​ As I contemplate the joy and amazement of this Easter season my thoughts just get lost in the “wow” of it all.  How did a stone that big just get moved over?  How did the Apostles feel when they saw Jesus again?  How must Thomas have felt when Jesus loved him enough to let him touch his wounds so he would be convinced?  How must Mary have felt to hold her son’s face in her hands and look lovingly into his eyes again?  The list of questions goes on and on and all I come away with is … “wow – I can’t even imagine!”

I think we forget through Jesus’ resurrection we also received a resurrection.  He paid the enormous cost for all our sins.  It’s not often in life that someone does ALL the hard, horrible, painful work for us and we simply reap the benefit but it happened one Easter long ago.  That Easter lives on to this day and as Christians, we’re still basking in the blessings of the resurrection.  As I’ve been contemplating the “Wow” of the resurrection, I’ve made a list of things I need a resurrection from.  They will take a lot of work and maybe some sacrifice and perhaps even a fair dose of suffering but if I want to share in the joy of Jesus’ resurrection, I figure I’ve got a little work of my own to do.  And I suppose my greatest hope is to be more in love with him and more connected to him and even more filled with Easter joy!  Here’s my list…

*I need to be resurrected from selfishness!  A wise woman I know said that complaining is the greatest form of selfishness because the reason we whine and complain is to let others know something happened to us that wasn’t convenient or pleasant and we want attention for it.  I didn’t want to believe her but the more I think about it the more “right” I realize she really is! Lord, help me realize the world isn’t obligated to ensure my comfort and happiness.

*I need to be resurrected from narrow-mindedness!  I’ve got to remember I don’t know what I don’t know!  I see a tiny sliver of the situation but if I had the chance to see the whole thing, I would realize how narrow my perspective can truly be!  That needs to be my first thought and not my last.

*I need to be resurrected from indulgence! I approach the comforts of this world with my hands poised to reach out and take rather than with hands lifted to thank and share.  I often want the first, prime choice things for myself instead of being satisfied with the crumbs or the crusts.  I approach things and feel the need to grab them up in case they won’t be there later instead of trusting that I will always have exactly what I need exactly when I need it. (You would think by now that I would realize there will not be a world-wide shortage of chocolate chip cookies or mashed potatoes!) My indulgence can border on greed more often than I’d like to admit! Lord remind me all I need is You!

*I need to be resurrected from doubt!  My blessings outweigh my struggles by a hundred-fold, but I seem to forget that daily!  Jesus, heal me of my unbelief…yes, I do think those words were put specifically in the New Testament for me!!!!

Jesus didn’t rise by himself; it was through the power of His Heavenly Father.  I need to remember that He is my Father too and if I but call on His name and trust in His infinite wisdom, power and love I too will experience a resurrection from all the things on my list.  Why do I make it so hard…I call upon His name, I suffer through the process of change a bit all the while remembering He’s got me in the palm of His hand, and I will rise above it and be closer to Him.  Seems simple enough…guess I better get to work on my resurrection!

A Seed To Plant:  What are some of the things you need a resurrection from?  As you make your list, read the resurrection story slowly and carefully and allow yourself to be swept away in the “Wow” of the story!

Blessings on your day!

​Happy Holy Week.  I LOVE this week.  It’s holy and sacred, which means “set apart”.  In the middle of this amazing week, I have to ask myself, what will I set it apart for?  How will it be different?  Jesus and his extravagant love already made it holy but how will I honor that?  As I’ve was preparing for this week I asked myself those questions and the Father sent some very simple ideas in response.  Today I share those with you and invite you to set apart this week, don’t let it slip by and be ordinary, invite Jesus to make it holy in a way only he and you can.

*Switch R’s!  This week go from RUSH to REST.  Nowhere in Scripture does it say, “Come rush with me!”  Jesus didn’t rush…he went about things in a purposeful, deliberate fashion.  He noticed things along the way and he often stopped to rest and pray.  This week, find some time to rest…with Jesus, not Netflix.

*Get your Liturgy on!  Go to Mass on Holy Thursday…we’ve all got stuff to wash from our feet and our heart so imagine yourself at the last supper being tenderly cleansed and fed by Jesus. Be there on Friday, not to re-live the brutality but to  face the truth of of how much you are loved and how great the sacrifice that was made on your behalf. On Easter, celebrate not only Jesus’ resurrection but your own…what are the things he can help you “rise from” in your life…take those and offer them to him and share in his Glory!

*Give the Gifts!  This week shower someone with love for no particular reason. Allow the Father to wash away the guilt of sin you carry in your heart.  As Jesus fed us at the Last Supper, reach out and feed someone this week; a neighbor, a shelter or a food pantry. Easter brings the promise of new life, share that promise with someone who is struggling, pray for them, take them flowers, send a message…just reach out to offer hope and joy so they might see His light in their darkness.

One final thought this Holy Week comes compliments of a gentleman who shared the most powerful sermon he ever heard.  He told me during a Holy Week long ago the priest had the shortest, most heart changing sermon he’d ever heard, and it has stuck with him for many, many Holy Week’s since.  He said the priest asked them to picture Jesus on the road to Calvary.  Imagine him after one of his falls and as he struggles to get up imagine him making eye contact with you.  As his eyes lock on yours, imagine him saying, “It’s ok, I’m doing this for you!”

A Seed To Plant:  Sit with the short sermon and the suggestions above and ask Jesus to lead you into a week that is truly “set apart”.​

Blessings on your day!

​Believe it or not, here we sit right in the middle of the last regular week of Lent. As we close in on Palm Sunday, I’m offering this re-post because it contains so much to consider.  I need to read it every year, so I don’t forget how amazing Holy Week is and how he desires to meet me in the unique holy moments of this week.  If your Lent expectations didn’t quite match up with your Lent reality, this is the perfect way to finish strong and head into Easter with a joy and prayerfulness that will bring peace to your heart.   As Palm Sunday comes barreling toward us, some of you are tired, some are frustrated, some are happy, and some are worried.  No matter what you’re feeling as we wrap up this week and head into the next week, I’m going to ask you to put it all on hold and realize this is not just another week.  This is HOLY WEEK and more than anything I want this week to be different for you, for me, for everyone who is a Christian.  This is a week of powerful sacrifice, love, commitment and glory.  The point and purpose of this post is to help you make this week set apart from all the others.  I’m asking all of us to lay down our worries, our burdens and our “stuff” and choose instead to walk this week with Jesus.

