Can't quite relate to Mr. Fit Smiley Tan Man running in shades! Not this mom. That's just great he has the time to run along the beautiful mountain trail enjoying the picture-perfect weather. Wouldn't we all?
Where are his kids? At home driving mom bonkers? Or is this happy man single? Many questions. I know - it's just a picture. The retreat is about the words, God's words. But still I wonder how very hard it is for a mom with one kid or more to feel her body is a temple of the Holy Spirit after the child is born. I know we should, but I wonder if most of us do. It is definitely "temple-like" when we are pregnant though, don't you think?
I know a woman who works out at the local gym after her children are asleep at around 10:00 to 11:00 every night. This is "her" time. I never had "her" time. I never took it. I should have.
Maybe today we both can find some time to do something smart for our bodies realizing they are gifts from God. Something as simple as throwing away whatever's left in the Easter baskets, maybe?
~ Maureen :)
4/21/09 Making Christian Choices
Monday, April 20, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Keystone Moms
Moms, don't you feel like the keystone of your family? I do. Sometimes I don't want the responsibility, but it's mine none-the-less. The keystone - without which the house falls apart. An awesome responsibilty. Only in the past weeks am I beginning to realize the monumental influence I have and have had on my family. And I wish I'd done some things differently.
My own mom, who will be 90 years old next month, has always said that if a person does the best she can do at any given moment, then that is all she can do. She cannot second-guess her choices. Hindsight is 20/20. But when we moms are there with our children day in and day out we do what we need to do. I'm a great one to wonder, "What if?" I know it's stupid, counter-productive, but I still find myself doing it.
Maybe I'm finally old enough to stop. To truly take each day and just live it. I hope so. I do know the source of my strength; I'm not second-guessing Him. And I know where to find my living stones. I find them at daily Mass. They surround me. Mass is my "temple of living stones." It's taken me a long time to fully understand the importance of attending daily Mass.
Something was definitely missing in my life before I stepped foot into daily Mass. Once there, the void was filled. I felt it; I knew I belonged but still I second-guessed my choice. I could be doing things at home. Like what? Dishes??? Laundry??? Believe me, the dishes and laundry are still right here when I come home.
Daily Mass is something I do for me. All me. And it is the best habit I have ever formed. I encourage you to take the plunge to attend Mass more than one day a week if you are in the position to do so. It took me until my children were quite old before I began the practice. It centers me. I can't imagine my life without it. Many days I still go a little bonkers, but without daily Mass I'd go a lot bonkers! Life's just a matter of degrees.
~ Maureen :)
4/13/09 New Life in Jesus
My own mom, who will be 90 years old next month, has always said that if a person does the best she can do at any given moment, then that is all she can do. She cannot second-guess her choices. Hindsight is 20/20. But when we moms are there with our children day in and day out we do what we need to do. I'm a great one to wonder, "What if?" I know it's stupid, counter-productive, but I still find myself doing it.
Maybe I'm finally old enough to stop. To truly take each day and just live it. I hope so. I do know the source of my strength; I'm not second-guessing Him. And I know where to find my living stones. I find them at daily Mass. They surround me. Mass is my "temple of living stones." It's taken me a long time to fully understand the importance of attending daily Mass.
Something was definitely missing in my life before I stepped foot into daily Mass. Once there, the void was filled. I felt it; I knew I belonged but still I second-guessed my choice. I could be doing things at home. Like what? Dishes??? Laundry??? Believe me, the dishes and laundry are still right here when I come home.
Daily Mass is something I do for me. All me. And it is the best habit I have ever formed. I encourage you to take the plunge to attend Mass more than one day a week if you are in the position to do so. It took me until my children were quite old before I began the practice. It centers me. I can't imagine my life without it. Many days I still go a little bonkers, but without daily Mass I'd go a lot bonkers! Life's just a matter of degrees.
~ Maureen :)
4/13/09 New Life in Jesus
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Lift the Keys, Ladies!
Forgive and forget. Hmmm...tough words. We Christians readily accept the fact that Jesus forgave us. So why is it difficult for us to forgive others? To forgive ourselves? We have had the absolute best example of selfless love yet we turn away, we rationalize. Why do we do this?
I think we are plain stupid, that's why. OK, I'm making generalizations now; I shouldn't speak for you. How about this? I am plain stupid! I've been asking, seeking, knocking but sometimes I think God just isn't home. Yet, in my heart, I know He never leaves me.
This April I'm turning over one of my many proverbial leaves. I have begun to "approach Jesus in faith," as this Loyola retreat encourages. I know what's confining me. What really is confining you? If you feel you are in a prison, who put up the bars? Did you? Are you your own jail keeper?
Get out. Break out. Be like Otis on The Andy Griffith Show way back when. Remember him? He was characterized as Mayberry's town drunk, slurring his speech and weaving his walk. He always knew he had a place to stay the night when he couldn't possibly go home to his wife in such a condition of inebriation. We always have a place with God - no matter what.
Can't you just picture him locking himself into his jail cell, then dutifully replacing the jail keys dangling from the large silver ring on the hook next to the cell? Come morning, Otis would simply reach for the keys and let himself out. He was a pretty smart guy! He stumbled but knew where to go.
Reach for the keys, moms. Release yourselves from the self-imposed prison. Aren't you ready for something new, "a surprise"? I sure am. This is a new day - a new month. Yesterday is over. The night of your emotional inebriation is past.
Spend time with God today. Walk toward Him right out of your jail.
~ Maureen :)
4/01/09 Jesus' Forgiveness
I think we are plain stupid, that's why. OK, I'm making generalizations now; I shouldn't speak for you. How about this? I am plain stupid! I've been asking, seeking, knocking but sometimes I think God just isn't home. Yet, in my heart, I know He never leaves me.
This April I'm turning over one of my many proverbial leaves. I have begun to "approach Jesus in faith," as this Loyola retreat encourages. I know what's confining me. What really is confining you? If you feel you are in a prison, who put up the bars? Did you? Are you your own jail keeper?
Get out. Break out. Be like Otis on The Andy Griffith Show way back when. Remember him? He was characterized as Mayberry's town drunk, slurring his speech and weaving his walk. He always knew he had a place to stay the night when he couldn't possibly go home to his wife in such a condition of inebriation. We always have a place with God - no matter what.
Can't you just picture him locking himself into his jail cell, then dutifully replacing the jail keys dangling from the large silver ring on the hook next to the cell? Come morning, Otis would simply reach for the keys and let himself out. He was a pretty smart guy! He stumbled but knew where to go.
Reach for the keys, moms. Release yourselves from the self-imposed prison. Aren't you ready for something new, "a surprise"? I sure am. This is a new day - a new month. Yesterday is over. The night of your emotional inebriation is past.
Spend time with God today. Walk toward Him right out of your jail.
~ Maureen :)
4/01/09 Jesus' Forgiveness
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