Ephesians 5:20

Ephesians 5:20
always give thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

We always remember to ask God for things when we are in need, but do we always remember to thank Him?  We cannot forget that nothing is accomplished without His help and nothing can be done unless according to His will.

I was listening to Relevant Radio (which has a great app, btw) and there was a guest speaker talking about how we should structure prayers to God.  I don't always pray in a formal manner, usually I am just in a conversation with God, discussing my fears, concerns, and things that I am grateful for, but there are times when I am in a more formal prayer set and I found the information the speaker gave to be really useful.  Here's the gist of what he said:

1.  Ask for His forgiveness before starting your prayer.  "Dear God, please forgive me for my indiscretions and anything I have done that is not in accordance with You and Your desires for me."

2.  Pray for things to be done according to His will.  It is important to remember that whatever you are asking God for can only be done if it is His will for us.

3.  Express to God what it is you are hoping for in your life.

4.  Thank God for the bountiful blessings He has already bestowed unto you.

5.  Praise God.  Acknowledge His greatness and His everlasting love for you.

Like I said before, I don't always format my prayers in this manner but when I heard this, I thought it sounded like a beautiful way to pray to God when petitioning for something specific, important, or grand for myself or someone else.  I hope that everyone is able to be in a sort of constant prayerful conversation with God and it's nice to have several different ways to pray to Him.  That's why we have the rosary, novenas, chaplets, etc.  A rich prayer life is so important, especially as a Catholic, when developing and strengthening your relationship with God.  I hope this helps your prayer life just as it has helped me in my prayer life!

Thanks for reading!

Busy Mommy Blogger

Psalms 62:1

Psalm 62:1
My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation.

Our only way to heaven is through Him.  No one else can help us get there and we choose if we respond to His requests of us or not.  How easily we forget that He sent His only son for us, so that we could live with Him for eternity.  There are so many distractions around us it is easy to forget why we are here.  We are here to continue His message of love and charity.  Pope Francis is such an amazing light for us Catholics, he is wonderful about reminding us of the mission God has given us.

It is not our place to judge others.  It is not our concern to conform to societies "norms".  God is our guide and Jesus is our savior.  God wants all of us to join Him in heaven and we are all worthy of the reward He has waiting for us.  If we live our lives according to His words, we will be rewarded greatly.  I was listening to a priest speak and he was talking about the noise in our lives, how it comes at us from all directions.  He said, "What's the first thing you do when you get in the car?  Turn the radio on?  No.  You don't.  Because it's already on."

There is always something "on".  Let's unplug.  Not all day, all week, all year.  Just for a minute, ten minutes, an hour a day.  Let's quiet our environment long enough to allow God's voice to be heard.  And instead of just being noise for others, let's bring God's gift of love and charity into the lives of those who are willing to listen.  Let's not pass judgment.  Let's not make assumptions.  Let's not ignore the humanity in those around us.  Let's pass on the love that Jesus passed on to us.

Thanks for reading!

Busy Mommy Blogger

1 Corinthians 15:57

1 Corinthians 15:57
but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

When we achieve something in our lives, it is so important to give thanks and recognition to God.  A lot of times, when something bad happens, we are quick to blame God and when something good happens, we are quick to take the credit.  There is no doubt that it is our hard work and dedication that leads us to achieve but it is He who gave us those gifts, that drive, and the will to succeed.  We are constantly at His mercy and I think when we surrender to Him with all our hearts, that He will lead us to victory.  If you call to Him when you are down, rejoice to Him when you are on top.

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Busy Mommy Blogger

Isaiah 55:8, 9

Isaiah 55:8, 9
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the Lord.  "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.

God knows best.  Need I say anything more? 

We like to think that we know best.  But the truth is that we need to look to God for guidance because His way is always the best way, even if it's not the easiest, fastest, or most enjoyable way.  I wanted children so badly.  I wanted to have three kids, boom, boom, boom, and then go back to work and move my way up the corporate ladder.  But God had another plan for me and in order for me to realize His plan, I had to weather some terrible storms.  Without those struggles, I would no doubt be a working mom (nothing wrong with that, just not right for me!) and my marriage would be a very different marriage, more disconnected.  Even though the path to motherhood was not the one I would have chosen, I realize now that His timing was way better than the timeline I had in mind.  Also, because of those struggles my marriage became a hundred times stronger.  Thank you God for leading us even when we don't want to be lead!

Thanks for reading!

Busy Mommy Blogger

Mark 8:36

Mark 8:36
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?

