"You are not the sum of your weaknesses and failures,but rather, you are the sum of your Father's love for you."- JPII
No matter how many times I feel like a screw up all day long, I have infinite love waiting for me at every moment.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Love Hopes All Things
Tonight when I was looking in the mirror, I realized that for a moment I wasn't picking myself apart and I could see I was beautiful, and believed it in my heart. For a minute. And I am one of the more confident girls I know. What are we going to do about this crisis of hating ourselves?
Friday, September 30, 2011
Pablo's Cafe and the way of perfection
I found the ultimate, all time best hipster hang out!!! It's called Pablo's Cafe, and you can walk to it from Mother of God Catholic Church. If you get there by 11:15, you have just enough time to enjoy an oatmeal cookie and a glass of milk, and still be able to receive Eucharist at the 12:10 Mass. Well, that's what I did at least. I'll break it down for you...guys wearing winter hats indoors, short well managed beards, blank stares, dark thick rimmed glasses, chess, two dudes playing chess, a guy rolling his own cigarette right next to me outside the window, extremely androgynous individual in fedora on a bicycle and people reading books - but looking around to make sure other people can see that they are reading books. I heard talk about bands and art shows and awkward, awkward, awkward hello's...because it's hard to be genuine when you're trying so hard to be cool, but not look like you're trying to be cool, but still trying to be really cool, or interesting, or knowledgeable, and most importantly original. It was glorious! I can't wait to go to observe. Next time I'll be sure to NOT be wearing dress pants and jcrew necklace...whoops. I'll pull out all of my scarves for this one, and by that I mean wear every single scarf I own at one time.
At Mass today, before the Eucharistic Prayer, Father read a prayer that we could be like St. Jerome and follow his example. Father stopped and looked up at us to say, "Be like St. Jerome? But he was so difficult and really wasn't easy to be around. He drove everyone away and was antagonistic. Whoever wrote this prayer doesn't know who St. Jerome is." We were all cracking up in the pews. I was thrilled to find someone who lives in the real world. It's so refreshing when someone can be reverent and fun and they aren't worried about "acting" pious.
At Mass today, before the Eucharistic Prayer, Father read a prayer that we could be like St. Jerome and follow his example. Father stopped and looked up at us to say, "Be like St. Jerome? But he was so difficult and really wasn't easy to be around. He drove everyone away and was antagonistic. Whoever wrote this prayer doesn't know who St. Jerome is." We were all cracking up in the pews. I was thrilled to find someone who lives in the real world. It's so refreshing when someone can be reverent and fun and they aren't worried about "acting" pious.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Blog Pants
The hardest thing about blogging is finding the time...finding the time to do anything is the hardest thing.
I have a math equation for you. Proverbs 31= Ephesians 5:25-30.
Proverbs 31 is such a confusing passage. Who is this woman? I bet all the Martha girls out there really get her. I consider myself to be more of a Mary, so the fact that this woman can do back flips while she makes ridiculous amounts of clothing while also feeding her children, is somewhat disheartening to a girl like me. However, I love the following... "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the days to come." This requires a deep and intimate relationship with Jesus. I screw up more than anyone I know, and if you know me, you would have to say the same. It is not easy to "laugh at the days to come" when I feel like I am continually making trouble for myself. Only when I spend sincere time with my Maker, do I find that I am able to do so. Of course there is the frequently quoted "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." This would be more comforting if every mother, not just King Lamuel's, taught her son this little tidbit. The most striking part for me though has always been, "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." A woman who is kind, is truly a good woman. I gravitate toward these women. I do not gravitate toward the buys bodied ones who like to let me know how much they have it all together, because they smell bad. Nope, thats not true, because they never smell bad, they just give me a bad taste in my mouth, that I usually have to wash out with an excessive amount of coffee and dance party.
