Our Lady of Prompt Succor

Even though I have only a small following on this blog, I am asking for prayers for south Louisiana, particularly those areas that were impacted by Katrina. Our Lady of Prompt Succor is the patron for protection during the hurricane season. Our Lord is a wonderful refuge.

I will be at LSU, as essential personnel. For this hurricane, Steve and the girls have evacuated with me. So, while Mom is working, Dad and the girls will be entertaining one another.

Prayers to you...Blessings from our Lord.

MFW

Our God is Good...All the Time

In our readings today, I learned that our God is Good! I learned that our God is FAITHFUL! I learned that when I call upon the name of the Lord, He hears me, and He takes care of me. And, I learned, or should I say, was affirmed, that our Lord loves to be praised at all times and in all generations (1 Corinthians 1:1-9; Psalm 145; Matthew 24:42-51).

This fills my spirit this morning, as I am trying to know the character of Jesus. He is FAITHFUL! I think of His promises...His promise to never abandon, His promise to always work things in my life for His good, His promise of eternal life. I cling to those promises, even in this spiritual desert. We also have the expression of this through our Catholic church. We are able to be in the true presence of our Lord each day. We are able to go to Him, and leave it at the cross...

I remember struggling with the "how" of doing that when Steve was sick. I remember thinking, "Oh, so easy to say. Leave your burdens at the foot of the cross." How do you walk away from the cross without the burdens? Is Jesus going to write the check for the late bill at the collections office? Is Jesus going to stop Steve's pain literally? As soon as I started going to Adoration, and not focusing on just the cross, but the real presence, I realized the friend that I had no matter the time of day. I realized how those promises in Scripture are alive in our world today. Amen. Alleluia. I love our Lord! I love Scripture, and the expression of our faith by connecting Scripture to Tradition! Whew Hee!!! Praise God!

Struggling

Last night, I realized how much of a spiritual desert I am in. My life is as stressful as ever, but right now, I am just cruising spiritually. How did I let this happen? Why did I let this happen? How do I protect myself from this in the future? Really, I think I am ready for another retreat. The one I attended last Advent was wonderful. However, I am thinking, just as I need gas in the car, a good filling of your spiritual tank takes you far; or at least 294 miles (Saturn Vue).

I am equipping myself tonight. The first part is my attitude. I've been struggling with my church parish lately...I often judge it isn't Catholic enough. What can help me here? 2 Corinthians 12: 9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.""

I am also unsure of the path the Lord has me on right now. I continue to question my role in the provision for my family. Deacon Daddy and I have always counted my career as a blessing for our family, but I also struggle with the fact that I am a mother to my core. I just received a promotion at work, and I am excited about it. It means more money for our family, a satisfying career, and affirmation of a job well done. I must keep this in perspective, that this is more blessing from the Lord, and not something that "I" did. Still, I don't understand the path...What can help me here? Ah, my favorite verse in the whole Bible: Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope." This is a promise that sustains me.

These are the main struggles I am having. I want to come to the cross with these struggles and leave them at the cross. I want to look at the Lord on Sunday, and tell Him face to face that I love Him. I want to tell Him that I trust Him to take care of me and our family. I am now more excited to go to Church, and to listen to the song of my heart...

MFW

Deacon Daddy is Back

Deacon Daddy was gone for a week with the girls to Oklahoma. He came back yesterday, and I am happy once again. Steve is such a wonderful father and husband. Though he does not provide in the traditional male sense of the word, I've never met a more clear leader of a household. Steve is the strength upon which this family relies. It is from him that I take my lead in life...His Christlike ways and love are amazing to be a part of. No wonder I missed him so much when he was gone. My prayer is that if any of the girls marry, they would have husbands like their father.

Love of My Moma and Daddy

Yesterday, my mother and father, both in their 70's, ended up needing care. My sister and I tagged teamed. Mom is in the hospital, and dad is at home with pneumonia. I realized yesterday the fragility of our aging parents. Life is fragile and beautiful. Mom held my hand last night when she got out of bed, and limped to the bathroom. She layed her head on my shoulder when she felt dizzy. She rested soundly in the hospital bed next to the hospital sofa I laid on. All of this reminded me of the times she took care of me. All the times I had my babies, and she was right there beside me making sure I made it to the bathroom o.k.

Meanwhile at home, Daddy was fussing about being too medicated by the doctor. I had to fuss at him, begging him to do what the doctor is telling him to do so his pneumonia didn't get any worse. Ok, by fuss, I mean strongly suggest. Daddy has COPD on top of the pneumonia, so they have to treat it aggressively...and he has diabetes.

You know, after typing this, I realize I need to ask for prayers for my folks. I love them so much. They have certainly taught us how to care for one another in the family. Good parents, good parents.

MFW