Robin, come closer
Open your wings and reveal
the red underneath
Show off for me
Tilt your head to
ask do I understand--
You get what you attract.
I blink and your gone
Flying over my head,
Squawking as you leave,
Saying goodbye to me.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
Hope
Hope is the feeling of Christmas in Spring.
Shining, promising, on the horizon--a beacon.
What can and will be. Hope in the Lord who works all things for our greater good.
Inspiration.
Growth.
Birds singing.
Green.
Smiles, joy, sunshine, good vibes.
Hope dispels darkness, fear, anger, despair.
Hope cannot be killed
Hope Lives On.
Things are getting better.
God's love is growing. Spread God's love like peanut butter on bread.
No need to react to chaos.
All is in God's order.
God's will be done.
Love and light. Makes us light.
Today is a great day!
The Lord is my shepherd.
More will be revealed.
I turn my will and life over to God and have hope that he will give my life purpose and make it what it is meant to be. I will hope in God's will, not my fantasies or fancies. Just God's will, not mine.
Shining, promising, on the horizon--a beacon.
What can and will be. Hope in the Lord who works all things for our greater good.
Inspiration.
Growth.
Birds singing.
Green.
Smiles, joy, sunshine, good vibes.
Hope dispels darkness, fear, anger, despair.
Hope cannot be killed
Hope Lives On.
Things are getting better.
God's love is growing. Spread God's love like peanut butter on bread.
No need to react to chaos.
All is in God's order.
God's will be done.
Love and light. Makes us light.
Today is a great day!
The Lord is my shepherd.
More will be revealed.
I turn my will and life over to God and have hope that he will give my life purpose and make it what it is meant to be. I will hope in God's will, not my fantasies or fancies. Just God's will, not mine.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
She told me he got 5 O'clock shadow. My dark, handsome father. Video tapes of home movie reels and black and white photographs. These are the bits and pieces I hold onto. They fill my head and try to become my memories.
But once in a while, I flash on a true memory--being held up high in the air, jet back hair, loving blue eyes holding my gaze, watching this tall man walk. These moments are most precious for me for it is then that I feel my dad. He's no longer just a nice, good-looking man but he's a real flesh and blood person who loved, nurtured, and treasured me. He's mine. Even though he was part of my human experience for less than a year, in these memories I suddenly have a dad.
Now I think of my heavenly Father and how I can feel his love for me through the Eucharist, meditation upon the cross, or the love of other people. Those who met Christ in the flesh must've been touched beyond words. No wonder they put him to death--he must've scared the pants off of some of his contemporaries. To worship your heavenly Father and then to glimpse him here on earth--how tantalizing and awesome that must've been. But if you felt unworthy or sinful, you could not accept this. Which is why when Jesus rose from the dead, he greeted his disciples by saying, "Peace be with you" and "Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them..." He was talking about forgiving ourselves as well as others. If we don't forgive ourselves, we can't let go of the hurt we have felt from others. If we hold onto those sins, they are retained. God already forgives us, but we must forgive. Otherwise, we can't accept Christ and the Kingdom.
He had brown hair, a beard and gentle eyes. He performed many great works -- but will those bits and pieces be all we know of Christ? Or will we let ourselves be touched by his forgiveness and love? Will we let ourselves truly experience God's presence TODAY in our lives? All it takes is a little willingness--willingness to be open. He knew us before we were born and we knew Him. We belong to Him and He is ours.
But once in a while, I flash on a true memory--being held up high in the air, jet back hair, loving blue eyes holding my gaze, watching this tall man walk. These moments are most precious for me for it is then that I feel my dad. He's no longer just a nice, good-looking man but he's a real flesh and blood person who loved, nurtured, and treasured me. He's mine. Even though he was part of my human experience for less than a year, in these memories I suddenly have a dad.