The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist in Duluth MN have a spectacular way of living out this week and setting it apart.  I’d like to share their Holy Week focus in hopes it will change our focus too.  Here’s what they think and pray about each day this week.  They actually begin on Saturday before Palm Sunday.  I’ve added a couple of questions to each day in hopes we can think about and act on them as we walk with Jesus through this extraordinary last week of his earthly life.

*Commitment Saturday - Ponder and pray about the commitment Jesus made to his Father’s plan and will.  The commitment he made to our salvation.  How have I committed to Jesus?  What can I commit to do for him today?

*Procession Sunday - Jesus publicly showed his love for the Father.  Will I walk with him?  What will I do today to publicly stand and walk with Jesus?

*Extravagance Monday - How extravagant was his love for us.  Read the story of the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with perfume in Matthew 26.  Her love and her actions showed extravagant love.  How has Jesus shown extravagant love for you?  Who can you love today?

*Compulsion to Completion Tuesday - Jesus was compelled to move forward to do his Father’s will despite doubts, worries, troubles or fear.  He was determined to complete the Father’s will.  What is God asking you to do for him?  Where do you need to add compulsion and completion like Jesus?

*Aloneness Wednesday - Jesus knew the next day he would give everything and he paused to be alone in prayer, in silence in the presence of his Father.  Spend at least 30 minutes in silence today.  Take time to be alone with your Father and His Son pondering the upcoming few days and all Jesus did for you.  Read the Gospel accounts of Holy Thursday and Good Friday so you will be ready to think about them in the upcoming days.

*Body Given Thursday - Jesus gave everything.  His body to the guards who arrest him this night and in the Last Supper, he gave us the everlasting promise of His Body and Blood which were to be poured out for the salvation of us all.  What is Jesus asking you to give?  Are there people in your life who need the gifts you can offer them?

*Impotent Friday - Jesus was powerless on this day.  He who was Almighty became powerless for our sake and his Father had to observe it all.  That happened for you and for me.  Where do you need to submit to the Father?  Where do you need to relinquish some power to the Father, knowing all the while he will be with you?  From the time you wake up until 3 spend 5 to 10 minutes each hour meditating on the events of Good Friday; walking with him through this sorrowful day.

*Saturday - The Day of Night, Jesus spent this day in darkness.  It was still, it was waiting, it was quiet.  It was a day that with patience, reaped great glorious joy.  Where do you need to be more patient?  Find a way to practice that today.

*Sunday - The Day of Miracles.  After you eat your chocolate bunny, make a list of all the miracles God has worked in your life and be sure to put Jesus a the top of the list.

A Seed To Plant:  Print this one or open it each morning so you remember how to pray your way through each day and say a prayer of thanksgiving for the good Sisters for their Holy Week example.​

Blessings on your day!

If you are looking for the latest example of “How Fancy is the Father” look no further than the cover of the book in this image.  It has my name on the front cover, but I assure you that the words on the pages are the work of the Holy Spirit.  I never aspired to write a blog much less a book, yet in his fanciness, the Joyful Words Blog and Rejoice Always, Cultivating Joy With Six Saintly Companions are right before my eyes and I thank him for that.  I’m so grateful for his faithfulness and I’m happy to offer this work in the hope of helping people see what joyfully living the Gospel looks like.
 
The book contains “lessons” that begin with a Scripture to open your heart to the Lord’s voice followed by a short story.  The six sections are dedicated to the intercession of a Saintly Companion whose life offers inspiration, wisdom and motivation to be a good disciple.  The book is designed to touch your heart and help you notice and understand all the ways the Father is working in our lives each and every day.  I had so much fun putting the stories together and seeing the way the Six Saintly Companions worked in my life.  If you’re looking for a little something to guide you each day as you grow in love, peace, prayer, humility, suffering and trust, this is the perfect book for you.
 
I’m grateful to Our Sunday Visitor, most especially Rebecca Martin, for turning this idea into a finished product and I hope people will laugh, pray, think and draw closer to the Lord as they make their way through the book.  If you are interested in purchasing a copy you can order using this link below or you can go to Amazon or anywhere Catholic books are sold. It might be the perfect addition to an Easter Basket or a Mother’s Day gift.  This book was a labor of love…for the Father and from the Father and I’m so happy to share it.
 
A Seed To Plant: If you have read the book, could I ask you to hop on over to Amazon and leave a review, this helps get the book into more hands.  Thank you!
 
Blessings on your day!
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https://www.osvcatholicbookstore.com/rejoice-always-cultivating-joy-with-six-saintly-companions.html

Now there is a Lenten challenge!  Some advice needs to be followed and this power-packed tidbit from Mother Theresa begs to be heeded.  I shared this quote during a retreat recently and everyone agreed it would make the world a whole lot better but then one very honest young man said, “But man, that’s just so hard to do.”  I told him I agreed completely!
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This quote has been heavy on my mind for several days and I’ve discovered it’s much easier to live these words when you’re in control of the situation and interactions are pleasant.  When I really thought about it hard, I was pretty good at living this challenge; I would slow down, look people in the eyes when they spoke and be still until they were finished with the conversation.  It seemed a bit awkward at first but after a few days it became more second nature.  I was feeling pretty good about it until that situation I hadn’t planned for; you know the ones that catch you by surprise and tilt you off your balance.  I had one of those situations this weekend and I totally blew it…I was frazzled and almost instantly I reacted, and it wasn’t a reaction that matched the quote!  I wasn’t the Wicked Witch of the West or anything but as I replayed the event, I realized my reaction was based on selfishness and pride.  A few hours later I was still really heavy hearted about the whole thing, so I stopped to pray about it. (I don’t know why I always wait so long to do that!) After just a few seconds of quiet prayer it was very clear that I needed to apologize.  I needed to call myself out on the selfishness and pride.  I needed to admit that I was thinking of myself first and others second and I had to admit that I hadn’t left anyone better or happier with my snappy reaction.  The more I tried to talk myself out of it, the more I realized I needed to do it and do it soon.  After a giant gulp of pride with a huge serving of humble pie on the side, I made the apology and shared the story of my failure to live out this quote.  The apology was graciously accepted and thankfully my reaction was a much bigger deal in my mind than in actuality!

