Today begins the season of Advent. I have set up some spiritual goals for myself and will share my thoughts each day.
Today I read, "Our examination, then, must penetrate to the very roots of our actions and scrutinize deep down in our hearts the motives which inspire our actions." (In Conversation with God)
How do I get to the bottom of my actions, that is the basic question which I need to answer. In other words, why am I doing what I am doing? Saturday night friends were over for an evening of praise and worship and I read from scripture, "that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith,
that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thes 1:11-12).
This tells me that I must do everything for the purpose of being made worthy of God's call and to glorify him. But often I do things to glorify myself. Or maybe even sometimes to call attention to someone else who is not doing what I think they should be doing. God is certainly asking me to ponder my actions and discern who they are serving.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
What to do if you see Jesus
A priest is praying at St. Patrick's Cathedral and sees Jesus. He runs to the rectory and asks the Archbishop what to do. He isn't sure so he calls the Cardinal. The Cardinal calls the Pope. The Pope says, "that's easy, when you see Jesus, look busy."
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Liturgy of the Hours
My husband and I have begun praying the Liturgy of the Hours together. We pray morning prayer on our own, but night prayer we pray together.
If you are interested in praying the Liturgy of the Hours, especially during Advent, here are two on-line resources to get you started:
Selected prayers at E-Breviary. If you want the entire set of prayers, you must get a subscription.
iPhone apps, podcasts, and more at Divine Office - Liturgy of the Hours.
If you are interested in praying the Liturgy of the Hours, especially during Advent, here are two on-line resources to get you started:
Selected prayers at E-Breviary. If you want the entire set of prayers, you must get a subscription.
iPhone apps, podcasts, and more at Divine Office - Liturgy of the Hours.
Advent
I have been thinking about the season of Advent frequently the last week or so. I came across this website for the Advent and Christmas season and I think I will be using it often, both for work and personal needs.
But, back to my thoughts. I know that Advent is the time to prepare for Jesus' birth, our opportunity to remind ourselves of the Incarnation. The season was once more penitential than it is now, similar to Lent. In that spirit, I have decided to make some changes to better prepare myself spiritually for Christmas.
1. I will give up playing games on Facebook.
2. I will go to Mass or visit the Blessed Sacrament every day.
3. I will read an Advent devotional book.
I hope this will help me step back from the sometimes frenetic pace at work this time of year and focus more on Christ's coming.
But, back to my thoughts. I know that Advent is the time to prepare for Jesus' birth, our opportunity to remind ourselves of the Incarnation. The season was once more penitential than it is now, similar to Lent. In that spirit, I have decided to make some changes to better prepare myself spiritually for Christmas.
1. I will give up playing games on Facebook.
2. I will go to Mass or visit the Blessed Sacrament every day.
3. I will read an Advent devotional book.
I hope this will help me step back from the sometimes frenetic pace at work this time of year and focus more on Christ's coming.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Some places I've been...
On the web that is:
The Catholic Hall Of Shame at Catholic Online
From Attitude to Gratitude at Faith and Family Live
Minute Meditations at American Catholic
Hold Me Jesus by Rich Mullins for Marianne who needs to know Jesus is holding onto her.
Nun Cheeses and other Happy Monastics with great products at The Anchoress
Religion in the USA at Aggie Catholics
The Catholic Hall Of Shame at Catholic Online
From Attitude to Gratitude at Faith and Family Live
Minute Meditations at American Catholic
Hold Me Jesus by Rich Mullins for Marianne who needs to know Jesus is holding onto her.
Nun Cheeses and other Happy Monastics with great products at The Anchoress
Religion in the USA at Aggie Catholics
Friday, November 13, 2009
7 Quick Takes Friday
1. Last Friday evening was wonderful. We had a lovely dinner. I even uploaded some old songs onto my iPod for our listening pleasure, including our wedding song, Just You and I; A Whiter Shade of Pale, which was the first song we ever danced to, so long ago in the gym, and Stairway to Heaven, always the last song at dances in the gym! My dear husband is in charge of tonight's dinner.
2. Went into a shoe store, looking for "ballet" type flats, black. I asked the salesperson if the shoe came in a wide width. He said all of our shoes, and I am quoting here "are naturally wider in the front and narrower in the heel." Which I suppose is good, considering most people's feet are also shaped that way. I didn't get any shoes, none in wide width!
3. My daughter is turning 21 Monday. Yes, I was quite young when I gave birth to her, really. I simply cannot believe it. My children are adults!
4. I think I may be addicted to Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook. I never played video games as a teen, but I am drawn to this like a moth to a flame. And I pretty much stink at it. Except every now and then, I get a tremendously high score. I really don't know how it happens, but it does and so I keep playing to see if it happens again. This week, I am #1 in my group.
