Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me. John 12:26

Oh golly, it’s May and tis the season for ball games, school events, graduations and special happenings  galore.  It’s that season when meal planning, bedtimes, regular schedules and empty laundry baskets seem like ancient history!  It’s easy to get tangled up in the chaos and wish it would all just stop.  Finding time for daily prayer and family meals is tricky at best and these busy days can leave us feeling like we are lagging behind as disciples.  I’d like to offer a different perspective today for anyone who might be choking on their May calendar.

We serve and are adored by a God who can’t be outdone in generosity.  Time and again he shows up and multiplies, subtracts,  divides and adds the perfect things our life needs when we remember to invite him in.  We are about to begin a unit on the Works of Mercy and as I was thinking about them through the lens of a busy parent I could see something different that just might bring you some peace and help you realize you are discipling  and serving God and others more than you think in this busy season. Let’s take a look at those Works of Mercy…

Feed the hungry…yes that means packing lunches, providing the post game snack or making cookies for the school fundraiser.  It also means making meals sometimes magically appear from the bare cupboards and fridge because mamma doesn’t have time to shop. Remember to pray for all the “eaters”.

Give drink to the thirsty…pretty sure juice boxes and gatorade provided for the school picnic or ball team count. Quick prayers together in the car can also quench a thirst for peace,  confidence and contentment. Remember to pray for all those you offer drink to.

Clothe the naked…I’ve come to believe in my older age that laundry is truly a labor of love.  That late night load tossed in to make sure the right outfit is ready for tomorrows event is in fact  a merciful and unselfish act. Remember to pray for the wearers of the clothes as you wash and fold.

Shelter the homeless…You provide a home that serves as a place of prayer, safety and rest for the people you love most.  You work daily to make sure the children God entrusted you with are noticed, valued, corrected and directed.  Most of you open that same home to neighbors and friends too. Remember to pray for all the people who cross your doorstep.

Visit the sick and imprisoned…As you sit waiting for the game or concert to begin and you chat with the person sitting next to you perhaps you are visiting them in a prison of personal loneliness.  When you take time to ask someone about that person in their life suffering or struggling you are giving them the strength and support they need to return to the journey.  When you offer to pray for those in tough situations you are giving them the greatest help imaginable. Remember to pray for all those sitting in the bleachers or auditorium or lawn chairs.

As you continue to wade your way through the rest of this busy season of your life there are a few things you can do to make sure you aren’t wasting these minutes.  In fact, these simple things can help you turn the chaos into a chance to grow in holiness.  First, be sure to invite Jesus into the business of the day.  Offer all of it…every last stinkin thing on the schedule to him and ask him to help you see him working through all of it.  Second, use car time to say quick prayers with your kids.  Take turns sharing what you need prayers for and say a prayer together for each other.  Third, ask the Holy Spirit to take control of all your conversations so you can be a vessel of his grace and finally, remember that each and every thing we do can be offered as a gift to the Father who will offer it back as grace ten-fold.

A Seed To Plant:  Pick  one of the four suggestions and put it in action today.

Blessings on your day!

And the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6

Growing up in Kansas, I was no stranger to whopper thunder storms!  The hail, the tornado warnings, the wind and booming thunder was all a part of spring and summer.  I am a storm lover and I have my dad to thank for that.  As a little girl, when a big storm would come rolling through I remember my dad would look me in the eye and say “it’s gonna be fine, we’re safe.”  It was such a simple statement but I remember the calm that came with his words.  Once I heard them, I could sit right next to him and enjoy the lighting and the sounds.  His re-assuring words put everything in perspective and allowed me to focus on something other than fear.

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Amazing Parish conference.  It was such a fabulous event and my mind and my heart are still processing all the hopeful, happy and exciting events of that conference.  Before we boarded our flight, I opened my laptop and on social media I saw faithful Catholics pitted against one another arguing about what should be fundamental church teaching and it hurt my heart.  I felt like I was facing a storm and I felt uneasy.  As I sat at that conference  with more than 600 Catholics eager to find ways to bring Jesus to a hurting world, Fr. John Riccardo said something that brought the same kind of peace and comfort to my stormy heart that my dad’s words always did in the middle of the thunder and wind.

