Broken Bones

I'm grateful that I have never broken a bone before nor has my daughter. But, it seems like lately many students at school are wearing casts for various broken bones. I will often ask students how it happened and most often than not it was a simple thing of something like falling off a scooter or bike. The normal activity caused the break despite all the precaution and previous experience in the world. Thankfully, after several weeks, the cast comes off and all is back to "normal" in life. Perhaps make the student even more aware for the future in similar situations.

In our lives there are everyday situations and circumstances that break us and it can be painful. We are in need of a deep healing and that can take some time to happen in full. In the meantime, we wear our casts of covering the pain in prayer, visiting our ultimate healer in the Sacraments even more frequently, ask others to cover us in prayer, and keep going trying to do our day to day as best as we can under our circumstances.  In time, all will heal, and though we always continue to seek God through the Sacraments and prayer, we can shift our attention to other things.

In the meantime, let's continue to pray for one another - whether we notice their cast covering their brokenness or not. We all at one time or another suffer in some form of brokenness that needs to be carried to our Lord.

****

Lord, there are times I feel like a broken bone. I know in those moments I need to turn to you for healing. While I'm in the process of being healed, please cover me and protect me from all other evils and harm. Thank you Lord for always hearing my prayer. Amen.

****

Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth

Pumpkin spice everything

Oh fall! The time of the year that pumpkin spice everything appears all over the place. Pumpkin spice lattes, cereals, granola bars, chips, pastas, candles, creamers, and the list could keep going on of everything out there. There are strong opinions on this. Many believe that pumpkin spice should not be everywhere and strictly only in pie. Then, there are others who excitedly embrace all things with the label. I'd like to think of myself of somewhere in between (I do enjoy a few local coffee shops' version of a pumpkin spice latte and certain pastries/products with the seasoning are quite fabulous.)

Putting this in a spiritual scenario, how do I feel about putting Jesus in lots of different parts of my life? Am I open to trying to put Christ somewhere different or new? Do I embrace Jesus when He does come into a part of my life I was not expecting? Do I box Jesus in to my set prayer times or naturally or casually bring him into my work, time with family, time with friends, or my leisure time? What if we met Jesus throughout our day with as much enthusiasm as we do for our pumpkin spiced everything?

Over the course of time I have invited Jesus into more parts of my life, but still have a ways to go. I have parts to continue to try and openly embrace Jesus into. For the parts that I have, I see a difference in what happens and an openness to the possibilities.

****

Lord, give me the courage to invite you into all parts of my life - even if it seems a bit new and different. Allow me the graces I need to have you always on my heart throughout the day during my work, time with others, and in my own prayer time. In your name, Amen.

****

Simply a little pencil in God's hand,
Elizabeth

Warming up and stretching out

Many trainers and exercise experts will strongly recommend before a workout to warm up. Frequently they will also recommend taking the time to cool down or stretch out after - especially if it were an extremely strenuous workout. It can feel really good to stretch out those muscles that worked hard and take the time to sit and be before jumping in the shower and moving on.

I think the same approach could be taken with Mass - the ultimate prayer workout. Now, I get it sometimes we are flying by the seat of our pants to get to Mass for one reason or another (ex: the baby had a major blow out before getting into the car seat, flat tire and had to take a different car, unforeseen road closure or back up, etc.) But, usually we are able to arrive a few minutes ahead of time. This time could be used to warm up in prayer - calling upon the Holy Spirit to be present, looking at the readings before Mass, and bringing to mind anyone or anything you'd like to lift up in prayer. This will help orient our mind to be open to this very holy and special time of prayer.

Because Mass is such an ultimate prayer work out (praying as a community and individually, through scripture, in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, and invoking those in heaven to join us in prayer) we need a few moments to pray and stretch out after Mass is complete. We can reflect upon something said in the homily, something from one of the readings or Eucharistic prayer, or simply in thanksgiving for the time spent with the Lord. Now, having a toddler I totally get it that sometimes the prayer and stretch out after Mass is simply "I love you Lord!" God sees your efforts.

From encouragement of friends, priests, spiritual mentors and directors, and others who have gone before me I have been doing this for quite some time. I have found that Mass is often more fruitful and meaningful. So, if you are in a spiritual drought or feeling fatigued from Mass lately - take a few moments before and after Mass to warm up and stretch out. I don't think your efforts will be in vain and in God's time, blessings will come.

****

Father, I thank you for the gift of the Mass. May I always be able to take a few moments before to warm up to this time of prayer and a few minutes after to stretch out. May this time be fruitful to lead to a deeper love of you and a deeper relationship with you. In your name, Amen.

****

Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth

"Kiss!"

