Where You Lead

Grace

Acceptance of the unacceptable is the greatest source of Grace on earth.
– Eckhart Tolle, Stillness Speaks

So, what is Grace? We say “grace” before meals but what exactly is grace? Grace is God’s goodness in our lives that we have not earned. Grace is God blessing us even though we have not merited those blessings.

I don’t know about anyone else but I can think of a hundred different ways that I’ve failed to earn God’s blessings. I know that I don’t deserve the many blessings in my life, yet God continues to send all kinds of good stuff my way. That’s God’s Grace.

Accepting the unacceptable seems foolish on the surface. Why would anyone accept what is not good? Well, perhaps the acceptance is an act of faith. Right now I must walk away from the worrying and fretting and simply accept that this is how it is. I cannot change this situation; worrying about it, placing blame for it, “thinking it through” over and over won’t change it. I have to just accept what is and hand it to God.

And so I will.

When Faith Is Weak

Okay, so it’s time to pray. Something is up and I need prayers. I need God’s hand on those I love and those who we’ve chosen to trust in this most important situation. So, what’s the problem?

It hasn’t been so long ago that I turned everything over to God, sat calmly reading my bible passages or praying, and waiting for Him to take care of everything. My faith was strong and I had no trouble being patient as I awaited the news. I was sure the news would be favorable.

It wasn’t. Everything fell apart. He didn’t take care of us the way I’d prayed. Even now, so many months later, I can’t quite figure out what good came of all that. In fact, today’s problems are mostly a continuation – and an expensive continuation, at that – of that terrible outcome.

So now I’m here and trying to pray all over again. I’m trying to believe that God will take care of this, that the previous let down had a reason and that it’s all in His plan. I’m trying to have faith. I’m not at peace as I was before, so I guess my faith isn’t as strong. Does that mean I’ve failed in some way? Does that mean God is not happy with my lack of faith and won’t answer my prayers? I don’t know. Only time will tell that.

In the meantime, I’m left to wonder about this Faith thing. Faith the size of a mustard seed is enough to move a mountain. Yet, my faith hasn’t moved anything. And so I doubt. My faith is weakened.

My prayer, then, is that God renew my faith. I pray that my faith remains strong no matter today’s outcome.

Afraid To Pray

I’m afraid. My fear is keeping me from asking God for help. I’m sure that seems odd but it’s true.

I’ve prayed so long and so hard for two very special intentions that I’m beginning to lose faith. Both situations have gotten worse and worse over the years and now I find myself avoiding praying altogether. I’m afraid that if I pray and still receive no help, my faith will be destroyed.

I know that God does everything in His own time; I know that sometimes when we ask, He says No. Knowing all that doesn’t do much good, though. There are times when I become so distraught that I doubt God’s very existence. That’s why I’m afraid to pray. I’m afraid that if my prayers are not answered, I’ll give up on God. I’m at that point.

So, Where Is My Faith?

It’s the day of reckoning here. This is the day that my family has awaited, prayed about, anticipated. It all comes down to God answering our prayers now. We didn’t set a deadline; the date was chosen for us.

I’m feeling helpless. I’ve done everything I thought I ought to do but nothing worked. I know that I have no power over this situation. I know that it’s all in God’s hands and that should make me feel confident. My faith should carry me through these next few hours.

Instead, I’m a nervous wreck.

I feel like a fake. I believe in God. I pray and ask for His blessings. And then I worry. Where is my faith? If I truly believe then should I not be at peace right now?

Okay, my friends. I need prayers. I need prayers beginning now and especially at 5pm Eastern time. Pray that my faith is strengthened. Pray that the Lord will pour His blessings on our family. Pray that we make it through this. Pray.

Give Me Rest

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.

In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Psalm 127:1-2

I know that the Lord helps those who help themselves. God does not want us to be lazy, that’s for sure. But when we do his work and we honor Him, there’s no need to worry or to lose sleep over whether we’ll be successful or not. God will take care of us, even as we sleep.

Lately, I’ve had trouble concentrating on my work. My mind has been preoccupied with worry. For all my prayers and my declarations of faith, I still spend way too much time wondering and worrying. I lose sleep as I think about “what if?” or “now what?”

We needn’t worry though. We must simply set about doing the right thing, taking care of our responsibilities and doing our best for the Lord. He will tend to the rest. He will take care of us, even as we sleep. That’s faith.

It’s Faith

I’m going to take this moment right here, right now, to Thank God for what is going to happen. I’m not being presumptuous. I simply believe that God will not let me down.

