Getting off the ottoman

My daughter is officially able to climb safely up and down off of our ottoman as of this week. The first time she successfully got up on top she was beaming and so proud of herself. My initial new mom reaction was to pick her up and take her off, but I realized here was an opportunity to watch her try on her own with me close by how she would get down. Initially she was very insistent that I pick her up and take her off. I kept nudging her, "You can do it! You got up there all by yourself and you can get down too!" Within moments she realized she could get down all by herself; she was super proud and beaming with a bright smile. I was glad I was able to see her do it on her own safely and see her proud of her accomplishment - even if it seems like a small thing.

In our prayer lives we can sometimes feel like we are trying to figure out how to get down off the ottoman after we have climbed it. Maybe we have been praying an intention for what feels like an eternity and don't know the way. Perhaps we are asking God to literally pick us up and plant us where we want to be or that person or that situation. However, God does not work like that. Instead, He will give the nudges and promptings we need to be successful; in His own time, He provides the tools and insights we need when we truly need it. Keep praying and asking...in time answers and clarity will come.

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Father in Heaven,

There are some situations I come to you where I want you to come pick me up and place me in a particular situation or out of a situation. I humbly ask that you give me the right promptings and insights to navigate these situations well. God, I trust you will not let me fall, but allow me the graces to set my feet firmly back on the ground and come out a better, stronger, and holier version of myself. 

Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth

Being Sick

It seems like right now many folks are sick with the flu or other sicknesses. (Please know I am praying for you!) There are times when we are sick and push on through to make it for the day and then crash at home. Then, there are those times that we cannot make it through the day and need to visit the doctor for treatment. It can be humbling to go to someone else to seek help and treatment and recognize that there is something more that needs to be taken care of quickly. With proper care and treatment, we get well and back to good health.

In the spiritual life, our sins make our souls sick. Sure, some sins can make a smaller strain in our relationship with God and we "get by for the day," but over time those little ailments may grow into something bigger and we crash. And then there are those times we are majorly ill in the spiritual life and we know it. In those moments and in the small moments we need to seek the ultimate healer, God, through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In the confessional the priest shares God's merciful love and healing. He will also give a treatment of penance for you to do to help get you well.

I recognize that going to confession can be uncomfortable and not the top of fun things to do on a weekend. I don't enjoy saying all the things I have done to turn against God to my priest, but I know once I do and receive God's mercy and forgiveness I can get my soul well again. I once heard going to confession is like throwing up. You feel absolutely awful while it is happening and see it all come out; however, once you are done your body feels better. So, if it has been quite some time since your last confession or even if it was not that long ago, I encourage you to seek out the Sacrament to get well soon.

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Father in Heaven,

When we are sick give us great humility to meet you in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Please give us the graces we need to make a good confession to become well again. And please bless my priest who hears my confession that he may be an instrument of your loving mercy and forgiveness. 

In your name,

Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth

Snowed In

Unsurprisingly, it is still winter here in the Midwest. Cold temperatures and snow seem to be an ongoing theme. Don't get me wrong, seeing the snow fall is gorgeous! The bitter cold temperatures and hazardous road conditions are the things I do not enjoy.

And because of how cold or the road conditions, this is the time of the year that sometimes people literally cannot go anywhere and are snowed in. Initially there is this sense of enchantment about being at home. Taking time preparing a great breakfast, staying in PJ's all day, catching up on some chores, getting extra time to pray, and making a dent in reading the pile of books on your night stand. I find it always starts off delightful and warm. But, then, I start to notice some areas of my house that maybe need a deeper clean and wonder why I haven't taken care of it before. Or, I find myself restless at the fact that I cannot go anywhere and become acutely aware of my isolation from the outside world.

Sometimes the spiritual life in prayer can feel like we are snowed in. It can start off delightful - many consolations and great beauty that is unfolded before our eyes by spending some time internally with God. But, then, spending some deep internal time in prayer we can become acutely aware of our own flaws, weaknesses, and sins. We may even see that area that needs a deep clean through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There may be times that we become restless on a particular petition and feel isolated in that our answer is "no" or "not yet." Do not despair, but continue to pray, and in some instances I've been directed (by priests and other spiritual directors) to increase my prayer. Know that you are being prayed for.

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Lord,

Thank you God for these times that I am snowed in with you and the graces that softly fall from above! When I am snowed in with you, help me to uncover those areas that may need a deeper clean or some more work. When I'm feeling isolated from the outside world allow me the graces to fall closer into you and your warm embrace. 

Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,
Elizabeth

Crawling into God's lap

Daily my daughter will find me sitting on the floor and step into my lap with a book to read to her. Lately, it has been really only one of three books she is super into right now. You would think with a whole bookshelf and crate of books she would want to mix it up every so often, but no. She really likes these 3 books and wants me to read them over and over to her. I love these moments holding her in my lap especially since she is wanting to constantly move and play.

Sometimes I imagine myself crawling into God's lap asking Him to read my same intentions over and over again. Now, don't get me wrong, there are some big and important intentions that we should continue to bring to God, but really many of them are trivial things that may not even matter this time next month or even in an hour. Despite this, God is always delighted to hear my prayers - truly no matter how many times I ask for something He responds with a loving embrace.

If you are feeling you are asking for the same intention over and over again, take comfort in knowing that simply being close in God's lap and talking to Him is delightful to Him. He will respond with love each time to you while holding you close to His heart. So, keep going to Him, keep crawling into His lap and speak to Him. He is always waiting and there.

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Thank you God for all the times you have listened and taken to heart my same few intentions I crawl into your lap with. I know that some of them will seem trivial in time, but all the same you listen and always answer my prayer while holding me close. Thank you for always holding me close to you in these moments of prayer. 

In your name,

Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,
Elizabeth

Just some thoughts on what to give up for Lent

Lent is just around the corner, but I personally already feel like I'm in a Lent of sorts. I am truly nobody important or with anything that unique to share, but I know sometimes it is hard to think of what you are going to do/give up for Lent. Here are just a handful ideas to get you thinking and praying about. By no means is this list exhaustive. Praying for you this Lent!

1. Fast from social media and instead use that time to pray or call people to see how they are doing
2. Go to a Daily Mass before work - give up that extra sleep to be with the Lord
3. Give up an attachment or vice that keeps you from God
4. Give up a comfort of home like sleeping in a bed or taking a long warm shower
5. Begin a daily examen before going to bed  (https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen)
6. Fast from TV, music, or podcasts
7. Take an hour each day to be still in God's presence and listen to Him - no technology, no talking, just silence
8. Read a chapter from the Gospels each day
9. Take this time to frequent the Sacraments - especially Reconciliation
10. Pray a Rosary on your way to or from work instead of listening to the radio
11. Volunteer your time
12. Write a letter of prayer to someone each day who may need it
13. Do acts of charity without anyone seeing/knowing who did it
14. Give up snacking in between meals or even fast weekly (we are asked to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday)


Simply a little pencil in God's hand,
Elizabeth

The Turn Around Skit

With a toddler I feel that a quarter of what my husband and I say is "Turn around." This is said a dozen times a day as she is trying to stay to play in the bathroom or go to something she shouldn't get into. As often as we say this, my husband and I joke about the song "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler. Below are the lyrics that we always think of and tend to sing after telling our daughter to "Turn around.":

Turn around, every now and then I get a little bit lonely
And you're never coming 'round
Turn around, every now and then I get a little bit tired
Of listening to the sound of my tears
Turn around, every now and then I get a little bit nervous
That the best of all the years have gone by
Turn around, every now and then I get a little bit terrified
And then I see the look in your eyes
Turn around bright eyes, every now and then I fall apart
Turn around bright eyes, every now and then I fall apart

Truly the only reason why we are so familiar with this 80's classic is from all the retreats in high school we helped with or attended. If you attended any retreat anywhere in America in the 90's and early 00's it was almost guaranteed that sometime during your weekend this song accompanied with a skit would happen. Usually on Saturday night of a 3 day retreat right before the Sacrament of Reconciliation with Mass following after.

The essence of the skit (seriously, anywhere you see it) a girl has all these temptations surrounding her. Other people wear names of sins/temptations and dance with her and hand over their sin/temptation to her and tear away a bit of a paper heart she is wearing. She see's Jesus in the distance and tries to get to him but the sins/temptations literally surround her, but then she calls out to Jesus to save her and the sins/temptations fall to the side. Jesus takes off the sins and gives her a new clean heart - His heart and then they hug or dance to the end of the song. (Go to youtube and type in "Turn around Skit" and you will find at least a dozen examples if you are better with visuals.)

Though our daughter isn't always trying to get into something that will lead her to sinfulness, we want her to be safe and not be tempted by things that could be unsafe. God does the same with us - gently tapping us on the shoulder and telling us "Turn around." to look back at His Son and away from the temptation. And just with our daughter, it may take some literal scooping up, being held, and then carried to a better place closer to Him and His heart. We only have to say His name and let Him into our weakness, brokenness, and area of need.

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God, 

When I begin to fall into temptation that will lead me to sin, please turn me around to face you again. I ask that you scoop me into your arms and embrace me to keep me from those things that are not good for me or would make me unsafe. 

Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth

When do you get gas?

"I'm only at half a tank...I better go get gas!" Oh man, this phrase I have said to my husband a few times before. I have never been one to wait to get to near empty before filling up, maybe a quarter of a tank every so often. I have great peace knowing that I am able to drive a long distance and perhaps in areas that are not as comfortable or that I'm not as familiar with. I know that regardless of what happens I will be okay because I have a full tank of gas now.

In our spiritual lives it can bring peace of mind when we turn to God in moments that we are comfortably "half a tank full." God is providing and all is well we are ready and prepared for whatever may be coming our way. But, when we are nearly empty it may be exhausting to try to turn comfortably to our God. And depending upon how empty we get - we may run out completely and need someone to push us or come to us to help us get back full.

Frequent practice of prayer and the Sacraments when things are going well will help us when things are turning uncomfortable or not well. When getting in the habit now, as life's challenges come and seasons change, we are already established in our healthy habits and routines of filling up the tank. So, if God is asking of more of us, we are ready.

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Lord, there are times I am nearly full and still seeking you comfortably. Thank you for being present in those moments. When the tank is running low and I'm nearly on fumes, remind me to fill up on your love through prayer and the Sacraments - especially Reconciliation and the Eucharist. In your name, Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth