What did I learn today?
There is so much information in the world today and we have relatively easy access to gather information about almost any topic by reading a book, conducting a Google search, watching a YouTube video, you name it. It is harder, though, to find the time to actually sit down and learn about a new topic, a new language, or a new skill. How do I slow down and take the time to learn something new?
Continue reading “Day 31: Effort Well Spent”Have I had any visitations from the past or the future today?
In the beautiful and haunting painting by Jules Bastien-Lepage that hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, St. Joan of Arc is shown as a young woman in the garden of her home, with the transparent figures of St. Michael the Archangel, St. Margaret, and St. Catherine hovering above her. It is believed that this painting depicts the first time that St. Joan of Arc heard the call to arms to save France (when she was about 13 years old).
Continue reading “Day 30: Divine Moments”
Did I do one thing to improve myself today?
When I was in school, it was easy to find ways to learn and grow each day. I was always finding new information to read and explore to improve my mind. I also had opportunities to exercise and stretch myself through physical education and sport activities. Attending Catholic schools provided me with ways to grow spiritually through Mass attendance, daily religious education, and exposure to priests and nuns that taught in my schools. After I graduated and began working, though, the opportunities to make myself better each day — intellectually, physically, and spiritually — were not always readily available. It takes more initiative and effort to find opportunities and engage with them so I can continue to grow and flourish.
Continue reading “Day 29: Striving to do Better”Who did I forgive today?
For those of us that live in large cities with miles and miles of freeway, it is inevitable that we have been confronted with drivers that speed, change lanes constantly, and veer into other lanes without warning. I often find myself angry and frustrated by near misses from other drivers (and have had a few uncharitable thoughts and words about other drivers). I struggled with my response and how I could better react to these situations that arise on an almost daily basis.
Continue reading “Day 28: The Gift of Forgiveness “Seeing God in the everyday moments in our life.
The spiritual journey is to love God above everything. To love with all our heart, mind, and soul. We do this through seeking what is true, right and just. The Spirit draws us closer through both beauty and through pain to the truth. That we were designed by God for God. Our human nature causes us to forget.
Continue reading “Day 27: Knowing I’m Loved”How were you seen today?
As humans we have the need to be seen and to know that we matter. The people we encounter throughout our day can affirm us. I see these as the seeds planted by God to show us we are loved and valued. This gives us a taste of what it will be like when we ultimately stand before His Glory!
Continue reading “Day 26: Being Seen”What did I learn today?
Recently, during my Holy hour when I first wake up in the morning, I read something through a new lens. This is the time that I spend orienting my day in prayer, God‘s word, and being attentive to my body.
Continue reading “Day 25: Making the Better Choice”Is your heart rightly ordered?
We are told there is never enough. There’s never enough money, status, time, beauty, or life, and so the world sets us up to follow the gods of anxiety, the god of saving, the god of fear, and even the god of self-reliance. Holy Scripture tells us that we have a choice before us: live in prosperity or death and doom.
Continue reading “Day 24: Discerning God Voice”Are you open to doing things differently?
My spiritual direction program is stretching me in ways I never thought possible. Recently I’m realizing how my inner critic can hold me back, breeding doubt and uncertainty. This is my fallen self. God‘s grace is revealing to me that the feeling of “stuckness” is usually tied to my fear of disappointing someone. It’s when I’m in conflict with what I know to be true and what I think the other person expects of me. It has something to do with someone trying to fit me in a box that I don’t think I should be in.
Continue reading “Day 23: Something Different “Do I make good choices in what I do and in what I avoid?
We have entered into the season of Lent and are focused on the three great pillars of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to prepare ourselves for the resurrection of Jesus at Easter. For many of us, including me, Lent can become a time of focus on self-improvement or dieting (physical preparations) and not necessarily on the spiritual preparations for Easter. Taking better care of ourselves, eating better, getting more sleep, and exercising more are all good things, but I think that God is calling us into something more meaningful and deeper to discipline and prepare our hearts and souls for the coming of Jesus at Easter.
Continue reading “Day 22: Called to Go Deeper “
Smitten With Goodness 