When I found this picture on Maria's blog this morning it has opened the floodgates of tears for me. I am kind of surprised by this response to this sweet picture of Oma, holding Patrick in the window light. It brings back the huge occasion of the birth of Patrick that the two grandma's shared just 15 months ago! To see the healed and sweet Patrick he is now - it is just a total blessing and JOY abounds - for me that usually means tears as they spring forth from the wells of my body whether happy or sad!
This picture also reminds me of the grandma time we shared with our two children in October of last year! Grandma is very kind and patient and reads to the kids for great lengths of time! It was so wonderful to share our grandchildren, but also that we could support each of our children in this time of great fear and need! Gail would go with Joseph to spend time with Patrick in NICU, and I would go with Maria. Then when at home with the other two and the day to day needs at home - the two grandma's could help with meals and cleaning, but more important by far was the time spent consoling the other two kids and keeping them occupied with painting, praying and reading as well as times to the park to play or just out in the back yard. I would go to the computer at least daily to share the miracle of Patrick and Joseph returning home and the prayers that were at work, and Gail would be my main support and cheering section as I poured out our hearts, minds and souls! The burning question of Why Lord? just kept haunting me, but did Jesus ask Why the Cross? when He faced it too???? We can see that it was needed for the salvation of the world, and likewise in the marriage of Maria and Joseph and their family! There is no doubt that the healing of Patrick through prayer has led many to find Faith in HIM and His Bride, The Church!
Asking for prayers today for our sweet Simon as he goes to Sioux Falls with mom and dad for some testing for his autism. Another example of wondering why there are so many cases of autism this day and age? We see in Simon and sweetness and spiritual awareness that is special, so we know that no matter what the Lord is at work in him and through this situation is blessing Simon through this most Cherished Cross in his life.
One thing that has come from John's brain cancer journey is his tender heart filled with LOVE for Our Lady, Mary Mother of God! This is John in Lourdes two years after his battle - August 2011! We were back in France for Hallel's first vows and John could not keep his eyes off of the statue of Bernadette's apparition - Mary - the Immaculate Conception! To this day, every time he speaks of Mary - it is with total adoring of her and wondering how those that do not acknowledge her Motherhood and care for us can have such a empty and dull existence!?! "What would my life be like without Mary?" It is hard to keep his sharing his journey out of the Catholic ring - as he is burning to share about the comfort, love, and healing he found through Mary, the Mother of Heaven and earth!
This is a beloved picture - what JOY! Today in the Gospel Jesus calls the lowly/humble to follow HIM! Blessed Teresa certainly represents that humble follower for us - yet, she strongly shared the Truth with the proud and powerful of the world without a moments hesitation! Here is her speech at the national prayer breakfast in front of the Clintons and Gore and all the powerful in our messed up liberal country!!! http://www.priestsforlife.org/brochures/mtspeech.html
"Jesus gave His life to love us and He tells us that we also have to give whatever it takes to do good to one another. And in the Gospel Jesus says very clearly: "Love as I have loved you." Jesus died on the Cross because that is what it took for Him to do good to us - to save us from our selfishness in sin. He gave up everything to do the Father's will to show us that we too must be willing to give up everything to do God's will - to love one another as He loves each of us. If we are not willing to give whatever it takes to do good to one another, sin is still in us. That is why we too must give to each other until it hurts.It is not enough for us to say: "I love God," but I also have to love my neighbor. St. John says that you are a liar if you say you love God and you don't love your neighbor.
How can you love God whom you do not see, if you do not love your neighbor whom you see, whom you touch, with whom you live?
And so it is very important for us to realize that love, to be true, has to hurt. I must be willing to give whatever it takes not to harm other people and, in fact, to do good to them. This requires that I be willing to give until it hurts. Otherwise, there is no true love in me and I bring injustice, not peace, to those around me." Blessed Teresa of Calcutta at the prayer breakfast There is so much more! Take the time to go there and read it!
Jesus, this day we are reminded of your calling the lowly to teach the proud and mighty the Truth. May we fall on our knees and embrace our Most Cherished Cross as we find LIFE. There are many painful happenings on our journey down the narrow path of LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT, and we know that the mysteries are hard to accept or embrace. It just plain hurts us, but that is all part of dying to self so that YOU can live and breath and have your being in us. Come Holy Spirit and fill us with the fruits of the Spirit as we go forth sharing your Way, your Truth and your LIFE with all those we meet, but most especially with those in our domestic Church/family. Jesus, we trust in YOU. Amen and Hallelujah
Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
"It is not you who chose me, says the Lord, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last." John 15:16
Third Day - I need a miracle
http://www.dosmallthingswithlove.com/2014/01/yucky-moments-as-a-mother.html Here is a humorous and Real sharing by Nancy on her blog this morning! I love when she shares her insight from the heart of a young mother dying to self so that little ones - new LIFE may enter the world and become LIGHTS through the mysterious journey of LIFE! Nancy also shared personally and beautifully on this day - http://www.dosmallthingswithlove.com/2014/01/recognizing-miracles.html So true and Beautiful to read her musings from the heart! Thank you, dear daughter, Nancy Anna Joan of Arc!
A Mother's Song by Danielle Rose
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