I feel like the past month has been very busy for my husband and I where we are working more hours to meet deadlines and get back into the swing of school. There was a night I was about to leave for my hour of adoration in the chapel and giving hugs and kisses goodbye to my daughter and husband and my daughter says with great emphasis with her hands on my head and my husband's, "Kiss!" It was super cute and made our little family chuckle. She will frequently do this - whether if one of us is running off to a meeting/work, someone just got home, or just because. It always makes us smile and pause, well to kiss of course. :)

It can be sometimes difficult to show our affection to our Lord for different reasons. I know recently I have been trying to teach my daughter at our night prayer together to say "Thank you Jesus." and "I love you, Jesus." as I say it for myself too. I think these little signs of affection may be brief, but just enough of a kiss to pause and put things into perspective. So, taking a cue from my own little toddler, in my own prayer life I try to take a few opportunities throughout the day to kiss Christ by what I say in my prayers, by kissing a crucifix, or saying the words, "I love you Lord! Thank you for loving me too!" I know this brings joy not just to Christ, but to myself as well.

****

Lord, I love you and all you have done for me. I give you this moment as an act of my love for you. May I always be ready, open, and joyful to show my deep affection for you. In your name, Amen.

****

Simply a little pencil in God's hand,
Elizabeth

Is it in you?

There are homilies over the past many years that have stuck with me. Some because they are so quotable, a great story, or it just hits right at the heart at the right time. This one I share with you I remember where I sat in the church with tears in my eyes. Every time I listen to it, hits right at the heart despite being over 9 years ago when I first heard it. There have been times I have used this homily as part of an examination of conscious creating a fruitful Sacrament of Reconciliation. May Fr. Gary's words be as touching to you as it is for me.

Is it in you?

****

Father, there are times I am full of pride and criticize the wrong of others. Guide me to humility to remember that I myself carry those same marks that others have as well. Be present with me as I make a good and humble confession. 

Amen.

****

Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth

Keeping with the workout routine

I find that the month of January is full of new individuals at the gym who are desiring to improve their health and/or fitness. Any gym junkie will tell you all the machines seem to be more frequently in use than they were just a month ago. However, sometime in late January things seem to slow down. Many of those who committed to a resolution to go to the gym multiple times a week or to lose x amount of weight seem to have stopped. There can be a number of reasons for this and every person has their own, but I think most frequently it is because it is hard to maintain the dedication with busy lives and results take a long time to see. Staying committed and losing weight/becoming more fit will not take a single workout to do, but time and practice. At the end of the day - regardless if you see results or not - you still did your body good by working out.

To be honest with you, there have been times that I start off with high aspirations and goals in my prayer life with either spiritual exercises or intentions. There have, however, been a few intentions in my prayer life I have been carrying for a long time and having these same sort of "I'm not seeing or feeling any results and I'm growing weary of being dedicated to these intentions." After a minute I realized that it is doing my prayer life good to keep going and not give up. It is not for me to "see" results or "feel" results in my prayer, but maintain the discipline to have a healthy prayer life and turn to Him. Just like working out, I may want something out of it, but really it is maintaining that spiritual discipline and turning to God with these things. So, if you are feeling possibly this way about an intention or prayer in general - don't give up...keep working out with our Lord because you will grow spiritually stronger!

****

Father God, Thank you for always being patient with me when I want to give up on an intention or spiritual exercise. Help me to remain steadfast and know that I am gaining spiritual health and strength from my persistence. In your name, Amen.

****

Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth

Being stuck behind the "slow car"

Recently our family took a road trip. If you have ever been on an extensive road trip anywhere you know there is a great likelihood of getting stuck behind a slow car at some point during the trip. This is especially true if there is construction or if it is a single lane road. There are times that this can feel like a nuisance and a bit frustrating. It can even be more frustrating when you are trying to pass them, but can't no matter what you do.

But, what if being stuck behind the slow car was actually a good thing for us?

We are so rush-rush in our lives. We eagerly await the next thing - next holiday - next adventure - the next moment. We move on from the old even before it is finished! (Think about the number of Christmas trees you see on the curb before Christmas Day is done.) When we are forced to slow down and not pass by the present opportunity we are truly living in the moment. Even when we are asked to embrace the slowness in front of us, we are still moving.

I know for me there have been times in my prayer that I'm asking God "Ok, what next?!" I'm ready to pass this slow and steady and do the next adventure. But perhaps it is simply for me to enjoy this slow and steady - to be present to each God given moment with joy. It is perhaps for me to be full of gratitude for this moment as it will not come again.

****

Thank you Lord for the times you force me to be behind the slow car! Help me be present to each beautiful moment you have given me and not fret on what is to come next or wanting to get to the next thing faster. In your name, Amen.

****

Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth