Tomorrow

This afternoon I had it all figured out:  I would go to the pharmacy, the credit union, drop something off at a friend's house, pick up some groceries, and one last stop.  All neat and tidy; it would be one big circle and the day out and about would be all done! Voila!

Well, so much for my plans!  I think someone once said, "just tell God your plans" and see what happens at that point! (Something to this effect!) 

Of course, I called my friend and in the middle of the sentence, as he saw his nephew come down his road, he said, "tomorrow will work out better!"  Yes, my plans for all my errands will work tomorrow, too, but I was all set to go out the door, now!  

I wonder if God doesn't get a good chuckle watching all of us try and be in charge of our lives especially when the train changes tracks in the middle of the road.  I'll bet it's a sight to watch his creatures (us) when we think we have things all planned out.

How often does this happen:  daily, weekly and monthly for one thing or another.  Even our prayers being answered.  Sometimes it's "yes", "no" or "not yet." Oh, how hard it is when those answers don't come as we want. 

 Ever try to just say to  God, "Thy will be done, not mine."  Sometimes I get cranky...but it does work.  Tomorrow will be a good day too, to do my errands! Not the way I figured today but it will work. 

You Are Invited!

 Lent is upon us Feb. 17, 2021, Ash Weds.  as we prepare for Easter, April, 4, 2021.  St. Peter the Fisherman, Two Rivers, WI is offering a presentation on The Stations of the Cross from Mary's perspective.  It will be live-streamed on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, 1:00 p.m..

The beauty of Live Stream is the fact that it can be accessed via their Facebook site or YouTube. Yours truly will be the presenter. 

This presentation is basically for everyone, no matter what religion.  It is for those who want to deepen their prayer life, seeing, hearing and feeling what Jesus' Blessed Mother experienced as she was there as her Son went to his death for our sake. 

This may be an opportunity to develop a spark within you toward a very old tradition that perhaps has left you with very little appreciation for this prayer form.  It has changed my own attitude and hopefully, it will for you, too!  

Courtesy of Pixabay

You are invited!  Put it on your calendar. Consider gracing us with your presence on Facebook or YouTube! And feel free to pass the word. This Friday, Feb. 19, 1:00 p.m. 

 I share this with you just as an inspiration,  during these pandemic times. This warmed my heart!

With Great Honor

by Ricky Manalo, CSP - Feb 3, 2021 - 2 min(s) read

It was 7:00 p.m., toward the end of dinner in the rectory of St. Paul the Apostle Church in New York City. My Paulist brother, sitting across the table from me, suddenly exclaimed, “There they are again!” “What’s that?” I asked with a blank stare. “Don’t you know? The sirens outside: It’s time to thank the health-care workers!” One week had passed since the city imposed a shelter-in-place policy due to COVID-19. I had heard the sirens before, blaring out from the hospital just around the corner each evening, but never attached any significance to them. This time, however, I rushed to the windows and from there also heard the thunderous applause as New Yorkers honored them with heartfelt gratitude.    Sometimes Jesus’ teachings are like sirens and thunderous applause, beckoning us to pay closer attention and to become better aware of the signs of the times. Sometimes it takes a proclamation from across a table to understand their meaning; other times we need to open up a window in order to hear for ourselves; and still other times we need to walk outside our homes and experience his teachings firsthand . . . which is exactly what I did. At 7:05 p.m. I ran outside and arrived at the entrance of the hospital. There, amid the sound of sirens and applause, I saw the faces of the health-care workers for the very first time. They were deeply moved, some smiling, others with tears rolling down from their eyes. At that moment, Jesus’ teaching became clear to me: his mighty deeds were continuing through such daily acts of courage.

Lap Work

Have you ever sat to do computer work or "lap work" and a gentle little fur ball gently, one foot at a time, crawled into your lap, made himself at home, stretched out and fell asleep?  I know, some of you are not animal lovers, but lots are, so for those who can relate, keep reading!

Carmel

When Carmel, my 2 year old fur baby, crawls on my lap, my heart just melts. I would suppose when a parent holds or feeds a child, that warm, snuggling feel does the same thing. It is so special.  There's nothing I can do, or choose to do, when these special times happen, short of some disaster occurring. 

This morning, as this special time occurred, I thought to myself, wondering if this was God's marvelous sense of humor trying to tell me that it is these very times that might be wise to take more time to talk/pray to God.  I talk with Carmel, why not take time to pray?

Sometimes, I am not disciplined in my prayer life. I have no callouses on my knees but my DVD and online apps are active. Maybe I should join a convent, or a military school, to get me on a schedule to do that.  However, many factors are not in my favor there!! 

Then again, perhaps I'm stuck in pre-historic messages from somewhere that the way I pray is not right, correct or good enough. Does this thinking ever happen to you? I wonder what God would say to us?  

My mind also begins to answer this question: "You know Molly, just the desire to be with me in prayer time pleases me. That alone is a prayer!"  Almost, like calling a friend with no conversation in mind, simply saying, "was just thinking of you...thought I'd call!"  So, the next time I try to do some lap work and I have company, it just might be a good time to talk to another friend at the same time!!  Just imagine!