Decisons, Decisions

I have decided to stop posting on this blog. At least for now. It is one of the things that I am letting go of this Lent. It is difficult to keep focused on 3 blogs, not to mention my newsletter, etc. I will continue to write reflections but they will be on my main blog, Thoughts on Grace.

I do not think I will delete this blog right now. I may decide to use it for special projects ahead. Like the Lenten Journal I am doing right now.

God bless you all and come visit me at Lenten Journal and Thoughts on Grace!

Lenten Daybook #2

I am thinking ... I am following my Lenten plan pretty well. I hope I continue. Fasting from complaining is a real eye-opener for me. In order to keep from complaining, I have to pray every time I want to complain and I have to find the good in what is irritating me. This just changes my whole attitude! Of course, I am not perfect at this  - not by a long shot. But I did not expect to be perfect. I just hope to give love and praise and more time to Jesus and not make everything be about me! 

I am feeling ... Still Joyful! I am enjoying my prayer time and going to Mass. I have gone to daily Mass 2 times so far this week. I am really enjoying my Lenten Journal.

Scripture in my heart ... John 6:44: "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him..." This phrase has been with me since the first week of Lent and I pray it every day. I do not know why. I just go with it.

Draw me closer, Jesus. Help me to complain less and love more.

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Mountaintop Experiences

Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good that we are here;

let us make three tents ... (Luke 28:13)

I love this statement. I think of the times I have had a mountain-top experience and I wanted to hold onto it so it would last forever. It is as if I thought I would lose it. Or lose God. But those kinds of experiences are consolations, gifts, warm-fuzzies. Those experiences are not God Himself.

Peter had the company of God with him in a very unique way for 3 years. But he didn't know that. He didn't seem to understand that he was looking at the face of God everyday.

How many times have I looked right past God because I was too interested in the "experience" of God?

Lord, it is good to be here with you. Help me to remember you are with me all the time, in both the mountains and the valleys of my life. Amen.

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Lenten Daybook

I am writing fewer reflections during this Lent because of keeping my Lenten Journal. Hope you can make it over there to check it out.

I will try to write reflections on Sundays and also a weekly Lenten Daybook to help me keep focused this Lent.

I am thinking ... I made it to Mass this morning. What a joy! The grace of Eucharist. I worked all day this Monday and never got grouchy! I would love to go everyday but it makes me late to work. I want to try to figure something out though when Lent is over.

Fasting from complaining has been interesting. When I do complain, I recognize it right away. I have found ways to accept things and I think twice without speaking. Most of the time. Not ALL of the time. And I do need to remember it is only the First Week of Lent. 

I am feeling ... Joyful! I am enjoying Lent. I am sensing God is close. And I feel excited. Not sure why. Yet.

Scripture in my heart ... Psalm 1:3: "They are like a tree planted near streams of water, that yields its fruit in season; Its leaves never wither; whatever they do prospers." This phrase keeps repeating itself over and over in my head. I wonder if I am a well-watered tree. I do not know. I wait.

Lord, Help me to be more positive and not complain. Help me to not judge others. I know you are the well from which I drink. I no longer thirst for you give me living water. Amen.

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Into the Desert

Filled with the holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days ... (Luke 4:1-2)

Here I am again. I reflected about desert time last week. It seems like I am entering into my own desert. The desert time of Lent.

But I keep going back to Saturday's first reading from Isaiah - "Then the LORD will guide you always and give you plenty even on the parched land. He will renew your strength, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring whose water never fails (Is 58:11)."

I love that - you shall be like a watered garden.

Then I need not fear the desert.

Thank you, Jesus.
Thank you for the desert.
Thank you for the season of Lent.
Thank you for filling me with your Spirit.

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Desert Time

"...in the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit." (Jeremiah 17:8)

This verse reminds me of desert time. Those times in my life when I experience the desert in my prayer life. When everything seems so dry and I wonder if God is even there.

But of course, God is always with me. I need not be afraid. All I can do is pray every day and surrender all to God. And trust that what I do will bear fruit. Ultimately, the fruit is up to God anyway.

Lord, help me to trust in you more. Help me to know that you are always with me and I need not worry. You have everything under control.

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Where God Is

We cannot go where God is not. And where God is, all is well. - Anonymous

A simple statement. Yet beautiful and true.

No matter where we are, God is with us, and all is well.

Sometimes it doesn't feel like it is well. Sometimes life is painful. Sometimes, it is dark.

But always, always, God is with us.

Everywhere.

Help me, Lord, to hold onto you. Help me to remember you are always with me, so when difficulties happen, I won't question it.