God is Always there

 

 Let Nothing Disturb Thee- St. Teresa de Jesus

Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things pass away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
He who has God
Finds he lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.

 This is by far my most favorite quote. Each  of these lines bring about such a powerful message of hope and of perseverance.  I feel as if this embodies all that we need to keep up the good fight.  In these past few years of not writing, i have become so consumed in what i felt i needed to do that slowly but surely i let go of the things that once brought me much peace and solace-writing. I am attempting to complete my masters degree so that i can fully give of myself to the what i consider the will of God for me. The road has been long and at times has tested me. Yet still with that said, God has not once left my side. As always he has shone his rays of love and mercy through the clouds of doubt and anxiety that i placed before Him.  No matter how distanced i have found myself from the life of devotion i led before, i still come to our Father-running.  The prodigal son if you will. The thought of how heaven rejoices at the fact that one sinner has changed their ways and have sought out forgiveness from our Lord is something that has brought me much joy and peace. God has seen me in the distance coming back home and when my head has hung down low, he has lifted it back up saying "welcome back my daughter, I love you". 

I need nothing more than the love my Father, my creator, my EVERYTHING.  In this life, we hold on to nothing, we have nothing, we are nothing. Yet, even being the specks of dirt that we are in this universe God has created,  He loves us more than we could ever imagine. My God, how i have missed you. How foolish I have been to have fallen into such worldly traps that lie before me as to distance my soul from your everlasting light and love. How many times will you let me do this? i fear the answer and know that in my heart and in my soul I know better. I have been given much and much will be asked of me to give. This is why i love this quote because it grounds me, it makes me come back to the reason I am to love God with all my heart and all my soul. I need nothing more than God, nothing more than His love and forgiveness for thing things i have done to offend him. My soul has thirsted for you Father and nothing but your amazing Grace will bring me back to you. I am not afraid of anything father but that of losing your love and of casting my soul away from your Light. You alone are all that I need. I pray that when it be time for me to present myself before thee, that when you ask me "what have you done with what i have given you?" that i may be able to please you Father and that I may live in the presence of you everlasting Love giving you thanks and praise for it ALL.

In Christ,

Maria  

Quote of the Day

I ran across one of my favorite quotes today and I figured I'd post it to share. I think everything, and I mean everything flourishes and grows in LOVE. How could it not be so? God is Love and He created everything. Even when Jesus was asked which commandment was the most important he named the two involving love. Love God with all your heart and soul and love your neighbor. All other commandments would be easily adhered to if you followed those two commandments. I was thinking about this earlier today while I was cheering up a stranger who seemed to be having a bad morning of sorts. It's amazing how with just a simple and genuine "Hello, how are you?" how you can truly bring a smile to one's face. Imagine the honor we have been given in being able to bring Christ's love to everyone we meet even to those who are angry, bitter or depressed. It is OUR actions, thoughts and words that in the end will be judged by our Father. We will have to account for everything we do, and everything we do must be done with great love and patience. There can be no room for love in your heart if anger exists within it.

St. Therese de Lisieux said in her autobiography The Story of A Soul that it is those acts (prayers) that we do in secret in front of our Father for those we really do not want to address or talk to that count so much for our Father and brings Him such pleasure. It's talking to that person whom you would much rather pass by. In those small sacrifices we make to bring God's light, love and compassion to others that we glorify Him and show Him our Love for Him. There is NO other way to show God our Love if it is not by loving our neighbor. (St. Catherine of Siena-The Dialogue) Especially those who attack us, or try to make others feel badly. Remember always, that those who are bitter or angry need our prayers and love the most! I pray during this Lenten season we can all pray for those who suffer, who have shut out God's love, and who so desperately need to feel and receive God's love. We are those vessels that can bring that joy and light to those who God is trying to reach. And with that said....the quote...oh how I digress!! :)

"You must place love, where there is no love to OBTAIN love"
-St. Jose Maria Escriva


Pax
Maria :)

Where there is a Will, There is A Way

One of the things that brings an instant smile to my face is when I see a large Catholic family enter church to attend Mass. A few months ago, one of our larger Catholic families sat right in front of my pew at church. The entire family filled the entire pew as the smallest to oldest child filed in and made themselves quite comfortable. They were followed of course, by the parents. As I observed the children interact with eachother, I noticed the the smallest child who was sitting the very end and also the farthest away from the parents became quite anxious. It was when I paid closer attention to her that I noticed that she was trying to get up and make it over to her father. Her sister sitting right next to her would hold her back and tell her to sit down yet this little girl kept saying to her sister "I want to go sit w/dad". She was oh so relentless in her efforts to push through her sister then make it past the other four sets of knees blocking her way to get to her father. She finally made it her mother and her mother picked her up and sat her on her father's lap. As she sat on her father's lap she grinned and had a face of relief and of joy that can come only in knowing one has defeated all odds and has won the "prize". She was oh so content.

