What do you do in the presence of fear? My entire life, when fear has been upon me I've called on God. It was instinctual for me. Sometimes it was a full on wail of "help me" and other times it was a quiet, "I trust You're here." Either way, I called out to my Creator.
I have always spoken with God on many things, but fear is a time when I know my only resource is Him. As an adult I pray in trust, I recite Psalm 23 in a meditative prayer that calms me, and I cry out at times for the whole world to hear. When I've been in the hospital, on a plane, or even when I spun out on the highway in a snowstorm I prayed and thanked God for hearing my prayers and keeping me safe.
Sometimes my prayer is singing the Lord's praises with favourite hymns. The songs of my faith are like nothing else when it comes to calming a fearful moment. In an effort to combat nightmares my scary dreams have sometimes turned into full concerts of praise and joy. It wasn't an intentional thing at all, but my soul knew exactly what my psyche needed and I all of a sudden started singing "It Is Well" during an intense moment of dreamland. The moment when it was turning into a terrifying nightmare began to recede and everyone around began to chear. Upon waking I felt so wonderful that even in my most vulnerable place, God was there.
I was inspired to write about responses to fear today, by my little fellow. His response to fear today was to call on the power of Heaven and defeat a difficult situation. He came home empowered and elated at the wonderous thing that happened when God answered his call. Wow! The faith of children is remarkable to me and I recognize that in many ways I still believe with the same force that I did as a little girl. I believed with my entire heart then and I still believe with my entire heart now.
How do you respond to fear? Do you fight, cower, retreat, wait, scream? I admit that I also do those things, but I always pray first. When I pray through my fear it is sometimes a millisecond of a prayer asking for guidance to do the right thing in that moment. My response after, whether it be screaming, running, breathing, fighting, hiding, letting go, or trudging forward, is something I do with the knowledge that I'm trusting God to help me make the best choice in that moment for my safety. I know that He has my back always.
I encourage you to reach out in your moments of fear. You might be surprised by the response! I know it's been awhile since I've quoted the Bible, so here it is just the same:
" For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7
This song is one that inspired my son today. I hope it brings you some encouragement too.
Tuesday, May 07, 2013
Friday, May 03, 2013
Happy to be Alive for Another Year! So Blessed!
Another birthday is here! Hello 32! I am alive and I am happy to be here.
I believe it is enough to be happy simply for being alive. If we were all happy, just based on the pure fact that we took breath today this world would be a much gentler, joyfilled place to be. I believe happiness is a choice and I believe it, because there have been times in this life where I didn't conciously choose happiness. Those depressing moments where trauma or anxiety slipped past my radar and convinced me that I wasn't happy and it was all someone or something elses doing left me in a place where life became grey. I'm here to tell you my friends that living in that place isn't necessary. It is possible to get up and choose happiness. By choosing happiness I needed to change my entire perspective sometimes. I needed to take the thoughts in my head and turn them around. Instead of saying, "ugh" I had to say, "oh!" Instead of being angry, down, and numb, I became angry and used my anger to fight for myself. For me it all started with one tiny action of choosing to relinquish control over my life to my higher power. After that came the simple step of getting up everyday and reminding myself that I am special, because I'm a child of God and that's enough. It's enough, because I am not ruled by what other's believe of me. Then I allowed myself to experience every emotion. I became honest, without hurting others. When anxiety crept in I told myself, "you don't control me and you are not my God. My God is bigger than any anxiety or sadness could ever be." After that the lesson of choosing happiness came across my path and I decided to give it a try. Afterall, happiness is all I ever wanted and if it could be a simple as choice...wow!
Yes, I'm sure that some will say that I'm simplifying it and that those who aren't happy sometimes have other issues that don't allow them to ever be happy. I am not them. I can only speak from my own experience and my experience has shown me that choosing the positive and consciously being happy is the answer for me. My God in Heaven did not intend for me to be in any other state than joyful and I intend to live out His purposes for me with every vibrant spark I have in me.
