Busy vs. Abundant
Posted on October 21, 2018 Leave a Comment
By Stacy LaMorte
I love to read and listen to books about positivity and self-growth because they make me feel good and give me the hope of how to have a happy outlook even during those times that aren’t going so well. (And to be honest, they are easy to pick up and put down when you only have a few minutes to read before you, literally, can’t keep your eyes open any longer at night!)
I can’t remember which book I was reading now, but it talked about the concept of using the word “abundant” instead of “busy” when you describe your day, or your life for that matter.
Let’s look at those two words.
The American Heritage Dictionary defines “busy” as 1. “Actively engaged in some form of work; occupied.” 2. “Crowded with activity.” 3. “Cluttered with detail to the point of being distracting: a busy design.” That same dictionary defines “abundant” as 1. “In plentiful supply; ample.” 2. “Abounding with; rich.”
Now, I don’t know about you, but the latter paints a more accurate picture of what I would like my life to look like. In John 10:10, we hear that “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Jesus knows that we all have a lot of tasks to perform every day; he wants our lives to be full. Let’s make sure, though, that we remember why and for whom our lives are so abundant!
By serving our families with joy, we are serving God. By helping our spouses, children, neighbors, customers, clients, patients, co-workers and strangers, we encounter every day we are serving God.
With the right frame of mind and purpose, all of our actions can be a form of prayer of Thanksgiving to God for our abundant lives.
So next time someone asks you, “How’s life?” Try saying, “It has been very abundant!” and see if it doesn’t start to change your perspective on things!
Sick Days
Posted on October 18, 2018 Leave a Comment
By Greg Zambrano
Finding yourself sick as a parent could be very difficult, but if you rely on the Lord he will come to the assistance. All of the many small jobs and chores that rely on you to get done come to complete stop. The laundry doesn’t get washed; meals do not get prepared; the kitchen and bathrooms do not get cleaned.
The younger child has to rely on the older child to get properly dressed. You can’t call anyone at the last moment because they are all busy with their own lives. Dropping off the kids at school must be done, but you rush back home because of your pain.
After agonizing for a while in pain, this is where your prayer life comes in. My prayers remind me that I am not alone, and that God is with me through the difficulties. Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” At times, that is the most painful part of being sick.
Your kids are at school, and your spouse is busy at work for long hours. The pain of the sickness is not as bad as not having a love one next to you saying that is going to be OK.
In reality, we are not alone, God is always with us and, through prayer, in this particular moment, it comes through very clear that God is family. He is the dear loved one that stays by our side.
Anything is possible (Joshua 10:13-14)
Posted on October 16, 2018 Leave a Comment
By Kristy Solis
Do you ever have a day or even days that seem impossible?
Lately, this explains my life: family, work, friends, school, other obligations such as community and church. The list goes on and on.
With all these responsibilities in life, parenting spiritual beings is the most important to me.
Tonight, as I prayed with my young girls, this is the Bible verse that we reflected on: “So the sun stood still and the moon stopped. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.”
We talked about how with God anything is possible, even miracles. My oldest daughter, age 7, lit up and said I do believe anything is possible, even unicorns.
Yes! This child fully understood that with God anything is possible.
Sometimes as adults, we need to be reminded that anything is possible in the eyes of God, whether it is a miracle or even a unicorn. Now, when I see a unicorn, I see the possibilities.
Let us pray to the Lord, I believe you are a powerful God and, with you by my side, anything is possible.
Think Fast
Posted on October 14, 2018 Leave a Comment
By Charla Misse
Next time you feel strongly to make a quick decision, take a minute to ask yourself why.
The fact that you feel strongly should actually give you pause. A strong feeling that leads to a quick decision may feel like the right choice, but think again.
Are you being driven by fear or courage? Knowledge or bias? Self-benefit or spiritual generosity? When you uncover the driving force behind your feelings – you may reconsider.
When faced with major life decisions, most people take time to think things through, even consulting others. While the little decisions along the way often seem relatively unimportant on the surface, they can have long-lasting and profound effects.
Think about something deceptively simple like picking teams in school. You want your team to win; you pick the best players. Doesn’t seem like a big deal on the surface – unless you’re the one who is repeatedly picked last.
Be vigilant. Evil can enter your life in often inconspicuous ways, slowly breaking down your barriers and diminishing your sensitivities.