Now I think of my heavenly Father and how I can feel his love for me through the Eucharist, meditation upon the cross, or the love of other people. Those who met Christ in the flesh must've been touched beyond words. No wonder they put him to death--he must've scared the pants off of some of his contemporaries. To worship your heavenly Father and then to glimpse him here on earth--how tantalizing and awesome that must've been. But if you felt unworthy or sinful, you could not accept this. Which is why when Jesus rose from the dead, he greeted his disciples by saying, "Peace be with you" and "Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them..." He was talking about forgiving ourselves as well as others. If we don't forgive ourselves, we can't let go of the hurt we have felt from others. If we hold onto those sins, they are retained. God already forgives us, but we must forgive. Otherwise, we can't accept Christ and the Kingdom.
He had brown hair, a beard and gentle eyes. He performed many great works -- but will those bits and pieces be all we know of Christ? Or will we let ourselves be touched by his forgiveness and love? Will we let ourselves truly experience God's presence TODAY in our lives? All it takes is a little willingness--willingness to be open. He knew us before we were born and we knew Him. We belong to Him and He is ours.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Ashamed to be Catholic?
I was on a plan about a month ago, chatting with an elderly couple from my hometown when they mentioned a familiar church. I commented, "I'm Catholic, too."
"It's okay," the woman responded to me in a placating tone.
I was dumbfounded. Later I realized I'd wanted to tell her that I wasn't apologizing for my religion. I was proud to be Catholic.
I notice when others seem to be ashamed of being Catholic or try to make excuses for it. Why?
Here are some reasons to be proud to be Catholic:
We are the religion fonded by St. Peter over 2000 years ago.
We partake in seven sacraments which are not only signs of faith, but intimate contact with God. For example, in the Eucharist, we eat and drink the body and blood of Christ. In Confirmation we receive the Holy Spirit through being anointed with oil. In Penance, we are touched by the priest acting as Christ and hear the words that we are absolved from our sins.
We participate in the divine reality of heaven in the Mass. We are actually joined with the saints and angels in the present moment, giving glory to God and experiencing the divine mystery of being part of the body of Christ.
Catholic churches house the body of Christ in the tabernacle, making these places of worship holier than the ancient temple was to the Jews.
We Catholics have awesome symbols and tools of meditation such as the crucifix and the rosary.
Our rich traditions during Lent and Christmas deepen our faith.
We honor Mary as the Mother of God and she intercedes for us to Christ when we pray to her. She has granted countless miracles.
Catholicism has doctrine and beliefs that are not compromised for the flavor of the day or because it is easier to change.
Why should I be ashamed to be Catholic? I am not.
I am not ashamed that Catholics aren't perfect and that we make mistakes. But as a Catholic, I admit when I am wrong and make amends as the Church itself has done through the centuries.
I am not ashamed that we have made superficial changes because those modifications have not strayed from the Catechism. The Vatican II changes were actually a renewal of the earliest Catholic traditions and have added to the richness of the Mass.
There is so much to learn about our faith and the more I learn, the more I have to learn and the more that all of life makes sense. It's all there in the Catechism and teachings of the Catholic Church--how to live a full, satisfying, joyful and meaningful life. Catholic.org is a good place to find out more.
"It's okay," the woman responded to me in a placating tone.
I was dumbfounded. Later I realized I'd wanted to tell her that I wasn't apologizing for my religion. I was proud to be Catholic.
I notice when others seem to be ashamed of being Catholic or try to make excuses for it. Why?
Here are some reasons to be proud to be Catholic:
We are the religion fonded by St. Peter over 2000 years ago.
We partake in seven sacraments which are not only signs of faith, but intimate contact with God. For example, in the Eucharist, we eat and drink the body and blood of Christ. In Confirmation we receive the Holy Spirit through being anointed with oil. In Penance, we are touched by the priest acting as Christ and hear the words that we are absolved from our sins.
We participate in the divine reality of heaven in the Mass. We are actually joined with the saints and angels in the present moment, giving glory to God and experiencing the divine mystery of being part of the body of Christ.