Fr. John pointed out three truths.  First, our world is crying; wailing actually. Second, our church is crying and third, we…me, you, all of us are not alive by chance in fact we were born for exactly this time.  Then came the words my heart needed most… “God is not nervous right now!”    It was like my dad saying, “it’s gonna be fine, we’re safe.”  Those words were like a giant blanket of peace.  I still hear those words echo in my mind and I think, of course he’s not nervous…he’s God and he has equipped us for exactly this time and place.  Fr. John reminded us that Jesus doesn’t NEED anything but he WANTS our hearts.  How often do we wonder what we need to do instead of enjoying the fact that we are desperately wanted simply so he can fill our hearts with his love.

In posts to come, I will share some of the amazing jewels from the conference but for now, I just want to leave you with a few simple words.  God’s not nervous…we aren’t needed; we’re wanted!

A Seed To Plant:  Sit with these simple words, be comforted by them and ask God how he wants them to change your heart.​

Blessings on your day

…”My Grace is sufficient for you”… 2 Corinthians 12:9

I read a story the other day about a young man who sheepishly approached an older gentleman asking for parts to repair his food truck.  He was hesitant to ask because the older gentleman also owned a food truck, and not just any food truck but one of the most popular BBQ food trucks in the area.  The older gentleman asked the young man what kind of food truck he had and as he kicked in the dirt  a little, he hesitantly answered “BBQ, just like you.”  The man laughed, gave the young man the parts he needed and then offered him some advice about how to make his business grow and succeed.  Much to the young mans surprise the guy even gave him one of his famous recipes.  The young man thanked him sincerely and began to walk away.  He made it half way to his car then he turned around and said, “I just have to know why you did it?  I’m the competition and you just did so much to help me and I gotta know why?”  With a big smile the older man told him that he served a Mighty God who had more than plenty of graces and blessings to go around.  He went on to explain that one of the greatest ailments in our world today is greedy competition.  We forget our mission on earth is to help each other…help them with their health, their success, their family, their happiness and ultimately to help them get to heaven.  With a wink, he said I can’t possibly feed everyone who wants to eat good BBQ myself so I’m helpin you take care of God’s hungry children too.  He asked him if he knew his friend Jesus because getting to know him is the best help imaginable.  He’s the one who makes sure graces and blessings never run dry and there is never a moments competition for them.

If we stop and think about all the silly things in a day we make comparisons about and all the minutes we spend evaluating and processing it seems pretty ridiculous.  Maybe it’s human nature to wonder how we stack up in the eyes of our kids, our parents, our friends or our neighbors but the older gentleman in the story is right, God has plenty of grace and blessing to go around whether we’re the best or the 32nd best at something.  God isn’t gonna love me more and give me more grace if my kids are the best behaved in church or get the top grades in school.  Social media likes and shares don’t bestow more grace in my day.  God could care less if my hair is cute, my lawn is spiffy, my thighs are slim or my cinnamon rolls are blue ribbon quality and always delivered thoughtfully to a neighbor in need.  I think some days he up there slathering us with grace just because we got out of bed, fed the kids and threw up our hair with a bread twisty!  We don’t have to be the best anything but we are supposed to help someone work toward their best.  We’re supposed to lift each other up not be rivals.  

I had a mom tell me once that she always pulled into the morning drop off lane at school with hair, makeup and a great shirt and it seemed to make her one of the “fancy moms”.  What the others didn’t know was that most mornings she was wearing sweats, pj pants, running shorts and occasionally just her underwear with her long fancy shirts, blazers and sweaters.  She admitted playing the game for months and months until one day her son tripped and fell and smashed his science project.  As he lay crying on the sidewalk she instinctively jumped out of her SUV and ran to comfort him wearing her fancy top and a pair of her husbands boxers.  She said it was one of the moms who had pj pants and a bread twisty hair tie who ran to her aid and gave her a trench coat and a hand with her sons project.  She admitted through tears, that was the day she learned what kind of woman she wanted to be…the kind that helped others rather than competing with them…the kind who wasn’t afraid to look like life was hard some days and just showing up was worthy of blessings and grace.

