What's Missing in Your Life?

For years I was searching and searching for something I thought I could not find, but it was right at my fingertips: God's love. I certainly understand the all-encompassing love mentioned in today's retreat which a mother feels for her children - five times over to be precise. For close to 25 years I truly thought that was the ultimate form of loving, the most pure love there was. My kids were my whole world. I revolved around them and they revolved around me. But something really big was missing. It took me quite a long journey to figure out that what was missing was a relationship with God.

Oh sure, I went to Sunday Mass and was a good person, but until I really starting asking the hard questions I just kind of "got by" in my faith. And getting by does not make for a very worthwhile life. Through much soul-searching I discovered exactly what I needed, what I was craving all along, but was too blind to see. And that was the "kind of love [which] begets wholeness." God's love.

God is always with me now. He is my center, my core. I am never alone.

I wish for all you moms out there, especially moms with little ones underfoot, that you make the time in every one of your days to get closer to God. Especially on those days when you think you can't give another second to another human being. I was right where you are now. You are worth, at the bare minimum, a few moments of quiet every day. Find it. Make it happen. No matter what. If it's only behind a closed bathroom door, then so be it. But do it. Take time each day to talk to God and see what happens.

~ Maureen :)
8/30/09 Jesus' Way of Love

My Father/Your Father

Today's retreat is near and dear to my heart: The Lord's Prayer. Years ago I was a rattler of this prayer as well as of the Hail Mary. But one day the words really hit me. I was praying to my Father who just so happened to live in heaven. Mine. He may be yours too, but He's mine.

Take the prayer line by line and say it heartfeltly. It's the very first thing I do and say every single day when I wake up. And it makes the difference in my days. Moms need so much help to get through their days. Let God help you.

The Lord's Prayer is the perfect prayer to pray when you have no clue what to pray for. There was a time when I had absolutely no idea what was best for me, what was best for others. During that time I prayed for God's will. And He showed me His will. I didn't always like it or agree with it, but because He knew I was doing what He wanted me to do He helped me on my journey. Let Him help you. Let your own personal Father in heaven help you. He is listening.

~ Maureen :)
8/17/09 Jesus Teaches Us