Assuming...

  On an Ash Wednesday, years ago I walked into the personnel dept. on the Navy base in Spain, where I was stationed.  The service man who came to the counter to assist me commented, "I don't understand why Catholics wear ashes to remind themselves of a dead God."  I could only deduce he had seen the ash smudged in the shape of a cross on my forehead.  "What?," I said taken a little by surprise.  "That's not why we wear these ashes."  "Look," he countered, "I'm a Catholic and I never got the whole ash thing or why you pray to statues."  "Well," I began, "the ashes aren't representing God... dead or alive.  They are to remind you, a human, of your own frail existance.  This world isn't forever- it's not our home.  There is a better world waiting and that's why the Priest says the words "man you are dust and to dust you shall return." while he places the ashes on our forehead."  "Oh...well I guess that makes more sense," said the man.  Then he followed with, "So, why do you pray to statues?"  I looked at him and shook my head..."I wouldn't want to be Catholic either if that's what I believed.  We don't pray to statues, they are reminders of those who have gone before us and can 1. Pray for us and 2. Help us get to heaven by the example they set."  I continued on to let him know these Saints are part of our family... the family we are all part of even here on earth (the Communion of Saints)  I bet you have a picture of some family members around your house- they are reminders of your relationship with them.  I then warned him, "If you go around telling other people this is what Catholics believe it not only hurts or stunts your own growth it will further division by turning other people away from the Truths Christ Himself gave us to help us get to Heaven."  I urged this guy to read up on what his faith ACTUALLY teaches and not to rely on what his understanding or memory passes down to him. For myself this was a good reminder to also learn more a about why I believe what I believe.
  AND NOW:  For anyone reading this who has ever been harmed, mislead, emotionally hurt or turned off by a friend, teacher, nun, priest, or even bystander who professes to be Catholic or gives any teaching expressed from the private view of one who is misguided by their own perception of what the Catholic Church teaches...please accept this humble apology from a member of the Catholic church, on behalf of the Real Love that seeks to be known, understood, and embraced as Truth within the Catholic faith.  We are but humans trying to evangelize using Truths passed down from our Creator.  Sometimes those Truths get jumbled in the same way when humans play the game "telephone" and start with one message to be whispered around the circle.  By the time that message gets back to the starting source it is often a mixed up, far-fetched version- sometimes not even close to the original words.  Please understand, when humans are involved, the occasion to error is great.  Do not let those errors deter you on your quest to find TRUTH.

Come Away with Me

    Another day has dawned and yesterdays troubles try to sneak in on a pink tinged cloud...  Gonna worry?  Nope.  Gonna fret?  Naah.
  The God Who created this universe and all of it's inhabitants is bigger than those nagging, wormy, sly, little frown makers.  His shoulders were meant to carry those burdens that tend to cause knots in my neck and stomach.  
  Throughout the day, and sometimes as I fall asleep, I will slip into a place of Peace with the One Who made me to ask Him, "What's going on? What am I to do?"  There are other times I simply sit with Him and enjoy the comfortable silence that can accompany the presence of a treasured loved one who knows all there is to know about me and loves me anyway.
  This PLACE of Peace, yes- in my mind- though just as vivid as my current house, is very real- in fact I visit there often.  In honesty I have a couple "getaways".  
  The view from the cliff side cave overlooking the ocean is breathtaking.  Jesus is very casual there as He tends the crackling fire with a long stick.  He and I also have a meeting destination on a certain garden bench which sits in the dim light of eventide.  Shadows that fall as long as the surrounding flora are cast by the soft glow of the moonlight that peeks through the lattice and cascading wisteria that winds it's way around the arbor. 
    Do you have a PLACE that you run to when the world is shouting and the Lord wants to whisper encouragement?  A hammock that fits just the two of you when you need rest from your cubicle, kids yelling and cupboard doors banging, or fume-filled bus ride home? ;A hut in the middle of the jungle that provides the basic shelter and privacy which allows the removal of all masks and baring of the soul?    
  If you'd allow me I'd like to make one suggestion:  make this special place personal.  That's it...only thing I'd insist on.  A place that feels right to you.  It may be more formal in the beginning if you are truly just getting to know God.  Originally, it might be very sparse and as time moves you closer to the REAL meeting it can be furnished with lavish decorative furniture.  The key to this place is ... are you ready for this? The KEY is His name.  Jesus.  Whispered or shouted, depending on the situation. will bring Him to your "together" PLACE (that's amazing in itself- the God of the Universe will answer His created being's call). 
  Take special care with this Key.  Use it only when You truly want His Presence.  You may find this whole Place thing silly...  I don't.  After all, while Jesus still walked among us He told us He was going away to prepare a PLACE for us. 
  God of wonder~ help us to seek You and Know You as You truly are.  Thank You for your encouragement as we walk our journey through this world that is not our Home.  Each unexpected Joy is a gift from You- open our eyes to each gift that it may not go unappreciated and we may utilize it to grow closer to You.  May Your Kingdom be an ever clearer reality to us and those we share it with- by Your grace.  Amen 

Fresh Start!!