Discipleship is tough work folks and it’s best done with help.  Jesus started with twelve but that was the only time there was a limited number!  Let’s help each other do the important work of spreading the word and love of Christ…we’re not fighting for “disciple of the year” and God will give us all the grace we need to grow in holiness but I think he might give extra on the days  we help another along on their journey to him rather than trying to shove them out of the way to get his attention.

A Seed To Plant:  Where do you struggle with comparison?  Take that to prayer and ask God to help you swap that for a spirit of peace and glimpse at yourself through his eyes.  Then begin each day asking him to point out anyone who might need your help this day.​

Blessings on your day!

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  Joshua 24:15

As I type this post we’re just hours from tip-off of the MSU Texas Tech NCAA Final Four game.  I have made some great friends in Lubbock  and I’ve rooted for the Red Raiders throughout the whole tournament but tonight there is a dividing line and I’m typing in green!  I just have to pick the Spartans tonight because one of my favorite priests always says, “MSU is where Jesus went to school!” 

Tonights game is just one of the many places we divide ourselves and take sides.  Sometimes the divisions are light hearted and fun; other times they can be completely serious. As humans we fuss and argue and pick sides but as Children of God, we need to come together and find our voice in this crazy world.  We need to remember we’re all fighting AGAINST the same thing…evil!  If we could remember who are leader is and follow him together the world could be very different.  

I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes us choose the things we do.  Sometimes it’s a family thing, sometimes it’s a political thing or a financial thing that influences our choices.  Sometimes we’re pressured into making choices and picking sides. I ran across this quote shortly before the NCAA tournament began and it just stuck to my heart.  When it comes to the most important “side” or “choice” we can pick there is no pressure, no requirements, no loss whatsoever.  The outcome will be perfect and generous and loving and compassionate and amazing.  When you pick God, there is only truth and he’s always right there waiting  for us to pick him and allow him to transform everything!  This little nugget of comfort and hope was written by Fr. Cantalamessa who is the preacher to the papal household.  I hope it sticks you your heart too and helps you pick the team that will always finish first…the team that follows Jesus!

He it is, the Only Begotten of the Father, who stands before the human race today and says: Be still, and know that I am God. (Ps 46:11) He does not plead for it, he does not beg for faith and recognition, as so many pseudo-prophets and founders of empty religions do.  He does not say. “Believe me, please, be kind enough to listen,” but he says: “Know that I am God!” Whether you believe it or not, I am God!

A Seed To Plant:  Think of the “teams” you are a part of and then compare the amount of time you devote to that team to the amount of time you devote to being on Christ’s disciple squad.  Make adjustments as needed.​

Blessings on your day!

I am an imperfect person loved by a perfect God!

I had a funny realization the other day when I had the middle lovelies and their kindergarten buddies at mass.  One of the littles had a runny nose so the big buddy turned and asked me if I had a Kleenex they could give the kindergartener.  I immediately began rummaging through my coat pockets pulling out Kleenex after Kleenex.  I smiled and thought I must have looked a little like a magician pulling colorful scarves out of a hat.  I finally came to one that was wadded but after careful inspection, I could tell it hadn’t been used.  It looked a little rumpled but as I did the unfold test I could tell it was a “never been used” one.  Feeling a bit successful at the fruitful Kleenex search mission, I handed it up with pride to the middle lovely.  The little one looked a bit suspicious and after using it the child looked at their big buddy and said, “My mom buys the kind that come in the little rectangle package and come out folded nicely, I’m not sure I like this kind.”  It took everything I had not to laugh out loud!

As I looked down at the pile of crumpled white Kleenexes in my lap and began to tuck them all back in my coat pockets I realized my discipleship journey is a whole lot like that crumped pile of Kleenex! Here’s what I mean… 

*When I forget to let God be in charge, things get all wrinkled, wadded and jumbled.
*Even when things get messy in the middle, all I need is a fresh corner to clean up my act.
*Things rarely come neatly packaged and perfectly stacked like the little rectangle Kleenex packages.
*Things don’t always have to look new, neat and tidy to work well, sometimes following Christ is just messy and unpredictable.
*God loves me even when I’m a rumpled mess and all I have left is a little room around the edges.
*God always wants to give a little extra love so I have some left to share.
*Just because I appear to be prepared, well packaged and all put together, it doesn’t mean I’m holy. Holiness focuses on the inside not the outward appearance.
*Just like those tissues in my pocket, God has a very specific purpose in my life and I sometimes have to do a little searching to find it.
*All too often, I have to dig around and try all the wrong things before I get to the good one.
*Finding a good Kleenex right before a sneeze is a great relief but it’s nothing compared to the relief in my life when I let God take control right before I try to do it my own way and goof it up.

