With my kids on April vacation this week, and nowhere to go, I decided we’d go on a Virtual World Tour. For those of you looking for a way to shake things up while under quarantine, I thought I’d share the links and resources we used. Bon voyage! Continue reading →

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Thus says the Lord God: I will soon take the Israelites from among the nations to which they have gone and gather them from all around to bring them back to their land. Ezekiel 37:21

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In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, our landscape is shifting on a daily basis. We are all floundering about, trying to find somewhere solid and unchanging to place our feet. Some people are trying to stand on the stones of blame, pointing the finger at politicians, and God.

I, for one, have never thought God was, or is, to blame for any problem in our world. I do believe, however, that God always show up in the midst of the problem, hand outstretched, wanting to accompany us through to the other side. Continue reading →

Then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.'” Matthew 28:12-13

After reading a plethora of books about Hitler’s atrocities, going to the Holocaust museum, and visiting Dachau itself, I was shocked to hear that some people believe the Holocaust never happened. Imagine people being so desperate to forget a part of history that they erase it altogether?

Sadly, a good portion of us are guilty of the same thing. Without even realizing it, we alter small details in the retelling of things to deflect the blame: Our husband insulted us first so it was only fair to lash out at him. Our friend never told us to keep her news a secret and has no right to be angry. We were perfectly clear with our kids about our expectations. Shame on them for not meeting them! Continue reading →

My priest asked me to write a spiritual communion reflection for our parishioners to meditate upon in place of the physical body and blood of Christ we’d receive during the Mass. I’m honored by his request, and by the opportunity to share my reflection here, with you.

“… but on the third day He will rise.” Luke 18:33

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Forced to keep our distance from others, the sacred Mass, and Holy Communion, we find ourselves united with the first disciples. They were forced to go without Jesus after He died on the cross. Instead, on that Good Friday and Holy Saturday, they hid themselves in the upper room, locked away in fear, trying to protect themselves from the Roman soldiers who could come for them at any minute. Continue reading →

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“When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’” Luke 17:10

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Now that my kids are older, and especially since going back to work, I’ve transferred a lot of chores and tasks to them. I want my kids to learn to pull their own weight. I don’t want them to become entitled, like so many of their generation. Also, in all honesty, I need their help in order to survive.

Yet, what I’m finding is that the more time passes, the more I’m raising them in a quid pro quo style: “I do this for you … So, you do that for me.” Although it’s working, this Scripture passage makes me doubt my approach, and my motive. Continue reading →

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good… Romans 8:28a

Last week, in his meditation on the meaning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis said, “It’s not God’s judgment on humanity, but God’s call on people to judge what is most important to them, and resolve to act accordingly from now on.” Like him, I’ve always believed there is good in every situation, no matter how bleak. As we all quarantine ourselves, it’s the perfect time to take Pope Francis’ words to heart and take stock of our lives. Continue reading →

Despite all the chaos in the world, Nancy Ward continues to share an excerpt from my Lenten devotional each Wednesday on her “With Our Savior Wednesdays.” So grateful for that, and her! Continue reading →

I, the Lord, explore the mind and test the heart, giving all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their deeds. Jeremiah 17:10

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I’d hazard a guess that the beginning of motherhood was the same for each one of us: Our first child trained us up to be the mom we needed to be. I, for one, worked hard to meet Zack’s needs, stretching myself in ways I hadn’t thought possible. But you do what you have to do. I did, and I thought I was good to go.

When my second child, Mason, came along, my confidence level was high. I knew exactly what to do to mother him. Oh how wrong I was! Continue reading →

So grateful to Nancy Ward over at JoyAlive.net for featuring an excerpt from my Lenten devotional each Wednesday on her series, “With Our Savior Wednesdays.” Continue reading →