How much was Our Lady like this woman? As the Spouse of the Spirit, this girl really had it goin on! I can't picture Our Lady running around like a mad woman all the time, just getting things done, accomplishing every task. I see her so much more at peace than that. What I do know about Our Lady is that whether or not she was able to laugh at the days to come while anticipating her deep sorrow, she kept all these things in her heart. She made her heart a home. A home for the Spirit. I have been thinking some lately about how to make my heart a home. I could let my heart be a place where people could come and not feel rushed or busy, but welcome to be themselves. A home where they could be free to share their troubles and equally free to look like an absolute idiot. A place where they would not be judged but encouraged. I have much work to do on this home in my heart. How fortunate that "He who began a good work in me will complete it" Phil 1:6.
But men, Ephesians 5 is your wake up call. Loving your wives like Christ loves the Church, laying down His very life for her, is a tall order. Good luck. I'm prayin' for ya. I think the key is that while your wife is making her heart a home for you, you can be preparing to lay down your life for her. This way, husband and wife can do their very best to attempt a total act of self-giving, where as Dr. Asci would say..."the lover wills the good of the beloved". While we were all thinking about how he was a real life vampire, Asci was trying to communicate to us that there is work to do in this whole Christian marriage thing, and not just that he hearts gaming.
I have a math equation for you. Proverbs 31= Ephesians 5:25-30.
Proverbs 31 is such a confusing passage. Who is this woman? I bet all the Martha girls out there really get her. I consider myself to be more of a Mary, so the fact that this woman can do back flips while she makes ridiculous amounts of clothing while also feeding her children, is somewhat disheartening to a girl like me. However, I love the following... "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the days to come." This requires a deep and intimate relationship with Jesus. I screw up more than anyone I know, and if you know me, you would have to say the same. It is not easy to "laugh at the days to come" when I feel like I am continually making trouble for myself. Only when I spend sincere time with my Maker, do I find that I am able to do so. Of course there is the frequently quoted "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." This would be more comforting if every mother, not just King Lamuel's, taught her son this little tidbit. The most striking part for me though has always been, "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." A woman who is kind, is truly a good woman. I gravitate toward these women. I do not gravitate toward the buys bodied ones who like to let me know how much they have it all together, because they smell bad. Nope, thats not true, because they never smell bad, they just give me a bad taste in my mouth, that I usually have to wash out with an excessive amount of coffee and dance party.
How much was Our Lady like this woman? As the Spouse of the Spirit, this girl really had it goin on! I can't picture Our Lady running around like a mad woman all the time, just getting things done, accomplishing every task. I see her so much more at peace than that. What I do know about Our Lady is that whether or not she was able to laugh at the days to come while anticipating her deep sorrow, she kept all these things in her heart. She made her heart a home. A home for the Spirit. I have been thinking some lately about how to make my heart a home. I could let my heart be a place where people could come and not feel rushed or busy, but welcome to be themselves. A home where they could be free to share their troubles and equally free to look like an absolute idiot. A place where they would not be judged but encouraged. I have much work to do on this home in my heart. How fortunate that "He who began a good work in me will complete it" Phil 1:6.
But men, Ephesians 5 is your wake up call. Loving your wives like Christ loves the Church, laying down His very life for her, is a tall order. Good luck. I'm prayin' for ya. I think the key is that while your wife is making her heart a home for you, you can be preparing to lay down your life for her. This way, husband and wife can do their very best to attempt a total act of self-giving, where as Dr. Asci would say..."the lover wills the good of the beloved". While we were all thinking about how he was a real life vampire, Asci was trying to communicate to us that there is work to do in this whole Christian marriage thing, and not just that he hearts gaming.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Suffering from a lack of purpose...