5. We have some cool weather, which is nice. We have been in the mid 80's for weeks. Let's see how long it lasts.
6. I am pretty sure God is knocking at my door, asking me to change some things. I am not really listening. It's as if I simply do not believe I have the inner strength to make the necessary changes. I know they are necessary, I know God will supply me with the grace I need to accomplish the changes, yet I am digging my heals in, deep. I am simply refusing to move forward. I am being the opposite of my blog title, I am being lukewarm which is reprehensible, "because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." Rev 3:16
7. My favorite verse from this Sunday's Gospel, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." Mark 13:31
More 7 Quick Takes at Conversion Diary!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Considering Lily - Cup (Concept Video)
One of my husband's favorite songs. The group, Considering Lily is no longer together.
Being a Wife
After 26 years of marriage, one would think I had the wife thing figured out. I don't. Now, I like being married and my husband is happy I am his wife. It's just my role as wife is so not conventional and it bothers me but I can't seem to change it. It began way back when I worked full time when our children were very young and my husband worked part time and really was responsible for taking care of the children and home. For example, he took our daughter to her baby check-ups from 2 months on, had her ears pierced at her 4 month visit, home schooled our son, and did the grocery shopping, laundry and volunteered in their classrooms when they went to school. He worked part time on and off and then for a bit I worked part time and he worked full time and then, there were times when we both worked full time. So, I had what seems to most women an ideal situation, I could leave home and not worry that things would fall apart.
When the children were young and home, there is always enough for both husband and wife to do in terms of taking care of home and children, especially when both parents are working.
But, the last few years, our children are no longer home and my husband was not working much. So, I basically stopped doing anything around the house. I still cooked and occasionally stopped at the store or we went shopping together. I would tidy and dust but vacuum, laundry, cleaning bathrooms were not on my list.
Now, my husband is back working full time (Praise God) and now I have to be a wife again. And it is an awkward adjustment. I've become accustomed to not having to cook dinner or clean up or scrub the toilet. But I have to do it, and maybe I should have been doing more of it all along. But, I cannot go back in time.
I realize that this is small part of what being a wife entails, but I find myself surrounded by mainly 2 types of women these days. The woman who serves her family by taking care of their every need; her goal to make her husband and children content or the woman who does not do this because she for various reason she has no one to take care of at this time. Even women who work full time, with or without children, seem to have very little help from their husbands in taking care of children and/or family. And so I feel like I am being a less than perfect wife because my husband takes care of things around the house and can fend for himself.
Part of this insecurity I have stems from the fact that I was never a stay at home mom who could focus solely on my family. I am also struggling with the whole deacon's wife role, though I know it is far away. People keep wanting to discuss it and some people think my husband is different now.
This is a time of transition for us, our son is on his own, our daughter is still in college, but more independent, I am finishing my degree, he will be starting his, and I am trying to figure out who I am in all this change. There is a part of me, a small part, that wants to stop working and focus on being a wife full time. However, that's not really practical. I am going to have to figure this out based on my real life circumstances. I wonder how long it will take?
When the children were young and home, there is always enough for both husband and wife to do in terms of taking care of home and children, especially when both parents are working.
But, the last few years, our children are no longer home and my husband was not working much. So, I basically stopped doing anything around the house. I still cooked and occasionally stopped at the store or we went shopping together. I would tidy and dust but vacuum, laundry, cleaning bathrooms were not on my list.
Now, my husband is back working full time (Praise God) and now I have to be a wife again. And it is an awkward adjustment. I've become accustomed to not having to cook dinner or clean up or scrub the toilet. But I have to do it, and maybe I should have been doing more of it all along. But, I cannot go back in time.
I realize that this is small part of what being a wife entails, but I find myself surrounded by mainly 2 types of women these days. The woman who serves her family by taking care of their every need; her goal to make her husband and children content or the woman who does not do this because she for various reason she has no one to take care of at this time. Even women who work full time, with or without children, seem to have very little help from their husbands in taking care of children and/or family. And so I feel like I am being a less than perfect wife because my husband takes care of things around the house and can fend for himself.
Part of this insecurity I have stems from the fact that I was never a stay at home mom who could focus solely on my family. I am also struggling with the whole deacon's wife role, though I know it is far away. People keep wanting to discuss it and some people think my husband is different now.
This is a time of transition for us, our son is on his own, our daughter is still in college, but more independent, I am finishing my degree, he will be starting his, and I am trying to figure out who I am in all this change. There is a part of me, a small part, that wants to stop working and focus on being a wife full time. However, that's not really practical. I am going to have to figure this out based on my real life circumstances. I wonder how long it will take?
Monday, November 9, 2009
Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, And Nobody
Every now and again, this is what seems to happen in our large parish:
This is a little story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.
There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.
Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.
Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job.
Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it.
It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done
This is a little story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.
There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.
Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.
Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job.
Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it.
It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done
In Another's Words
Grace is "the free revelation of the Absolute communicating himself." Karl Rahner
Daybook for Nov.9
FOR TODAY... from Deanna's Daybook
Outside my window... a very windy day, may have something to do with a hurricane somewhere out there
I am thinking... how tired I am after a long work weekend
I am thankful for... a wonderful husband who loves me and tells me every day
I am wearing... a sundress
I am remembering... how God answered prayers this weekend
I am going... probably no where today, and happy about it!
I am reading... nothing until I finish my paper
I am hoping... to make lists and lists today to organize my life
On my mind... what to but my daughter for her 21st birthday
From the learning rooms... well, I suppose that would be the aforementioned paper I must complete
From the kitchen... not certain, but will involve chicken, prosciutto and mushrooms
Around the house... wishing elves would appear to tackle the chores
One of my favorite things~ being home in the afternoon when my husband gets home
Outside my window... a very windy day, may have something to do with a hurricane somewhere out there
I am thinking... how tired I am after a long work weekend
I am thankful for... a wonderful husband who loves me and tells me every day
I am wearing... a sundress
I am remembering... how God answered prayers this weekend
I am going... probably no where today, and happy about it!
I am reading... nothing until I finish my paper
I am hoping... to make lists and lists today to organize my life
On my mind... what to but my daughter for her 21st birthday
From the learning rooms... well, I suppose that would be the aforementioned paper I must complete
From the kitchen... not certain, but will involve chicken, prosciutto and mushrooms
Around the house... wishing elves would appear to tackle the chores
One of my favorite things~ being home in the afternoon when my husband gets home
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Answered Prayers
Do you ever have those days when too many things start do go horribly wrong and the timing is really bad? Well, yesterday was that day! Actually it started on sooner than that.
This weekend was our Ministry Fair at church, which is one of my major responsibilities and takes months of planning. It is part of a month of stewardship activities.
It began on Tuesday when I asked our maintenance man to bring over the ministry books we had stored from last year. He couldn't find them, ANYWHERE in the hall or church. So, we began praying to St. Anthony. And we looked some more, but to no avail. I am talking about 1200 books here, gone, vanished like we all wish our wrinkles would! No problem, I printed mini booklets we had sent out to non participating parishioners.
On Friday I go to the bakery to pick up bread we need and it's late. Not a big deal, they give me a cafe con leche while I wait 30 minutes. While I am waiting for the bread, my food rep leaves me a few voice mail messages at the office to explain how he forgot to put my order in and when did I really need the food? He assures me the food will be at the parish by 9 am Saturday, so I schedule the volunteer chef to come at 10 am to make the finger sandwiches. 9 , 9:30, 9:45 finally I call and again I am assured the food is on the way. By 10:30 part of the food is delivered, the rest comes at 1 or so, but at least the sandwiches get made.
Then I get a message that the person in charge of preparing and serving the food is on the way to the ER with her mom, with another stroke or an allergic reaction to her medication.
At this point I am truly starting to wonder if I am doing anything that I should be in my life since this must be God's way of telling me I am in the wrong place, wrong time, wrong, wrong, all wrong. But I keep praying, thinking, thinking, praying, and making phone calls trying to put out the fires.
Of course, while I am doing this I am setting up for the fair and thinking about all the other things that have happened this week, including three people being hospitalized, two of whom had surgery.
And in the end, every single need was taken care of and the hospitalized people are recovering.
Were all these little problems tests, was it the devil, was it poor planning? I don't know. I do know that instead of giving up I just kept doing what I could and praying that whatever should happen would. God provided and cared for me, as he always does.
This weekend was our Ministry Fair at church, which is one of my major responsibilities and takes months of planning. It is part of a month of stewardship activities.
It began on Tuesday when I asked our maintenance man to bring over the ministry books we had stored from last year. He couldn't find them, ANYWHERE in the hall or church. So, we began praying to St. Anthony. And we looked some more, but to no avail. I am talking about 1200 books here, gone, vanished like we all wish our wrinkles would! No problem, I printed mini booklets we had sent out to non participating parishioners.
On Friday I go to the bakery to pick up bread we need and it's late. Not a big deal, they give me a cafe con leche while I wait 30 minutes. While I am waiting for the bread, my food rep leaves me a few voice mail messages at the office to explain how he forgot to put my order in and when did I really need the food? He assures me the food will be at the parish by 9 am Saturday, so I schedule the volunteer chef to come at 10 am to make the finger sandwiches. 9 , 9:30, 9:45 finally I call and again I am assured the food is on the way. By 10:30 part of the food is delivered, the rest comes at 1 or so, but at least the sandwiches get made.
Then I get a message that the person in charge of preparing and serving the food is on the way to the ER with her mom, with another stroke or an allergic reaction to her medication.
At this point I am truly starting to wonder if I am doing anything that I should be in my life since this must be God's way of telling me I am in the wrong place, wrong time, wrong, wrong, all wrong. But I keep praying, thinking, thinking, praying, and making phone calls trying to put out the fires.
Of course, while I am doing this I am setting up for the fair and thinking about all the other things that have happened this week, including three people being hospitalized, two of whom had surgery.
And in the end, every single need was taken care of and the hospitalized people are recovering.
Were all these little problems tests, was it the devil, was it poor planning? I don't know. I do know that instead of giving up I just kept doing what I could and praying that whatever should happen would. God provided and cared for me, as he always does.
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