The funny thing about the whole situation…I was the one who left feeling happier and better.  Crazy, I thought that was the gift I was going to give; not the one I was going to get.  God is good and lesson learned…for today anyway!  Thank goodness God expects progress not perfection!

A Seed To Plant: Make it your goal this week to live this verse. Think about the people it will be easiest and hardest to live it with and then ask God to bless your attempts.​

Blessings on your day!

I came across a story and realized it was one of those stories that sticks with you and applies to lots of different things.  I found the story in a Lenten reflection book written by Fr. Joe Kempf, and I thought it needed to be shared.

When Thomas Edison was working on improving his first light bulb, he handed the finished bulb to a young helper, who nervously and slowly carried it upstairs, but near the top step he dropped and shattered it.  After a moment of horrified silence, the whole team set back to work.  It took them 24 more hours of hard work to make another bulb.  When it was finished, they needed someone to take it upstairs again, Edison looked around, found the same boy and handed the new bulb to him to do the job.  Edison knew that something more important than the bulb was at stake. 

I think one of the reasons I love this story is because it so clearly illustrates trust, mercy, forgiveness and unselfishness.  It made me think of all the things I fuss about.  It made me think about all the things I take so seriously.  It made me think of all the things I think I have to be in charge of myself.  It made me think of all the silly things I believe are so valuable.  But the biggie…it made me realize how easy it should be to give second chances and how grateful I am that God is so good at giving them again and again.
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The invention of the light bulb was a pretty big stinkin deal for heaven sakes, but Mr. Edison realized the human spirit was far more valuable!  The whole story makes me think about how I treat others and what I truly value.  It makes me think of some advice I got as a young teacher; people are ALWAYS more important than paper and stuff.  Maybe this little story will guide us to more compassion and mercy this Lent.

A Seed To Plant:  Make a list of your top 5 priorities…do they match the way you balance your time and attitude?  Make someone feel important today!

Blessings on your day!

​I remember a stage in my early teenage years when my bedroom frequently looked as if there had been an explosion of some sort, and it drove my mom nuts!  One Saturday morning I “cleaned” my room, and she made it crystal clear that it did not meet her standards.  I had cleared a straight path from my bed to the door and quoted a version of these very words from Johns Gospel and showed her how I had clearly made “a straight way for the Lord”.  She assured me he was going to need a much wider path.

My mom’s assurance is true today!  I realize I don’t always make the path to my heart straight or wide.  I need to give God room to come into my heart and do his mighty works of mercy.  I have all kinds of things in the way that make His way tricky to maneuver. I make Him wind his way around jealousy and pride and selfishness.  The path hooks to the left when I toss in impatience and judgmental thinking.  The way really goes sideways when control, bitterness and gossip get tossed into the mix.

Today we find ourselves in the beginning part of our Lenten path, so I ask…how’s it going so far?  Do a quick survey of your travels so far and ponder the “give ups” and the “do extras” you plotted out on Ash Wednesday. Discipline and sacrifice are so good for us but be sure to ask yourself if the things you planned are designed to help you grow in holiness or are they things you’re going to pick right back up after Easter?  What about giving up things that really change our path?  The virtues offer a true depth to Lent for example, a reading about HONESTY popped up in my reading last week so I asked myself the question; how hard would it be to give up lying, fibbing or embellishing for Lent; and could that change us?  I shared that thought with some teenagers the other day and they responded with a resounding “YES, AND that would be harder than giving up candy or phone time!”

Making straight the way of the Lord means keeping my eyes on Him.  When my eyes are on Him and I’m preparing for Him to work in my life I discover I’m moving in a straight and forward direction.  He is the constant, the guide that straightens my way every time I re-adjust my focus on His way and not my own.  Perhaps as we continue on our Lenen path  we can pray for the Holy Spirit to help us identify the road blocks and detours that are in our path and we let that become a re-route or re-focus this Lent.

A Seed To Plant:  What clogs or kinks the path between Jesus and your heart?  Spend some time in prayer asking the Lord to straighten and widen the way to His love and mercy.  Loving Father, help me prepare a path to my heart that leads me straight to you.

​Blessings on your day!

​Welcome to Lent!  I feel embarrassingly blessed as we head into this season of penance and sacrifice because as I type, it’s late Tuesday night and I’m joyfully taking my shift with my teeny brand-new granddaughter Paisley.  I’m truly steeped in the opposite of penance and sacrifice…I’m actually knee deep in blissful happiness as I study tiny toes and lips and fingers.  I suppose it’s all a great reminder that as we begin Lent, we should be mindful that the root of it all is love.  We use this season to pull away from ourselves and our desires for comfort and convenience in order to make room for Jesus.  The end result of a Lent well lived is more focus on HIM and less focus on me.
One of the great ways we can love Jesus more deeply is to recognize his presence in our days. Perhaps that’s the best way to spend our Lenten days…looking for him; searching for the holy moments that flood our days.  Those moments are so easy to find as I snuggle up with this ten-pound bundle of new life but I wonder about the days ahead when things are challenging and dreary and frustrating…Lent is a great time to thank him for all those times and remember he’s there too. 
Love requires sacrifice…always!  As you make your way through Ash Wednesday 2025, ask Jesus for the grace to make this the Lent that your sacrifices and penances will be offered with such great love you won’t want Lent to end.  It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it and the joy of Easter will be overwhelming.  Today is the day to ask the question, “Do I want to be the same on Easter Sunday as I am on Ash Wednesday?” 
 
A Seed To Plant:  How can you grow in love this Lenten season?
Blessings on your day
 

​Every now and again I feel like I’ve “got it all together.”  My prayer life seems to be in order, I’m knee deep in loving and helping and serving and I can get a little “inflated”.  I should know by now that is the time when he’s gonna grab me with a lesson.  The story in this post isn’t mine.  I don’t know who wrote it but it fell into my lap and I really believe it was God saying…hey Sheri…what about this? Read this and see what I might be asking you to work on.  It’s about relationships, not just rules and procedures.  Being a disciple is tough work.  This story left me examining my heart in a giant way.  I think that’s something he likes us to do.  Maybe this story will hit you as hard as it did me.

We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a highchair and noticed everyone was quietly sitting and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, 'Hi.' He pounded his fat baby hands on the highchair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.  I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty, and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map.  We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists.. 'Hi there, baby; hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster,' the man said to Erik. My husband and I exchanged looks, 'What do we do?’ Erik continued to laugh and answer, ‘Hi.' Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, 'Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo.’ Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk. My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid-row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments.

We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. 'Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,' I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby's 'pick-me-up' position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man.

Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love and kinship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby's bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time. I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, 'You take care of this baby.’ Somehow, I managed, 'I will,' from a throat that contained a stone. He pried Erik from his chest, lovingly and longingly, as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, 'God bless you, ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift.’ I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, 'My God, my God, forgive me.’ I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not.. I felt it was God asking, 'Are you willing to share your son for a moment?' when He shared His for all eternity. How did God feel when he put his baby in our arms 2000 years ago. The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, 'To enter the Kingdom of God, we must become as little children.’ If this has blessed you, please bless others by sending it on. Sometimes, it takes a child to remind us of what is really important. We must always remember who we are, where we came from and, most importantly, how we feel about others. The clothes on your back or the car that you drive or the house that you live in does not define you at all; it is how you treat your fellow man that identifies who you are.

A Seed to Plant: Read the story more than once…get past the whole stranger holding your baby thing and really feel what the message of the story is.​

Blessings on your day!

Growing up, we had a neighbor who was one of the dearest, sweetest souls God sent to earth.  We loved her so much that my brothers and I called her Grandma Marge.  We weren’t related to her, but we sure were connected at the heart.  Grandma Marge knew heartache, she knew injustice and she knew sadness.  She also knew and loved the Lord so what bubbled from her soul was joy and laughter and a wisdom that could see right through you.  She lived a wee bit more than a century and that keen wit, sweet heart and wisdom shined like a light right to the end.  Grandma Marge was a master at noticing and teaching my brothers and I lessons with very few words.

Grandma Marge was one of the few people who knew that chocolate and coconut are my favorite flavors ever.  I didn’t tell her it was my favorite but she always had candy when we stopped by for a visit and I guess she noticed that was the kind I always picked.  I remember one day my mom sent my little brother and I over to her house to borrow some eggs.  Of course, we sat down for a great visit and the candy bowl was out on the table.  I remember that there were circus peanuts and candied orange slices (BLECK!!!) and one of the chocolate coconut candies.  I figured I was safe because my brother loved both of those awful orange candies but for some bazaar reason, he ate the one I wanted.  I didn’t say a word and remember politely telling Grandma I wasn’t hungry.  I didn’t think any more about it and after our visit she handed us the bag with the container of eggs, and we headed home.  Not long after we got home, my mom called me into the kitchen to help fix supper and she told me to look in the bag from Grandma Marge.  In the bottom of the bag there was a little brown sack with a note and 3 chocolate coconut candies.  The note said, “I’m not the only one who notices when you do a good thing. Love, Grandma Marge”  

Her note seems to scream a very relevant thought right about now.  I’m sure I’m not the only one who has felt the division and craziness in our country and I’m also sure I’m not the only one who has felt sick to my stomach and cried and prayed sometimes feeling numb with disbelief and dismay.  We’ve absolutely been called to fall to our knees and pray but I’ve been feeling like it’s just not enough.  I’ve been wondering how to make our nation collectively take a deep breath and begin again honestly, kindly, prayerfully and justly.  Late last week I asked God, what in the heck can I do?  As I sat quietly waiting for a nudge or a thought my mind went racing back to that note from Grandma Marge. We’re being called to do the next right thing in the eyes of the Father…that’s it!
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I can’t control a single person.  I have no influence over anyone in power.  I am not eloquent and persuasive.  All I can do is share God’s truth and slather everything in prayer, but I was feeling so inadequate until her note reminded me of the truth.  God notices when you do a good thing.  God sees his faithful, especially amongst a sea of unfaithfulness.  Thank goodness we aren’t judged in groups or by city, state or nation.  He sees us each as his beautiful child and he will notice our deeds and actions.  That note from several decades ago brought me peace in my turmoil.  I pondered all of it for a few days and wondered if being faithful myself was enough, and, as usual, God gave me a wink of encouragement.  I was listening to a teaching about the book of Judges which is a story of one destructive, bloody, devastating battle after another and the speaker reminded the listeners that God recognizes the faithful in all times and circumstances.  Grandma Marge was right, she wasn’t the only one who noticed things.

A Seed To Plant:  Write the words BE FAITHFUL on some sticky notes or cards and scatter them as a reminder that our job on this earth no matter what the chaos around us is pretty simple!​

Blessings on your day!