Some people say they never really hear God speak to them; perhaps the problem is they just aren’t listening carefully because he can communicate his lessons and his love in the strangest ways; even in a pile of rumpled Kleenexes!

A Seed To Plant:  Are you a fresh new package disciple or are you one who’s a little ruffled around the edges?  Take some time in prayer this week and think about it…are you waiting until everything is in perfect order to invite him in or are you willing to invite him into your mess?​

Blessings on your day!

…and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” Matthew 1:23

I don’t know about you, but I love those little “life hack” videos that pop up on my newsfeed.  Things like putting hot glue dots on your hangers to keep slippery closes from falling off or 20 ways to organize junk, using random items around the house.  Granted, some of them are pretty ridiculous but most of them come from folks who are way smarter and more creative than I am so I find myself watching and saying, “Seriously, that is awesome, why didn’t I think of that!”  My mind likes simple, efficient and logical so if someone wants to pass along a little of that I’m gonna soak it up!

What I really love though, is when someone can give me some “life hacks” for my discipleship!  Sometimes I can try to do 40 things at once to try to be holier and wind up in a tail spin.  That’s usually when I get discouraged and feel like I’ll never be “good” enough to get to heaven.  I’m getting better at promptly stopping that kind of thinking and calling it out for what it is…discouragement and we all know who throws that up in our face!  That’s when we need to stop and say “Oh No…not today satan! You messed with the wrong disciple!”  I know that no matter how crooked my path gets or how twisted around I become, as long as my heart is headed in HIS direction he’s gonna grab my hand and put me on his path if I call out for guidance.  It’s like DIVINE GPS. (I’m pretty sure GPS stand for Gods Perfect Strategy) My discipleship and my path to holiness often looks like a fish floppin around on the bank, so anytime I can find a quick “something” to snap me back and return me to water, I’m happy.  I found a little something that does just that so I thought I’d share.  Like all those great tips and tricks we find on the “inter-webs” this isn’t mine but if it’s helpful, it’s worth sharing so…thanks to no work of my own…here ya go!  

It begins with reminding ourselves of a simple fact. Since we were created in the image and likeness of God, then he’s always in us  and with us. In short, we don’t need to do a lot of hard fancy stuff to get his attention because we never leave his gaze.  I can’t hide from him so I can never really be lost.  It’s simple but I can’t count the number of times I forget that.  Remembering that is step one, step two is remembering the word WIT.  This teeny word can lead us to holiness and save us from bad decisions, stupid actions and regrettable words.  Here’s how it works.  Jesus, live this day (or this moment; or this event; or this situation) WITH me; Live it IN me; Live itTHROUGH me.  If you want the quicker version, at that split second when we’re about to gossip or lie or judge or lip off  impatiently, or be afraid, what if we stopped long enough to say “Jesus, with me, in me and through me!” I’m pretty darn sure what would happen next would be a much better outcome. I spend a lot of prayer time telling him how sorry I am for all the stupid stuff I do and say and think.  If I put the WIT prayer in action I’m pretty sure I’m gonna have a lot more time for saying prayers of gratitude!

A Seed To Plant:  Write down the words to the WIT prayer and put it a few places you’ll notice and ask God to help you make it a frequent prayer in your day.​

Blessings on your day!

So they asked him, “What are you then?”… John 1:21

I was traveling recently and the hotel stay required  a several floor elevator ride. Every time I got in it, I was the only passenger so there was nothing to distract me which would have been nice because all 4 walls of the elevator were mirrors.  Each time I glanced up to see which floor I was on all I saw was my reflection.  Each time I caught a glimpse of myself, I thought of this question from John’s gospel.   The questions asked of John go from WHO are you to WHAT are you.  The second one seems a bit strange at first glance don’t you think?  But when we take a good look at our discipleship, the second question becomes very important.  