I often think about this when my husband and I talk about career choices for him.  He of course needs to make enough money to support our family and we both hope to expand our family but sometimes making a significant amount of money comes at a price.  I have always said that it wouldn't matter how much money he made, if he wasn't around during the week to enjoy or spend time with our children.  No amount of money can buy back missed memories.

My husband's friend once said about his girlfriend, "I don't know why she's mad at me.  I'm gone all week and I make plenty of money for her to stay at home and buy whatever she wants."  He totally missed the point.  Yes, women want to be taken care of financially, but more than that, we want to be taken care of emotionally and if your husband/boyfriend is never around, it's not possible to do that.  Women need to see, hear, feel their partner.  Money might make a lot of things easier or provide more opportunities, but it does not bring happiness or love.

In today's world it feels like we value things more than relationships.  It's all about how much you have, how big your tv is, how new your car is, where you last went on vacation, etc.  Do people ever brag about what they did to feed their soul that day?  No, and we wouldn't because we would do so humbly, but it sure would be nice to hear people worrying more about how they are going to get to heaven than how they are going to get to Hawaii.

Thanks for reading!

Busy Mommy Blogger

James 3:13

James 3:13
Who among you is wise and understanding?  Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.

There are so many people around me that I consider "wise".  Of course, my grandparents, I often look to them for advice or just to hear stories of what they did when they were younger.  They had a large family too so even though it was very different having a big family back then, I like to hear how they managed back in the day.  They have lived so much life, it would be impossible to not consider them wise.  I look to my parents as well, for advice on difficult life decisions and respect their opinions.  I may not agree with them but they too have experienced so much more than me, I would be a fool not to take into account what advice they have to offer.

I look for guidance from a woman who used to work at my children's school.  She is older, has 8 children, 16 grandchildren and more on the way, and is so well versed in the faith, she is an amazing resource.  I also look to my SIL.  She also has 8 children and is about 10 years ahead of me in life so I look to her because she has dealt with many of the difficulties that I face.  I am interested in the wisdom that comes from my aunts and uncles, neighbors, and friends.  I think that everyone offers a new point of view that could be useful.

I look to the Faith to develop my own sense of wisdom.  I want to be the one my children receive their advice from when they are old enough to ask for it.  I want to become wiser after having life experiences.  I want to learn from my choices and follow my faith to become the kind of wise person that God calls me to be.  Please God, help me to become wiser with each day and share my wisdom with others who wish to hear it. 

Thanks for reading!

Busy Mommy Blogger

1 Chronicles 16:34

1 Chronicles 16:34
O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His loving kindness is everlasting.

Today was an amazing day, an easy day to give thanks to God for.  Not all days are like today.  Some days really suck.  Some weeks really suck.  It is so important to remember that even when times are bad, there are reasons to give thanks to God.  He loves us during the good times and the bad, when we make bad decisions and good ones, when we are following His path and when we are straying.  Today I give thanks because it was such an amazing, wonderful day.  Even if tomorrow is not as good, I will still give thanks, even if it is just to thank Him for His everlasting love.

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Busy Mommy Blogger

2 Samuel 7:22

2 Samuel 7:22
For this reason You are great, O Lord God; for there is none like You, and there is no God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

There is no greater example of the power of God than in the gift of a child.  I have had the privilege of seeing a baby in the womb at six weeks, that's only four weeks after conception.  In just four short weeks, a sperm and an egg have changed from two separate entities into one living, changing, growing child.  I hate the word fetus, it takes the warmth out of what is truly being discussed; a child.  At six weeks, this child looks like an egg with a yolk that has a tiny beating heart the size of a grain of rice.  Well, I should clarify, on the ultrasound, the heart is the size of a grain of rice but the baby is actually only the size of a poppy seed.  How can anyone not see the miracle in the creation of life?!

In just nine short months, it goes by much faster than one would expect, that tiny poppy seed grows into a fully formed, 8+ pound beautiful baby.  When I think of all the dangers that that tiny baby faced and persevered through just to make it into this world, my mind is truly blown.  I don't know how anyone can question the presence or power of our great God in our lives.  I have seen the beauty of a healthy baby after birth and experienced the great sadness that comes with losing a baby in the womb.  Both bring tears.  Both bring struggles.  Both are experiences that we share with those around us and remind of us our own humanity. 

He is truly great.  There is no one greater.  There is no one with the power and love that He possesses.  Look to Him for your guidance.  Look to Him for approval.  Look to Him.

Thanks for reading!

