Do You Love Me More?

My dear one got to work early, as usual, to do his daily morning prayers. Well, one day this week it snowed and so he had to salt the parking lot before going into the office (small company). He had not yet started to pray when another employee showed up and started talking.

All through the day, he kept thinking about getting to his prayers and kept letting other things get in the way. Suddenly, he "heard", "do you love Me more?"

UHH! That "voice" that cuts us to the quick. What should we be doing that we are putting off because we're busy with something else? It doesn't always have to be prayer when we hear that voice. It could just be that He is reminding us that somethings are more important right this minute, and that if we love Him we should be doing His will now, instead of our own.

God our Father longs for our happiness. He also knows that if we do what He wants, we'll find the happiness He wants for us and the happiness we crave. It will come to each of us in different ways but we have to be open to give up some of what we want, to be open to what He wants for us. Show God that you love Him more. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be, also." Matt 6:21

What Is Holding You Back?

Is there something in your life that you need to do now?

Visit a sick friend? Admonish a sinner? Speak up for something you believe in?

What is holding you back?

Is it fear? Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, I am with you." (among many similar promises)

Don't know what to say? Luke 12:12 "The Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment all that should be said." Sometimes, though, we say the wrong thing with the right intentions. Don't beat yourself up. They will understand because they've probably done it, too. They'll get the message and appreciate your effort.

Is it going to make you sad? Rev 21:4 "He will wipe every tear from their eyes."

Immerse yourself in scripture (google the verses if you have to!). God will direct your thoughts, words and deeds and "your reward will be great in heaven." Luke 6:23.

Peaceful Fortitude

Every morning, before he leaves for work, my dear one blesses me by asking, “what can I pray for today?” For a long time my answer was “peace.” I needed to be peaceful in my home so that our children would be peaceful. I learned that peace is a gift and you have to open it to receive it.

One morning “peaceful fortitude” came out of my mouth. My dear one chuckled a bit and went off to work and to pray for me. I asked him later why he chuckled and he said he was having a hard time putting peaceful and fortitude together because he pictured fortitude as a concerted effort to get something done.

That’s exactly what I envisioned, too.

My days are busy with all the normal things that come with running a home, schooling three children, and being available for all ten people who count on me everyday. I need to be peaceful while I listen, instead of being antsy to get back to an undone job. I need to be peaceful when I’m teaching, what I feel is a fairly easy concept, and the child really doesn’t get it. I need to be peaceful when little or big things disrupt my “to do” list. (See, Speak, Lord, Your Servant is Listening.)

I also need fortitude to keep going through it all when I want to go hide in my room and read a book, (or write a blog).

And, so, because he prays for peaceful fortitude, I accomplish what God calls me to do that day and I do it as peacefully as I am able.

How Do I Love Thee?

What do you do when you find yourself unable to love someone as you ought? We hear all the time of difficult and troubled relationships. Some give up, and the relationship ends on a bad note. Others put up with a person they find difficult. How terrible to be “put up with”. And there are those who find the courage to LOVE.

God’s love is the only way to love another. Just as He loves us, we are to love each other. That is a lofty goal.

I was listening to Al Kresta today, and Fr. Larry Richards was his guest. Father recommended a prayer that I found so beautiful. This is the gist of what he said:

“Lord, I cannot love this person the way I should, but You can and You do. I give You permission to love them through me.”

WOW!

This must be the prayer St. Francis of Assisi prayed before he hugged the leper that he had once avoided.

This must be the prayer of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta and her nuns as they took the sick and dying from the gutters and ministered to them.

This can be our prayer as well. If you have the courage, pray:

Dear Lord, I give you permission to love through me. Amen.