A few weeks ago I took our daughter to Confession. I really wanted her to get it in before school started, get her a jolt of grace. (As a side note: my spiritual director had recommended quarterly Confessions for a child her age.) But she did not want to go, AT ALL. Anyone else surprised by this? No, I wasn’t either. Anyway, in the chapel with her, I was lamenting (ok, downright complaining) to Jesus about how hard parenting is and how we’re trying to teach and pass on our faith to our kids, but I just worry that it’s not sticking. I was intrigued by the answer I got…
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Opening Our Hearts
Last post, I wrote about being open to the possibility of Jesus transforming our hearts, being open to a real and personal encounter with Christ, and being ready to accept his Love. We need to let Him find that crack in our hearts of stone and give us new hearts. But how can we be open to Him? Honestly, much smarter minds than mine have tackled this question. But it seems to me that the desire to want to know and be with God is enough. He will find you, like the Good Shepherd that He is. It is our job to accept Him – but to accept Him as…
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Going Through the Motions
Do you find yourself stuck in your faith? You want to love God, so you do all the things you are supposed to do, but it feels empty, like you are just going through the motions. Maybe it’s just something you do, out of obligation or fear or tradition. Or perhaps you’re unsure and questioning why you do these religious things at all. What’s the point, you ask yourself. Or are you tired of all the apparent rules and regulations and you’ve just had it with outward religious obligations? And now you are at the point where religion doesn’t really mean anything to you. Did you relate to any of…
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My “Conversion”
In my introduction post, I mentioned that I would share what finally brought me to a true, real relationship with Jesus. Here is where Jesus broke through my heart and showed me all that there was for me. As I mentioned, it was at first a gradual development of our relationship. Looking back on things, I can see that He began working in my heart in very quiet and subtle ways, so much so that I didn’t realize that it was happening actually, as far back as high school. So after a few years of slow development that isn’t that interesting to write about, I went on a retreat (one…
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Made for Something More
So branching off the last post when I gave you a brief intro, another bit of information about me: I love to listen to Catholic podcasts. I don’t have a ton of time for reading (although I try at night and I’ve gotten really good at sleeping upright holding a book), but I usually can find 10 minutes in the car to listen to podcasts. I like them because they help me stay focused, feel inspired and energized and keep my thoughts on holy and good things. Recently, I listened to an episode of a podcast called Abiding Together, which is hosted by three women around my age, one being…
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A Little About Me
The other day I wrote about why I’m starting this blog. I want to begin this post giving you a little introduction to me – not because I think it’s especially interesting, but because it sets the tone for more interesting stories, hopefully. And I love witness stories. They move me, and touch my heart and they inspire and show us how God is moving in other’s lives. Of course, I don’t want you to focus on what I have been blessed with, or how your life is different, and start comparing. (Actually, I plan to eventually tell you some of the uglier stuff about my life for the express…
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Why Start a Catholic Blog Now?!
I’m sure I know what you’re thinking. Why would you start a Catholic blog now, TODAY, in the midst of crisis and outrage and such a low point in our Church’s history? And I see your point. But personally, if I don’t do something right now, I might burst from the pressure. In this climate in the church, many of us are feeling heavy feelings, anger, bitterness, despair, disappointment and more. But at the same time there are other heavy feelings – those of responsibility, and a compulsion to do something. That is what I have been experiencing. The thought “what can I do?” keeps running through my head. In…
