Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor? Mark 9:50

After experiencing stomach issues for a prolonged period of time, I began removing things from my diet. In doing so, my meals became bland and unsatisfying.

Consequently, I found myself sneaking into my pantry to eat cookies and other junk food, trying desperately to gratify my need for flavor. Clearly, that approach wasn’t working and, in fact, was completely counterproductive.

I’m very proud to have contributed to all three of these!

Walking with Jesus Devotions for Lent & Easter, Guideposts: Free shipping – today only: https://bit.ly/41kVh1V

The Path to Hope, Daily Devotions for Lent, Living Faith: https://bit.ly/4k5e7Bi

A Season of Grace, Lent Devotions for Seniors, Living Faith: https://bit.ly/3EE3rcT

Published on CatholicMom.com

“The coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the kingdom of God is among you.” Luke 17:20-21

I recently read a book about perfume and discovered that the legendary perfumer, Jean Carles, continued to create perfume after he lost his sense of smell. We’ve also heard the stories about Beethoven and how he composed some of his most famous symphonies after he became deaf, most famously, Symphony No. 9.

Some could argue that both Carles and Beethoven created from the memories stored in their minds. I propose that they each composed from the feelings nurtured in their hearts.

Published on CatholicMom.com

My husband and I recently spent the day visiting our son, Mason, who is a freshman in college. It’s the first time we’ve seen him since we moved him into his dorm at the end of August.

Overall, he’s doing well. But he’s disappointed in the social life at school. Maybe my husband and I overhyped how much fun college was for us. Maybe his school doesn’t offer as many activities as they should. Maybe Mason’s expectations are too high and no college in the country can meet them.

At the end of the day, though, the “why” doesn’t matter. It’s what Mason does from this point forward. He can sit around and lament what isn’t happening. Or he can take charge of his life and initiate his own fun. He’s made enough friends to do so. The proverbial ball is in his court and the decision is his.

Published on CatholicMom.com

“Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him.  Matthew 6:11

My teen son has “pushed God to the background.” He claims he still believes, but doesn’t see how faith pertains to his life right now. He’s more interested in other things.

Published on CatholicMom.com

I’m wrapping up this summer and labeling it one of the most hectic and unproductive summers I’ve had in years. I can’t even count the number of balls I’ve dropped, and the endless apologies I’ve had to make. It makes me so grateful that I live in a four-season region of the country so I can turn the page on this season to find a clean slate for the fall.

Before that could happen, though, I had to spend the past two weeks cleaning up the messes I’d made — literally and figuratively. Now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, the surface of my counters that were under the piles, and the bottom of my inbox after the avalanche of emails.

As I FINALLY exhale, peace and my vision are restored. Both give me the ability to see that the summer wasn’t a total loss after all. My camera roll has dozens of photos to prove it: pictures of fun adventures, silly activities and happy memories made.

Published on CatholicMom.com

My son, Zack, bought an old police cruiser and has been trying to soup it up ever since. But the modifications he wants are costly. His friend, Billy, is studying automotive in college and has an internship at a car dealership. When Zack couldn’t afford the new exhaust system he wanted that would make his car louder (apparently that’s a thing teens want), Billy suggested they cut off the dual muffler system to get the same effect. He promised it would still pass inspection.   

A few nights ago, they decided to tackle the project together. However, it was raining. So, I allowed Zack to park his car in my garage bay while they cut and disassemble the system. My other son, Mason, has been driving my car back and forth to work since. 

Today, as I was circling around the garage to get into my car for the first time since the project, I noticed all the debris around and under my car: metal shavings, bolts, broken shards of a hack saw blade, etc. It was nothing short of a miracle that Mason hadn’t driven over any of it and gotten a flat tire. I’ve taught him to be attentive to sharp objects out on the road. But when it comes to our own garage, I trusted that he and I could let our guard down; that it was safe to pull in and out without scrutiny. I now know differently. 

Published on CatholicMom.com

“Give us today our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11

We live in a hurting world where there’s always someone in need of prayer. Being part of several different faith-based groups, there are times when I’m bombarded with more prayer requests than I can count.

When my kids were younger and life was so frenetic, I didn’t have the head or heart space for a single thing more. Each time I got a request to pray for someone, the best I could do was throw up a quick “Please, God, bless ______.”

Now that I have less chaos in my life, I want to be more intentional with my petitions, taking the time to expand my blessing so I’m truly investing my heart.

Published on LivingFaith.com

A few summers ago, my son, Mason, was in a community theatre rendition of Into the Woods. It was an enormous commitment, and meant half of his summer was spent in rehearsals. Despite his small role, he was all in and loved every minute of it. During production week, he was like a kid at Christmas—bursting at the seams with excitement to have me see it.

The second I saw him after Friday’s show, he pounced on me, asking: “What was your favorite part? Who was your favorite character? What was your favorite song?’ All that night and the next day, he peppered me with more questions, making me dissect the show almost scene by scene. The thing is, I didn’t do very well answering his questions. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy the show; it’s that I wasn’t as invested as he was. I was a passive audience member; he was active. He knew most of the other actors’ lines and could recite them verbatim. He was a bit disappointed that I couldn’t.

Published on CatholicMom.com

My teen daughter and I have been butting heads lately. No matter what issue I raise with her, or what lesson I try to teach her, she argues back. She used to be such an easy kid: so approachable and willing to learn. I’ve been chalking it up to her being a teen. However, I’m still not okay with the disrespect it results in.

Recently, when I called her on it, she responded, “I’m not trying to be disrespectful. I’m just trying to defend myself.” I told her that was the root of the problem. She couldn’t be hearing and addressing the issues I raise if she’s too busy building her case against what I’m saying.

That’s when she replied: “But the way you talk to me lately feels like an attack. It automatically makes me defensive. I feel like I have to defend myself all the time.”