Catholic churches house the body of Christ in the tabernacle, making these places of worship holier than the ancient temple was to the Jews.
We Catholics have awesome symbols and tools of meditation such as the crucifix and the rosary.
Our rich traditions during Lent and Christmas deepen our faith.
We honor Mary as the Mother of God and she intercedes for us to Christ when we pray to her. She has granted countless miracles.
Catholicism has doctrine and beliefs that are not compromised for the flavor of the day or because it is easier to change.
Why should I be ashamed to be Catholic? I am not.
I am not ashamed that Catholics aren't perfect and that we make mistakes. But as a Catholic, I admit when I am wrong and make amends as the Church itself has done through the centuries.
I am not ashamed that we have made superficial changes because those modifications have not strayed from the Catechism. The Vatican II changes were actually a renewal of the earliest Catholic traditions and have added to the richness of the Mass.
There is so much to learn about our faith and the more I learn, the more I have to learn and the more that all of life makes sense. It's all there in the Catechism and teachings of the Catholic Church--how to live a full, satisfying, joyful and meaningful life. Catholic.org is a good place to find out more.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Happiness
Happiness isn't the absence of worries and strife, but the ability to smile at life.
Happiness is the capacity to perservere in all that happens, knowing God is near.
Happiness is facing fear, sorrow, tragedy and uniting it to Christ's suffering.
It's not about vacations and lack of stress, but about God's will and acceptance.
Happiness is knowing even in the midst of pain and rain that tomorrow the sun will shine again.
Happiness is the capacity to perservere in all that happens, knowing God is near.
Happiness is facing fear, sorrow, tragedy and uniting it to Christ's suffering.
It's not about vacations and lack of stress, but about God's will and acceptance.
Happiness is knowing even in the midst of pain and rain that tomorrow the sun will shine again.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Food Obsession
Food obsession go away,
Counting calories, fat each day.
Tired of restrictions and rationalizations?
Want freedom, health and celebrations?
It's not gluttony to eat what you like;
It can be fun and healthy--as riding a bike.
Exercise is important too,
But don't obsess about what to do.
Stop being a critic of each move you make;
Eat the salad and eat the cake.
Don't look back, only ahead--
Give yourself a break and enjoy your daily bread.
Stop fussing and nagging your kid;
Set a good example and put on the lid
When you've had enough and you know when--
There's no such thing as not stopping then.
Trust yourself to eat what your body craves;
Fruits, vegetables, sugar may come in waves
As your body and emotions heal
More into balance become your meals,
You will naturally eat what you need;
Without question and calculation you will heed
Your body's true desire
Because it's not a liar
Learn to listen to your gut
And get out of the food rut!
Counting calories, fat each day.
Tired of restrictions and rationalizations?
Want freedom, health and celebrations?
It's not gluttony to eat what you like;
It can be fun and healthy--as riding a bike.
Exercise is important too,
But don't obsess about what to do.
Stop being a critic of each move you make;
Eat the salad and eat the cake.
Don't look back, only ahead--
Give yourself a break and enjoy your daily bread.
Stop fussing and nagging your kid;
Set a good example and put on the lid
When you've had enough and you know when--
There's no such thing as not stopping then.
Trust yourself to eat what your body craves;
Fruits, vegetables, sugar may come in waves
As your body and emotions heal
More into balance become your meals,
You will naturally eat what you need;
Without question and calculation you will heed
Your body's true desire
Because it's not a liar
Learn to listen to your gut
And get out of the food rut!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Welcome Spring
March 1st and we are more than ready for Spring in Michigan. A new attitude is what I'm feeling as I feel the sunshine and anticipate warmer, longer days. Crocus will soon appear. Like the changing weather, I too am changing to a lighter spirit, ready to embrace all that is life. I thank God for all he gives me--for it is all my experience--and though I may not recognize its signifigance, it all matters and works to our greater good. Praise God for sunshine, love, laughter and joy on this beautiful day!
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