Last night, after the third time Monica came out of her room post-bedtime:
Me:...and I pray that Monica will have sweet dreams and that her guardian angel will stay close to her all through the night.
Monica: I pray that my guardian angel and Mama's guardian angel will give us good dreams and bring peace to the whole world. Amen.
Now, I think that is a prayer request I can get behind.
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
A Special Intention
During Monica's Bedtime Prayers...
Me: Our Father, who art in heaven...and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. And I pray that God would bless our family and bring Daddy home safely*. Amen.
Monica: And I pray that all of Mama's teeth would fall out very soon. Amen.
I always hoped that my children would pray for me, but that kind of request was not what I had in mind...
*Daddy's at a Tiger's game, safe from those who would try to pray his teeth to sure demise.
Me: Our Father, who art in heaven...and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. And I pray that God would bless our family and bring Daddy home safely*. Amen.
Monica: And I pray that all of Mama's teeth would fall out very soon. Amen.
I always hoped that my children would pray for me, but that kind of request was not what I had in mind...
*Daddy's at a Tiger's game, safe from those who would try to pray his teeth to sure demise.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
File Under: When I Am Weary of the Wee Ones
When the days get long and tiresome, when the food explosion from lunch necessitates an industrial strength hose-down of the entire dining room, remember this...
When you tell your child a story, when you play a game with your little son, you tell a story, you play a game with the Christ Child...A woman too weary for articulate prayer will find that for her the best of all prayer is the unspoken act of faith in Christ in her children. When she knows that she is setting the table and baking the cake for the Christ Child, her soul will be at rest.
Caryll Houselander
When you tell your child a story, when you play a game with your little son, you tell a story, you play a game with the Christ Child...A woman too weary for articulate prayer will find that for her the best of all prayer is the unspoken act of faith in Christ in her children. When she knows that she is setting the table and baking the cake for the Christ Child, her soul will be at rest.
Caryll Houselander
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Don't forget Daddy...
A blessed Holy Week to you all! I hope your Lent has been fruitful and grace-filled. I've spent my free moments today reflecting on my own lenten experience this year and I've decided that it has been humbling and hopeful. I didn't give up much in the way of food, since I'm still on my dairy-free nursing-friendly diet, which is mortifying enough in and of itself. I specifically focused on being patient and gentle with Monica. There were times of great victory, and times of total defeat.
I also decided to get the kids to one daily mass per week, which has also proved to be quite a sacrifice. There were a couple of times where Kevin joined us which was super helpful for me, but definitely stressful for him. I think Monica might have amped up her mass-time craziness just because she knew there were two of us to handle her.
We go to daily mass at a small chapel in an office building. It's nice because the daily masses are no more than 30 minutes. It's not so nice because it's super small and any little bump, rattle or shout carries for all to hear.
As always, God came through in the end. Today, as we were pulling out of the driveway for our last lenten daily mass, I told Monica that we were going to church to see Jesus. She said, "Jesus loves Monica!"
"Yes, he does! He loves all of us, the whole world."
"Jesus loves Monica and Mama and James and Daddy and Buck..."
"You're right, Monica!"
"Mary loves Monica." (Mary, as in the Blessed Mother.)
"She does, Monica! Mama Mary loves all of us. Who else does Mama Mary love?"
"Mama Mary loves Monica and James and Mama and Buck and trash."
That made it all worth it, right there. On some level, the all-encompassing love of God and the Blessed Mother is sinking in. Granted, the whole skipping out on Mama Mary loving Daddy and then adding trash was a little weird, but there's time to work on that. It is wonderful to see that even our most feeble and frustrated of efforts can be used for eternal good.
May you have a blessed Holy Week and a joy-filled Easter!
I also decided to get the kids to one daily mass per week, which has also proved to be quite a sacrifice. There were a couple of times where Kevin joined us which was super helpful for me, but definitely stressful for him. I think Monica might have amped up her mass-time craziness just because she knew there were two of us to handle her.
We go to daily mass at a small chapel in an office building. It's nice because the daily masses are no more than 30 minutes. It's not so nice because it's super small and any little bump, rattle or shout carries for all to hear.