This Friday marks my second Valentines Day without a stack of paper cards and candy from a room full of kids and I kind of miss it.  With the little lovelies it was so fun to see their sweet handwriting spawl all over that tiny card trying to fit all the letters.  With the middle lovelies it was entertaining to watch the pre-teen awkwardness as they handed out their heart shaped cards and treats to everyone in the class.  Opening those cards and treats always filled the room with giggles and a sweet kindness and I miss that.  Love, friendship, kindness and fun are the themes of the day and when you think about it, those are gifts the Lord gives freely and longs for us to embrace.  I came across some pretty funny and brutally honest elementary school Valentine messages online and thought I’d share them and encourage us to think of them in terms of our faith and the Father’s love.
**Valentines Day is cool, you are too, you can be better, but I still love you.  I know this has got to be the message Jesus wants to send me on a regular basis!
**Dear Valentine, I want to inform you I kind of love you.  Don’t laugh, I’m serious.  Sometimes in the middle of our mess, we find it hard to feel lovable but He’s there…every minute of every day not just “kind of” loving us but completely loving us…and He’s serious about that!
**Dear Valentine, I love you sometimes!  I think some days that’s exactly what my faith life looks like.  I don’t trust as big and hope as hard and love as completely as I should when things get tricky and this message made me realize it just might look like I only really love Him sometimes.  I’ll need to work on this one!
**Happy Valentines Day Teacher, you are the 2nd best teacher ever! This one made me really stop and wonder how many times I put God’s love in 2nd place behind my own wishes, plans or desires.
**Dear Valentine, You are lucky you are alive. Gosh, I sure am!  While this simple message seems a little harsh and maybe even threatening, I had to laugh because it’s so true and I’m not sure I thank the Father often enough for the gift of being alive.
**Will you be my Valentine YES or NO.  Reply: Not right now, I have somebody else but ask me again in a week or two and I might say yes then. This screams…until I get tired of the way things are and then I’ll give you a try.  Lord, please help me be a committed disciple.
**Love is like when you’re missing some teeth, and you smile anyway because you know your people will love you back no matter what you look like. Now that’s true love!  It doesn’t matter what we’re missing or what we’re in the middle of or what kind of craziness is happening, He still loves us bigger than we can imagine.
**If you wanna catch a Valentine, just shake your hips and hope for the bests. O good golly I’m really glad hip shaking isn’t part of the recipe for being loved by the Father although Scripture does say “dance before the Lord with all your might” so I’m going to have to ponder this one!
 
A Seed To Plant:  Spend some time this week soaking in the Father’s love…google Scriptures about God’s love and sit with some that touch your heart.  Take the time to give out some Valentine messages or treats just for fun as a way to pass the Father’s love for you on to someone else.
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Blessings on your day!
 
 

​As I head into the second month with my word CONTENT,  I’m amazed at how many times and places I need that word.  I realize there are way too many times I try to craft things myself and try to fold up God’s plan to make it fit in my spaces.  The thing I wasn’t expecting with this simple word was the way it causes me to slow down and really look around.  If I’m going to be joyful and content where I am, I have to find out where that is.  I have to slow down and see what he’s doing around me and quit trying to squirm out of the things I didn’t plan, didn’t want or don’t enjoy so much!  I sometimes get wiggly and restless and hear my mom’s voice saying, “Just simmer down, this will probably be good for you if you keep your eyes open and your mouth shut”!
 
I walked into a department store dressing room last weekend with some dresses draped over my arm.  I didn’t leave with a new dress, but I left with a lesson.  There was a lady in the dressing room beside me who was also looking for a new dress and she had drug in more than a dozen choices and they all shared a similar quality…they were the wrong size. As I was leaving, she stopped me and asked if I might have a minute to help her.  She said each of the dresses she had selected seemed to have a faulty zipper and she wanted me to help her get them zipped up so she could pick one.  As I struggled to tug up the zippers one after the other just didn’t fit so I asked her if she’d let me go out and choose a couple for her to try.  She was completely frustrated, and tears were streaming down her cheeks, but she agreed.  I quickly grabbed a couple of dresses in a different size and brought them back to the dressing room.  I heard her laugh as she came out with the first one all zipped up and she looked lovely.  She ended up buying both of the dresses that zipped and left all the others behind.  We had a great talk about trying to fit into things and places that just weren’t made for us.
 
I drove home that afternoon without a new dress but happy that a sweet lady whose name I don’t even know went home with two.  I was very content to ponder the lesson that unfolded in the dressing room of a JCPenney department store.  You see, it may have started with dresses, but the lesson goes so much deeper.  I realized how often I try to squeeze or bust my way into something that isn’t for me.  I try to wiggle things around and make them fit to my liking or plan.  I’m content to shove myself into the familiar rather than “size up”.  Like the maidens who tried to squish their foot into a glass slipper that didn’t fit in Cinderella, I go through life trying to force things to fit together my way.  The two new dresses and the glass slipper fit the right lady because they were the ones that were meant for it.  When we rest where our feet are, the Lord will always bless us with just the right things, but we have to be willing to let him offer us what fits perfectly.  Sometimes situations can seem tight and scratchy or big and bulky but if we ask for the grace to wait contently, he will, in his perfect time present us with something far more lovely, comfortable and perfectly detailed. 
 
Saturday night I went to a fancy party in an old dress from the back of my closet and I knew it wasn’t the prettiest dress or the smallest dress or the fanciest dress, but it was a perfect fit and God gave me the grace to feel comfortable and content…and I thanked him for that!
 
A Seed To Plant:  Spend some time in prayer thinking about the places and situations that aren’t a good fit and ask God to help you figure out how to “size up” according to his plan.
 
Blessings on your day!

I used to love watching shows about pioneers.  I thought the whole covered wagon, cornbread baking, sod busting thing was great.  I sometimes daydreamed about being a pioneer woman and thought about the excitement of such a new adventure.  I also thought the long skirts would be a great idea to cover up my pudgy legs.  Then I became a wife and mother and realized how hard things can be even in this modern world with machines and apps for everything, so I figured the whole pioneer woman gig was out of the question.  Or was it?
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Now, one thing is for sure, I will never travel the frontier in a covered wagon, nor will I likely ever bust sod and use it for a roof but the whole new adventure thing might not be such a bad idea. I got to thinking one day that maybe being a pioneer could mean something different than the prairie.  Fr. Pierre de Chardin once wrote, “We are called to be pioneers; pioneers who stand on the edge of great beginnings, of unseen futures.  Pioneers filled with unwarranted confidence that visions give.”  Maybe I could be that kind of pioneer; I don’t think it comes with a long skirt and wide brimmed hat, but the new adventure part is the same.

I think the key word in Fr. Pierre’s quote was vision.  I can set goals or make resolutions; I can even pick a word for the year but to have a vision is something big.  I think our desire to be logical and systematic makes it difficult to be a pioneer.  When you really think about it, pioneers set off on adventures that didn’t seem safe, logical or systematic at all.  They really had to trust.  Some of the best things in life happen with that kind of start.  Look at Mary and Elizabeth…neither of them was the common candidate for motherhood.  Elizabeth was too old, and Mary was too young and not even married yet but they trusted, followed and radically changed the world. If we wait until everything is in order to make a new beginning, we’ll likely never get started on the journey.
What is your vision?  What do you see within yourself that could use a new beginning?  Be a pioneer and set out to find that new place or thing.  Be a pioneer for peace, patience, mercy or trust.  Blaze a trail so bold others can’t help but follow!  Can you make a plan to bring the hopeful newness of life to your heart, your home, workplace or community?  Great things have to start somewhere…go ahead…YOU be the pioneer!  What new beginning are you going to pioneer?  Think big…think mighty…think Godly but mostly think about the needs of others and the mercy of God.  If you need someone to join your wagon train just let me know!

A Seed To Plant:  Dear Lord, give me the strength to bust out of my comfortable-ness and be a pioneer of something really important to you.​

Blessings on your day!

As much as I might want to grumble about technology from time to time, I marvel at the way I can find inspiration and information almost instantly.  Not long ago a lady asked me, exactly how to get closer to Christ, and I offered some thoughts, but I spent the next many days pondering that question and hoping I answered it in a helpful way.  I decided to prepare a better answer because it was such a good question.  As I was thinking and praying about it, thanks to technology, I stumbled across a homily on YouTube offered by a priest whose name I can’t even remember, giving a homily about this exact question.  He was referencing something written by C.S. Lewis that offered 7 things to quit to grow in Christ and I was intrigued by the idea of quitting something rather than starting something and found it all too good not to share.
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Number one:  Quit all the things that don’t bear positive fruit and that add zero value to life. Quit the things that don’t feed your spirit and that suck your strength. 
Number two: Quit hanging out with people who bring you down.  Choose to spend time with people who will challenge you and walk with you as you strive to be better, holier and more focused on the Lord.
Number three:  Quit judging and criticizing other people and things.  Not everything happens when and how you want it but if God is your focus the noise of the world and the actions of others become less and less important.
Number four:  Quit magnifying what’s going wrong in the world. You can choose to magnify problems or magnify God…choose wisely.
Number five:  Quit overdoing it…even the good stuff.  Still, simple, quiet and humble are the focus points for keeping your balance.
Number six:  Quit trying to please people.  If your focus and energy are all wrapped up in trying to win the approval of the world, that takes the first spot in your life.  Work on pleasing God and quit making pleasing people your mission.
Number seven:  Quit overthinking everything.  Trust him…give things to him and know he has more knowledge, wisdom, power and love than we can fathom, and he works for our good using people, graces and circumstances we couldn’t possibly know about…let God do his job.

Isn’t it a huge relief to know he’s not asking us to buy more books, do more stuff, create or begin giant things to grow closer.  These seven things to quit are crystal clear and require no extra things…simply re-ordering our days with a clear focus.

A Seed To Plant:  Pray with the list for a few days and see which ones the Lord might really be calling you to focus on and ask him to show you how to start quitting.

Blessings on your day!

We are about halfway through the first month of the new year and I hope it’s been a happy beginning.  I picked up an old practice this January and prayed for a “word” for the year.  I hadn’t done it for a few years and thought it might be fun to see what the Lord put on my heart.  The word that stuck like glue was CONTENT.  I’ve had a couple weeks to settle in with the word and I find it brings me lots of peace.  I have come across a few things lately that seem to confirm the peace and joy that comes with being content.  It is my hope that this might be a word the Lord whispers to you too.

*Lord…am I doing my faith right, am I holy enough or a good enough disciple?  The reply came in these words:  What you love, you spend time with and what you spend time with becomes what you love most.  It’s not about a list of tasks or hoops to jump through to please him…it’s about spending time in prayer, in his word and in constant conversation with him asking for guidance and grace and that is enough.

*What are my priorities?  Is Jesus like my second kidney?  It’s nice to have and I value it greatly, but do I really need it?  Lord, help me make you my priority and be content with the fact that I need to be quiet and still and everything else will follow according to your plan. 

*Jesus…do I live like you are an accessory or a necessity?  In my contentment help me claim and cling to you like the air I breathe.

*Lord draw me so close to you I become lost in your shadow.  Help me be content to walk in your shadow instead of being seen and praised by the world.

*Humbly be where he puts you and know you’re there for a reason even if it’s a place of struggle.  Contentment creates humility.  At the Last Supper Jesus ministered with tenderness and peace.  If I were hours from death, would I be washing feet or expecting to be pampered?  Would I have been comforting and loving others or expecting them to do that for me?  Lord, help me be still and content so I can participate in whatever you’re doing.

Lord help me be content with the things I have instead of wanting more.  Help me be content with where I am instead of trying to get somewhere better.  Help me be content with the blessings and shadows dotting my life instead of wanting to trade for someone else’s life that looks easier or fancier.  Help me be content with serving and meeting other peoples needs and wants instead of my own.  Lord help me be content being  LESS so you can be MORE. 
 
A Seed To Plant: How content are you?  Ask the Lord to show you where you need to be still and content so you can live John 3:30.
 
Blessings on your day!
 

​Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord.  Hebrews 12:14

I suppose most of us have a list.  Some call it a bucket list; others may call it a list of short- and long-term goal and for others is may simply be a wish list to keep tucked in the drawer or in the back of your mind. Whatever you call it, I have something we should add.  This particular item should not only be added to the long term, someday list but also to the task list we make each day.  It’s so important it just can’t wait another day, and we must get into the practice of giving it specific attention.  What is it, you might be wondering…

We need to be holy.  Holiness isn’t just something for sweet old ladies or monks and nuns who spend their days in silent contemplative prayer.  Holiness is something for each of us…today…every day.  It’s something to become and it’s something to talk about.  I just pulled a Christmas gift from a few years ago off my shelf to give it a new look.  It was a book by Matthew Kelly called The Biggest Lie In The History Of Christianity. It’s a great read, easy read, and an important read.  One of the sections that grabbed my attention was the chapter when he spoke about being holy.  Somewhere pop culture snuck in, and we became afraid to let our desire to be holy show or grow. 

I would like to share one simple and powerful strategy he laid out for each of us that can help us embrace and grow our holy.  He suggests not re-vamping our entire life and running off to a convent or monastery, but rather to have a “Holy Moment” today.  He describes that as a moment when you silently stop and do one thing God is guiding you to do.  It might be a moment of silent prayer when you’re prompted to be still.  It might be a simple action or reaction that is inspired by God and not by our desires.  It’s just a moment when we stop, shut up and let God be in charge of us.  It might mean not snapping back or acting with mercy instead of judgement.  It might mean calmly letting someone cut in front of us without getting into a huff; realizing there may be an important reason that driver is in such a hurry.  Mr. Kelly suggests that if we strive for just one holy moment a day, we may soon discover that we have several and when we begin to include them in our days we begin to see God working in our days and before we know it there are dozens of holy moments each day and then change really begins to happen.  Just a moment, that’s how it starts.  That’s how we begin to grow in holiness and that is exactly what God has planned for us to be.

We are usually on the lookout  for big, fancy and often complicated stuff to make our life better but  let’s start with the simple fact that being holy should be the number one thing on our to-do list and let today be the day you strive for your first Holy Moment!

A Seed To Plant:  Ask God to lead you to a holy moment today.  Share it with someone and pass on the holy moment challenge.​

Blessings on your day!

The wait is almost over, I hope it’s been a prayerful and peaceful Advent!  Twice in the last few days these words from the Prophet Isaiah have hit my heart.  It makes me wonder how often we ask and look for signs.  For the most part I think we ask out of faith.  Many of us look for or pray for signs so we can feel guided or assured but I suppose sometimes in our frustration and disappointment we can get a little crazy with our demand for a sign.  I’ve never asked him for something outrageous like a banner flying behind an airplane with the answer to my question, but I am guilty of asking for signs because I’m low on trust.

I think the problem with asking for signs is that we’ve already been given so many.  I have to imagine God in heaven doing a face palm when we ask for a sign and wondering how many more times he has to dazzle us before we just shut up and trust.  When you read this entire passage, Isaiah predicted the sign with remarkable, dramatic detail; Virgin birth and a baby name decades and decades in advance…now that’s a sign!  When we trace back the story of God’s love, it’s easy to see time and time again he’s been showing us some pretty spectacular signs of his endless love for his people.

Todays post includes a Christmas present.  The link below will take you to a video by the Skit Guys that is a 3-minute wonder to behold.  It’s a gem I stumbled on while searching YouTube and every time I used to play it for the Middle Lovelies they ask to watch it again and again to see all the signs and stories unfold.  Each of the events are a sign of His wonder and love.  When I really think about it, he’s already given me far more signs than I’ll ever need.  I guess I just need a reminder from time to time.  Perhaps I’ll work on asking for fewer signs and aim for greater appreciation of the ones that he’s already shown.

I’d like to wish all of you a beautiful and blessed Christmas! Please know of my Christmas prayers for all of you.  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLcTLCCpI5A&t=5s

A Seed To Plant:  Take three minutes and watch this beautiful video.​

Blessings on your day!

I love the season of Advent because it gives me a chance to practice waiting and longing.  To be honest, I’m not so whippy at either one of those things so I always welcome this season and try my best to embrace the opportunity to slow down and wait well.  By the time we get a wee bit past the halfway point I feel the rushing and busy noise step up the pace.  Thank goodness for that pink candle that is a lovely reminder that the PERSON I’ve been preparing for is almost here.

I heard a priest mention one time that Advent is the season given to us…and I have no idea what he said next because I had failed to realize what a gift this season is.  It’s so easy to begin the season strong and then get swept away as Advent morphs into pre-Christmas stuff but I’ve prayed with those words and realized Advent is a gift that renews itself every morning for nearly a month and whether it’s the first day or the middle of the third week, the invitation for slowing down, pondering and longing was given to me so the simple act of thinking of those words puts my  mind in a different place and makes me grateful.  We aren’t given this season to be perfect, we are given this season to remind and encourage and prepare.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux wrote about Advent as preparation for the three comings of Christ. The celebration of Jesus the baby, Jesus the judge in the second coming and Jesus in the third or middle coming as he comes to us each day.  I love pondering this third coming and it helps me be where my feet are.  Sometimes we get swept away in thinking about what’s been or what’s coming and forget Jesus is right here with us…where we are right now, in the mess, in the noise, in the string of stuff that makes up our days.  Whether it’s the beginning, middle or the tail end of Advent what if we pondered this each time our thoughts drifted away from the season?   As a little Advent re-focus for all of us to ponder, here are the 5 P’s of a great Advent day (notice I said day…don’t worry about the whole season…just this day).
Purpose…remember we’re not preparing for a holiday…we’re preparing for a PERSON.  Ponder this as you think of all the reasons you’re grateful for his love and his presence in your life.
Peace…find a few minutes each day away from the noise just to think about Jesus and his enormous love.  I might suggest heading to the laundry room to find your peace because nobody usually follows you there.
Plan…make that big ole to-do list but offer it to the Father asking him to be the manager of your time and tasks.  Ask him to control the tempo of the day in order to show you how he’s leading you and asking you to love and serve him and others.
Patience…this one will require surrender instead of control.  Each time you feel the rush and the pace pick up just close your eyes and lift your hands palms up and ask Jesus to take whatever burden or bother is wrinkling your peace and testing your patience.
Presence…be where your feet are!  There are things to start and things to finish but Jesus is with us in this moment…is there room for him?  When we joyfully still ourselves, he will open our eyes to his wonder and the gift will be peace, contentment and grace.
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A Seed To Plant: Write down the 5 P’s and put them in a visible spot so you can practice them each of the remaining days of this beautiful season.
 
