Psalm 86 opens with a cry from the depths: “Turn your ear, O Lord, and give answer, for I am poor and needy.” It’s the voice of someone who knows their place—not in power, but in dependence. And it’s precisely this posture that opens the floodgates of divine mercy.
Continue reading “The Mercy That Listens”
In a world that worships more, faster, louder, and stronger, it takes courage to stop.
Continue reading “Dethroning False Gods”
In a world that often feels loud, fast, and unforgiving, kindness and generosity are more than virtues—they are radiant echoes of Christ. They soften the edges of our days, interrupt cycles of fear and anger, and remind us that love is never wasted. But how do we cultivate this way of being when the world feels overwhelming? One answer: gratitude.
Continue reading “The Chain of Gratitude”
Today, the Church gathers in solemn love to remember the souls of the faithful departed. All Souls Day is not a day of despair, but of hope—a sacred invitation to intercede for those who have gone before us, trusting in the mercy of God and the fire of His charity.
Continue reading “All Souls Day: A Fire of Mercy and Remembrance”
Five years ago, I launched Smitten with Goodness on All Saints’ Day with trembling hands and a heart full of longing. What began as a personal journey—working out my salvation with fear and trembling and seeking a deeper understanding of my faith—has become something far greater than I ever imagined. A quiet offering has become a place of encounter.
Continue reading “Five Years of Goodness: A Celebration of Grace”
Lately the Lord has been helping me get real with myself. It’s only by knowing myself in a deeper way that I can deepen my relationship with God, and know my true need. It’s the opportunity to grow in humility, thinking of myself less, and allow divine love to stir the generosity in my heart.
Continue reading “Staying in My Holy Lane”
We often pray for God to take away our problems—remove the obstacles, fix the marriage, change the circumstances. But what if the problem isn’t the problem? What if God isn’t changing your situation because He’s trying to change you?
Continue reading “When God Doesn’t Remove the Problem”
During a recent conversation, a friend shared something tender and transformative: that in prayer, God had revealed to her that she is a Daughter of Grace. The phrase lingered in my heart, stirring reflection. What does it mean to live as a Daughter of Grace?
Continue reading “Daughter of Grace: Living Beyond the Ledger”
Today’s Gospel from Luke 18:9–14 pierces through the illusion of self-righteousness and invites us into the quiet truth of humility. Two men enter the temple to pray. One stands tall, listing his spiritual résumé. The other stands back, eyes lowered, heart exposed. Only one leaves justified—and it’s not the one who boasted.
Continue reading “The Better Posture”
Ronald Rolheiser writes, “What God asks is simply that we come home, that we share our lives with him, that we let him help us in those ways in which we are powerless to help ourselves.” It’s a gentle invitation—not to perfection, but to presence.
Continue reading “Coming Home to Grace”
Smitten With Goodness 