Today I was thinking that I’d share some ideas that have been very important in my walk with the Lord. But first, as a reminder to you (and to myself), I am an average Catholic woman with no training in theology. I am not an apologist (a person who offers an argument in defense of something). Even more so, I feel particularly uncomfortable with the idea of teaching others about theological things. BUT – I do feel a tug on my heart, a nudge of the Spirit, guiding me to say something, guiding me to state the Truth. Because once God has worked in our lives, it is our…
-
-
Does God Take Delight in Your Garden?
In my last post I wrote about being gardeners in our children’s lives, planting seeds of faith in their hearts. But as I thought about that analogy, I realized it could be applied to our own lives also. So, let’s take a look at our gardens. What is planted in our gardens? How is it doing – dying, surviving or thriving? And how can we help it to flourish? Maybe yours is a garden that was once planted well with choice veggies. You were given good seeds, and they were put into a well-nurtured environment. But as life took over, you forgot to tend to the garden. Now, even though…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
