once in awhile and it’s getting cooler. Watching the trees change color and the leaves fall, just makes me think about what changes for us from season… Continue reading It’s a new season. Do you need to let go of something?
Do you want to be a saint?
Today is All Saints Day and the Catholic church celebrates all the “saints”. You may or may not know that the Catholic calendar has feast days each day of the year. There are not enough days in a year for all of them, plus a saint in this case is anyone who is in heaven,… Continue reading Do you want to be a saint?