If someone asks  “who are you” I might be quick to respond with things like; Shannon’s  mom, Dave’s wife, Brandt’s teacher or Tina’s friend.  I tend to focus on what I do to describe who I am. But if someone asks “what are you” it causes me to look at my vocation.  What am I? I am God’s daughter.  I am a Saint in the making.  I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am a living example of God’s love for all his children.  In all honesty, my “what” needs some work!  There are even times when I think about the person asking and wonder “what do they want me to be?”  The problem with that kind of thinking is there is really only one opinion that matters and that isn’t always the one I seek first.  

John was very honest and direct.  He did not pretend to be someone or something he wasn’t.  There is certainly a lesson there for me.   This Gospel is the perfect reminder  that  what I really am, is HIS! I don’t have to pretend to be who or what the world would find impressive.  Today is the day to speak the truth like John and realize what I am; God’s Beloved Daughter, and that  is absolutely more than enough.

A Seed To Plant:  What are you? Take a few minutes to make that list, looking through the Fathers eyes.​

Blessings on your day!

“For behold, I have made you small among the nations…” Jeremiah 49:15

Here’s a little fun fact for you.  Each tower of the Golden Gate Bridge contains more than 600,000 rivets.  That’s a lot of rivets!  Now you may be wondering what on earth that has to do with anything but if you read a little further it may have a lot to do with you!  This little tidbit of seemingly unimportant information grabbed my attention when it was followed by the phrase, “and not one of them does something on it’s own.”

Each rivet is absolutely important but not a single one of them demands recognition for the job they do.  I’d never look at a picture of the Golden Gate Bridge and say, “Oh my, look at rivet number 432,000…isn’t that an awesome rivet!”  Instead, when I look at all those rivets I realize they are an integral part of something amazing but it isn’t completely dependent on any one rivet.  They each work together for a greater purpose.  I offer this post today both as a reminder and as a comfort.

The reminder is about service, humility and the work we have in our discipleship.  I can do all kinds of personal things to grow in holiness but if I’m not using my time, talents and treasures to serve others, I’m not a rivet thats building the Kingdom of God on earth.  The Ten Commandments are divided into two groups; Love God and Love Others!  We are called to do both.  One rivet won’t hold up a bridge any more than one person can singlehandedly build the Kingdom.  This little tidbit has given me cause to consider how important a rivet I think I really am.  As I type, it’s early Sunday morning and I’m watching the sun come up through a giant airport window.  It’s a stunning view and I’m so happy to be on my way to Texas to do the work he’s called me there to do, but I have to be careful not to think that makes my rivet any shinier than the next guys.  After all, if they build a bridge with only one rivet who would trust it?  As I think of those 6000,000 rivets, I’m reminded that strength for good work comes when the work is done by many, each doing what they are called to do, in the way they’re called to do it, all for the Glory of God not to be noticed as a standout. 

The comfort of this little thought is that the weight of the task doesn’t rest completely on one person’s shoulders.  We don’t have to carry the weight of the world.  We don’t have to be in charge.  We don’t have to know everything, understand everything, and battle all the woes of the world on our own.  God surrounded us with lots of other rivets to share the journey and the work of our discipleship.  We were made to be in communion with others for lots of different reasons; God is so smart!  So relax, look around and find the rivets near you and trust in their support.  I have the great pleasure to teach in a school made up of a group of really awesome rivets!  On any given day we pray, laugh, think and sometimes cry together offering the support, love and assurance needed to build God’s Kingdom through our vocation as teachers.  Look around, who are the rivets near you?

Those rivets in the Golden Gate Bridge work together to support more than 112,000 vehicles a day.  I’d say that’s a fabulous example of combined effort.  The question is, where is God calling me to be a rivet!

A Seed To Plant:  Take some time in prayer to consider the kind of rivet God’s calling you to be. Ponder a bit on the ideas of service, humility and comfort from this simple post.​

Blessings on your day!

