Thoughts Along the Journey

I began this post a couple of weeks ago.  I have debated whether or not I should finish and publish it.  I felt I should continue... April 7 marked the 5-year anniversary of our family's entrance into the Catholic Church.  April 7, 2007, was a glorious day for us.  We are thankful for the journey God has brought us on, and where that journey led. Many people haven't been as enthusiastic about that as we are. In fact, some individuals have been very antagonistic toward me and other members of my family.  Mostly, I am able to shrug it off, and just pray for the person to see the life of Christ in us. Recently, someone I have known for most of my life (but not as a close friend--more of an acquaintance) bombarded me via Internet.  "How can you say you believe in the Bible if you're Catholic?  Don't you know all priests are liars?"  I won't say any more, but the diatribe was much longer than this. I was shocked and hurt.  My response wa...

These days, it seems just about everyone has an agenda.  I'm not talking about their "to do" list, though it has somewhat the same effect.  What I'm talking about is their goal:  "I'm doing this particular thing because I want that specific outcome." We see this most predominantly in the political realm.  Each candidate has their own viewpoint, and has a plan to accomplish certain things.  Their hope is that enough voters have the same agenda and will support them.  Often, the word "agenda" has a negative connotation.  It really is important, though, to know what it is you're doing and why...and what you plan to achieve. Recently, a couple of incidents occurred which made me stop and wonder what my agenda is?   The first incident happened yesterday morning.  I attended a training/renewal session at our church.   One of the small group leaders asked us what we saw as our gifts, and to think about how we are using them, ...

There are so many days I want to post about the exciting things God has been doing in my life.  For instance, our Easter weekend was incredible.  So, why didn't I post? It seems that life has become the tyranny of the urgent.  This son has to be at this appointment, I have to be somewhere else, husband needs to study for this class, and other son has to be taken to practice in the middle of it all...  Sound familiar?  And the sad truth is, I let the "urgent" rob me of the reveling in the exciting things God is doing.  Then lack of sleep creeps in, robbing me of my peace, and filling me with anxiety (AGAIN). Lord, help me to fix my eyes on you, so that I might rejoice in all Your great and mighty deeds...I want to stay focused!

 As you probably know, my dad had a stroke back in October .  He is having some symptoms which are a great cause for concern.  Please keep him and my mom in your prayers. 

I have been married for almost 23 years. My family is in Kansas, Colorado, and Oklahoma...a full two-day drive from Michigan (where we used to live) and Ohio (where we now live). Prior to our marriage, I was in college in Missouri for four years. So, most people would think: "You never get homesick any more, right? You're used to it!" Not really. I grew up on a farm in southwest Kansas, the youngest of four daughters. We are a close-knit family, and we LOVE spending time together. All three of my older sisters were married by the summer I was 12, so I spent several years as an "only child". I forged such a great bond with my parents during those years. We lived in an equally close-knit community, filling our days with church, school, 4-H, and other community activities. Whenever I visit home, I see people I have known since I was a child. They are truly "life long" friends. It's always a joy catching up on each others' ...

Well, I'm obviously lagging a bit behind. It seems as if life gets in the way of blogging. I can't even blame it on Facebook this time. I've not spent much time there lately. It gets to be sort of "same old, same old" after awhile. This won't be my usual "topical" post. Too much on my mind...so here goes! Lent began this past Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is always a solemn day o f reflection for me. A time of heart preparation for the 40 days to come. Most people don't feel this way, but this year, I'm actually excited about Lent! After all, it's not about what we "give up" in the way of food or pleasurable past times. It's about drawing closer to God because we're allowing Him to clear away the spiritual clutter that seems to inevitably build up in our lives. I recently re-read the two Frank Peretti books, "This Present Darkness" and "Piercing the Darkness". I don't remember the last time ...

Even though, in the midst of all my anxiety, I don't always "feel" His love... I am still amazed that He loves me so much. I am amazed by You, my dear Jesus!