"I’m gonna live where the green grass grows
Watch my corn pop up in rows
Every night be tucked in close to you
Raise our kids where the good lord’s blessed
Point our rockin’ chairs towards the west
And plant our dreams where the peaceful river flows
Where the green grass grows"
Tim McGraw
A friend of mine, or more like a ridiculously good looking male acquaintance, spoke with me recently about how many times we don't know what to do or how to move forward in our lives because we lack an awareness of our own purpose. Discovering our purpose will somehow remedy our confusion. I know for myself, that I rarely consider my own purposefulness. Does my purpose consist of getting myself to Heaven and taking you with me? If so, while this is a beautiful purpose, it doesn't help me determine whether I will turn to the left or to the right so long as both directions are good. Does my purpose rely on my gifts and talents? This is the scarier question. If you asked me what I consider to be my gifts, you would most likely roll your eyes or think "oh, that's cute". I'm good at giving people attention, smiling at them, lightening the mood and making sure everyone is having a good time. Does this mean that my purpose is to throw parties every night of the week? How will I make a living doing so? Can I move up, win awards and achieve success in order to prove that I've accomplished life? And can you point me in the direction of such a career?
"Trust in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart" Jeremiah 29:11
While the pressure of the world, both secular and Christian at times, is telling me that I need to make a mark for myself in order to show that I'm working hard and growing up and making progress, the desires of my heart are much more basic. My desire is for time. I want time to bake, time to run marathons, time to listen to you and time to grow in virtue. My desire is for adventure. I want to see the Eiffel Tower, tip over in a canoe and ride in a hot air balloon. My desire is to give you smiles and tell you that you're wonderful. I would like to share in your suffering and rejoice in your joy. I desire to drink iced tea with my future beloved on my future front porch.
"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." Matthew 25:13So, if my time is short, maybe my purpose should be using that time wisely. The wisest choice would be to follow my heart. A wonderful, holy and bearded friend talked to me about the importance of our hearts. The images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary are maybe trying to tell us something, he says. This is that our hearts are important.
So...what the hell is my heart telling me? If I figure it out, then maybe I can tell you what I want to be when I grow up.
"Just follow your heart. That's what I do." Napoleon Dynamite
Watch my corn pop up in rows
Every night be tucked in close to you
Raise our kids where the good lord’s blessed
Point our rockin’ chairs towards the west
And plant our dreams where the peaceful river flows
Where the green grass grows"
Tim McGraw
A friend of mine, or more like a ridiculously good looking male acquaintance, spoke with me recently about how many times we don't know what to do or how to move forward in our lives because we lack an awareness of our own purpose. Discovering our purpose will somehow remedy our confusion. I know for myself, that I rarely consider my own purposefulness. Does my purpose consist of getting myself to Heaven and taking you with me? If so, while this is a beautiful purpose, it doesn't help me determine whether I will turn to the left or to the right so long as both directions are good. Does my purpose rely on my gifts and talents? This is the scarier question. If you asked me what I consider to be my gifts, you would most likely roll your eyes or think "oh, that's cute". I'm good at giving people attention, smiling at them, lightening the mood and making sure everyone is having a good time. Does this mean that my purpose is to throw parties every night of the week? How will I make a living doing so? Can I move up, win awards and achieve success in order to prove that I've accomplished life? And can you point me in the direction of such a career?
"Trust in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart" Jeremiah 29:11
While the pressure of the world, both secular and Christian at times, is telling me that I need to make a mark for myself in order to show that I'm working hard and growing up and making progress, the desires of my heart are much more basic. My desire is for time. I want time to bake, time to run marathons, time to listen to you and time to grow in virtue. My desire is for adventure. I want to see the Eiffel Tower, tip over in a canoe and ride in a hot air balloon. My desire is to give you smiles and tell you that you're wonderful. I would like to share in your suffering and rejoice in your joy. I desire to drink iced tea with my future beloved on my future front porch.
"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." Matthew 25:13So, if my time is short, maybe my purpose should be using that time wisely. The wisest choice would be to follow my heart. A wonderful, holy and bearded friend talked to me about the importance of our hearts. The images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary are maybe trying to tell us something, he says. This is that our hearts are important.
So...what the hell is my heart telling me? If I figure it out, then maybe I can tell you what I want to be when I grow up.
"Just follow your heart. That's what I do." Napoleon Dynamite
Immaculate Heart of Mary...pray for us
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
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