Calling his disciples, he began sending them out two by two…Mark 6:7

This story in Mark’s Gospel is a dozen lessons all wrapped into one.  It’s about trust, teamwork, awareness, truth and gratefulness.  As I reflect on these verses it provides an occasion to look at my relationship with the Lord and see which pieces of my discipleship are in order and which have a few kinks! This line highlights the instructions given to a group of Christians a couple thousand years ago, but the instructions really haven’t changed and they apply to our personal discipleship all these years later.

One day a while back I opened to this passage and it was right about the time Dave and I celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary.  After reading that Gospel story, I was reminded that it was a great day to celebrate the fact that God sent me out in a new way with the other part of my pair!  Once we said “I Do” we headed out together to help each other trust and serve.  We lead each other and help each other decide when we need to stick with something and when we need to shake the dust from our sandals and move on. When bills are high and struggles come and things don’t go like we expected, we remind each other that we have enough and God will fill in the gaps.  I’m sure just like us, the disciples didn’t always see eye to eye with the other half of their pair but they had to stick to the mission.  If the world tries to deceive us or our children we have to guide each other toward the truth.  Together we have to discover and share the good news of Jesus with each other and those we love.  Thank goodness for pairs and clear instructions!

Building his church on earth is our work but it isn’t work he intended us to do alone so it’s important to ask yourself;  who is the other half of my pair?  Who am I traveling and sharing my discipleship with on my journey to heaven? I heard a priest give a sermon once where he stated that we are the average of the 5 people we spend the most time with.  So in light of his words and this Gospel it makes me stop and consider who all my pairs are.  Growing in holiness is a journey that takes great companions. In your prayers today think about your people and stop and say, “Dear Father, thank you for loving me enough to send me a helper and show me the way to know you, love you and serve you in this life so I may be happy with you in the next.”

A Seed To Plant:  So, who is the other half of your pair and what are you doing together to make this world more Christ-like?​

Blessings on your day!

Every man, whatsoever his condition, desires to be happy.  St. 

After the Saturday I had, I probably have enough thoughts to write a dozen blogs!  I spent the day at the Diocese of Lansing Made for Happiness Assembly and it was an absolutely spectacular day.  I sat in the MSU Breslin Center with more than 13,000 Catholics and prayed, sang, laughed and praised!  The energy, the speakers, the unity, the communal prayer…it was overwhelming!  We gathered as Christ’s people; members of an imperfect church but followers of a Perfect God!  There was happiness, grace, healing and glorious HOPE!  If I wrote about everything that’s on my heart the blog would be thousands of words long and to quote a phrase that makes me laugh, “Aint nobody got time for that!”  It’s impossible for me to pick a favorite part of the day but there is a line from Fr. Mike Schmitz, priest extrodinare, that hit me like a ton of bricks.  I’ve come to understand that when something hits me that hard I’m probably supposed to pay attention.  

Fr. Mike was talking about Santa Claus.  He spoke about the times as a child he begged his  mom  to take him to see Santa.  He didn’t want to just write a letter, he wanted to SEE Santa.  Looking back he realized that he didn’t really care about the man Santa, he  only cared about what Santa could do for him.  Seeing Santa meant asking in person for presents and then receiving them simply because he asked for them.  He had no real regard for Santa himself, only what he could give him. As he was talking I could vividly remember my brothers and I getting ready to go to White Lakes Mall in Topeka, KS to see Santa.  I remember what an outing it was and how exciting it was.  It was probably the only car trip all year where the boys and I didn’t argue and poke each other and irritate the snot out of our parents.  The memory made me smile.  But then came the bombshell,  he asked how many of us ever saw God that way.  Ugh!  The reality of my answer was heavy.  I’ve been reflecting on this for over 24 hours and it’s definitely become something I realize I need to work on.