And, since Monica's whisper capabilities are still latent and she has only two volumes, loud and louder, it can be really challenging it is impossible to keep her quiet and in the pew for the entire mass.
As always, God came through in the end. Today, as we were pulling out of the driveway for our last lenten daily mass, I told Monica that we were going to church to see Jesus. She said, "Jesus loves Monica!"
"Yes, he does! He loves all of us, the whole world."
"Jesus loves Monica and Mama and James and Daddy and Buck..."
"You're right, Monica!"
"Mary loves Monica." (Mary, as in the Blessed Mother.)
"She does, Monica! Mama Mary loves all of us. Who else does Mama Mary love?"
"Mama Mary loves Monica and James and Mama and Buck and trash."
That made it all worth it, right there. On some level, the all-encompassing love of God and the Blessed Mother is sinking in. Granted, the whole skipping out on Mama Mary loving Daddy and then adding trash was a little weird, but there's time to work on that. It is wonderful to see that even our most feeble and frustrated of efforts can be used for eternal good.
May you have a blessed Holy Week and a joy-filled Easter!
Friday, April 2, 2010
A Blessed Good Friday to you all!
Good Friday Prayer
O Jesus, Who by reason of Thy burning love for us
hast willed to be crucified
and to shed Thy Most Precious Blood
for the redemption and salvation of our souls,
look down upon us here gathered together
in remembrance of Thy most sorrowful Passion and Death,
fully trusting in Thy mercy;
cleanse us from sin by Thy grace,
sanctify our toil,
give unto us and unto all those who are dear to us our
daily bread,
sweeten our sufferings,
bless our families,
and to the nations so sorely afflicted,
grant Thy peace,
which is the only true peace,
so that by obeying Thy commandments
we may come at last to the glory of heaven.
Amen.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Peace to You On Good Friday
In the Cross is salvation,
in the Cross is life,
in the Cross is protection from enemies,
in the Cross is infusion of divine peace,
in the Cross is fortitude of heart,
in the Cross is joy of spirit,
in the Cross is summary of the virtues,
in the Cross is the perfection of sanctity.
There is no salvation for the soul or hope of everlasting life except in the Cross. Take, then, your cross, follow Jesus Christ and you will enter eternal life.
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
in the Cross is life,
in the Cross is protection from enemies,
in the Cross is infusion of divine peace,
in the Cross is fortitude of heart,
in the Cross is joy of spirit,
in the Cross is summary of the virtues,
in the Cross is the perfection of sanctity.
There is no salvation for the soul or hope of everlasting life except in the Cross. Take, then, your cross, follow Jesus Christ and you will enter eternal life.
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Poignant Penance
Confession is usually a very private affair: just you and the priest (in persona Christi). I am very thankful for the secrecy of the sacrament, so I normally wouldn't share my experience in such a public way. But I really think the penance that I was asked to perform was beautiful.
A little background first...I am a control freak. My freakishness extends into many areas of my life and other people's lives, and this is often the cause of much anxiety, angst and relational strain. It's one of those pet sins that I seem to always be confessing.
In response to my most recent confession, the priest asked me to spend time looking at and reflecting on the stained glass window of Jesus hanging on the cross at the front of the church. He explained that the need to feel in control is often a response to insecurity. In our effort to give up control, there is no better example to follow than Christ on the cross. At that moment, Jesus was the most insecure he had ever been in his life by the world's standard; he was beaten, bloodied, nailed to a cross, and nearly abandoned. However, with his last words, he showed us how to trust God with what is most precious: "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." May Christ be merciful and give us the grace to do the same, now and at the hour of our death.
A little background first...I am a control freak. My freakishness extends into many areas of my life and other people's lives, and this is often the cause of much anxiety, angst and relational strain. It's one of those pet sins that I seem to always be confessing.
In response to my most recent confession, the priest asked me to spend time looking at and reflecting on the stained glass window of Jesus hanging on the cross at the front of the church. He explained that the need to feel in control is often a response to insecurity. In our effort to give up control, there is no better example to follow than Christ on the cross. At that moment, Jesus was the most insecure he had ever been in his life by the world's standard; he was beaten, bloodied, nailed to a cross, and nearly abandoned. However, with his last words, he showed us how to trust God with what is most precious: "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." May Christ be merciful and give us the grace to do the same, now and at the hour of our death.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Lenten Pondering
"It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness. He is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you.”
