Themes of Detachment

I listened to a homily on the subject of our call to detachment.  It really resonated with me.  In sincerity.    We are fairly willing to detach if what we are letting go is something we perceive to be bad or poor for us. 

I feel that sometimes this is not the complete act of detachment.  We are not called only  to give up what we dislike for our good.  Sometimes, we have to give up what we love for the better of someone else.  This could mean, instead of $40 worth of take out lunches, you donate that to the church soup kitchen, and you brown bag it to work for a week. Or maybe you give your time to a charity instead of hanging out at home in your arm chair.  Maybe, for the greater good, you let go of control of a situation.  Maybe you say yes, when you want to say no.

I believe there is balance to detachment. We are not to just give up things we dislike but, we must learn to give up what we adore.  This is by far the biggest of my challenges. 

So when I listen to the readings for leaving everything behind and following Jesus, I know what he is calling me to do.  I wish I had the courage to do that.  I wish I could just leave it all behind and follow him as I am called.  But, that would mean I would have to sacrifice everything, that which I detest along with that which I adore.  What a difficult act of devotion this would be.  To truly detach from this world and its experiences and completely rely upon God seems impossible.

Since you made it through my long entry, I will leave you with a great song by Building 429.

Participation is not what I normally do.

I don't normally participate in these things but, I figure I have just about nothing to lose at this point.
I hope I did this properly.  Check out Suscipio.


Thanking God for…
My children, food to eat, and safe place for retreat.

Looking out my window…
 I notice how quietly the wind blows through the leaves.

I am praying…
For Catholic Youth
For People who hate the Catholic Church
For People who are afraid to defend the Catholic Church


I am reading...
My Bible--There is always good advice in it.
The Oath by Frank Peretti 

I am creating…
I am working on my photography business.  So maybe that counts.  It is scary.

I’m learning…
I am learning that everything I do is scary and involves risk.

In the kitchen…
There is pumpkin pie in the kitchen and I caught my middle guy sneaking a piece before dinner.

Around the house…
 There is evidence of children.


I am looking forward to…
Fall and fall activities.  I am hoping to be invited to outdoorsy things during fall.

A favorite quote for today…
Peace be with you.


One of my favorite things…
I love Caldrea Soaps and detergents and candles and whatever they make! The fragrances are always very pleasing to me.


Captured…

Beautiful isn't she?

From my Altar

Here is a little piece o my prayer table.  I light a candle to remind me of my prayers for my family and loved ones.  It also helps me focus on the light of Christ, which permeates the darkness in my life.  A candle is such a wonderful symbol of God's love.  I burns bright, warm and is long lasting.   It doesn't burn hot and fast like desire. It burns slowly and cleanly like devotion.  I love that.

I have lots of people on my prayer list. Today, God answered two of my prayers for people I love--I thank you my God, you amaze me.  Just for the world to know, that when I say I will pray for you, I really do pray for you. 



God's merciful blessings to all my readers.  May you feel his warmth and comfort in your days. Amen.

 

For all my Catholic and non-Catholic friends, please take a moment to read the Pope's letter.

http://en.radiovaticana.va/m_articolo.asp?c=724673

The Birth of a Day

I greet the day alone.

Quiet and serene,

Dawn so fragile, fleeting.

Assumption of Mary-- A family field trip

    

This year I took my kids to mass with me on August 15th for the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.

Can I tell you that it was the most peaceful mass service I have ever been with my children. Don't be confused. My kiddos are great in mass, they do not act up.  But, there was so much peace this time.  The kids participated with enthusiasm and actually paid attention and read along in the missal.  It was just a good experience.

When we left, they actually told me that they enjoyed mass.  They talked about what they learned.  They asked to refill their holy water bottles. They talked about their night prayers. I got hugs. It was such a nice experience. And then, I thought to myself (and I am now sharing with you), "My kids are Catholic. They really are. wow. I hope I can teach them to love being Catholic."  

I wonder what it was like raising someone like Jesus. I feel pressure to raise great kids.  But, I assume Mary felt more pressure than I.  I am imagine her motherhood was much more intense than mine.  But, then again, maybe not.  Her charge from God was Jesus.  My charge from God is my three children...deep thoughts.

Anyhow, I thought it was especially nice that, afterwards we went to the bookstore, they all chose monster themed books.  And they all wanted to talk about scary things and stuff they found spooky.  Ha!  I haven't decided if it is a good or a bad thing.  Maybe they just felt brave after mass.♥

  

 
Do you like my butterfly photos?  I took these on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. Creation is something magnificent.

God talks to me...

I teach the Summer CCE session for 8th graders at my local parish.  And this mission has been rewarding but, also very challenging.  I realize everyday just how much patience I actually have.  I have been asked some very deep and hard questions.  I have even had a few special moments when the youth surprise me with what they know about their faith and what they don't know.  I have had some humbling experiences with these students and I am hoping by the end of the session some empowering moments as well.

This late at night, I am weary.  I feel like this is so much harder than it really should be.  These kids don't want to be talked to.  They want to talk to someone.  And I am never quite sure I am the right one to talk to.  I worry that maybe I have bitten off too much to chew.  I am coming to the end of the session soon. But, I still pray at night that I am a good catechist and that I will put my worries aside and trust that God called me to share his word with these young people.

I want to share the story of how this all came about.  When I registered my children for the summer session, I had absolutely NO intention of teaching.  I planned to have quiet dinners with my husband and catch up on us, while someone else taught my kids of course.  I had planned walks in the neighborhood by ourselves (we haven't ever done this).  I wanted to meet my husband at the local state park for a bike ride or stroll on the banks of the creek.  I wanted time to reconnect with my husband.  This time was going to be me, for "us".

As I get to the registration office, the director very quickly informs me that my son's 3rd grad class is full and that he would have to go to the fall session or home study.  Unless, of course, I taught, then he could open another class. But, he needed a teacher to do it.  I told him I would consider it and sat in line for the fall session for 30 minutes.  Impatiently, I got up returned to the director and volunteered to teach so that all three of my little Catholics could be in Summer CCE together.

So, that was it. I had committed to something that I had not intended to do.  I decided in 30 minutes to give up my nights with my husband to teach because it would get things out of the way and they would all be effectively catechized.  Still, selfishly, thinking of only myself.  I left, drove for about 5 minutes, and realized. My son's 3rd grade class was a mistake.  My son is a 4th grader and that class was one that was still open.

I pulled over turned my car around and headed back to church.  He needed to be in the correct class for the session.  As I waited at the traffic light, the sun peaked out of the clouds turning them pink. The sun made my skin reflect gold and my eyes filled with tears and I knew.  I said out loud,"I know that was you Father. I know I am supposed to work for you and I know why I made that simple mistake.  I know those children need me right now, not later." 

The light turned green and I drove towards church with an incredible sense of support and comfort. I was weightless. I felt as though he was carrying me.  I was even granted a green light at every intersection and prime parking spot too. (winks). 

And that is the inspiration for this entry.  How God works in my life is clearer to me as I get older or as I get better at listening and following him.  God trusts me with these young beautiful souls, and I need to trust his wisdom.  I need to share everything I can with them so that they will feel confident to share their faith too.  But, boy does it wear me out and make me wonder if I have done a good job. 


Peace.