I’ve prayed for a resolution to a family crisis. I’ve prayed that God would heal my family. I think He’s doing that now. Part of me is afraid to get my hopes up. I’m afraid of being let down. But another part of me knows so well the wonders of our Lord. I’ve been blessed so many times. I’ve been amazed at His power. I know He loves me and He wants me to be happy.

And so tonight I’m thanking Him for what will happen tomorrow. Because I believe.

Fathers And Daughters

I’ve had a lot of time to think about fathers and daughters lately. I’ve contemplated my own relationship with my father as I’ve tried to guide my son in his relationship with his daughter. I’ve realized how very fortunate I am to have a father who loves me so selflessly.

I could write page after page about my dad and all the things that make him special. One thing, though, sets him apart. He has shared with me, very quietly and without fanfare, his faith. He is not a loud or gregarious man; he doesn’t preach or recite Bible passages. He lives his faith every day, every moment.

In my attempt to be more diligent in saying my Rosary every day, I’ve pulled out a few pamphlets as well as two books explaining the Rosary. The first, Scriptural Rosary, is a small hardback book that my dad gave me. Inside, he wrote simply,

To Marisa
With
Love
Daddy

The second book, The Secret of the Rosary, is a paperback and honestly, I didn’t remember where I’d gotten it. Until I opened it, that is. Inside the front cover my dad had written,

To My
Daughter Marisa
May you find patience,
wisdom and purity of heart and body
As I did.
Love ya
your Dad
in Christ

My Father in heaven must have loved me a great deal to have blessed me with such a wonderful earthly father. Today, as I beg and plead with my heavenly Father to answer my prayer and bring peace and healing to my family, I will keep in mind that I have no been forsaken. I will remember the blessings I’ve been given and have faith that more will come.

The Unknown

Not to forget the lessons of the past week, I’ve kept up with my prayers. Of course, I’ve been in dire need of God’s blessings. I suppose the question is, Will I continue praying faithfully if He answers my prayer? Oh, I do hope I will.

For now, I’m trying to find the strength and the faith to say, “Not my will but Thy will be done.” I talked with my son today about the faith to do that, the acceptance of what is and the belief that God will tend to us in His own time.

And yet, I fear. It’s the unknown that totally wipes me out. If God would send me a sign indicating exactly when my prayer will be answered, highlighting a path that I must take to get to His answer, I could handle the waiting. Yes, I realize that I’m talking in circles. It’s the unknown – and acceptance of it – that brings grace to my life. It’s remaining at peace and trusting His love in spite of not knowing that is the true testament of my faith.

I’ve been praying the Rosary every day. When you pray, please remember me and my family in your prayers.

Today’s Reminder: Leave It In The Hands Of The Lord

Leave It In The Hands Of The Lord

by Sebastian Temple

Chorus:
Do not worry over what to eat,
What to wear or put upon your feet,
Trust and pray, go do your best today,
Then leave it in the hands of the Lord.
Leave it in the hands of the Lord.

1.
The lilies of the field,
They do not spin nor weave,
Yet Solomon was not arrayed like one of these.
The birds of the air,
They do not sow or reap,
But God tends to them,
Like a shepherd tends his sheep.

2.
The Lord will guide you in his hidden way,
Show you what to do
And tell you what to say.
When you pray for rain,
Go build a dam to store;
Ev’ry drop of water
You have asked him for.

3.
The Lord know knows all your needs before you ask.
Only trust in him,
For he will do the task
Of bringing in your life
Whatever you must know,
He’ll lead you through the darkness
Wherever you must go.

A Heritage

These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe… so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you.

Deuteronomy 6:1-2

My faith has been passed to me from my parents; their faith from their parents. I’ve brought my own children up in the same way. While some find their way to the Christian faith on their own, many of us pass our faith on to the next generation just as it was passed on to us.

For many years, I went through the motions of religion with my kids, taking them to Mass, having them baptized, and on through the sacraments. I didn’t really share my faith with them, though. I didn’t talk about the miracles in my life, the fact that I spoke with God regularly. My faith was personal and quiet and I wasn’t quite sure how to share it with my kids at first.

Somehow, I did learn to open up and talk more and more about my faith. I did learn to share with my children the importance of God in my life and how the Gospel was a part of my day-to-day living. Yesterday, my second son called and asked me to pray for him regarding an issue. He called a few hours later to thank me, because things did work out.

I realized how important it was that I shared my faith with my kids and let them see God’s hand in my life. I realized, too, that my children would be passing along to their own children that same faith. Our faith in God is a most precious heritage.