Psalm 34

Some days I just need a little reminder... to help me refocus my heart and mind in the right direction, of looking towards Jesus and others, instead of at my selfish self.  I just made a list in my journal, of ways in which God has shown me His faithfulness and goodness over these past months! I encourage you to try it too. It helped show me this morning, that God has not left us.  He is always at our side, and is doing so many great and wonderful, and beautiful things for us each and every day!! He is the one who has helped me get this far. Thank you Jesus. Please continue to hold me, be with me, help me grow, heal me, and help me show your love and goodness to others. To share in the water of Your Amazing Grace!!


And if you want, I highly encourage you to take a few minutes, and read this blog post. I have the link below from Life Lived Beautifully.  Especially those of you who are waiting patiently for the desire of your heart to be fulfilled of meeting the man God has made for you, to share the rest of your life with. Only God has the perfect plan. In His timing alone will each one of our love stories be shown to us, and it will be greater and more beautiful than we could ever imagine!!  Just live each moment in the now, and God will bless you abundantly!! Praying for you!

Who said you have to Wait. Life Lived Beautifully

32

Today was the funeral. It was beautiful, simple. Over 50 nurses came to give their support, their love, their share in the loss of a beautiful soul, their friend. In between all the tears, it was a beautiful site to witness, to be a part of, being a part of the gray. The family that was so much a part of her life, the family of nursing, all wearing their gray scrubs, to say, "we care, we are sorry, she will be so greatly missed not only among her biological family, but among her family of nurses."  Thirty-two... a small number, and definitely not enough years on this earth for her. But 32 can also be multiplied, and I still don't think the number would be big enough to count all the smiles she brought to others, all the laughs, all the lessons, all the patience, all the joys, all the brightness, all the love she gave to each person she met along her journey. This past week, a friend and fellow co-worker, passed away. She was young, has two little girls, a husband, a wonderful family. This tragedy touched the entire hospital, as she was in the float pool and helped every department. She was battling an internal fight, and ended up ending her own life. Many of us are still in shock, and it has been hard to understand how one could feel so much despair that they truly believe that ending their life is the best thing for them, their family, their friends. But the mind is a very powerful thing, and we will never understand it completely. I ask you pray for her family, her little girls, her close friends. And that she has found the peace that she was so desperately searching for. Because of her loss, maybe things will change, or open our minds and resources more to how we can all help others more in her same situation. She will be greatly missed. This saying was on a memorial by her casket today... "When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure." A treasure indeed. Each life is a treasure. I pray to be kinder, treat every life as a bigger treasure. Life is so fragile, so short, but so beautiful.  Don't let anyone leave you without them knowing they are cared for, they are loved, they are important.  Life... it's the most precious gift God has given us!! Everyone matters!

I wanted to share some thoughts that were shared throughout this past week....

"Be Kind. For everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about!"

"You are Beautiful. You are Loved. You are not Alone."

"There is terrible suffering in our world today. Tragic things happen to good people. God does not cause them, nor does He always prevent them. He does, however, strengthen us and bless us with His peace, through earnest prayer."

"Sometimes people come into your life for a reason. 
Sometimes people come into your life for a season."

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose.... all that we love deeply becomes a part of us."

And I wrote this one night... "Some days there is so much sadness all around, and one asks why, what if. And wishes one could just fix it all, make all sorrow, trials go away.  But within that sadness, God is always there. I realize more and more that He is strongest in our weakest moments.  He understands, and surrounds us completely with His love and grace. His beauty and love are all around us, in big things and little things, in sunsets, in still water, in the rustle of the breeze, in a new life born.  He's there in a hug, a smile, in saying, "I love you," in kindness all around. In the Water of Grace. We are never alone."

"Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me."  ~John 14:1

Be Still

Just wanted to share some thoughts, writings, quotes, etc. that I have been saving over the months.  Little things, sayings, that I thought were good, or meant something special to me, or helped me at a certain time. I always believed that if we pay close enough attention, little things we come upon, or others tell us, are words from Jesus. If we just take a moment to listen. Like Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God..."  I wanted them all in one place, so thought this would be a good place to save them.... plus I get to share them with you then! So double duty! ;)  I'm sure they will all mean different things to you. It just depends on what is going on in each of our lives at the moment, will determine what it means to us.

Study the issue, God gave you a beautiful mind... Study.

Search for the truth, Think things through, Seek out God's way, Act on the truth you discovered.

Our Emotional Need... To Love and to be Loved

May your life be filled with God's blessings, and be bright with His goodness and Grace.  May the love that He wraps all around you make your world a more beautiful place.

Let us find and see that special thing in each day that is showing us how much Jesus loves us and bringing us closer to heaven.

Jesus is telling us, "Bring to me all that you have!"

"Bear witness to both an end and a beginning, And while we must continue on, we must be grateful to have been blessed with someone who has so aidely guided us into where we are today, when there has been so much love and happiness it is natural to be reluctant, to close such a wonderful chapter in our lives, for moving forward is rarely accomplished without considerable grief and sadness, and while our sorrow may be profound, the clouds will clear and the sun will shine on us again! And in that warm bright light, we will find ourselves facing a glorious future, with exciting challenges and infinite possibilities.  In which the horizon will stretch out before us written in the heavenly flow of the sunrise of tomorrow."  ~from Prince and Me

Jesus is my shepherd, Jesus is my Lord. I won't be afraid anymore.

It's possible to live with pain, you just do it.

If you want the rainbow you have to deal with the rain.

Wasn't it a privilege to love him.

