One of my favorite blog communities has started a new weekly event that I have decided to take part in. Every week I will list 3 small successes and I invite you do the same.
We can so easily become overwhelmed with all the tasks we must fulfill in our busy lives. Between housework, children’s homework, food preparation, kids sports…it’s a wonder there is time for anything else, like the little projects we take on along with our regular daily duties.
In December I wrote a post titled, “Time is a Gift” So now I would like us to recognize those times when we made good use of our time. When we closed our eyes to housework to spend time with our children, or we fulfilled a goal we set for prayer time. Perhaps your goal was to be more committed to fulfilling some housework that you have neglected.
Whatever it may be it’s important to review and acknowledge what we have accomplished, this way we won’t be bogged down by all that we did not get done.
In the words of Danielle Bean “It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So let’s do that.”
Read the article here. Then add a comment below and share your 3 small successes with us.
My small success:
1) Made time to have tea with friends
2) Read a few pages of a saint book to my boys
3) Organized work area
What small success have you had this week?
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Freedom of Choice or Right to Life
I am not usually one to stay on top of American politics and my husband will tell you I barely pay attention to local politics. This however is not just a matter of politics now is it?
The passed few days this has been weighing heavy on my heart to share with you my thoughts on this issue. If you haven’t guessed it yet, let me put it this way, actually, Sarah Palin said it best “I am Pro-life and I am unapologetic about my position.”
Being pro-life for a Catholic is not a matter of personal opinion. I hope this is not new to you, however if it is please continue reading this post as I hope you will be enlightened.
The abortion issue will not be put to rest unless and until the unborn are given the right to live. It’s not about freedom of choice; this is about life and death. The choice is made when individuals take part in an act that creates life, not after life has been created. If you are not ready to deal with being pregnant, then why are you…..
Let me ask you, if a woman decides she no longer wants her 1 year old infant and so she lets him drown in the bathtub or overdoses him with pain medication, is that alright? No, you say. It’s horrendous, ridiculous, and unthinkable? Why? He’s a child, alive and well, he has a right to be nurtured, loved and cared for. But I tell you, he is dependant on his mother to live, he is not self sufficient, therefore if she finds it difficult to raise him, isn’t it her right to determine what she does with him? No, you say. Why?
What am I getting at….if it is completely irresponsible and immoral for a woman to kill her 1 year old, why does this principle not apply to a baby who is in the womb? The baby is dependant on it’s mother to survive, just as the 1 year old is, that unborn child has just as much potential to be a full grown person who can contribute to society, as that 1 year old. We were all once an embryo, a fetus, an infant, a toddler, an adolescent. Why is it OK to kill a child at one stage but not at another?
We give too much power to woman to decide the fate of these babies. Imagine that your mother could have at any time terminated you while she was pregnant with you. WOW! Sadly, the women who make the choice to abort, aren’t even given the whole truth. When they are left to deal with the aftermath of the pain and guilt of abortion; who do you think is there to help heal the broken hearts and tortured souls?
What other time in history have we humans been so cruel? When did our ancestors out of fear and misunderstandings send innocent individuals to their death?
I can think of one man, who did no wrong. He came only to teach us to love and forgive; he lived an example of true obedience and respect for the dignity of human life. Yet His message was misunderstood and appeared too threatening for some, the only way to eliminate the threat was to kill Him. This man, who had committed no crime, bore no sin, took on a cruel punishment and died a violent death because of the crimes and sins of others.
Is this not what these unborn babies are doing for us now? These babies have done no wrong, committed no sin. Yet, because these women are afraid of the unknown, lack support and knowledge of truth, they feel this new life growing inside them will only be a threat to them, so the only way to be rid of the threat is to make the baby pay the price with a cruel punishment and violent death.
Friends, pray and pray hard that more and more individuals will come to see abortion for what it really is. Who are we as humans to decide who has the right to live? We don’t seem to learn from passed mistakes, look at our human history.
There are so many others who have written lengthy articles on this topic, and there is so much more I could say on this topic. So many different arguments I have heard from individuals who are pro-choice, it always comes down to recognizing that the unborn are alive, they are individuals from the moment of conception.
Please click on these resources to read what others have had to say on this:
The Hour of Decision
Freedom and Abortion
Learn about a Pro-Life Prisoner who has truly laid down her life in solidarity with the unborn.
Watch these life changing videos and a short film: Silent Scream
Hard Reality with Eduardo Verastegui
Volition
If you or someone you know suffers from the pain and aftermath of abortion know that there are resources available to help you overcome this pain. Christ is waiting for you with open arms. Contact your local parish priest or these resources for help:
Project Rachel
Silent No More
The Healing Place
God Bless!
The passed few days this has been weighing heavy on my heart to share with you my thoughts on this issue. If you haven’t guessed it yet, let me put it this way, actually, Sarah Palin said it best “I am Pro-life and I am unapologetic about my position.”
Being pro-life for a Catholic is not a matter of personal opinion. I hope this is not new to you, however if it is please continue reading this post as I hope you will be enlightened.
The abortion issue will not be put to rest unless and until the unborn are given the right to live. It’s not about freedom of choice; this is about life and death. The choice is made when individuals take part in an act that creates life, not after life has been created. If you are not ready to deal with being pregnant, then why are you…..
Let me ask you, if a woman decides she no longer wants her 1 year old infant and so she lets him drown in the bathtub or overdoses him with pain medication, is that alright? No, you say. It’s horrendous, ridiculous, and unthinkable? Why? He’s a child, alive and well, he has a right to be nurtured, loved and cared for. But I tell you, he is dependant on his mother to live, he is not self sufficient, therefore if she finds it difficult to raise him, isn’t it her right to determine what she does with him? No, you say. Why?
What am I getting at….if it is completely irresponsible and immoral for a woman to kill her 1 year old, why does this principle not apply to a baby who is in the womb? The baby is dependant on it’s mother to survive, just as the 1 year old is, that unborn child has just as much potential to be a full grown person who can contribute to society, as that 1 year old. We were all once an embryo, a fetus, an infant, a toddler, an adolescent. Why is it OK to kill a child at one stage but not at another?
We give too much power to woman to decide the fate of these babies. Imagine that your mother could have at any time terminated you while she was pregnant with you. WOW! Sadly, the women who make the choice to abort, aren’t even given the whole truth. When they are left to deal with the aftermath of the pain and guilt of abortion; who do you think is there to help heal the broken hearts and tortured souls?
What other time in history have we humans been so cruel? When did our ancestors out of fear and misunderstandings send innocent individuals to their death?
I can think of one man, who did no wrong. He came only to teach us to love and forgive; he lived an example of true obedience and respect for the dignity of human life. Yet His message was misunderstood and appeared too threatening for some, the only way to eliminate the threat was to kill Him. This man, who had committed no crime, bore no sin, took on a cruel punishment and died a violent death because of the crimes and sins of others.
Is this not what these unborn babies are doing for us now? These babies have done no wrong, committed no sin. Yet, because these women are afraid of the unknown, lack support and knowledge of truth, they feel this new life growing inside them will only be a threat to them, so the only way to be rid of the threat is to make the baby pay the price with a cruel punishment and violent death.
Friends, pray and pray hard that more and more individuals will come to see abortion for what it really is. Who are we as humans to decide who has the right to live? We don’t seem to learn from passed mistakes, look at our human history.
There are so many others who have written lengthy articles on this topic, and there is so much more I could say on this topic. So many different arguments I have heard from individuals who are pro-choice, it always comes down to recognizing that the unborn are alive, they are individuals from the moment of conception.
Please click on these resources to read what others have had to say on this:
The Hour of Decision
Freedom and Abortion
Learn about a Pro-Life Prisoner who has truly laid down her life in solidarity with the unborn.
Watch these life changing videos and a short film: Silent Scream
Hard Reality with Eduardo Verastegui
Volition
If you or someone you know suffers from the pain and aftermath of abortion know that there are resources available to help you overcome this pain. Christ is waiting for you with open arms. Contact your local parish priest or these resources for help:
Project Rachel
Silent No More
The Healing Place
God Bless!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
New Year Resolution
Happy New Year!
Well, I hope the New Year is off to a wonderful start for all of you. Perhaps some of you have met the first few days of 2009 as I have, battling a hefty flu/cold for the last couple of days. I always like to think that getting sick is God’s way of telling me to slow down.
Not that the holidays were very hectic, but they always seem to be a whirlwind of activity and so the down time to rest and recuperate was welcoming.
However, as I am sure most Moms will agree, we just don’t seem to really know what it means to rest. I have a full time job outside of my home, as most of you know, but the past 2 days I stayed home because I knew that since I felt like I had been hit by a truck I would not be very functional at work.
At first I listened to my bodies cry for extra rest, and did just that. After an hour or so, I felt compelled to clean up, until the dizzy spells come on strong and I rested again. Still not fully giving in to taking this opportunity to rest, as I caught a glimpse of the ever ripening bananas and I know my children thoroughly enjoy home made banana cake, I decide to bake a cake. That will not take too much energy right? Until mid way through I realize I am out of eggs. I call my husband to ask him to pick up some eggs on his way home from work, and reluctantly resign to rest a bit more.
Now as I rest on the living room sofa, I can see that the carpet is in dire need to be vacuumed. This I know will take more energy than I am willing to exert, but I start to think that perhaps I am just being lazy and refuse to give in to this cold. Why do we do this to ourselves, women?
Wouldn’t you know it, within half hour I am dragging the central vacuum hose through the house and as I am vacuuming the unthinkable happens, some how the vacuum stops working. Now I am beat, and I think of the situation with the cake and now the vacuum and realize that God must be telling me that I should be resting, not baking cakes and vacuuming. Did I listen? Well temporarily. My husband informs me it was just a short in the fuse that has to be re-set so there I go again and finish vacuuming.
When my dear husband comes home with eggs and a few extra groceries, together we prepare dinner, he helps the boys with homework and before I know it I am turning into to bed a midnight. Only to awaken the next morning a little worse off then the day before.
Did I listen now? Definitely, I took the day to rest, read and contemplate. Watched a movie with the boys and got to bed early.
This contemplation prompted me to write my first post of the year. I thought it might be original of me to discuss meaningful New Year’s resolutions. Alright, perhaps it’s not that original, but that is all the rage this time of year, and the thought that keeps crossing my mind is how can I make a concrete resolution that I will not fail at in two weeks time?
I am sure that thought crosses most people’s minds, since studies apparently show that most of us will fail at our resolutions.
What if we were to ask God what his will is for us? What does He want to us to add or take away from our lives that could help or could be hindering us from truly living out His will for our lives?
I challenge all of my friends and family, as I am challenging myself to prayerfully consider what God is asking of you. How can we make 2009 different from other years?
Perhaps there is room for a more disciplined prayer life. Individually or as a family, I do rise early to pray and pray before bed. This makes a tremendous difference to my day, try it and see. If you already do this, then perhaps consider adding a scripture meditation to your daily prayer life. Fr. John Bartunek may be of assistance for you in this aspect: Click Here I use his book, The Better Part to assist with my daily meditation.
A resolution I am working on is to pray a daily rosary and grow in my devotion to Mother Mary. I will be reading a book titled, The Secrets of the Rosary.
Another option may be perhaps a call to act. Prayer is always essential, but we are also called to act as people of faith. Perhaps the Holy Spirit may inspire you to join a ministry in your parish community. Another great resolution is to “sharpen your sword” what I mean by this to that you resolve to learn your faith in order to be able to defend it. Get to know St. Paul or the other saints, read formative books.
I am very interested in hearing from you as to what the Holy Spirit inspires you to resolve to do this year. Please comment here or send me an e-mail.
For now, be assured of my prayers for a fruitful and holy New Year!
Well, I hope the New Year is off to a wonderful start for all of you. Perhaps some of you have met the first few days of 2009 as I have, battling a hefty flu/cold for the last couple of days. I always like to think that getting sick is God’s way of telling me to slow down.
Not that the holidays were very hectic, but they always seem to be a whirlwind of activity and so the down time to rest and recuperate was welcoming.
However, as I am sure most Moms will agree, we just don’t seem to really know what it means to rest. I have a full time job outside of my home, as most of you know, but the past 2 days I stayed home because I knew that since I felt like I had been hit by a truck I would not be very functional at work.
At first I listened to my bodies cry for extra rest, and did just that. After an hour or so, I felt compelled to clean up, until the dizzy spells come on strong and I rested again. Still not fully giving in to taking this opportunity to rest, as I caught a glimpse of the ever ripening bananas and I know my children thoroughly enjoy home made banana cake, I decide to bake a cake. That will not take too much energy right? Until mid way through I realize I am out of eggs. I call my husband to ask him to pick up some eggs on his way home from work, and reluctantly resign to rest a bit more.
Now as I rest on the living room sofa, I can see that the carpet is in dire need to be vacuumed. This I know will take more energy than I am willing to exert, but I start to think that perhaps I am just being lazy and refuse to give in to this cold. Why do we do this to ourselves, women?
Wouldn’t you know it, within half hour I am dragging the central vacuum hose through the house and as I am vacuuming the unthinkable happens, some how the vacuum stops working. Now I am beat, and I think of the situation with the cake and now the vacuum and realize that God must be telling me that I should be resting, not baking cakes and vacuuming. Did I listen? Well temporarily. My husband informs me it was just a short in the fuse that has to be re-set so there I go again and finish vacuuming.
When my dear husband comes home with eggs and a few extra groceries, together we prepare dinner, he helps the boys with homework and before I know it I am turning into to bed a midnight. Only to awaken the next morning a little worse off then the day before.
Did I listen now? Definitely, I took the day to rest, read and contemplate. Watched a movie with the boys and got to bed early.
This contemplation prompted me to write my first post of the year. I thought it might be original of me to discuss meaningful New Year’s resolutions. Alright, perhaps it’s not that original, but that is all the rage this time of year, and the thought that keeps crossing my mind is how can I make a concrete resolution that I will not fail at in two weeks time?
I am sure that thought crosses most people’s minds, since studies apparently show that most of us will fail at our resolutions.
What if we were to ask God what his will is for us? What does He want to us to add or take away from our lives that could help or could be hindering us from truly living out His will for our lives?
I challenge all of my friends and family, as I am challenging myself to prayerfully consider what God is asking of you. How can we make 2009 different from other years?
Perhaps there is room for a more disciplined prayer life. Individually or as a family, I do rise early to pray and pray before bed. This makes a tremendous difference to my day, try it and see. If you already do this, then perhaps consider adding a scripture meditation to your daily prayer life. Fr. John Bartunek may be of assistance for you in this aspect: Click Here I use his book, The Better Part to assist with my daily meditation.
A resolution I am working on is to pray a daily rosary and grow in my devotion to Mother Mary. I will be reading a book titled, The Secrets of the Rosary.
Another option may be perhaps a call to act. Prayer is always essential, but we are also called to act as people of faith. Perhaps the Holy Spirit may inspire you to join a ministry in your parish community. Another great resolution is to “sharpen your sword” what I mean by this to that you resolve to learn your faith in order to be able to defend it. Get to know St. Paul or the other saints, read formative books.
I am very interested in hearing from you as to what the Holy Spirit inspires you to resolve to do this year. Please comment here or send me an e-mail.
For now, be assured of my prayers for a fruitful and holy New Year!
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