Your presence, O Lord, I seek!      Psalm 27:8

Jocelyn and I took a parent-child cooking class together a couple weeks ago. Now that I’m back to work and have less time to be with her, I was so excited about the quality one-on-one time we were going to have.

We did have a wonderful time, but it wasn’t the magical mother-daughter experience I’d hoped it would be. She got distracted by the other little girls, and was more focused on how they were rolling out their pasta dough, than on her and me bonding. For my part, I was too focused on capturing it all in photos so we’d remember the night forever. I wasn’t as present as I’d hoped to be.

It was just another reminder of the trap of expectations, and recognizing what real relationship is all about. Continue reading →

It was such an honor and a thrill to be interviewed on Catholic TV to promote my Lenten devotional, “With Our Savior.”

If you haven’t already ordered yours, log on to LivingFaith.com/Family. If you input code FM3TV, the booklet is only $2.99, with free shipping.

Here’s the link to the interview on YouTube: Continue reading →

Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.     Proverbs 11:29

I had this Monday off from work for Presidents’ Day. Naturally, I assumed my kids had the holiday off too. I couldn’t wait to have all that time together, and had excitedly planned how we’d spend it. It felt like Christmas!

That morning, when my husband came back from his run, he told me about all the kids he’d passed at the different bus stops on his route. I quickly jumped on the school website to discover it wasn’t a school holiday after all.

Feeling our time together slip away, I declared it a “Hooky Day!” Zack and Jocelyn cheered and hollered. Mason had a completely different reaction. Continue reading →

He sighed from the depth of his spirit… Mark 8:12

“Are you kidding me?” I asked my boys, after discovering them playing screens, despite homework not done and beds not made. “How many times have I said homework and chores before screens?”

“Oh…” they said, looking up with guilty faces. “We forgot.”

“Really?” I sighed. “You’re really going to say you forgot when it’s been the same deal for years?” Suddenly weary from it all, I turned and left the room. Continue reading →

… there is nothing I lack. Psalm 23:1

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay.com

Mason has been cast as Lord Farquaad in his upcoming school play, Shrek The Musical. I keep telling him how excited I am to see it because I know he’s going to be amazing. Each time I say that, he deflects, and says something self-deprecating.

It kills me to hear him doubt he’s capable of something I know he was born to do. This isn’t just a proud-mama thing where I’m bragging about his abilities. I’m just stating a true and complete fact: The kid is as creative as the day is long, and he transforms when he’s performing.

Sadly, though, I know far too many people who react like Mason does. Continue reading →

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.    1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay.com

Lately, my kids have gotten into the habit of saying “I love you” when I say “Yes” to a request. It’s a sweet reaction to have, but something about it hasn’t sat right with me.

After thinking about it more, I realized it makes me feel as if their love is conditional. They only seem to say “I love you” when I give them what they want. I don’t think I’ve ever heard them once say it when I say “No.” I decided I needed to tell my kids the message I thought they were sending.

Of course they denied it, saying they love me no matter what. As they were claiming there were no strings attached to their love, it occurred to me I had some soul searching to do of my own. Continue reading →

He will tend His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.    Isaiah 40:11

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay.com

I watched the true-to-life movie Temple Grandin a while back. Temple is autistic and sees the world differently because of it. Where most people judge that as a deficit, Temple knows her perspective has value. The surprising thing is: Her perspective helped cows!

When she watched cows be corralled and herded for vaccination or slaughter, she noticed that the pattern they were forced into determined their mood and agitation level. When she looked closer, her perspective allowed her to see and experience things the way they did.

She recognized that when they were forced to make sharp, 90 degree turns, it was too extreme for them. That’s why they rebelled, sometimes so badly, one would break a leg and slow down the whole production line. Yet when they were herded into curved patterns, circles, or S shapes, they went willingly, calmly, peacefully.

I think motherhood is an awful lot like herding cows! Continue reading →

Photo Courtesy of Creative Communications for the Parish

Each time an email drops into my inbox telling me another pastor has decided to purchase a couple hundred booklets for their church, my heart fills to the brim with deep gratitude. Thank you to all my readers who are spreading the word! It is because of your efforts that so many more families will be praying together this Lent. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!

Enjoy this next excerpt from the devotional!

SATURDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY

_______________________________________________________

Love’s Healing Touch

People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me.” MARK 10:13-14

In 1987, Dr. Tiffany Field studied the impact of touch on babies born too early. She discovered that even though all the premature babies ate the same amount, the babies that were massaged for fifteen minutes a day gained 47 percent more weight. Dr. Field said that she believed that it was sheer love: The massaged babies felt loved through the contact.

Talking to God in prayer has the same effect on us. We feel loved through contact with Our Savior.

When someone hugs us on a bad day, it makes things hurt less. Our Savior wants to be that someone. When he wraps us up in his great love, things do hurt less. When it is his will, he can take away the hurt completely.

WITH OUR SAVIOR » Dear God, remind me, I pray, to always turn to you. When you wrap me up in your great love, I always feel better.

_______________________________________________________________________________

WITH YOUR FAMILY » Try an experiment of your own. For one whole day, don’t hug your family at all. The next day, hug them as much as you want. Compare your feelings. Share what you find.

*Excerpt used with permission from Creative Communications for the Parish.

Booklets begin at $1.99 each, but reduce in price the more you order. To order in bulk, visit Creative Communications for the Parish.  For smaller orders, email withoursavior@gmail.com.

Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.”    Exodus 18:17-18

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay.com

Despite being someone who needs to have control, and oversee everything, now that I’m back to work I’ve had no choice but to delegate some things to my kids. I’m not one to experience a ton of mother’s guilt, but I definitely have been feeling some over the past few months.

What I wasn’t prepared for was what would happen to my kids. Continue reading →

Photo Courtesy of Creative Communications for the Parish

I’d like to thank everyone for being so supportive of my new Lenten devotional, “With Our Savior.” I feel blessed beyond measure that so many of you have purchased them for yourselves, and for your family and friends! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Enjoy this next excerpt from the booklet! Continue reading →