Loving Like Jesus

Sometimes, I feel like I'm not doing "enough" for God.  How can I do more?  As a wife and mother, I have my share of household duties, as well as the loving attentiveness I give to my husband and children.  Though I must confess that I miss being part of a parish ministry that is more direct, teaching others about God's Love.  Then again, I can do this at home too!

While in this season of life, I am realizing more and more how I am called to live like the Holy Family, Jesus Mary and Joseph, in those beginnings where a child needs the most assistance and love, as they develop and grow.  I have learned that this time of hiddenness can be united with all cloistered religious, who work diligently for the Kingdom "behind the scenes."  

I like to offer up my intentions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, plus show my husband and kids that same, Christlike Love.  Let every sweep of the broom, sauteeing of the skillet, and, of course, the pausing to look at a loved one count!  Yes, sometimes I fall short in the sometimes-rush-of-things, but He and my "flexible" family take what they receive all the same.  We are united in that love.  

It is my hope that my actions say "I care about you, you can trust me."  And not just me, but trust and know of that care, where love is drawn and nurtured from: the Heart of Jesus.  

May our examples bring others to know what love is, and Where that Love comes from.

Living in the Love of God

As Catholics, we try to place a crucifix somewhere in our home, to remind us of what, and Who, Love is.  This image describes God: He is ever willing to die for us, to win us back!  I bask in that love, and not let His love be in vain.  

On the day I am writing this blog entry, I was led to remember to bask in this knowing.  Jesus, thank You for reminding me to live not only in Your Presence, but in the presence of Your great Love for me!  To feel loved no matter what I am going through, and also to bring this kind of love to others.

Maybe I am not called to die, at least not beyond my little acts of self denial.  But I can have a willing heart and a gentle spirit, just as Our Lord exemplifies through His own self sacrifice and caring love.  

Bask in His Love, feel His Love, give His Love!

God be Ever Praised!

Surrendering

 Sometimes our trust in God is put to the test, and boy was my trust- and managing my anxiety- tested, as of late.  I have been planning a YouTube video on the infamous Surrender Novena for awhile now.  It is still in the filming phase, but first I wanted to actually pray it through a series of nine days, to testify to its effects.  Well, it wasn't long after those days that I went through some minor health difficulties.  (As many of you may already know, I deal with a few chronic health problems.  But don't worry, everything turned out fine in the end of these recent difficulties.)  As time went on, one after another, I began to wonder "what next?" "is it going to get worse?" "not now!"

Then I remembered the many times I had gone to the doctor for a nerve-racking checkup, took a good look at an image of Jesus and said firmly: I trust in You.  So many times now, this has given me not only better blood pressure readings, but a more positive outlook when facing symptoms.

I am called to repeat these words every time I must go forward in courage in taking care of my health or some other challenging "mission."  And this recent novena of surrender has led me to not only trust, but strive to LET GO of the anxiety, and the fear of a worst-case, foreseen-scenario. 

But I don't want to quite give away my intro for the video!  Stay tuned on YouTube and Facebook under "A Catholic Presence" as me and my husband share this beautiful novena with you, and what I continue to learn from it.