As i prepare myself for this Lenten season, I think of that little girl and how absolutely dedicated she was to getting to her father. Nothing would hold her back from getting her fathers love and attention. I can only pray to have such an innocent resolve to "make it" to Him in complete humility. And just as the little girl's mother lifted her daughter up to sit on her fathers lap, I pray our our Blessed Virgin Mary lift me up to our Father and that I may truly feel the love and mercy that was poured forth for us and be forever thankful for such an unfathomable act of Love given to us.

Lent is truly the time to meditate on our Lord and Savior's Passion. I think of Jesus sweating blood in knowing He would die for us, for our sins, yet He knew we would continually sin against our Father's will for us. What agony, one can never imagine the intense and acute pain Jesus must have felt in knowing this. I pray we all submerge ourselves in God's love and mercy and that we do all we can to get to Him. I pray nothing get in our way and that once there, after climbing to the summit, to Calvary, that we too feel God's love for us and what He did for us and we give Him glory and praise for giving us the ONLY true and real act of LOVE ever given to any one of us. To God be the glory, the power and the honor always and forever.

Pax
Maria

"Atheism"

I love photographs where you only have to look at it and it says it ALL. Photographs in which few words need to be said to describe the image. I got lost in a blog trance of sorts as I was navigating in the "blogger black hole" as I like to think of it. It's when you go from one blog to the next getting lost in everyone's writings and thoughts. It can be quite the time consumer...but I ran across this picture and it impacted me. What a most resounding message this picture sends. Amazing. In not believing in God, we do indeed cut ourselves off of the tree of life, our branches cast away and thrown into the a pit of darkness where God does not exist. How horrible a death to endure, to not see God's love. What an unbearable thought to think these souls have chosen to not believe...oh do not harden your hearts! We must pray for them, their conversion, and that they open their hearts to receive God's love. This picture just says so much...to me at least.

"He who desires anything but God deceives himself, and he who loves anything but God errs miserably."---St. Philip Neri

pax
Maria :)

Cabin Fever

This winter has been incredibly long and cold. Between studying and working I have had no time to really sit down to write down thoughts. And thoughts I have had plenty! There is something about being cooped up due to the weather and feeling as Spring will never get here that really plays games with one's mind. But Alas! Winter is necessary as it prepares us for the beauty to come. I've experienced a winter within my soul that has left me wanting the Lord to revive me so very desperately. Some call it the dark night of the soul, or aridity. It is when you perceive the loss of God's presence that all becomes eerily still. The feelings of despair and anxiousness begin to invade the mind and you wonder, am I alone? These are the moments that although I know I may feel alone it is when God is the closest to me. I can feel Him wanting me to hold on to Him tightly while I go through these moments of anguish in determining my next move or thought. SoI hold on very tightly. I wrap my arms around Him and hold on for the storm to pass. And it always does. As our beloved and great St. Teresa de Avila (Jesus)says "This too shall pass, God Alone Suffices." How very true. How I absolutely love our beautiful faith, the Catholic faith. Giving us such incredibly humble saints to emulate.

God gives me strength and courage to endure every cross He may feel I need to carry for ANY reason He feels necessary. It is up to us to carry and love and embrace our crosses with great Love and the crosses we are given to bear are given to us with Great Love. This winter has been a lesson of sorts for me. I realized that when I saw fall approaching that I was to brace myself for the harsh and cold winter that was to come. In my soul the same occurred. I can usually sense when I am being prepared to be left to my own devices to put into practice the virtues that I am so desperately trying to attain and perfect. I am tested time and time again and I welcome it. I know that winter will have to come to an end both in season and metaphorically speaking. God knows what He is doing, I do NOT. I am at His mercy with every single breath that I take. I have nothing to call my own, and I want nothing other than what God wills for me.

Oh the ridiculous attachments that we set before us. The distractions we entertain as futile attempts to escape His will for us! There is nothing this world can offer me that I would want more than the desire to be with Him. I sometimes wonder why I am not a nun. I can completely understand why a soul would want to find solace in God and in contemplation for the rest of their days. Silly attachments to creatures, to things, to this world...when will I ever learn?

But even so, even with the harsh winter and the chilling breeze that encircles my soul like a vulture waiting for the death, it will not defeat my will to surrender my heart to God. The love I have in my heart remains in tact. No one can take that from me. Nothing can dim that light in my heart for God continually fuels that fire for me, keeping warm the love and faith that I so treasure, a warmth like embers within.....tell me, what creature or thing could even come close to bringing this joy in suffering? NONE. God alone sustains my soul. I am forever yours Lord. All Glory and honor is yours Almighty Father. Forever and Ever.


Pax
Maria :)

Taking A Walk

On my commute to work this morning, I was drving along a pretty busy street and as I hit the stoplight, I noticed a small child and his father walking along the grass near the road. As I looked in the rearview mirror, I noticed the way they were walking side by side and the child was going on and on about something that seemed oh so important to him as he related it to his father. His father was listening attentively to this child. I also noticed how the father although listening and paying attention to his son, was also looking back every so often as he kept his eye on the traffic and ensuring their safety as they continued walking along the grass by the road.

