Live in the Light

I truly am amazed at all the ways God finds to find me. I was composing a post in my head this morning for a future date when all of a sudden I found myself in the peace and quiet of my house which is usually filled with men. I could have attacked the kitchen…or I could have come up here to my happy place to write to you. Guess what I chose?

So here we are just the two of us. And God makes three. In today’s Loyola Press retreat we are encouraged to not only observe the beauty of God’s nature, but also the beauty in all God’s creatures – most especially the ones that perhaps make us want to pull our hair out on a daily basis! God is in everyone, so we are told. It’s a little hard to believe sometimes. But I do believe it.

The post I was composing was to be called, “Thank God for Women.” I probably have written something similar as I believe in that statement so strongly. Or I could have called it, “Thank God for the Internet.” I know I wrote a post like that over at Mom Writer’s Literary Magazine’s blog in the past year or so.

Well, in the past couple days both posts have collided and made me realize how very grateful I am for my friends across the planet that I may reach by simply typing these little buttons. And those who may reach me.

“How is God’s handiwork revealed to you through people with whom you share your faith?” today’s retreat asks us. To me that is the key – “people with whom you share your faith.” Sometimes I feel as if I am beating my head against the wall trying to break through thick skulls of young men ages 19-24, as well as one equally thick-headed husband.

Maybe my job isn’t to break through. Maybe my job is to break through to you – to women – to moms who are going through what I am going through. Last night if you could only have read the pathetic e-mails I wrote to two friends! I needed a sounding board. They couldn’t do a thing, but listen and offer words of encouragement. The morning brought a new day and two e-mails of “I’m with you, Maureen.”

I think all of us moms fight the same fight every day. And maybe guys fight their same fights every day too. I am a firm believer in a HUGE difference between the two sexes! And I’m not talking physical! Men and women are like night and day at times.

So instead of searching in the dark, I move to the light. I come up to my happy place and write to other moms who understand. I have been communicating via e-mail to one such mom in the past several days. I've never met her. We’ll call her Sally. “How is God’s handiwork revealed to you through people with whom you share your faith?” Sally found goodness in my site and my words and told me so. And that meant the world to me. Sally’s a big reason why I am writing instead of washing dishes right now! Thank you, Sally.

We women have to be there for one another – that’s all there is to it!

~ Maureen :)
Jesus, God and Me 9/25/09 – Three months till Christmas – Yikes!

Ahhhhh...peace and quiet

I don't know about you other women, but I know I have way too much noise in my mind. As today's retreat reminds us, we must listen to God - He comes in the whisper. I have always adored peace and quiet, so I am quite comfortable being alone. I venture to the beach as often as possible to be alone with my thoughts and with God. Since my boys are older I do have more moments of peace. That's a good thing. I think sometimes I wait for the huge moment, however - God in the thunder, God on the neon billboard pointing the right direction. But I'm learning and listening and growing toward God. May God bless you on your journey, and instill in you moments of peace this week.

~ Maureen :)
Listening to Our Father 9/15/09

When We Listen

When we listen

When we listen

WHEN WE L-I-S-T-E-N

Enough said?

~ Maureen :)
God's Life for Us 9/10/09

Here's to You, Everymom!

Wouldn't it be great to be commended for our work as moms - gold stars, blue ribbons, shiny trophies? Somehow these are rarely bestowed on us moms who try our best. But we keep trying. We carry out our faith, doing our best (and sometimes not so best) instilling goodness into our children. Why do we do this? Today's retreat suggests we do it because, "we are moved to works of love because God first loved us." Sometimes that's all we need to remember, that's what spurs us on to keep trying, to keep giving.

The last couple days' accomplishments have not been stellar; I would have preferred to hide in my room under my covers. But I didn't. I did what needed to be done. I didn't set the world on fire with anything I did, but at least I "did." I found that "the gift of faith and the grace of hope [did] sustain [me]. I truly did allow faith, hope and love to "direct [my] choices and actions."

Something I hope all you moms remember is that there are days when saying "no" to others and "yes" to ourselves is imperative for our sanity. I have flown pretty low under the radar these last few days, but at least I attempted flight. I'm content in my choices to take care of myself knowing that if I deplete my reserves nothing will be left for anyone else.

I wish you all the grace to just keep plugging away. Accept this trophy for a job well done, Everymom.

~ Maureen :)
Faith, Hope and Charity 9/9/9....cooool date!

Feel Like Stretch Momstrong?

This is one of those "tell it like it is" retreats. We all know we are supposed to put God first if we are Christian moms. In our hearts we know it to be the right thing to do. In our hearts. But what about our thoughts, our hands, our speech? That's where it may get tricky, and this "Put God first" philosophy may easily get forgotten, not intentionally, but forgotten none-the-less. We moms are so mindful about everyone else's wants and needs that we often forget what is most important. It's not the iPod for the 12-year-old. It's not the $150 tennis shoes your child MUST have. It's not many, many things.

The best gift you, as a parent, can foster in your child is their relationship with God. If I knew then what I know now... But hindsight is always 20/20, isn't it?

Moms are stretched to the limit these days. There should be a Stretch Momstrong doll. That's how many children treat their moms, grabbing on tight and never letting go - eeking out as much as the child possibly can before the mom realizes she can give no more. And it's usually "things" the mom is giving - tangible things. When a mom gives of her time and energy that is much more well-received than a stack of gifts under the Christmas tree.

I'm sure we all know families whose stacks may be small but the love in their family is large. This is a family with their collective head stuck on just right. This is the family who goes to church together, who volunteers at the soup kitchen, who thinks of the other. You can be this family. It just takes effort reaching toward something that you cannot see. Next time you or your children see a thing you want, ask yourself, "Why? Will this further my/my child's relationship with God?" It's a start. Then you are consciously thinking of God in your day-to-day plan. He is not being forgotten. He is thought about and talked about aloud. You are showing your children that God is important to you.

~ Maureen :)
9/07/09 The Way, Truth and Life

Created to Be Happy ~ Then Why Aren't I?

Today's one of those days when I watched Loyola Press' retreat and had to laugh - I don't feel too happy, yet I'm told I was created to be happy. If "happy" perhaps is the wrong word, then I, at least, should be grateful for what God has given to me. I am grateful - I think. Most of the time.

We women, we moms, are sure made up of many different emotions. Life affects us so differently than it does men. Right this very moment I can't find a whole lot of beauty in my house. In fact, I'm pretty ticked at my men for what they have not done here which they should have done. And I am so tired of reminding, cajoling, yelling. It's just not worth it. Why does it have to be this way? If I'm created to be happy, why aren't I? Why do I seem to have to fight for happiness?

I feel like setting up a poll: Who's happy out there right now? I sincerely hope most of you are. Maybe some of it can rub off on me.

Not an upbeat post, I'm afraid. But sometimes life just isn't too upbeat.

~ Maureen :(
9/06/09 Created to Be Happy

The Lord's Prayer: Our Gift from God

Today's retreat asks who we look toward for "wisdom and guidance in making...daily decisions?" What struck me about this as a mom is the fact that we are the ones our children constantly look toward for wisdom and guidance. Being a parent is such an awesome responsibilty - one that comes with no owner's manual. We muddle through; we give it our best shot. There are no do-overs in momdom as much as we may like them. No instant replays. What we do, what we decide, how we live our lives affects others. People, usually little people, watch us all the time. So we better be darn sure that we are giving them the best answers we can.

We must go to God to become fortified for whatever life throws at us. Use that Lord's Prayer; it's a gift from God. Pray the words first thing in the morning and throughout your day. Meditate on one phrase at a time. Figure out what it means to you right now in this particular time of your life. Explain to your children what the prayer means to you, and ask your children what it means to them. What do they hear when they pray the words? You may learn a thing or two! Kids have a mighty funny way of putting things into perspective.

~ Maureen :)
9/05/09 Jesus Teaches Me