--John Paul II
--John Paul II
Monday, January 12, 2009
"Abandoning Our Plans for Christ"
I was reading a meditation (same title as this post) in Magnificat today, and this excerpt really hit home, especially in being a new mom and accepting all that comes with that.
Whoever trusts in God gains quality in his life, in his potential, in security, and in his way of life. Surely all of us have plans in mind. This is good, but let us not make the mistake of remaining alone, convinced only of our own plans, of only what we want, because God tells us, "With me you can work miracles"... For sure, if you want to love, you have to renounce your immediate plans and your modern conveniences because without the cross, it is true that you cannot love. You cannot love the woman who gives her life for you, who renounces everyting to stay with you. You cannot even love your children who expect a smile or a word from you. You do not have time because you are focused on fulfilling your own little plans. True love always comes with an ability to renounce, with a sacrifice; and then that sacrifice becomes concrete love.
Mother Elvira Petrozzi
Whoever trusts in God gains quality in his life, in his potential, in security, and in his way of life. Surely all of us have plans in mind. This is good, but let us not make the mistake of remaining alone, convinced only of our own plans, of only what we want, because God tells us, "With me you can work miracles"... For sure, if you want to love, you have to renounce your immediate plans and your modern conveniences because without the cross, it is true that you cannot love. You cannot love the woman who gives her life for you, who renounces everyting to stay with you. You cannot even love your children who expect a smile or a word from you. You do not have time because you are focused on fulfilling your own little plans. True love always comes with an ability to renounce, with a sacrifice; and then that sacrifice becomes concrete love.
Mother Elvira Petrozzi
Friday, September 26, 2008
The Timeless in Our Hearts
In these uncertain ecomomic and political times, I think today's first mass reading is comforting and appropriate. If, like me, finances, politics and the like have seemed bleak to you, remember the One who "has put the timeless into their hearts." We can never know the fullness of the magnificence, peace and blessing that God has for us while we're on this side of heaven. That is why I am thankful for Christ in His Eucharistic presence. In receiving him at mass during communion, the timeless passes over our lips into our very selves. Let us rejoice in that, no matter what uncertainty and trials we face.
There is an appointed time for everything,
and a time for every thing under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.
What advantage has the worker from his toil?
I have considered the task that God has appointed
for the sons of men to be busied about.
He has made everything appropriate to its time,
and has put the timeless into their hearts,
without man’s ever discovering,
from beginning to end, the work which God has done.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
There is an appointed time for everything,
and a time for every thing under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.
What advantage has the worker from his toil?
I have considered the task that God has appointed
for the sons of men to be busied about.
He has made everything appropriate to its time,
and has put the timeless into their hearts,
without man’s ever discovering,
from beginning to end, the work which God has done.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
Monday, August 4, 2008
The Best-Laid Plans...
I have been officially unemployed for 49 days now. For the most part, I really love being a homemaker! I'm rather surprised by this as I spent much of the past three years with a real fear of what life would be like without a job-a life sans extra money and a solid 9 hours of structured activity. Looking back, I can see how much self-worth I attached to my school work and then my job. Career was all important and the primary measure of whether I was achieving the purpose for which I was created in the first place.
In the first two years of our marriage, Kevin and I spent a lot of time intensely discussing my desire to go to grad school and cultivate a "successful" career. All of the discussions ended with me coming to the realization that it is not time for grad school and an all out career blitz for many reasons-financial and simply not knowing what I am truly cut out to do in the workplace.
I love to have a plan and I love to be in control. I had my whole career path--from honors high school classes to accomplished physician--planned out by the age of 12. Alas, it was a mere semester into my undergraduate education that I realized I am not cut out to be a physician. My primary reason: I did not want to put myself in a position where I must be divided between career and family. There are many women who do this and do it very well, but I just knew the time commitment and stress of pursuing an MD was not in the cards. I have never regretted the decision. Since that realization, I have made logical plan after logical plan in order to launch a respectable, flexible career. I started to pursue a Masters in Social Work. When it became clear that was not the appropriate path, I began to pursue a special education degree. When Kevin proposed and we found out we would be moving to New York, I put the higher ed plans on hold again, only to find myself feeling disconnected and lost in regards to God's will for my work life.
The fog finally started to lift a bit when we found out about The Babe in January. I had officially become a mother and the journey would only become more intense and demanding as time went on. Though I liked my job in New York, I knew it was not enough to keep me from this child. To be a wife and mother, without a flashy career, is the path that I am trodding. It is a peaceful path. A path I am thankful for because I know that there are many women who would love to stay home with their children but cannot. The moments with young children are so fleeting and precious.
All of my failed plans have worked together to show me that God is in control. Though I may try to go my own way, his Spirit tugs at my heart when its at the brink, and I have had the grace, thus far, to turn back before too much time and money are lost pursuing things that will not bring ultimate satisfaction or happiness. Now, I pray for the grace and discipline to take this quiet time before the baby is born to learn how to listen more closely to the still small voice of Christ that illuminates each day, one moment at a time. In this, I am confident that there will be lasting peace and true purpose.
In the first two years of our marriage, Kevin and I spent a lot of time intensely discussing my desire to go to grad school and cultivate a "successful" career. All of the discussions ended with me coming to the realization that it is not time for grad school and an all out career blitz for many reasons-financial and simply not knowing what I am truly cut out to do in the workplace.
I love to have a plan and I love to be in control. I had my whole career path--from honors high school classes to accomplished physician--planned out by the age of 12. Alas, it was a mere semester into my undergraduate education that I realized I am not cut out to be a physician. My primary reason: I did not want to put myself in a position where I must be divided between career and family. There are many women who do this and do it very well, but I just knew the time commitment and stress of pursuing an MD was not in the cards. I have never regretted the decision. Since that realization, I have made logical plan after logical plan in order to launch a respectable, flexible career. I started to pursue a Masters in Social Work. When it became clear that was not the appropriate path, I began to pursue a special education degree. When Kevin proposed and we found out we would be moving to New York, I put the higher ed plans on hold again, only to find myself feeling disconnected and lost in regards to God's will for my work life.
The fog finally started to lift a bit when we found out about The Babe in January. I had officially become a mother and the journey would only become more intense and demanding as time went on. Though I liked my job in New York, I knew it was not enough to keep me from this child. To be a wife and mother, without a flashy career, is the path that I am trodding. It is a peaceful path. A path I am thankful for because I know that there are many women who would love to stay home with their children but cannot. The moments with young children are so fleeting and precious.
All of my failed plans have worked together to show me that God is in control. Though I may try to go my own way, his Spirit tugs at my heart when its at the brink, and I have had the grace, thus far, to turn back before too much time and money are lost pursuing things that will not bring ultimate satisfaction or happiness. Now, I pray for the grace and discipline to take this quiet time before the baby is born to learn how to listen more closely to the still small voice of Christ that illuminates each day, one moment at a time. In this, I am confident that there will be lasting peace and true purpose.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
On a More Gracious Note
Today is the feast day of St. Thomas the Apostle, and I happened to attend daily mass at St. Thomas the Apostle parish today. It was especially festive, and there were ice cream treats for all afterwards.
Almighty and everliving God, who strengthened your apostle Thomas with sure and certain faith in your Son's resurrection: Grant us so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting in your sight; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen
Almighty and everliving God, who strengthened your apostle Thomas with sure and certain faith in your Son's resurrection: Grant us so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting in your sight; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen
Monday, May 19, 2008
"This One's Gravy!"
That's what our real estate agent said when we listed our house 10 days ago.
Kevin and I had our doubts, but per many prayers (and Kevin's birthday wish), our house is under contract for a full-price offer! It was on the market for a week with about 10 showings. Not too shabby! Now, we can begin moving forward with new digs in Michigan.
What blessing!
Thanks to all who prayed, including St. Joseph*.
*No, we did not bury a statue. Though, we have a great novena we're still praying.
Kevin and I had our doubts, but per many prayers (and Kevin's birthday wish), our house is under contract for a full-price offer! It was on the market for a week with about 10 showings. Not too shabby! Now, we can begin moving forward with new digs in Michigan.
