Working out

One of my favorite workout classes primarily uses kettle bells. I still remember the first time I went to it only using the lighter weights for most of the exercises because I was not used to them nor was I strong enough, yet. Over the course of a few months, certain weights began to feel a little too light and so I started to go up in weight of my kettle bell I'd use. After doing that, I'd notice my muscles were a bit sore the next day or two. Yet, when I'd go back to the class, I'd keep going back to that higher weight because it challenged me, it pushed me, and it made me stronger.

We all have seasons that God may be asking us(or just handing to us) the heavier kettle bell to grow and become stronger. It can be a lengthy and challenging process to go through carrying this heavier weight. We can grow weary, especially if we've been picking up the heavier weight for a long time and not "feel" or "see" progress. However, I assure you, in time, you will walk away stronger than you were before and see the growth that occurred in that time.

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Father,

Sometimes we are given a heavier weight in our lives to use. We humbly ask that you help us use the weight so to grow stronger in our faith and not grow weary. In your Heavenly name,

Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth

Being in tune

When I was in band we would always take some time at the beginning of class to get in tune with another. Every person would listen and then play the same note as a solo against the tuner for a few moments and then it would be the next person's turn. If the instrument was too flat or too sharp different adjustments were made to the instrument like pulling a slide or adjusting a mouthpiece. And depending upon the day, certain instruments may have to make more significant changes. (On really cold days brass instruments had more changes as they tended to be more flat.)

Though it took some time, it made a difference for when we began to rehearse different musical pieces or perform. Musicians have to listen well so they know what pitch they are looking for and then try to duplicate that as best as possible. If instruments were out of tune, the piece would not sound quite right no matter how well each instrument was playing on the right count.

Sometimes in our spiritual lives we can be playing the notes and on the right count beautifully, but we are not in tune. Do we take time  regularly to listen to the sound that God is giving to us? Do we try to match that pitch or do we ignore it and do our own thing? What adjustments need to be made to be in tune with God?

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Lord, 
Help me to listen well to the note you are giving to me to get in tune with you. Allow me the graces I need to not only listen, but the ability to make any adjustments I need to so I can follow you. 
Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth

Tantrums

We are in the delightful age and stage with our daughter of starting to throw tantrums when she can't get something that she wants or something not good for her is taken away. Recently, she has become quite vocal when I move her from the toilet she is trying to play in or take away a glitter Christmas tree ornament she is trying to eat. ::sighs:: She will cry, run away, or sometimes lay on her back kicking her legs. David and I tell her "No," "Not safe," or "Let's find something else" in these situations and distract with a toy or something she can have. It usually lasts less than a minute and then she moves on and is back to her happy self. 

I realize looking at her doing this, I can do the exact same thing. Well, maybe I do not look like a toddler crying on the floor, but spiritually I can be this way. Spiritually I can cry to God lamenting how a prayer was answered. I will cry to God "But I wanted it this way and you did not make it this way!" He responds as any loving parent, "No, this is not good for you." or "No, I have something that will be better for you." or "Just wait a minute."

As the parent it is easy to see why you don't want your toddler to play in the toilet or eat a glitter ornament. But, as a child it is hard to see what the problem is with it. As God's children, it can sometimes be hard to see why a prayer was answered in a particular way. God, our Heavenly Father, knows better than we do on how to keep us happy, safe, and healthy.

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Father, 

I can often throw a tantrum when I do not receive an answer to a prayer the way that I want it. Help me to see the way you see to be led to what would be safe and good for your divine plan. In your name,

Amen. 

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth

"Mamma"

A couple of months ago I was taking a walk with my daughter mulling over a situation that I had to take action on that did not have a clear cut solution. So, on the walk I'm asking God for guidance and help on what I needed to do. It got to a point in my walk that I felt defeated with getting any sort of answer of what I needed to do. Then, I hear my daughter say, "Mamma. Mamma. Mamma."

So, I say, "Yes, baby?" She continued to say "Mamma. Mamma. Mamma." I saw she was also pointing and decided to figure out what she saw. She was pointing to a statue of Mary on the front porch of a house we had walked past many times before, but I never had noticed her there. In that moment, I realized I needed "Mamma's" help and asked for Mary's intercession.

I'd love to say I had the perfect solution given to me in that moment, but I didn't. I did however have a deep sense of peace that it would work out. I've been guilty of forgetting about Mary and how she is one of our best intercessors - after all, she was the one who asked Christ in her own humble way to do His first miracle at the Wedding at Cana. Mary can intercede for us no matter the situation. Let's not forget to ask "Mamma" for help when we need it most!

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Mary, Mother of God, pray for us. 

Mary, Queen of Heaven and of Earth, pray for us.

Mary, most humble, pray for us. 

Mary, our Heavenly Mamma, pray for us.

Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth

Cleaning up the mess

We are in the age and stage of life that our daughter is going to make messes that we are going to have to clean up. It is just inevitable being a year old and walking all over the place with all her toys and feeding herself. After she is put down for the night David and I will clean up the scattered toys laying all over the house and put them back where they belong as well as the mess from dinner. Sometimes we laugh at where we find items (a bottle of puffs in the corner of the bathroom and Joseph from her Nativity in the baby stroller) and other times we groan at the seemingly massive size of the mess (literally every toy out of the basket and every book pulled from the shelf). But, no matter what, everything gets put back to where it belongs...even if it seems to take forever. One day our daughter will be more of an active participant in cleaning, but for now she really needs her parents to help with this. She does not know or understand how to do it on her own.

How often in our own lives do we find ourselves in a mess that we need our Heavenly Father to help us clean up because we cannot do it on our own? Our lives are often messy, but no matter what type of mess we make (intentionally or unintentionally) God will help us with His grace to clean up the pieces and put everything back. Even if every day it seems to be the same huge mess, God will take the necessary time to clean it up. 

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Thank you Lord for helping clean up the messes I make each day. Give me the graces I need to work through the messes of daily life and put things back where they belong. 

In your name,

Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth