“Finally, he sent his son to them thinking, ‘They will respect my son.'” Mt 21:37

My mom has been a Special Police Officer in my hometown for over forty years. From time to time, she had to participate in target practice and serve on matron duty when a female was taken into custody. Mostly, she directed traffic for the schools, and still does so today.

As a senior in high school, I was pulled over for speeding on the way to our rival’s school to toilet paper the place before the big Thanksgiving game. You can bet I mentioned my mother’s name as soon as I could, hoping to get special treatment. Sure enough, I got just a tap on the wrist and a quick lecture to slow down. Continue reading →

I will pour My Spirit upon your offspring, and My blessings on your descendants. Isaiah 44:3

Published on CatholicMom.com

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay.com

My kids’ buses leave pretty early for school. After I get ready in the morning, we’re really only crossing paths for five or ten minutes before they’re heading out the door.

The short crossover further emphasizes the fact that they’re now out of my sight more than they’re in it. Knowing that how they spend their time will have a big impact on who they become, I worry about all they’re exposed to that I can’t control. That’s a tough thing to come to terms with as an extreme Type A Control Freak.

I had to come up with a plan to ease my concerns. Continue reading →

I’d like to thank Nancy Ward, at Joy Alive, for featuring a reflection from my Lenten booklet, With Our Savior, on her blog each Wednesday of Lent. Continue reading →

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.  Proverbs 16:32

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay.com

Home is supposed to be a safe place where we can be ourselves, warts and all. Although I’ve tried and succeeded in creating that safe space for my family, I’ve made an enormous mistake in defining how that works.

I’m one of those people you’ll never see mad in public. I’m a people pleaser: I don’t want to risk hurting or offending anyone. It’s far easier to swallow my anger than it is to apologize for it after the fact.

It’s a whole different story in private. In the safety of my own home, I’ve taken great pride in letting my emotions fly. I want my kids to see that life is hard sometimes; I have my fair share of struggles; and emotions need to be worked through in order to be let go.

The mistake I’ve made is teaching my kids that it’s okay to let our emotions rule us. I honestly believe it’s a mistake society is making as a whole. Continue reading →

“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” Mark 8:34

Always curious about other people’s traditions, I’ve asked a lot of women if they exchange gifts with their husbands on birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard: “No. Since we each get ourselves whatever we want all year long, there’s really nothing left to give.”

My husband and I are no different. We’re not extravagant in our spending, but we never deny ourselves. Continue reading →

Published on CatholicMom.com

“By hearsay I had heard of you, but now my eye has seen you.” Job 42:5

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay.com

My husband and I are now in constant training mode: not being trained, but doing the training. At fifteen, thirteen and nine-years-of-age, our kids need to be participating more in household chores. In order to do that, they need to be taught – repeatedly.

As the snow blower buzzes, or the washing machine sloshes, we’re routinely imparting our techniques on how to clear the snow, fold the laundry, empty the dishwasher, etc. Although my kids moan and groan, this transference of information is so important.

There’s learning to be had on both sides of the process. As a control freak and drill sergeant, I want my kids to do things my way. That’s been an ugly battle with both sides getting frustrated and demotivated.

What I’m learning is: Unless they take ownership, they’re not going to care about the end result. The only way they can get to that point is for us to allow them to do it their own way.

Faith, and our relationship with God, are no different. Continue reading →

Whoever slanders a neighbor in secret I will reduce to silence. Haughty eyes and arrogant hearts I cannot endure.   Psalm 101:5

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay.com

Jocelyn is now in fourth grade. As early as last year, a pattern developed between two of her friends where they would fight and put Jocelyn in the middle. The first girl would speak badly of the second to Jocelyn, and swear Jocelyn to secrecy. Then, the second girl would try to pry out of Jocelyn what the first girl said about her, and vice versa.

It kills me that the girl-drama already exists at this age. However, I’m trying to see the good in that. Continue reading →

… He (Jesus) said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored.   Mark 3:5

I recently got a contract with Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) to write my first full-length book! The working title, for now, is: All is Blessing: Finding God in the Tensions of Life. It’s due out in the fall of 2021.

The book will address the fact that we all have stress and tension in our lives. God doesn’t create any of it. But because He loves us so much, and only wants what’s best for us, He shows up in the middle of it, wanting to guide us through. Using the story of the Biblical sisters, Martha and Mary, I’ll show how seeking Him out, and letting Him lead us to the changes we need to make, will melt the tension away.

Writing a book has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. It’s funny, though, how striving for your dream is so very different from actually achieving it. Continue reading →