Joyful Words Blog
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path.
– Psalm 119:105
– Psalm 119:105
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!
8 Comments
Denise Droscha
1/8/2025 08:16:04 am
Good morning, Sherry,
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1/8/2025 07:04:23 pm
Thanks Denise, so happy your heart was touched today and hoping the dog will respond to your holiness by sleeping better tonight!
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Kathy
1/8/2025 09:37:57 am
What I love about your posts is that you give such easy ways to look at life and make little changes. God bless you.
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1/8/2025 07:05:16 pm
Thank you for the kind words Kathy! Simple seems to do the trick doesn't it! Blessings...
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Carol
1/8/2025 10:57:55 am
Dear Sheri, my dearest teaching friend from the early 80's just sent me this book. I have spent this week out sick with the cough crud virus, which, amazingly, has provided me with the time to actually spend a holy hour! He even allowed me to lose my voice so, talking on the phone--one of my fave things is out. I am amazed and astonished once more that after a very "meh" Christmas...I can be grateful for hearing His voice in Epiphany. Thank you, as always, for your thoughts and insights!
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1/8/2025 07:07:12 pm
Hello Carol. Thank you for your message...so sorry to hear you were feeling yucky! Don't you just love the ways he gets our attention. Prayers that this will be a year of joy and peace! Blessings...
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Sally Johnston
1/8/2025 12:32:15 pm
Thank you! I’ve read that book from Matthew Kelly. I need to be reminded of Holy Moments each day.😌
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1/8/2025 07:08:37 pm
Hello Sally! I think it's a reminder we all need...and pulling old books off the shelf to check my highlighted lines really seems to hit my heart in just the right way! Blessings...
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Sheri's writing can also be found at Faith Catholic Publications and on CatholicMom.com
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