What blessing!
Thanks to all who prayed, including St. Joseph*.
*No, we did not bury a statue. Though, we have a great novena we're still praying.
Monday, May 12, 2008
A Banner Day
Saturday was the first day for house showings and we had four appointments. Not bad! We spent a lot of time cleaning, decluttering, mowing, and planting potted flowers. We really tried to put our best foot forward, so to speak. However, the circumstances surrounding our house during the showings were not exactly ideal.
Our real estate agent owns the properties on either side of our house. He lives in one and rents the other. The renters are very nice people, but have some interesting habits.
1. They really like to burn things...such as trash and furniture.
2. They decided to hold a garage sale on the driveway...all day Saturday and Sunday. For most of the day on Saturday, a big yellow-green truck rolled in every couple hours with a bed full of garage sale stuff to set out on the driveway. The place was filled with old dishes, strollers, furniture, rugs, a giant chinese fan for wall decor, formal dresses, board games and the like.
Our take on #1: not favorable on any day of the week.
Our take on #2: normally not a big deal, but on the first day of house showings?! Our nerves were a little spent after a few hours of the garage sale inventory doubling with every truck-load and random garage salers driving up and down our driveway and lawn.
So, we figure it will be a serious miracle of any offers are made from Saturday's showings.
St. Joseph, continue to pray for us!
Our real estate agent owns the properties on either side of our house. He lives in one and rents the other. The renters are very nice people, but have some interesting habits.
1. They really like to burn things...such as trash and furniture.
2. They decided to hold a garage sale on the driveway...all day Saturday and Sunday. For most of the day on Saturday, a big yellow-green truck rolled in every couple hours with a bed full of garage sale stuff to set out on the driveway. The place was filled with old dishes, strollers, furniture, rugs, a giant chinese fan for wall decor, formal dresses, board games and the like.
Our take on #1: not favorable on any day of the week.
Our take on #2: normally not a big deal, but on the first day of house showings?! Our nerves were a little spent after a few hours of the garage sale inventory doubling with every truck-load and random garage salers driving up and down our driveway and lawn.
So, we figure it will be a serious miracle of any offers are made from Saturday's showings.
St. Joseph, continue to pray for us!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
M.I.A.
I realize that I'm not the most consistent blogstress, but I thought I'd fill you in on one reason my posts have been less than frequent as of late. Kevin and I are expecting our first baby!! While the news is oh-so-exciting, the early consequences of pregnancy are not. Exhaustion, nausea, moodiness... I'm in bed before 9pm nearly every night. Kevin is amazed at all the free/alone time he has in the evenings!
Pregnancy is an amazing blessing and a challenging adventure. I had an ultrasound last week, and it was such a God-send. To see the little one moving around and looking like a baby was awesome. I really needed to see that, since it is so easy for me to get caught up in the symptoms. I forget that there is a little person inside of me!
In regard to the first trimester symptoms, I think I'm turning a corner. It's easier to get up in the morning, and the thought of chicken is not as vomitous as it used to be. Soon, I'll have to hit the mall for some chic maternity wear.
I have some good updates and still more info on our fab Puerto Rico trip to share (a month later!). Here's hoping I get that up soon.
St. Gianna
Pregnancy is an amazing blessing and a challenging adventure. I had an ultrasound last week, and it was such a God-send. To see the little one moving around and looking like a baby was awesome. I really needed to see that, since it is so easy for me to get caught up in the symptoms. I forget that there is a little person inside of me!
In regard to the first trimester symptoms, I think I'm turning a corner. It's easier to get up in the morning, and the thought of chicken is not as vomitous as it used to be. Soon, I'll have to hit the mall for some chic maternity wear.
I have some good updates and still more info on our fab Puerto Rico trip to share (a month later!). Here's hoping I get that up soon.
St. Gianna
St. Gerard
Pray for Us!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Quote o' the Day
Have no fear for what tomorrow may bring.
The same loving God who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and everyday. God will either shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.
-St. Francis de Sales
The same loving God who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and everyday. God will either shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.
-St. Francis de Sales
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