I started to think of how protective, caring and aware this father was with his son. His son, I am sure was oblivious to the dangers of walking on the side of such a busy street as his dad was there right by him and he TRUSTED his father to protect him from any harm. The last thing from his mind was being hit by a car, he as more intent on talking to his father. What innocent trust he placed in his father, as they walked side by side. It was really so endearing.


As the light turned green, and I continued to drive, I immediately thought of God and how we need to keep close to him as we walk the "side roads" of life. This life is inundated with dangers that can come out of anywhere at anytime. But if we stay close to our Father we will be out of harms way. I also thought about how our conversation with our Lord and Father should be continuous as we walk along that we must keep those modes of communication open at all times.

I once read in St. Faustina's Diary of the Divne Mercy, that one time Jesus asked her how her day was, she answered "You know how my day went Jesus, you know everything!!" and Jesus replied "Yes, I do, but I want to hear YOU tell me about your day". In other words, Jesus wants to hear from us, he wants us to talk to Him as he keeps us company and is side by side with us as we are walking our path. We need to keep the lines of communication open with our father and acknoweldge his existence, His love, His amazing mercy.

Yes, we know there is a God, we know what he did for us out of love, we know we can count on Him for everything...but have you talked to Him with your whole heart? Have you told him your thoughts about your day, your fears, your anxieties, your excitement, your dreams, your hopes? Even though He already knows, it's important we build that relationship with Him, and give Him thanks every minute you you get the chance. He wants to hear from us, He waits for us in Adoration, He lives in us through the Eucharist, He is right there, so close to us, right side by side with us....do you keep Him company as He keeps you company? He pours out his Love to you, what do you give back?

Amazing Love, Amazing grace, Amazing sacrifice, for us. All for us....do you walk in silence by our Lord? Or do you tell Him how much you love him every waking minute of your own life? Talk to Him, it's the LEAST you can do.



May God's peace, love, mercy and amazing grace be bestowed on all of us and may we know how to be grateful for such an amazing gift.

Pax
Maria :)

Unanswered Prayers

It is very typical to hear people ask "Why doesn't God answer my prayers?". When ever I hear someone say that I always reflect on a thought. God does answer all prayers. He knows our hearts and knows what is best for us. He answers us in His own timing and in His own way. It is important to know that we don't get what we want in this life, we get what we need. If you offer up your will to God then you also get what you want. You get what you want because it's in line with what God wills for you. The salvation of your sou is the important thing here.

Imagine this:

You are in the kitchen with a most innocent and adorable child who has asked you to make them a sandwich. He asks for a specific kind of sandwich and you know that the child deserves a better kind so you tell him to sit down and you turn to start making this sandwich. You put all the fixing into it, make it to his liking, with ingredients that are healthy and wholesome and good and not to mention delicious. Now you have prepared this sandwich on a most beautiful plate with some chips, I mean it's all decked and you KNOW this child is going absolutely love this lunch because it is no longer just a sandwich you've gone all out. You turn to give it to this most precious child and as you turn.....

this child is holding an enormous butcher knife in his hands. He has gotten a hold of this knife and is holding it really close to himself. What do you do? do you tell the child to go ahead and eat this lunch you have prepared as he holds this knife that could harm him or others and let him eat while you go about your business?

OR

Do you put the plate down and run to him to remove this knife that can harm him and others?

I think any parent, any person would do everything in their power to take the knife away make sure the child is safe, and then sit him down to eat his delicious meal. Wouldn't you agree?

That is how our Lord and Father is with us. We ask for something and God does us one better and it may or may not coincide with what you asked for because God is preparing you the best answer you could ever imagine! But what happens is that the state of our souls are in peril and in danger from our sins. God is going to save us first from damnation before He gives us those things we are requesting. He is going to run to us so that we may repent, and remove ourselves from danger and sin. He cares FIRST about our salvation and nothing else. He wants us to enjoy things as well but he must first remove the "knives" we hold up to our souls and to other souls. We belong to God and are meant to be with Him for all eternity!!

When I don't receive something that I pray for, and rarely do I ask for much because I know God will give me what He wills. But when I do and I don't get my request I know it's because I am not ready to receive what I am asking for or God has something way better for me in store. Our duty, is to wait patiently and be grateful to the fact that we have a most merciful and loving Father who does everything for the salvation of our souls. He gave us the most precious gift we could ever need and that was His Son, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What more could I possibly ask for?

I need patience, perseverance, faith, courage, hope and above all LOVE in my soul and those things are things I KNOW God will provide and those are the things we need to ask for. In the end it will be you and Him. I pray that we all ask for the things that matter the most and that we look deep within to see if we too are holding a knife and are in danger. And even most important are we allowing our Father to remove these dangers by following His will.

Pax
Maria