Before you make a “quick” decision, get into the habit of taking a breath – and taking a minute – to double-check that your “quick” decision is a “good” decision.
“I Went to Mass”
Posted on October 11, 2018 Leave a Comment
By Sarah McDonald
This month, my family was gifted a new book, and we love books! This one is special because as a Catholic mom, I am always looking for resources to make going to Mass as a family a little easier. Bringing all five children to Mass each Sunday is an aerobic activity, which leaves my husband and I wondering sometimes if we are really getting what we need out of it; but that is for another blog post.
The recently published “I Went to Mass” by Katie Warner is a lovely picture book written with simple messages about what a child sees at Mass.
After just the second reading of the book, my 2-year-old was reciting the book, and as his older brother lifted him to reach the holy water font at Mass, he repeated, “I went to Mass and what did I see? I saw the holy water font near me!”
At least I know he is paying attention and relating what he read to real life. Mom for the win!!!
It is a fun read for our little ones and a beautifully illustrated. I will note, it is definitely for very early readers and those learning to read and younger.
My 7-year-old is a little beyond it, but it was a blessing to sit down with my kids before Mass and talk about what they would see and hear and experience before they go there.
I cannot say it transformed their behavior completely, but the Mass experience did not leave us quite as breathless as usual, so, perhaps, it is helping us move in the right direction!
Read more reviews of “I Went to Mass” online here:
http://katiewarner.com/resources/now-available-i-went-to-mass-what-did-i-see.html
Purchase the book online at:
https://www.amazon.com/Went-Mass-What-did-See/dp/1505112184/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1532823798&sr=8-1&keywords=i+went+to+mass+what+did+i+see
Works of Mercy
Posted on October 9, 2018 1 Comment
By Casey Sprehe
Perform the Works of Mercy, the Church instructs us. Often, in the throes of motherhood, I think, when will I have time to do that? But then, I realize, the moments and opportunities are endless.
When I’m taking care of respiratory issues of my asthmatic child, I’m not thinking, “Oh, I’m comforting the sick.”
I often think as I’m changing the seventh diaper of the day for the baby, “Am I really doing great things for the Kingdom?” Then the still small voice says, “clothe the naked.”
As I’m saying for the fifth time before lunch, “No you don’t hit someone to get what you want,” I hear, instruct the ignorant. As I stand in my kitchen and seemingly continue to dole out food because someone is always hungry, I hear “feed the hungry.”
It’s much easier for me to give clothes to Veterans of America and clothe the naked.
It’s much easier for me to hand the man out of my car window a pack of crackers and feed the hungry.
It’s easier for me to visit a nursing home to comfort those who mourn.
And, while those are all good acts, those aren’t hard for me.
I’m being pruned in virtue in my ordinary life when I perform “works of mercy” within the walls of my home. To the extent that I can see Christ in my husband and kids is the extent to which Christ can answer that I did see Him hungry, naked and thirsty.
An Interesting Question
Posted on October 7, 2018 Leave a Comment
By Gaby Smith
During the collection at Mass last weekend, my son saw me put our collection envelope in the basket. He turned to me and asked, “Why do we do that? Why does the church need money?”
I responded saying “It’s God’s money, and today we are giving it to the Church.”
We were in St. John the Baptist. The building is very old and needs a lot of restorations. I pray it is restored and gets a face lift. It’s one of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever set foot in. I pointed at the scaffolding and said the church could use money for new lighting and new paint.
It was a little hot in the church that day. Of course, my mind goes to, “Hey the church could use money for a new AC.”
My parents always taught me to tithe and to give back. I think at an early age, it’s important to teach your children the value of giving financially to those who need it.
That day it was St. John the Baptist. It’s important to teach our young ones that the money we receive is God’s money, not ours.
How do you teach your children to handle money God’s way?
Road Trippin’ – Catholic-style
Posted on October 4, 2018 Leave a Comment
By Dawn Cusimano
So many teachable moments happen in the car. Whether it’s carpooling to school or sports practice, packing up the family for a scheduled vacation to the beach, or a less-fun “hurrication” trip out of town, we love to take advantage of the time together to grow closer to God and each other. Some memorable moments include praying the rosary as a family, belting out praise and worship music together or listening to Bible stories at the beginning of our travels.
Of these, my favorite family prayer is the rosary. What better way is there to ask for protection on our journey than by asking for Mary’s intercession?
For my older kids, I like to spend a few minutes explaining each mystery, putting it into terms that are easy to understand and suggesting some points to ponder as we recite the prayers.
For the younger kids, I’ve been anxious to try out a special “rosary trail mix” that will keep them entertained. Cheerios for the Hail Marys and marshmallows for the Our Fathers sounds like a winning recipe!
A close second to the rosary is listening to my kids sing praise and worship songs. While listening to my kids singing pretty much anything makes me smile, when I hear their sweet little voices praising Jesus through song, I’m so happy that my heart could possibly burst.
If your church is blessed to have a parish library like ours is, I recommend downloading or checking out at least one Bible-based DVD for the kids to watch during the ride.
We recently borrowed “Joseph King of Dreams” by DreamWorks and then had a great follow-up discussion about forgiveness. CCC of America also has a great “Saints and Heroes” DVD collection.
What a fun and entertaining way to learn and grow in virtue while simultaneously passing time on the road. It’s a win-win for me.
Have a blessed trip!
Do Cellphones Go Hand in Hand with Parenting in Today’s Society?
Posted on October 2, 2018 Leave a Comment
By Ana Borden
This past week, I brought our youngest to our neighborhood library for storytime. As I sung along with him “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes,” I realized more than half of the guardians were interacting with their phones, in lieu of their little ones.
Our ever-so-patient librarian’s voice creeped higher over screams, little fingers kept reaching for the sample art project and a couple of toddlers were climbing over each other. At that moment, it dawned on me that it was a different scene nearly a decade ago bringing my oldest.
So have cell phones changed the way we parent and interact with our children?
My initial response is, “Yes!”
Is the cell phone actually teaching us to communicate and interact less verbally and accept new social norms, for example: not listening, avoiding eye contact and showing disrespect to others?
But do the conveniences of this handheld device, knowledge and connectivity at the tips of our fingertips outway our society’s new social norms?
What are some other positive and negative effects of the digital world?
Finding God’s love through Ollie’s eyes
Posted on September 30, 2018 Leave a Comment
By Leslie Bertucci
So here’s a crazy thought. God the Father delights in us. He’s crazy, head-over-heels in love with us! Check out this verse from Zephaniah 3:17:. “He will take great delight in you . . . he will rejoice over you with singing.”
Can you imagine God gazing at his precious children, so overcome with joy that the heavens resound with his singing?
Neither could I. Then I became a grandmother.
A poignant experience with my grandson Ollie opened my eyes to this phenomenon.
On one of my frequent visits to my daughter Robin and her precious newborn, I walked up to Ollie and got close enough for his 6-week-old eyes to focus on my face. And, for the first time, he recognized me! His face lit up with a big smile, and his whole body quivered with excitement. It was as if he were thinking, “She’s here! That person I love came to see me!”
And my heart melted.
On the ride home, God revealed to me that this is how he feels about his children when we turn our faces to him, when we lift our hearts in prayer or our hands in worship. He thinks, “They’re here! That person I love came to spend time with me!”
Maybe I should allow God’s heart to be melted more often.
Next Chapter, Hebrews 11:13,16
Posted on September 30, 2018 Leave a Comment
By Kristy Solis
Do you ever feel like you are not present in your life’s story? Every day is the same, rise and shine – What is on the agenda for today?
With each new day, there is routine. It may be prayer or taking care of others’ needs such as children before conquering the agenda for the day. Today on the agenda – a morning meeting to discuss a new endeavor. Another commitment to add to the book of life.
As you hurried to this first meeting, the traffic is motionless, you are late for the meeting. Guess what? The world did not end, and the meeting turned out to be an exciting new chapter to embark on.
Then, you are off to work, there is traffic again. Even though you arrived later to work than anticipated, you did arrive. After a full day of nonstop work, you hurry home to the next meeting on the agenda – a meeting at your children’s school. Once again, there is traffic.
We all have experienced days like this day. Yet, if we notice, the Lord kept pausing the day.
All of us live in such a hurried state that we forget to pause and just be present in the chapters of our lives. Sometimes, we do not even acknowledge that we have moved on to a new chapter in our lives especially with our children: baby, toddler, school age, teenager, adulthood. We need to pause, and we need to pray to the Lord: Give me patience, Lord, as I wait to see the rest of my story unfold.