Being alive and happily so doesn't mean that I never feel despair or unhappiness. I grieve and curse with the best of them. I recognize all my emotions as God given and in that they are beautiful, even if they are upsetting. Feeling everything is part of being alive and going through those pains is part of the experiences we are meant to have on this earth. The difference is that I don't stay in those emotions. I feel them, acknowledge them and when they are passed I continue on with the best state of being. Part of choosing happiness is fully confronting when I'm definitely unhappy and saying, "That's okay. I'll try again tomorrow, but for today I'm here. I'm doing my best and eventhough I feel like a failure today, tomorrow really is another day." Happiness is recognizing and embracing my imperfections. I was wonderfully made with them aswell.
I am happy to be alive to see and experience another year. I am thankful to be reminded of all my blessings. My blessings are simple a roof, food, love, my family, a job that is gratifying and glorifying, friends, and adventure. All of my needs are filled. It's a good life and I'm so glad to be able to see it with clear eyes!
I believe it is enough to be happy simply for being alive. If we were all happy, just based on the pure fact that we took breath today this world would be a much gentler, joyfilled place to be. I believe happiness is a choice and I believe it, because there have been times in this life where I didn't conciously choose happiness. Those depressing moments where trauma or anxiety slipped past my radar and convinced me that I wasn't happy and it was all someone or something elses doing left me in a place where life became grey. I'm here to tell you my friends that living in that place isn't necessary. It is possible to get up and choose happiness. By choosing happiness I needed to change my entire perspective sometimes. I needed to take the thoughts in my head and turn them around. Instead of saying, "ugh" I had to say, "oh!" Instead of being angry, down, and numb, I became angry and used my anger to fight for myself. For me it all started with one tiny action of choosing to relinquish control over my life to my higher power. After that came the simple step of getting up everyday and reminding myself that I am special, because I'm a child of God and that's enough. It's enough, because I am not ruled by what other's believe of me. Then I allowed myself to experience every emotion. I became honest, without hurting others. When anxiety crept in I told myself, "you don't control me and you are not my God. My God is bigger than any anxiety or sadness could ever be." After that the lesson of choosing happiness came across my path and I decided to give it a try. Afterall, happiness is all I ever wanted and if it could be a simple as choice...wow!
Yes, I'm sure that some will say that I'm simplifying it and that those who aren't happy sometimes have other issues that don't allow them to ever be happy. I am not them. I can only speak from my own experience and my experience has shown me that choosing the positive and consciously being happy is the answer for me. My God in Heaven did not intend for me to be in any other state than joyful and I intend to live out His purposes for me with every vibrant spark I have in me.
Being alive and happily so doesn't mean that I never feel despair or unhappiness. I grieve and curse with the best of them. I recognize all my emotions as God given and in that they are beautiful, even if they are upsetting. Feeling everything is part of being alive and going through those pains is part of the experiences we are meant to have on this earth. The difference is that I don't stay in those emotions. I feel them, acknowledge them and when they are passed I continue on with the best state of being. Part of choosing happiness is fully confronting when I'm definitely unhappy and saying, "That's okay. I'll try again tomorrow, but for today I'm here. I'm doing my best and eventhough I feel like a failure today, tomorrow really is another day." Happiness is recognizing and embracing my imperfections. I was wonderfully made with them aswell.
I am happy to be alive to see and experience another year. I am thankful to be reminded of all my blessings. My blessings are simple a roof, food, love, my family, a job that is gratifying and glorifying, friends, and adventure. All of my needs are filled. It's a good life and I'm so glad to be able to see it with clear eyes!
Monday, April 22, 2013
Frugal Tips: Repurposing and Buying Second-Hand
It's Earth Day today and I thought I'd honour it by sharing ideas for reusing or repurposing things, aswell as buying second hand. Everything we buy that is used and everything we reuse is something that doesn't end up in a landfill. So, it's good on the pocket book and on the environment. I call that a pretty good win!
The first and most important thing to remember is to buy used locally. Driving an hour to pick up a free item is pretty useless since the amount of gas you'll use is probably more than what the item is worth new. Unless the item is a big ticket thing like a car, rv, television, just stick within a 15 minute or so drive of your house.
Everyone knows that Garage and Estate sales are a great way to buy used and even score some free stuff near the end of the day. I love a good garage sale. Airdrie has a neighbourhood that does a community wide garage sale. The entire neighbourhood is one big garage sale for an entire Saturday. It's a frugal woman's dream! Last year I scored a large bag full of freshly washed towels and face cloths for $2, two Ikea stools for free, seven matching early 1900's prints for my stairwell also for free, and a few other things that were all kinds of fabulous. Garage sales are the long tested, tried and true way of getting a good deal on new-to-you treasures.