I get excited about the idea of God.  I spend time in prayer and I try to do things that please him but I have to ask myself why?  Am I just trying to win his favor so he will give me what I ask for in prayer.  Do I go to him trying to “butter him up” so I can make up for the times I truly don’t pick up my cross?  Do I turn to him when things are hard and disappointing and temptation knocks loudly or do I do what I want and then go to him a few days later and act all “buddy buddy in my prayer.”  It left me asking myself where my true intentions  and commitment were.  I truly do want to join him among the Communion of Saints but do I work for it, I mean really work for it or do I expect heaven to be his great gift to me even if I haven’t been a loyal disciple.  Do I want him enough to defend him or share his story in public?  Do I love him enough to trust him and follow him and be uncomfortable as he works in my life?  Do I listen for his voice or drown him out with my own thoughts?  Am I willing to surrender everything to him and admit I am perfectly made and adored by my creator?  I can’ just be excited about the idea, I have to live the idea.  I have to love him above all because of what he HAS given me, not just for what I want him to give me.  Sheesh, thank you Fr. Mike for a big heap of stuff to work on…it might not make me FEEL better but it sure will make me BE better. (thanks for that line too!)

A Seed To Plant:  If the Santa story touched your heart, please spend the week praying about it and see where he leads you.​

Blessings on your day!

The page has turned to August which means I made my first trip to my classroom.  There are still a few weeks of vacation left but the eighth month on the calendar signals something in my heart to begin again.  It’s time to rediscover!  Rediscover which cupboard I shoved my stuff in, rediscover the excitement of a fresh start and rediscover my love for this work I’m called to do.  Todays guest blogger is one of the boys but there is an problem; I don’t know which one.  This post is the electronic equivalent of forgetting to put your name on your paper. There are a few in my inbox with no name and since I can’ t hold up the papers to see who belongs to each one, and since it’s electronic and I can’t tell by the handwriting, I’ll just have to say this guest blogger is an amazing, anonymous writer. His points about knowledge and discovery seem to be the perfect fit for the beginning of August.

If you forgive others trespasses your heavenly father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

Every time I entered the church while reading the book Rediscover Jesus, by Matthew Kelly,  I asked myself, “What does Rediscover Jesus mean?”  Since I finished the book I’ve been thinking about all I learned.  I realize that just like Matthew Kelly says, knowing about Jesus isn’t the same as truly knowing and loving Jesus. That part seems pretty important.

A great example is going to mass. Sometimes we don’t want to go to mass because we don’t truly know Jesus.  Sometimes we don’t want to do the right thing because it’s hard and because we don’t truly know Jesus.  I can learn stuff about Jesus but that’s not the same as learning to really know him.  Since he changes, depending on how much we need him and what we’re going through, we have to rediscover him again and again

I think the important thing I learned is that if you rediscover Jesus, your life will change for the better. You will grow as a catholic, and a disciple. Since then I’ve thought about the whole book I realized that if you rediscover Jesus, you forgive, you help, and you love others just as Jesus intended. Rediscovering Jesus is like knowing and acting…that’s harder but it sure changes you!

A seed to plant: Next time you enter the church, think to yourself “Do I really know Jesus or do I just know of him?”​

Blessings on your day!

Psalm 139 reminds us we are fearfully and wonderfully made.  In other words, we are perfect in the eye of our Creator.  That seems like a simple enough announcement but yet, we spend so many minute trying to be like, look like or in some way act like someone else. Today seems like the perfect day to take a look at ourselves through the Father’s eyes.  Lets take notice of who we’re trying to follow and say thank you for our gifts instead of wanting someone else's.  Todays guest blogger has the perfect post to get us started!

Todays post is brought to you by a genuine, huge hearted, young leader named Kash.  This impressive young man was instrumental in getting the whole book study started, and his leadership with this project truly made a difference in our classroom!

 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus” Philippians 2:5

I really love football. My favorite player is Tom Brady because he is such a great quarterback. When we got this assignment and I was praying about what I was going to write about,  I saw this scripture verse, it all clicked together.  I realized I shouldn’t strive to be like a great athlete. Being like Tom Brady wan’t important; I thought instead, I should strive to be a great disciple. I am not saying you shouldn’t play sports, I am saying if you play sports you should always praise God and thank him for the gifts he gave you.

 We should strive to be like Jesus.  One way we can do this is go to mass.  Another thing we can do is go to confessions  so God can forgive us. After he forgives you praise him and thank him for taking your sins away.

God wants us to use the gifts he gave us.  Thank God for all of the gifts  you have and praise him.

  A Seed To Plant:  Some time  today make a list  of 5 gifts God has given you and be sure to tell him thank you!

Blessings on your day!​

Thank you Kash…you’re amazing!