Blessings on your day!
 
 
 
 

​When the Christmas decorations come up from the basement each December there are a few things I unpack first; the really special things.  The first is the handmade Nativity Stable my father-in-law made, the second is the needlepoint stockings with the kids names Dave’s sister Jan made and the third is much less sentimental but still a personal favorite; the movie Elf.  Quite a contrast I know but there is a good reason.  When I take out the first two my heart is touched!  I think of the time and love that went into the creation of the stockings and stable and I re-play Christmas past.  When the movie comes out, I laugh; plain and simple…it just makes me laugh!  It’s always good to laugh but this time of year it’s even more important to balance the hectic days with some spirit lifting laughter.

One of the things I love most about the main character; Buddy the Elf, is his contagious enthusiasm and cheerfulness.  Granted, he’s a bit over the top but he just seems to roll with life, finding the good in everything and every person, including angry Taxi drivers and mean raccoons!  He finds great pleasure in simple things like revolving doors, paper snowflakes and maple syrup.  He works hard, doesn’t complain, tries his best to please everyone, compliments easily and speaks the truth always. He is good, kind, friendly and sincerely thoughtful and sweet.  I think the world could use a lot more Buddy’s! The one thing though that really makes Buddy unique is his passion for Santa.  One of my favorite scenes is when the store manager announces that Santa will be arriving the next day and Buddy jumps and claps and screams “I know him, I know him!”  He immediately recognized the Santa that arrives the next day as an imposter.  Right away he saw him and said, “That’s not him, I know him and that’s not him.”

When you think about it Buddy and a great Advent share some connections. In the movie, Buddy stayed up all night preparing the toy department for the arrival of his favorite guest; the guest he knew intimately.  Buddy nearly jumped out of his elf tights with excitement when he found out he’d be seeing his friend.  He loudly demonstrated passion, happiness, excitement, and unmeasurable pleasure at the mere mention of his friend’s name.  What if the movie was called “Jesus” and we were the main character?  What would our reaction to our friend be?  Would there be jumping, clapping or unmeasurable joy and excitement at the mention of his name? Would we stay up all night making the perfect preparations for our special guest or would we just try to make time when we could squeeze in a minute or two here and there? Do we know him intimately or are we sometimes tricked or have our focus diverted from the ways Jesus is present to us each day?  

Sometimes we do the same thing over and over and wonder why it didn’t turn out differently.  Maybe that describes your Advent but not to worry…we’re just getting started.  There is great value to looking at something familiar with a completely new perspective.  Maybe it’s time to think like Buddy the Elf.  Maybe it’s time this Advent to imitate his enthusiasm.  Maybe it’s time to put away doubt and skepticism and look with eyes and hearts of hope, joy and thoughtfulness.  Maybe it’s time to imagine ourselves standing at the Nativity scene with contagious enthusiasm because he came…the savior came…to see me…to live for me…to die for me…to bring me the gift of salvation! Maybe our goal this Advent is to expect and anticipate Jesus with the same excitement Buddy had for Santa.

A Seed To Plant:  Watch Elf, or at least a YouTube clip from the movie and see it through the lens of you and Jesus then make a plan for how you will imitate Buddy’s enthusiasm during this last week of Advent.​

Blessings on your day!

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow here are some thoughts on thankfulness. There are two really important words in this short verse from St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians, peace and thankful.  A focus on both of those words will help calm down the worry.   Gratitude is powerful and not only does it do wonders for our own troubled heart, but it’s also a beautiful gift to everyone else.  Here is an interesting thing I learned about being thankful. Recent MRI studies have mapped the gratitude circuitry in the brain, which activates a sense of reward, fairness, and decision-making—all aspects that help facilitate survival.  In case you might be looking for ways to ramp up the gratitude here are a few tips to help you sprinkle a little more thankfulness in your day.
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*Make it a habit at least once a day to say out-loud three things you are grateful for.

*End your day by jotting down a few things from the day that you are thankful for.  I often tell the story of how my mom had a practice of doing exactly this very thing.  It was her belief that if the last thing on your mind before sleep was something you were thankful for instead of something you were worried about, you’d sleep better and wake up more positive.

*Tell at least two people a day thank you!  Make it specific if you really want to brighten someone’s day and spread a little joy.  

*Make sure your thank-yous outnumber your complaints.*Check your perspective, if you’re having trouble thinking of something to be grateful for, check out the situation of those around you and that might help you see your situation through a different lens.

*Volunteer…Jesus wasn’t kidding with the whole “serve others” thing.  Turns out, it’s a great boost for our gratitude and our happiness.

*Notice and appreciate the little things. I was in the middle of a train-wreck of a day not long ago and a little boy with Downs Syndrome walked up to me in the store and gave me a carnation.  He said, “You look like you need something pretty and a hug.”  In that one split second my attitude completely changed.  

*Be with the people you love.  Make sure you surround yourself with people who lift you up, make you laugh and bring you joy.

*Find some gratitude scriptures you can call on when you’re feeling a little worried and wilted.  God’s word is always true and always meant to bring good.

We worship freely, we have all we need to eat, we have shelter, we have transportation and people who care about us.  Those things alone make us some of the richest people in the world.  I don’t know about you, but I think I should sit down and make a list of those and the hundred other things I probably take for granted and add them to my gratitude list.  Sounds like a great way to chase the blues away.

A Seed To Plant:  Spend some time working on your gratitude list and then find a few great scripture verses about gratitude you can use when the worry gets heavy on your heart.​

Blessings on your day!