Utilize free clasified sites like Kijiji.ca. There are oodles and tons of free previously loved things advertised there. Often that is something you're actually looking for or can be repurposed into the thing you need. This past fall I found an upright piano in good condition, for FREE, on Kijiji. The family giving the piano away had owned it for over two and a half decades and it wasn't being played. All we had to do was pick it up ourselves, move it ourselves, and move it into our home. A lot of work, yes, but well worth it since our son needed a piano for his lessons and practice. A bit of extra work saves thousands of dollars in this case. We didn't have that kind of money to spend on an instrument! On the money side of things, I found a used puppet theatre in almost new condition and three large, handmade muppet style puppets for Morgan's birthday this month. The puppet theatre retails new for around $100 and I paid $25, while the puppets were $10 for all three and she could have easily sold them for $30-$40 a piece. So, Morgan's present this year was a total of $35, because I bought used instead of new which would've been around $200. Now that's all sorts of frugality right there. As I was writing this post I scored Adam a FREE 5hp air compressor from a lady in the next neighbourhood down from us! I LOVE IT!
Another great way to save money is to join a Facebook group that is a Swap'n'Buy or Community Garage Sale. There are groups like this for almost every community. Facebook also has community Freecycle groups. I use these all the time for my area in Airdrie and neighbouring communities. Just last night I picked up a perfectly good exercise bike for FREE from a fellow swapper. They didn't use it anymore, it still works, so they chose to give it away instead of through it in the dumpster and I chose to use it. I also scored a ton of white and pink gingham fabric for FREE from a lady in the next neighbourhood over. I am now using my free fabric to make aprons and curtains! The Facebook groups also have used things for sale at reasonable prices. You can often haggle down the price if you think it's steep.
Of course, thrist stores are a great option. I love a good thrift store, especially if it's community run and not a big business thrift store. I like Goodwill and The Salvation Army has good prices, but I don't support Sally Ann policies on gay rights, so I try not to spend my money there if I can help it. Airdrie has a wonderful Thrift Store on First Avenue NE, just in from Main Street. They have AMAZING prices and a HUGE selection! Love that one! I am a big nay-sayer to "thrift" stores that charge $8 for a child's shirt. FYI you can buy a new shirt at Walmart for $5, so why wouldn't I do that instead? The answer is I would do that instead and I do.
It's not thrifty to spend the same amount as new on something used. Know your prices before you head out and in the matter of safety, when you're picking something up from a poster selling online, always bring a buddy if you need to go into the person's home. Never go into a strangers home for anything alone. Most people leave the item on the front porch anyway, so it's not an issue. If it ever is or you feel even slightly uncomfortable, turn around and leave. Accidentally hurting an innocent person's feeling is better than ignoring your gutt and putting yourself in a dangerous situation with a very guilty person.
Most importantly have fun! Only buy or pick-up free things that you actually need and will use. If you won't use it pass in on to someone who will. Things like wood pallets are given away on a daily basis. Wood pallets can be used for all sort of DIY projects and repurposed into coffee tables, chairs, sand boxes, patio furniture, and the list goes on and on. Old clothes can be given away or repurposed into play clothes for the kids. Last week I made a Bug Wrangling vest for my son out of my husband's old work shirt. There's all sorts of things you can do. I reuse all my margarine containers for lunches, freazing soups, and storing leftovers in the fridge. Google is your friend. You can enter almost anything and find inventive ways to reuse it for something you actually need.
Drop me a comment and let me know some of your tricks and tips for staying frugal! Looking forward to getting some new ideas myself. :)
The first and most important thing to remember is to buy used locally. Driving an hour to pick up a free item is pretty useless since the amount of gas you'll use is probably more than what the item is worth new. Unless the item is a big ticket thing like a car, rv, television, just stick within a 15 minute or so drive of your house.
