Be Your Message

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news… Isaiah 52:7

I have a lot to thank  God for every day!  I’m thankful for a really great mom.  She taught me more lessons than I can count. Sometimes her lessons were gentle and sweet other lessons were swift and to the point!  I could always count on  her to tell me what she thought and the important stuff was usually delivered without sugar on top!  I was always so proud to be her daughter and I’d like to think I have some of her great “Barb-isms” within me.  I loved the bond we shared and when she died, I missed that mother daughter relationship terribly.  But, as usual, God showed how smart and loving he truly is and he gave me a daughter.  Funny thing, after two sons, I was perfectly content with the thought of having another son, but along came a daughter and I haven’t stopped thanking him for her since the day she arrived.  I love my sons, but my life suddenly felt complete again the first time I said, “I have a daughter”.

I love my Shannie B for so many reasons, but her faith, compassion and sweetness top the list.  In this blog I often quote famous saints, saintly people or regular people trying their hardest to be saintly.  I’m always looking for scripture and teachings to share so we can all examine our discipleship and grow closer to the Father.  This week the inspiration came from a Facebook post and it’s  the simple wisdom and raw truth of a young woman slugging her way through nursing school.  In spite of the stress and struggle that come with trying to follow God’s plan to become a nurse, she invites him in and asks him to guide her path when she’d too overwhelmed to find her way.  She sees her clinical work as her vocation, not her assignment.  She sees it as a chance to grow in holiness not just a chance to get a grade.  I’m so proud of my daughter the nursing student and her words in this simple post are good medicine for all of our souls!  Compliments of an overwhelmed but very trusting young woman, I offer you her simple advice…

“Far better to simply "Be your message" Live it!  Radiate it!  Be an Inspiration! Nursing School has been anything but easy but when I realize that people all around me want goodness, whether that's people in the hospital marking their last days of life or those walking around Franciscan's campus, they don't want it from a cute quote on Instagram or a cliche comment saying it'll all be okay...they seek goodness from me and from YOU, a real live person who actually puts those quotes into action so "Be Your Message" today, you never know whose watching”

A Seed To Plant:  What is your message?  Ask God what message he wants you to deliver through your words and actions today.

Blessings on your day!