The swirl of thoughts left me weary. What should my focus be? What should my days look like? What is my purpose? The lack of answers, or my fear of failure, left me paralyzed. My present brokenness was all I seemed to know, and despite the pain, it was surprisingly comfortable. And yet, the small flicker of hope deep within my heart convinced me there is a better way. “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall…
Ever since I was a little girl, Valentine’s Day has been a special holiday to me. During my childhood, I remember making mailboxes in school to collect all of the red and pink heart-shaped cards from my classmates. As I grew into my tween and teen years, my family emphasized the importance of celebrating friendship and appreciating loved ones. Valentine’s Day, therefore, wasn’t just about romance. As a result, I never resented Valentine’s Day if I didn’t have a “sweetheart”…
Today, I am joining the monthly CWBN Blog Hop. I have been part of plenty of link-ups, but this is my first blog hop! So, here goes … I clearly remember the conversation that got me into blogging. It was 2008, and I discovered that my friend Anna wrote a blog. At the time, I didn’t even know what a blog was! As my friend described blogging, I thought, “I would love to do that.” You see, as a communications major and life-long…
My emotions surrounding the New Year swing from excited to nervous. I anticipate with hope the new opportunities and adventures that surround the dawn of a new year. What is in store? What is around the corner? At the same time, I feel timid, because I have made plenty of resolutions in years past that fizzle after a month or two. Will I fail again this year? Recently, I heard some wise words that are helping me think differently about the New…
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. —Ecclesiastes 3:1 The Christmas decorations are finally put away, and I admit, my house looks a little bare, a little ordinary. In the cloudy darkness of January, I definitely miss the twinkling lights of our Christmas tree and garlands. I have never truly welcomed the season of Ordinary Time, the way I welcome Advent, Christmas, and Easter. Even Lent has this very clear purpose of repentance necessary…
As we close out the Christmas season today with the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, I remember starting my weekly Holy Hour during the first week of Advent. As I sat in the quiet chapel, I was struck by the placement of the nativity scene under the true Presence of the Blessed Sacrament on the altar and Christ Crucified above. This infant Jesus, who the shepherds knelt before in adoration and praise. This newborn babe, who the magi traveled to find, to…
During the Advent season, the Lord invited us—the weary, worn out, and overwhelmed—to come to Him. He invited us into silence and stillness with short Scripture verses, Christmas hymns, and pondering prayers. In our time with Jesus, we found hope—even in the midst of waiting, because we discovered that we are not alone in our waiting. He is waiting with us. And hope brought joy! The weary world rejoiced indeed on Christmas Day. I pray that this Christmas season has…
Today’s #WorthRevisit post was originally published on the WINE: Women In the New Evangelization blog, last December. Today is the fourth day of Christmas. *** On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me … six geese a-laying. For much of our world, Christmas has come and gone. Christmas trees are on the curb, and decorations are packed away for another year. But in our Catholic Church, we are still in the midst of the Christmas season,…
I just love Christmas Eve. Attending Mass this evening is my favorite part of Christmas. I become overwhelmed with joy, as O Come All Ye Faithful announces the beginning of this holy day, this holy season. I cannot help but put myself—and all those weary travelers who are with me in Church—right in the Nativity scene. It is as if we are following the star of wonder … we are like the shepherds going to see the Baby in the stable … I…
This reflection is the fourth in a four-part series that supplements the free Advent prayer journal I am offering to email subscribers. You may read part one HERE, part two HERE, and part three HERE. *** One more week, and we will be celebrating the birth of Jesus. Ready or not, Christmas is coming. This Advent, we may have started out a bit weary, a bit sorrowful, a bit worn out. We heard Jesus’ invitation to come to Him for rest, and we rested in His…