Everyone knows that Garage and Estate sales are a great way to buy used and even score some free stuff near the end of the day. I love a good garage sale. Airdrie has a neighbourhood that does a community wide garage sale. The entire neighbourhood is one big garage sale for an entire Saturday. It's a frugal woman's dream! Last year I scored a large bag full of freshly washed towels and face cloths for $2, two Ikea stools for free, seven matching early 1900's prints for my stairwell also for free, and a few other things that were all kinds of fabulous. Garage sales are the long tested, tried and true way of getting a good deal on new-to-you treasures.
Utilize free clasified sites like Kijiji.ca. There are oodles and tons of free previously loved things advertised there. Often that is something you're actually looking for or can be repurposed into the thing you need. This past fall I found an upright piano in good condition, for FREE, on Kijiji. The family giving the piano away had owned it for over two and a half decades and it wasn't being played. All we had to do was pick it up ourselves, move it ourselves, and move it into our home. A lot of work, yes, but well worth it since our son needed a piano for his lessons and practice. A bit of extra work saves thousands of dollars in this case. We didn't have that kind of money to spend on an instrument! On the money side of things, I found a used puppet theatre in almost new condition and three large, handmade muppet style puppets for Morgan's birthday this month. The puppet theatre retails new for around $100 and I paid $25, while the puppets were $10 for all three and she could have easily sold them for $30-$40 a piece. So, Morgan's present this year was a total of $35, because I bought used instead of new which would've been around $200. Now that's all sorts of frugality right there. As I was writing this post I scored Adam a FREE 5hp air compressor from a lady in the next neighbourhood down from us! I LOVE IT!
Another great way to save money is to join a Facebook group that is a Swap'n'Buy or Community Garage Sale. There are groups like this for almost every community. Facebook also has community Freecycle groups. I use these all the time for my area in Airdrie and neighbouring communities. Just last night I picked up a perfectly good exercise bike for FREE from a fellow swapper. They didn't use it anymore, it still works, so they chose to give it away instead of through it in the dumpster and I chose to use it. I also scored a ton of white and pink gingham fabric for FREE from a lady in the next neighbourhood over. I am now using my free fabric to make aprons and curtains! The Facebook groups also have used things for sale at reasonable prices. You can often haggle down the price if you think it's steep.
Of course, thrist stores are a great option. I love a good thrift store, especially if it's community run and not a big business thrift store. I like Goodwill and The Salvation Army has good prices, but I don't support Sally Ann policies on gay rights, so I try not to spend my money there if I can help it. Airdrie has a wonderful Thrift Store on First Avenue NE, just in from Main Street. They have AMAZING prices and a HUGE selection! Love that one! I am a big nay-sayer to "thrift" stores that charge $8 for a child's shirt. FYI you can buy a new shirt at Walmart for $5, so why wouldn't I do that instead? The answer is I would do that instead and I do.
It's not thrifty to spend the same amount as new on something used. Know your prices before you head out and in the matter of safety, when you're picking something up from a poster selling online, always bring a buddy if you need to go into the person's home. Never go into a strangers home for anything alone. Most people leave the item on the front porch anyway, so it's not an issue. If it ever is or you feel even slightly uncomfortable, turn around and leave. Accidentally hurting an innocent person's feeling is better than ignoring your gutt and putting yourself in a dangerous situation with a very guilty person.
Most importantly have fun! Only buy or pick-up free things that you actually need and will use. If you won't use it pass in on to someone who will. Things like wood pallets are given away on a daily basis. Wood pallets can be used for all sort of DIY projects and repurposed into coffee tables, chairs, sand boxes, patio furniture, and the list goes on and on. Old clothes can be given away or repurposed into play clothes for the kids. Last week I made a Bug Wrangling vest for my son out of my husband's old work shirt. There's all sorts of things you can do. I reuse all my margarine containers for lunches, freazing soups, and storing leftovers in the fridge. Google is your friend. You can enter almost anything and find inventive ways to reuse it for something you actually need.
Drop me a comment and let me know some of your tricks and tips for staying frugal! Looking forward to getting some new ideas myself. :)
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Embracing My Frugal Side ~ Homemade Laundry Soap
I was reading Cheap by Choice: When Frugality Means Freedom on the Organic Prepper website this last week and I became inspired. As part of my family's mission to live well I've been mulling over the idea that part of living well is also being conservative with our finances. Being frugal is healthy. After reading some of the experiences on The Organic Prepper I decided to take some of the ideas and put them into practice. I started Friday night by making my very first batch of homemade laundry soap.
