Saturday, November 28, 2009

Lean Into Me

There is a scene from the movie "Oh, God" that I just love. John Denver's character asks God (played by George Burns) why God allows bad things to happen on Earth, why He doesn't help us. God's reply was, "I do help you. I gave you each other." I know in my own life, it is wonderful to have friends and family who can help ease the physical and emotional burdens of life. But sometimes, there are things in our lives that no words and no amount of understanding can ever "fix". In recent months, a friend asked me for some advice. When I asked God what I should say to him, God said to me Tell him to lean into Me. God didn't tell me to tell my friend what to do. Instead, He told me to point my friend to Himself in the Trinity. While I am fortunate to have some very caring people in my life to help me get through life's greatest challenges... it is sometimes just not enough. So, it is during these times that I find myself "leaning into God" even more. And, whether we realize it or not, we really have no place else to go. But, if we trust, He is always enough.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

I Will Speak To Their Hearts

The gift of "hearing" God's Voice has been a true blessing. When I asked God a few years ago why everyone can't hear from Him, His reply was a pleasant surprise: Everyone can hear My Voice, but not everyone listens. I speak to all people but in different ways. In the past few months, I have had many "visions" of Jesus weeping as He looks over Jerusalem. I've sensed that His sadness stems from His awareness of how distracted people are by the world today. This past summer, while in quiet prayer, the Holy Spirit said to me You get them quiet, and I will speak to their hearts. I recently came across a quote by Soren Kierkegaard that says it all so well: "As my prayer became more attentive and inward I had less and less to say. I finally became completely silent. I started to listen -- which is even further removed from speaking. I first thought that praying entailed speaking. I then learnt that praying is hearing, not merely being silent. This is how it is, to pray does not mean to listen to oneself speaking. Prayer involves becoming silent, and being silent, and waiting until God is heard." May we quiet our minds and surroundings so that we can be more attentive to what God is speaking to our hearts today.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Surrender

In today's Gospel reading, Jesus identifies the woman who "contributed all she had" (St. Mark 12: 38-44). Appropriately, Father's homily focused on surrender.... surrendering our whole lives to God. He challenged us to look inward and be honest with ourselves about what we still have not surrendered to God. It is different for everyone. But still, the struggle is the same. Today, I've been asking myself: What beliefs am I still holding to? Is it my way instead of God's way? My timing? My desired outcomes? In the end, it will all be God's Way. When will we give up the fight? When will we TRUST enough to fall backwards off the "cliff" right into the arms of God? I write these things as an inspiration to myself (and, hopefully to those who read this). Condemnation and stone throwing are never my desired hope for this blog. I struggle like everyone else and do not claim to have all the answers. I, too, am on this journey of faith, and I most certainly am a "work in progress". I pray for all of you, and I ask for your prayers in return. Blessings.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Peace In Your Heart

There is so much happening in the world today that is pulling us further and further away from truth. While I have a great sense that "things" are happening around us, I find much comfort in reflecting upon the Words that God spoke to me this past summer. I had asked God very directly about the meaning of current world events and what my response should be. The Holy Spirit's words were clear and direct. Have peace in your heart and trust in your Lord. As it is written in Sacred Scripture, our Heavenly Father Who sees all, encourages us through St. Paul to "have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4: 6-7) May God's peace be with you today.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Be Patient

Be Patient with those who do not understand the depth of My Love. These are the words the Holy Spirit spoke to me at a silent retreat two years ago. Those words have stayed with me and have been a powerful influence on me when choosing how to respond to others. When I find myself upset with world events, politicians and their decisions, and those around me who are acting in ugly ways, God gently brings these words back to me. How easy it is to forget that "our struggle is not with flesh and blood, but with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirts in the heavens." (Ephesians 6:12) The devil wants nothing more than for humans to be divided in all things. He is the father of all lies and will put a wedge in between all of God's children whenever and wherever he can. It helps me to remember what Joyce Meyer says....hurting people hurt people. It helps me to remember that we don't know what we don't know. It helps me to remember that we know the end of the story and what is waiting for us is pure Love....the Trinity...in Heaven. I truly believe that if we really, really knew, felt, and understood how much God loves each and everyone one of us, our thoughts and actions toward others would be completely different. And, I also believe that if everyone knew this, no one would be able to resist Him. We all have a role in helping to make "His Kingdom Come on Earth as it is in Heaven" by revealing the One, True, Loving God to others through our actions ("Preach the Gospel always, and sometimes use words" - St Francis of Assisi). I pray that we would all find the strength and courage to be patient with those who do not understand the depth of His Love.