Busy Mommy Blogger

Matthew 19:26

Matthew 19:26
And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Life can seem so daunting at times.  It's easy to understand what the goal is but we do need to understand that He is the one who helps us realize our goals.  When my husband lost his job a couple of weeks ago, I felt hopeless.  How are we going to survive as a family?  How are we going to pay our bills?  How are we going to pay for the kids' tuition?  How is my husband going to find another job that will support our entire family and allow us to have more children?

It all felt very impossible to achieve.  But now, even though my husband hasn't found a job yet, it doesn't feel impossible because we are praying and listening and allowing Him to guide us.  We have faith.  All we have is faith because faith is all we need.  My husband is busting his butt to find the next opportunity for employment and he is optimistic.  He is open to where God leads him and he has faith.  We have always acknowledged that it is only by the grace of God that we are able to provide for our family.  It is only by the grace of God that our family will grow.  And it is only by the grace of God that we will continue to persevere through dark times.

How blessed we are to live in a world of endless possibility!  With Him all things are possible.  Without Him, even the smallest of tasks is impossible.  Thank you God for the wonderful gifts that you bestow unto your people.  Help us to always give You the glory and allow You to help us through our most difficult times.

Thanks for reading!

Busy Mommy Blogger

Titus 2:11

Titus 2:11
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men.

I have to apologize for my lack of blogging!  My husband recently lost his job and we were devastated, but out of the devastation, we are seeing the light.  I have not been reflecting any less on the scripture, I have had to cling to my faith even more in these last couple of weeks, but I have had less access to the computer.  My husband is working around the clock now to find his next place of employment and that means less opportunity for me to write a daily blog.  So please forgive my lapse and I would love if others were able to post their own reflections on the faith in my community Calling all Catholics!

Ok, moving on to the scripture now. 

When I had my miscarriages 7 years ago, I didn't understand that God was working in my life to bring me closer to Him.  I thought it was quite the opposite.  Why would a god have bad things happen to me if he wanted me to believe?  But now I understand that God is always preparing us for the journey.  He speaks to us and continues to speak to us until we slow down and quiet down long enough to hear him.  It is allowing His grace into our lives that leads us to eternal salvation.  It is hard to look back and say that I would be the same person had I not lost three precious babies, but the truth is, I wouldn't be.  I value life now more than I ever could have before.  I understand how fleeting life can be and it made me realize that I was missing my vocation in life.

I love where I am now.  I would never wish to go back to my previous job and I feel like I was put here to do exactly what I am doing right now.  My path may change in the future and I am open to that because my past has taught me to be open to His plan.  My husband has worked and dedicated himself to providing for our family.  He has always looked and been open to the next and/or best opportunity.  He is not scared to make a change and is open to what God has planned for him.

My husband woke up everyday and was truly unhappy going to his office.  He loved his job but was brought down by the energy of the people around him.  My husband is a person who thrives on relationships and to not have positive ones at work was truly disheartening for him.  He kept feeling like he needed to make a change but was worried about finding the right job and being distracted by looking for the next job rather than making his current one work.  Well, God whispered many times to him but he wasn't listening and now, jobless, my husband is happier.  Oddly, he feels that he is exactly where he is supposed to be and he is free to look for the next opportunity without feeling guilty about it.

I can see God's work in our lives and in the lives around us.  I just don't understand why more people aren't open to His grace in their lives.  We all have the same goal, to get to heaven, and God wants us to get to heaven.  He wants to spend eternity with us and he will continue to try and reach us in any way He can.  I implore you, my brothers and sisters, to hear God's voice.  Close your eyes, lay back, and just be silent.  Can you hear Him?  Can you feel His presence wash over you?  Now ask of Him what it is you feel you are in need of or thank Him for the blessings you have already received.  Allow Him to lift you out of your burdens.  Allow Him to help you bask in your joy.  He is working in our lives, all day, everyday.

After my husband lost his job I asked an older friend of mine to come over.  She told me that when she went through the same experience she curled up on the couch and prayed for Mary to wrap her cloak around her and protect her.  Upon hearing this I began to cry.  I had not told anyone, not even my husband, but I had asked Mary to do the same for me.  I literally sat bawling on my couch and asked Mary to please wrap me up like she would have done for her son Jesus when He was a little boy, and to protect me.  I told this to my friend and she smiled ever so slightly and said, "See, we are all connected."  Wow.  I will never forget that experience.  So even as painful and scary as the last couple weeks have been, it has only renewed my faith and strengthened my belief in being open to His grace.  I pray that you will be open to His grace in your life as well.

Thanks for reading!

Busy Mommy Blogger