I searched the internet for recipes, ideas, and pros/cons to making my own laundry soap. I read and read many websites. I updated my facebook status saying that I was considering it and the response from friends and family was a resounding "DO IT!" So, I bit the bullet and did it.
I decided to use the recipe I found on The Duggar Family website, Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap: Front or Top load Machine, best value. I set out on a quest to track down my ingredients in Airdrie, Alberta. I bought Sunlight bar laundry soap at Walmart for $2, there are two bars in a package and the recipe only calls for one. I also found the Borax at Walmart for $5. Then I went in search of the Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda which I eventually found at London Drugs for between $6-$7. All my ingredients cost about $14, but with so much left over from making my first batch, I'd estimate that I spent less than $3 for the one batch and according to the recipe and our frequency of loads per week, the one batch should last about five months.
Once I got home with all my ingredients I got to work right away and what I thought might be difficult was delightfully easy. Grate up the bar soap in a pot with the water until mixed, pour in 5 gallon pail that is half full with hot tap water, mix in the borax and washing soda, stir, and then fill pail to the top with more hot water. Stir, let is sit over night and presto, laundry soap. Now it is important to note that it does gel quite a bit when left to sit. I needed to stir it very well and then I poured it into an empty laundy soap container (I chose not to add water to that aswell). It'll need a good shake each time and just play around with the amount you use in your wash until you get the right amount for you. We use half of the laundry cap and it does a great job!
The next day Adam and I did a few loads of laundry and they were quite clean. We intentionally did the really filthy stuff like his work pants and my farm/kennel clothes. Everything was spotless and surprisingly so was the washing machine! The washing machine was cleaner than it has been in months. A pair of my dark blue jeans had left a dull grey blue type stain in the drum that after my homemade laundry soap got too it had disappeared.
I highly, highly recommend making your own soap for washing clothes. It's easy, extremely economical, eco-friendly, and cleans better than the store bought stuff. What are you waiting for?
There are tons and tons of videos on YouTube so you can see how it's done if you're nervous. Trust me, you won't regret it!
I searched the internet for recipes, ideas, and pros/cons to making my own laundry soap. I read and read many websites. I updated my facebook status saying that I was considering it and the response from friends and family was a resounding "DO IT!" So, I bit the bullet and did it.
I decided to use the recipe I found on The Duggar Family website, Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap: Front or Top load Machine, best value. I set out on a quest to track down my ingredients in Airdrie, Alberta. I bought Sunlight bar laundry soap at Walmart for $2, there are two bars in a package and the recipe only calls for one. I also found the Borax at Walmart for $5. Then I went in search of the Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda which I eventually found at London Drugs for between $6-$7. All my ingredients cost about $14, but with so much left over from making my first batch, I'd estimate that I spent less than $3 for the one batch and according to the recipe and our frequency of loads per week, the one batch should last about five months.
Once I got home with all my ingredients I got to work right away and what I thought might be difficult was delightfully easy. Grate up the bar soap in a pot with the water until mixed, pour in 5 gallon pail that is half full with hot tap water, mix in the borax and washing soda, stir, and then fill pail to the top with more hot water. Stir, let is sit over night and presto, laundry soap. Now it is important to note that it does gel quite a bit when left to sit. I needed to stir it very well and then I poured it into an empty laundy soap container (I chose not to add water to that aswell). It'll need a good shake each time and just play around with the amount you use in your wash until you get the right amount for you. We use half of the laundry cap and it does a great job!
The next day Adam and I did a few loads of laundry and they were quite clean. We intentionally did the really filthy stuff like his work pants and my farm/kennel clothes. Everything was spotless and surprisingly so was the washing machine! The washing machine was cleaner than it has been in months. A pair of my dark blue jeans had left a dull grey blue type stain in the drum that after my homemade laundry soap got too it had disappeared.
I highly, highly recommend making your own soap for washing clothes. It's easy, extremely economical, eco-friendly, and cleans better than the store bought stuff. What are you waiting for?
There are tons and tons of videos on YouTube so you can see how it's done if you're nervous. Trust me, you won't regret it!
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
Some Great LGBT Documentaries
I've been taking time over the last year to learn more about LGBT history and to listen to coming out stories along with family stories of acceptance and love. I think it's especially important for me to be better informed now that I am a more active volunteer for PFLAG Canada. Although PFLAG Canada is not affiliated with any religious institution, it is crucial to realize that much of the discrimination faced by LGBT families is a direct result of anti-gay interpretations of a religious nature that have carried over.
I just watched Wish Me Away on Netflix, as it's been on my list of documentaries to watch. I knew I'd like it, but I didn't realize how much I'd identify in some ways to Chely Wright's story. I've been privy to the world of country music through my family. I've experienced the conversations had with the more conservative religious community regarding the Bible and sexual orientation. I've experienced the crying and the wanting to be accepted by my fellow Christians in regards to my family. I've also come to the empowering decision to "be out" and proud of my family, never apologetic and fiercly confirming that Love in all forms is NOT sin. I admire Chely's courage and I'm so happy to read and see the freedom that this journey has given her and her growing family.
Along with Wish Me Away, I also attended a screening of Fish Out of Water a couple of weeks ago at Hillhurst United Church. It is a very informative documentary about sexuality and the main verses in the Bible that are used to interpret its apparent "sinfulness". It's the journey of a young woman who is newly out and her journey of reconciling her faith and orientation. Simply, it is a beautiful and informative piece that helps the viewer understand the historical context of the passages in discussion. Once you take the historical context into account it's very easy to understand that the Bible was not talking about consenting adults in-love. I have already recommended it to a few ladies at my doorstep who are of the misinformed belief that same-gender families are against biblical teaching. I firmly believe that Fish Out of Water has a place in bridging the gap between perpetuated dogma and informed belief.
If bringing attention to various stories and documentaries about LGBT families helps even one person know that he or she is loved then I've done my job. I highly recommend you watch both Wish Me Away and Fish Out of Water and I'll keep you posted on the other wonderful films I see in the future. Until then I'll keep researching LGBT history in North America and hopefully I'll start remembering actual dates.
I just watched Wish Me Away on Netflix, as it's been on my list of documentaries to watch. I knew I'd like it, but I didn't realize how much I'd identify in some ways to Chely Wright's story. I've been privy to the world of country music through my family. I've experienced the conversations had with the more conservative religious community regarding the Bible and sexual orientation. I've experienced the crying and the wanting to be accepted by my fellow Christians in regards to my family. I've also come to the empowering decision to "be out" and proud of my family, never apologetic and fiercly confirming that Love in all forms is NOT sin. I admire Chely's courage and I'm so happy to read and see the freedom that this journey has given her and her growing family.
Along with Wish Me Away, I also attended a screening of Fish Out of Water a couple of weeks ago at Hillhurst United Church. It is a very informative documentary about sexuality and the main verses in the Bible that are used to interpret its apparent "sinfulness". It's the journey of a young woman who is newly out and her journey of reconciling her faith and orientation. Simply, it is a beautiful and informative piece that helps the viewer understand the historical context of the passages in discussion. Once you take the historical context into account it's very easy to understand that the Bible was not talking about consenting adults in-love. I have already recommended it to a few ladies at my doorstep who are of the misinformed belief that same-gender families are against biblical teaching. I firmly believe that Fish Out of Water has a place in bridging the gap between perpetuated dogma and informed belief.
If bringing attention to various stories and documentaries about LGBT families helps even one person know that he or she is loved then I've done my job. I highly recommend you watch both Wish Me Away and Fish Out of Water and I'll keep you posted on the other wonderful films I see in the future. Until then I'll keep researching LGBT history in North America and hopefully I'll start remembering actual dates.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Mary's Example
Every year during Holy Week I become overwhelmed by emotion. I prepare for Good Friday and Easter and during that time I feel the presence of Jesus' mother. I don't know if it's because I'm a mother of a son, but I am deeply aware of Mary's pain during those final days and hours of her grown child's life. I am in awe of her strength to be present and stay with him for the duration of his crucifixion. What an amazingly beautiful and profound example of a mother's love that we are given in the love of the Holy Mother for the Son of God, her son.
I can't hear, read, or say the Bible passages that account for Jesus' care for his mother during his last moments and the proceeding verses. I can almost hear her prayers for her son and to know that He loved her with just as much loyalty is remarkable to me.
Whether you're a believer or not, I hope you will take the time to think of the human being, the mother who is Mary, while she watched and experienced the crucifixion with her sweet baby. I know that my son will always be my baby and I believe that every mother feels that way for her children. She knew what he was destined for, but that wouldn't have made it any easier on her mother's heart. I hope I can have the strength and courage that Mary was given to stand with my children through every hardship. I will be truly blessed if I can take her example and make it my own.
The video above is from The Bible series now airing on the History channel. Please check you local listings to confirm or click on the above link.
I can't hear, read, or say the Bible passages that account for Jesus' care for his mother during his last moments and the proceeding verses. I can almost hear her prayers for her son and to know that He loved her with just as much loyalty is remarkable to me.
Whether you're a believer or not, I hope you will take the time to think of the human being, the mother who is Mary, while she watched and experienced the crucifixion with her sweet baby. I know that my son will always be my baby and I believe that every mother feels that way for her children. She knew what he was destined for, but that wouldn't have made it any easier on her mother's heart. I hope I can have the strength and courage that Mary was given to stand with my children through every hardship. I will be truly blessed if I can take her example and make it my own.
The video above is from The Bible series now airing on the History channel. Please check you local listings to confirm or click on the above link.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Pope Francis ~ Now that's a Great Name!
So, today there is a new Pope. He is Pope Francis I. I am very happy by this election. Although I am not currently Catholic, I very strongly considered converting a few years ago and I chose to wait, because my husband wasn't ready at that time. I've been watching this entire process very carefully, because I know that it just might keep the possibility of one day becoming Catholic on the table. I knew nothing about him as Cardinal Bergoglio, but as I watched him live as Pope Francis I saw a happy, humble, and good man. I can only go with my heart on this decision and I feel so filled with hope. I think it's extremely profound and telling of him to chooce Francis as his papal name. We all know that St. Francis of Assisi was of peace, love, and humility. My first impression of Pope Francis is that he holds those same qualities. I see kindness in his eyes.
I've been reading and hearing on the news about how, as Cardinal Bergoglio he road the bus and did not use a private car. He lived in a small apartment and prepared his own meals. He's a man who takes his vows seriously and he is a man that truly listens to God. Pope Francis is also the first Jesuit Priest. I don't pretend to know exactly what that means, but I know it's cool! He even humbly asked for our prayers for him, before he prayed for us. It was a remarkable thing to watch and hear Pope Francis via the television. To me, he seems like a pope of the people. CBC read a portion of a speach that Pope Francis gave last year while he was still a Cardinal. What a refreshing view of the hypocrisy of the church and how they have gotten away from their true mission of evangelism and eating with the poor. It was about how Jesus ate with lepers and such, so should the church. Right on! Now, I don't think that the new pope and I see eye to eye on every single matter that is close to my heart, but I can see past that and see how good he is, even if we might disagree. I don't have to agree with everything to know the goodness in a fellow human being.
I'm really looking forward to seeing and experiencing what happens over the next few years. I think it will be a beautiful thing to witness.
I've been reading and hearing on the news about how, as Cardinal Bergoglio he road the bus and did not use a private car. He lived in a small apartment and prepared his own meals. He's a man who takes his vows seriously and he is a man that truly listens to God. Pope Francis is also the first Jesuit Priest. I don't pretend to know exactly what that means, but I know it's cool! He even humbly asked for our prayers for him, before he prayed for us. It was a remarkable thing to watch and hear Pope Francis via the television. To me, he seems like a pope of the people. CBC read a portion of a speach that Pope Francis gave last year while he was still a Cardinal. What a refreshing view of the hypocrisy of the church and how they have gotten away from their true mission of evangelism and eating with the poor. It was about how Jesus ate with lepers and such, so should the church. Right on! Now, I don't think that the new pope and I see eye to eye on every single matter that is close to my heart, but I can see past that and see how good he is, even if we might disagree. I don't have to agree with everything to know the goodness in a fellow human being.
I'm really looking forward to seeing and experiencing what happens over the next few years. I think it will be a beautiful thing to witness.
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