We can ask Jesus everyday, "Show me Your presence today, walk with me." He (Jesus) knows our needs, but He still wants us to tell them to Him. It helps us realize that we depend on Him for everything.

Kindness means everything. Have courage, be kind.

When I think I know what's best, I have gently been reminded that He has a plan and that He has been putting all the pieces together, and that He knows best.

Thanks for reading. I have thoroughly enjoyed writing, and as it is easier for me to share what's on my mind and heart through writing. Embrace this weekend, another day God gave you to serve Him! :)

A Bookmark

Today is the feast day of St. Teresa of Avila. I wanted to share something of her that I learned this morning. She is known as one of the Doctor's of the Church, and wrote this on her bookmark that she carried with her all the time. She looked at it in times of pain and sorrow, but also in times of joy and thanksgiving. It was a reminder to her of God's presence always.

"Let nothing disturb you,

Let nothing frighten you,

All things are passing; 

God only is changeless.

Patience gains all things.

Who has God wants nothing.

God alone suffices."

St. Teresa had many hardships throughout her life. And even at one time, said to Jesus, "If that's how you treat your friends, no wonder you have so few!"  But than later wrote, "However many years life might last, no one could ever wish for a better friend than God."

Her simple prayer she wrote, can relate to each one of our lives too. The first two lines --- don't let things scare you, trust in God. Trust in His ways. He is with us always. "All things are passing" --- All things, good and bad, never last forever. So meaning, even our worst hardships, will get better. It's so hard at the time to believe that because we are in so much pain, but we have to have faith that God is there helping us get through it. And the good moments... we are called to share those blessings, those joys, with others around us. Share God's grace and goodness with others around us. Not keeping them for ourselves.  Sharing the water of grace! "God only is changeless" --- His word, His love, His grace, His mercy is the only constant thing in our lives. I think that is why I like to go to Mass so often, or just sit in His presence, His words... because I know that He will always be there. He is there to listen to me tell Him thank you, or listen to me cry and share my sadness, frustrations with Him. He is always there, wanting us to let Him Love us, no matter what we are facing.  "Patience gains all things" --- It helps us get through all trials of our lives. It helps us gain God's grace. The patience we share with others and in situations, is a beautiful reflection of the love we have in our heart!  The last two lines --- Reminds us that God is all we need. A reminder that we need to keep Him front and center in our lives, in all we do, in all we meet. God alone is enough.

Servant Song

This morning I went to daily Mass, I wanted to go as Thursdays are always the all school Mass, and I haven't been since the early spring to that. I just love going when the entire church is filled with all the students. It really is a beautiful site. But my favorite thing is listening to all the kids sing. For the all school Mass, there is always music. And I love all their voices together. I get goose bumps sometimes listening to them, maybe I'm crazy, or maybe I just really love the little things. ;) Well, today the songs they chose were great! But one of them brought me to tears. It's one of my favorites, as I remember singing it when I was younger back home, at Mass when the young people's choir would sing. But today... the words touched my heart in another way, and brought me to tears, running down my cheeks. Thankfully I was in the last row! :)  Here are the words. They are so perfect as we all wonder at times what our purpose in life is? Or what God wants of us? Or which direction to turn next? We just need to trust, have faith, keep Jesus in the center. Seek the kingdom of God first, and everything else will fall into place.

Servant Song

What do you want of me, Lord? 

Where do you want me to serve you? 

Where can I sing your praises? I am your song.  

Jesus, Jesus, you are the Lord. Jesus, Jesus, you are the way.

I hear you call my name, Lord, and I am moved within me.  

Your Spirit stirs my deepest self. 

Sing your songs in me. 

Jesus, Jesus, you are my Lord. Jesus, Jesus, you are the way.

Above, below, and around me, before, behind, and all through me, 

your Spirit burns deep within me. 

Fire my life with your love. 

Jesus, Jesus, be the warmth of my heart.  Jesus, Jesus, you are the way.

You are the light in my darkness.  

You are my strength when I'm weary. 

You give me sight when I'm blinded.  Come, see for me.  

Jesus, Jesus, you are my Light.  Jesus, Jesus, you are the way.

I am your song and servant, singing your praise like Mary. 

Surrendered to your Spirit, "Let it be done to me." 

Jesus, Jesus, "Let it be done to me."  Jesus, Jesus, you are the way.

A Penny's Worth

I received this a while back, and came across it today when cleaning, so thought I would share it with you. I was given a penny with this poem, for some volunteer work that I do. Just something simple, but has a lot of meaning. And I want to give a little shout out to all those who volunteer.... your work never goes unnoticed!! As Blessed Mother Teresa said, "It is not how much we do.... but how much love we put in that action!"

How Much is a Penny Worth?

Please accept this penny as a token

of our appreciation of the time you have given.

We chose this coin to remind you of your

generosity towards others.

First, this penny represents money.

The time you give to others is priceless.

Second, this penny is the smallest coin.

Even the smallest investment in others

grows throughout their lives.

Third, President Lincoln is on the penny.

He was a man who did the best he could

with the talents he had.  You too are a person,

who has offered your talents to help others.

Fourth, the penny is in the shape of a circle.

A circle does not have a beginning of an end.

The circle represents love. By the service

you give, shows great love for others

and their future.

Thank you for taking the time to care!

Remember it's the water of grace again! :)  Share that grace God has placed in your heart with all those around you! The priest said in his homily today... "Doing good deeds for others is what brings one happiness." I truly believe that! Just like they say at the end of Mass, "Go in peace, Glorifying the Lord by your life!"