Monday...some people think bleah...  Today, I am thinking~ fresh start to implementing all those brilliant ideas that I thought I might put into practice days, weeks, months ago.  I am digging out my to do lists of days gone by and crossing off the things I HAVE DONE (yahoo...congrats to me) and not giving up on those items left undone: Thank you letters, prayers to offer up, making my bed-perhaps this one is debatable, pictures to paint...  just a few itemized priorites to have slipped through the cracks. 
  My main objective is not to beat myself up over lost time, but to remember these things were important enough to make special note of and perhaps give them a second look. 
  For starters: it is never too late to say, "Thank you."  It may be too late to send the card you have already addressed and set aside unstamped for three years.  But "presto-change-o!," wave of the magic wand, and placement of original card in a bigger card or folded letter stating, "I came across this "thank you," and remembered how special that meal/party/kind word made me feel and thought the orignal sentiments were worth sending."- and you have a valid piece of mail STILL worth sending; simply magic.  I suppose the same is true of a memory we come across.  A kind gesture that went without a thank you... pull out a paper write down our memory and a thank you.  I suppose it would help to actually put the stamp on the addressed envelope and walk it to the mailbox before the next three years go by.  POINT IS...I always love getting sweet or kind notes in the mail (heck, anything that isn't a bill- even a shampoo sample can brighten my day :),) and perhaps others would too.  A shared memory of someone's kindness is always a good thing, and is not a bill.
  As for prayers to offer up...hmmm..."Dear Father of us all, as each moment presents itself, may we grasp the opportunity to spread Your Love and Kindness.  May we also remember to thank You for each ray of hope You send, article of clothing we own, morsel we eat which are, in and of themselves, a sign of Your Love for us.  Thank You, God,  for the fresh start that comes with every day...well, every minute.  We love You.  Help us to know You as You really are- not who we think You are.  Help us to love ourselves as You love us...not the broken way we try and love ourselves... Amen."
  Next on the list...I think I will go paint a picture of me making my bed.

It boils down to...

The people in your life are there for a reason- LOVE THEM!  Everything else is just fluff.

Time Is Fleeting

  Time IS fleeting... This thought struck me like a gentle 2x4 while I was pondering this blog and when I would next write. 

  Why am I waiting for the perfect inspiration to move me?  Or is it that I am afraid of imperfection?... Maybe I'm on to something here- I just erased and rewrote the start to this paragraph three times, "Yep, that must be it!  Wahoo, I love that eureka moment of clarity and discovery!"

  What if I mess up?  What if I spell a word wrong and spell check doesn't catch it?  Or, even worse, what if the thoughts I'm having sound foreign and strange to others.

  Then again, what if I don't write the thoughts and deeds that have inspired my choices in life?  What if it is a sentence or new perspective that helps a person, maybe even a stranger, get through their day or feel uplifted and encouraged.  I've heard it said that the successful creative artists out there are often not the best the world has to offer- they are the brave ones.  This thought resonates within me because I find myself holding back more often than not until I feel "comfortable" sharing.  I believe I need to steer more towards putting something out there because it's a reflection of where I am in life or what I am thinking/feeling and see if it resonates with others.  How do we know unless we try.

  "USE WHAT TALENTS YOU POSESS:  THE WOODS WOULD BE VERY SILENT IF NO BIRDS SANG EXCEPT THOSE THAT SANG BEST."  Unatrributed (although some give credit to Henry D. Thoreau and others credit Henry Van Dyke with this quote)

  The message behind this quote, no matter who wrote it, is fantastic- and true.  I believe God has so much to give this world through each of us.  Collectively we represent the diamond that God is...each of us reflecting a face of that diamond.  Each face is different, yet uniquely brilliant- showing a dimension of our Creator.  When the Son shines on that indiviual face His light will reflect in a shower of unique beauty.  Now imagine this world if every person dusted off their surface and allowed our unique talents and dimension of God to reflect from ourselves~ how bright, beautiful, colorful, and brilliant this world would be.

  Time is fleeting... not one of us knows how long we've been given to share our unique message and talents.  Let us be brave in our sharing, recognizing that anything done in Love will one day bear fruit.

** Please remember in prayer the hundreds of thousands brave people marching today to show support of each person's Right to Life!