The 4 to 1 ratio

In one of my classes when preparing to be a teacher we talked about the 4 to 1 ratio. For those of you who are classroom teachers may already know what this is, but for those of you who are not, the 4 to 1 ratio is the number of positive statements versus corrective statements to give to students. This intervention is primarily used in schools that use PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Supports) but many fabulous teachers naturally do this. The fundamental idea is recognizing the positive things that are happening in the classroom  - still correcting - but taking the time for recognizing and reinforcing the appropriate behaviors all the more. This is huge and can be a game changer for some students. Especially for some of those tougher kids - the ones who are blatantly defiant, disruptive, or just do not jive well with your particular personality this can be so tough for teachers.

What if we approached God in a similar way with our tough situations? What if we presented the problem/intention/issue and then gave back to God 4 praises? I wonder how the Holy Spirit would move in us, in the problems, the intentions, and the issues. It may not make the situation go away or fix it, but practicing that thankfulness and praise may just make our own hearts at greater peace and security with God.

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My God,

I praise you for being so generous to me in all things! I praise you for giving me these opportunities to grow closer to you! I praise you for the love you have poured out on me - a poor sinner! You are a good and merciful Father! 

All in your most holy name,

Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth

March Madness

Oh March Madness...the time of the year that everyone gets super into random college basketball teams to create brackets with the hope of winning the recognition, prize, or money for the most accurate bracket. I have friends who study the teams and do all sorts of statistics and calculations on who should win every game. But, once the games go into play, it seems that everyone's bracket gets broken and the teams who should not have won did. There is whirlwind of heartache and joys all at the same time. By the time a few weeks roll by, it is all old news. We have moved on to the next thing presenting itself.

With God, we can all too often present our "perfect" bracket of how things are going to go or our plan of events. But, as He is God and we are not, more often the insignificant game in our eyes becomes the most moving moment of our life. And sometimes, our greatest hopes may fall short and not pan out. As disappointing and sometimes painful it can be, this is only a season. Perhaps in a few months looking back it will not seem important or will not feel as big of a deal. Our time here on earth is just a small snippet as compared to our hopeful eternity in heaven with our Lord. Thank God for that!

So, whether your bracket of life feels absolutely busted or maybe things are shaping up well, just remember our God has a much bigger picture in store for us beyond this season. Let us enjoy each game as it comes and stay in the present moment to watch it unfold.

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Father,

I know I can map out my plans and become disheartened if things do not work out how I hoped. In this season before me, help me to see your hand in all moments and things of my life. 

Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth

Learning to float

When learning to love the water one of the first things I remembered being taught was floating on my back. In order to do so my body has to be totally relaxed and opened. If I clenched or made myself small it will be inevitable that I would start to sink. I also remembered that my chest needed to fill of air and I had to breath deeply to do so. For someone who was afraid of water this was no easy task to completely trust that I would not sink to the bottom by releasing my body. But, as any person who enjoys floating on their back will tell you, it is completely necessary. 

Our prayer lives are this way too - we have to release all of ourselves to God. Give him that uncomfortable situation, that desire, that hope, that frustration, that sorrow, that grieving, and that fear of it all. When we do that, we are capable of resting peacefully in Him. Now, I firmly believe that this is all possible by the graces of the Holy Spirit who breathes life into us (just like making sure to have air in your lungs when floating). We are able to overcome the deepest sorrows, deepest fears, and deepest challenges. 

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Jesus, I trust in you. Help me to relax and open myself to you so I do not sink. Allow me the necessary graces to rest completely in you. Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth

Looking both ways

Spring is finally peeking out and days are longer and the temps are warming up making it pleasant to go for walks again. I can't express in enough words how enthusiastic this makes me and my daughter to get outside again for walks. Thank you Jesus for this amazing gift!

When walking around the neighborhood it is inevitable to come to an intersection. It is critical to look both ways before crossing the street as sometimes cars are coming from one direction or another. If I only look to my left,  I completely miss any cars coming from the right and may get hit. And if I only quickly look and not really pause, I may also miss something. What if we approached our prayer lives when faced with joyful or even difficult circumstances in this same manner?

 I find it all to easy to look one way when in various circumstances with my own eyes. But, those times that I step out of my own view, pause, and really reflect on God's point of view I gain a whole new perspective. Most often I recognize even more so how perhaps God was protecting or even preparing me with particular circumstances. It is not always easy to do this. There are some things that are so painful to try to look both ways at, but with time and the Holy Spirit's guidance, an unexplained peace and love will come. 

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Lord, Help me to pause and look both ways in all good and challenging circumstances. I know that when I do, I am able to see the big picture of your beautiful masterpiece. Thank you Lord for the amazing and beautiful life you have given to me! Amen. 

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,
Elizabeth

Running Intervals

Preparing for a big race many runners will have weekly interval training where they will run for a very brief time frame at a sprint like pace and then go back to an easier one. They will repeat these intervals multiple times for the duration of their run.  Intervals are not meant to be easy. They are meant to push and challenge us to be better and to work harder. However, this hard work is not in vain; intervals help gain an overall faster pace and endurance for long runs that come.

Our time in Lent is an interval where we can increase our endurance for the rest of the liturgical year. During Lent we increase our prayer, alms giving, and fasting to grow closer to Christ. It is meant to challenge us to become better and holier versions of ourselves. Everyone's Lent looks and feels a bit different depending upon how previous prayer, alms giving, and fasting have been in a person's life. Just like with running, if you have never run more than a block, you probably will not be doing intervals that would be running a mile at a sprint pace. You would easily give up and never try again. On the flip side, if you are a regular marathon runner doing a block interval training run would be too easy. Your boredom of doing something too easy would tell you that this is pointless and not worth your time.

You and God can have those conversations through prayer on what it is that would be the right challenge for you. Ask God what would push you to a greater endurance for the long run with Him. I do pray that you use this beautiful Lenten season to grow closer to Christ that will not only last till Easter, but truly sustain you as you continue the run the rest of your life. I pray that your Lenten resolutions are not too hard that you become discouraged but not too easy that you find yourself bored just after this first week.

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Father in Heaven,

Thank you for this interval of Lent to be challenged and grow closer to you! I ask that you help me discern and follow through during this season of Lent to pray, give alms, and fast in a way that will give me greater endurance rather than discouragement or boredom. I desire to run this life long race with you Lord, give me what I need to do this well!

Amen. 

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth

Taking your vitamins

When a woman is pregnant it is incredibly important that she has a multivitamin with DHA to support the well being of the baby. These nutrients are critical for the baby's growth and development while in the womb. On some occasions a doctor my prescribe additional vitamins like Calcium or iron if those are too low. All these vitamins are to help grow and keep healthy during the time of pregnancy and will not last forever. 

In this season of life you are in God has a specific multivitamin of prayer that He may be asking you to take to help with your growth and development. You may be really good at going to Mass every Sunday, but maybe He is asking you to go an additional day of the week. God may be asking you to pray a specific prayer before or after Mass like the Rosary. Or maybe God is calling you to spend some time every day in an adoration chapel or church to pray. Whatever God may be calling to do for a prayer multivitamin, know that it will help grow your soul and keep you healthy. 

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Father in Heaven, 

Thank you for my prayer multivitamin that you have prescribed for me to take to grow my soul more. Help me to take it well daily so my soul can remain healthy in you. And when I forget or feel fatigued from having to take it every day, give me the graces I need to keep going. In your name,

Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth

Songs speaking to me - Post 2

There have been some amazing songs that have fallen into my lap these past couple of months. May these songs bring you hope/peace/comfort/the words to say when you don't know what to say.

Prophesy Your Promise by Bryan and Katie Torwalt (Christian)

Braver Still by JJ Heller (Christian)

Arms of Grace by Bryan and Katie Torwalt (Christian)

Nothing I Hold Onto by Will Reagan and the United Pursuit Band (Christian)

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Lord, Thank you for the gift of music that draws us closer to you and your great mercy and love. May you bless these musicians and all those who hear their songs. In your most precious and Holy name, Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth

The Long Car Ride

For many Christmases David and I would drive to our families down in Texas instead of flying. The journey always started with some anticipation and excitement. We'd listen to our favorite music and have a lively conversation. There would be some beautiful scenery to enjoy and stop at some fun places for meals on the ride that was fun. But, as the car ride would go on, it would transition into "O.M.G. are we almost there???" Once we made it to Texas there was always a moment of gratitude for the safe travels and thanksgiving for finally getting out of the car.

This Lent may feel like a long car ride. We start off very enthusiastic and full of commitment to the journey with Christ and our prayer/fasting/alms giving we have chosen for Lent. There may be even some beautiful insights or graces that we are part of during this time. However, as Lent continues on, we may grow weary and think to ourselves, "O.M.G. are we at Easter yet???" But, I assure you before we know it, we will be at home (or in this case the empty tomb) and be able to rejoice and give praise. Remember the final destination with your journey this Lent.

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Jesus, come with me on this journey in Lent. When my enthusiasm for my Lenten promises begin to fade, renew in me a sense of purpose for this time. Help me to live out my Lenten promises with fervor and great love to add to the beauty of the scenery of this journey. 

Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,
Elizabeth

Broken Rosaries

When I am able to, I try to pray my Rosary before picking up my daughter after work. However, that is not always possible due to meetings or other things happening. So, when we get home I usually change her, give her a snack (get myself a snack), and start my Rosary shortly after that. Lately, I've been finding myself getting interrupted in the middle my prayers due to my child attempting to get into something she shouldn't or her needing something. (She is not even 2 just to give some context....)

Sometimes what is coming out of my mouth is, "Hail Mary, full of grace...no, no, no, we don't climb the bookcase...the Lord is with Thee." Or, "Glory be to the Father...put that back...and to the Son." I tell David that our daughter is going to learn a different version of the prayers after listening to me pray them. 😂

I do think though, regardless of being interrupted or not, sometimes our minds wander in the midst of prayer simply because of our humanness. There is not a prayer that is perfect or formed so eloquently every time. This can be incredibly discouraging. Why even bother praying if all I can give is broken Rosaries? My mind wanders to my to do list or other things when I pray, why bother?

Regardless of our interruptions or wandering minds, God calls us to be in communication with Him. Even our broken prayers, He wants them all. So, if you are feeling a bit like me with your broken Rosaries or maybe with a wandering mind of to do's or something else during prayer. Keep trying. Keep talking to God. I believe that God wants to hear 100 of my broken Rosaries versus none at all.

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God, Sometimes my prayers to you are broken or incomplete due to interruptions or other distractions. Help me to keep seeking you in these moments and I humbly ask that you complete the broken prayer I have given to you. Thank you God for always listening to my prayers no matter how incomplete or interrupted they seem. Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth