Keep A Candle Lit for the Baby Jesus

Lately our readings have been on the travels of Joseph and Mary. One reading pointed out that Mary didn't have to go to Bethlehem, but Joseph did. Mary could have stayed in the comfort of home and family, but she didn't. This made me see again how Mary followed the will of God our Father. She ventured from what was familiar, safe and comfortable to bring Jesus to the world. She showed us there is no place Our Lord will not go to reach us!

The prayer on my mind lately has been for those far away from home this Christmas Season, and for those missing loved ones too. I received a letter from an old friend, and she had the following on her Christmas Letter: Please pray this season for the "military overseas/home and their families." Specifically for those families who will have a member missing from the table because their life was given for their country. A beautiful prayer and touching also because this friend lost her elderly mother recently. Here she is asking me to remember others rather than focusing on her loss.

One thing we can count on is change, but we can also count on Jesus to remain. Mary showed us no matter what the circumstances, no matter the uncharted territory we venture into, Jesus is there. He is never far away, and His heart is the home we can all share.

Keep a candle lit for the baby Jesus. Let us keep a soft place in our heart for Him to lay His head. Let us view the world through eyes first beholding a Savior's star, and let us grasp that wonder this Christmas Season! Amen

The Mind of Christ ~ Fowlerisms

Many posts ago, I wrote about a man from church who gives me notes for reflection. We decided we may try to post, every Friday, his thoughts, and we're thinking we'll title those posts, Friday Fowlerisms. Obviously I am posting early because Friday is Christmas! Below is the first post from my friend and brother in Christ, Mr. Fowler. I hope it will be a good reflection for you.

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The first letter is "M" in the Mind of Christ ~ Motivation
~ Motivation is an inside out job not an outside in
~ Stress is created from the outside in

The important part of motivation is the seed which is planted in the heart. The seed that produces the fruit of the Holy Spirit will bring forth love and service to God and others. The seed of self produces the fruit of love of self (EGO ~ Edging God Out) and service to one's personal interest.

The bottom line is that the "M" in the Mind of Christ was his motivation to do the will of God our Father through His love and service for us.

Are we willing to follow Christ in our motivation today?

Rejoicing ~ Advent

I haven't been blogging, because limited time has been a factor. My Mom and I have been running all over the place. Even though that sounds like the same old Christmas rush, this year I'm not letting my schedule dictate Advent. Does that make sense? Usually I worry "ahead" of time. I think, "Oh I have this coming up, and then that." This year, I'm taking each day as it comes. It's a calm Advent. It is an enjoyable preparation for Jesus. Next year, I hope to take lessons from this year and move closer to what is really important in this most Holy Season.

You are all in my prayers!

God our Father, you never force your way into our lives. You send your Son, a tiny child, to gently nudge our hearts. This Advent and Christmas Season we ask your Holy Spirit to warm our souls with your unfailing love. Amen

Approaching Our Cross in Thanksgiving

This morning at Mass, I was thinking of days of old. My 86 year old dad was sitting to my left, and my husband was sitting to my right. I snuggled next to my husband and looked over at my dad. It made my heart hurt. When I was small, I snuggled next to him during Mass. I am thankful, more than you can know, to have my dad still with me. But this morning I realized times change. When we're young we think things will be the same forever, and as we age we know it is not so. Sometimes though I think I'm in denial. I always look for my parents to be here, even though I see a hand trembling or eyesight failing. My heart wants to burst at the thought of losing them. Our Lord knows what a baby He has in me. :)

On the way back from receiving communion, I happened to glance at one of the Stations of the Cross. It was one of the times where Jesus fell. The cross was on his back, and the cross caught my eye. How thankful I am to Jesus for saving us. How thankful I am to Him for letting me know I don't carry my cross alone. How thankful I am to know when things change, no matter how heavy that cross is, He will be there to help me. When I stumble and feel I can no longer make a step, He will be beside me to lift me up. He is with us always, and for that alone we can be thankful.

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Lord when painful times seem too much to take, keep us close in love and safe. Amen

No Place Like Home

Today I returned from an overnight trip. I did enjoy it, but it will be nice to be back in my own bed tonight. There is no place like home, whether it is your home, your parent's, friend's home or even your hometown. It makes me think of what heaven must be like. It must be home. It must be that place where you wonder why you had to stay away for so long. It must be that place where we nestle into the Sacred Heart of Our Lord and rest in blissful wonder. This Thanksgiving I want to remember to thank God for preparing a place for us and welcoming us home in love!

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus OOAK Art

This simple OOAK miniature artwork is my first attempt at an Ex Voto or Milagros. This is acrylic on canvas paper. I hope to do more in clay later on. Thank you for looking!

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Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, may the whole world burn with love for you!!!

It's Here Again

It's that time of the year! Everything is getting busy already. I tried to knock out a big part of my Christmas shopping early because it makes me nervous. Next year, I'm going to simplify. Really, don't we have enough stuff?

How in the world does Christmas and everything else fall on the woman? Is it because Eve ate the apple? :) ~ As my husband says, "In the world of man, people just wouldn't get anything."

That's okay with me because when it is all said and done, I treasure the sentimental. An example is the cards signed by my parents, oops ~ signed by my mom. See there it is again, we even sign the cards for them. Do they even know how to write?

All kidding aside, I truly treasure this precious time with my family. My goal is to recognize my heavenly family too. How? By not losing sight of the fact that all love radiates from our Lord. He is the reason for every season, and the greatest Love of our life!