living the ordinary seeing the extraordinary
Happy and Joyous Easter! He is Risen, Alleluia!!
Over at Catholic Mom today writing about the hope that the Resurrection brings.
After every Good Friday we are met with Easter Sunday. No matter the cross, no matter the struggle. Every cross carried will someday be lifted, someday made glorious. It may not be in three days, in three years or even in our lifetime. But the hope is real, the promise is ours!
We are in the final days of Holy Week before the great celebration of Easter. My to do list seems to be growing as I try to scurry around to get things done before our Easter travels. The laundry pile is multiplying in size despite my efforts to divide and conquer and bunnies with the first name of dust are making their way across my furniture.
Still I find myself saying slow down. The words continue to play on my heart. The days are short. Live out this season as it is. Sit at Jesus’ feet and listen. Be present to wipe Christ’s face on the road to Calvary. Console His grieving heart. Be the strength to help carry His cross. The arms to comfort those along the way. The one present.
How can I fully enter in when I am being woken up at night, the toddler is whining, the baby needs to be changed, dinner made and called upon to listen to stories of the day. I need to simply be present. Present to Christ who is made visible in the caring for my children. If I can only slow down to recognize His face.
Spending less time on social media and more time with scripture. Less time fussing over house work and more time reading to my kids. Less time worrying and more time listening.
Wishing you peace in the stillness, love in the mystery and healing in the victory.
Lent is soon upon us, only hours until we cover ourselves in sackcloth and ashes and I am starting to feel panicked as I haven’t yet decided on what I am giving up or doing this Lent.
Join me over at CatholicMom.com as I write about some ways to simplify Lent and really focus on what the season is about with or without a sackcloth!
This Christmas season I found myself much more emotional than usual. As I walked into a store and bell ringers were singing “Away in a Manger”. Listening to the Gospel of Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth who once was called barren. Gazing down in the eyes of my three month old as I reflected on the night Christ was born in a humble manger.
I could blame it on the postpartum hormones or a lack of sleep, but I would be missing the true message, the reason for our celebrations. Simple yet incredibly profound. Love. The love born that first Christmas night. The love that is poured out for each of us not just at Christmas but each moment of our lives. The love that comes down into this broken world to mend our hearts. The love that is freely given and ours to have.
Wishing your family a blessed Christmas season. May it overflow with the gift of love!
A few pictures as our Christmas celebrations have just begun and as we recoup from a week away with family. I may be calling for a mandatory nap day and early bedtimes for all.
I marvel at the pictures on blogs and instagram of children smiling so perfectly and wonder what kind of bribes and candy must have been exchanged to have everyone posing as if they were in a magazine. Sharing a few outtakes from what was attempted, nothing printable.
Here we are 10 days until Christmas and soon we will be starting the third week of Advent. In my mind I was going to make this the best Advent ever, carving out extra time for prayer, spending more time in silence and yet somehow the time has vanished between diaper changes, dishes, scary dreams and long hours at work.
As I think of my to do list, Christmas baking, decorating, cards to address and presents to wrap I get consumed by the busyness that I tried so hard to avoid this Advent season. I remind myself of the simplicity that was present the first Christmas night, the stillness, the beauty. I pray that in these remaining days I can let my mind and heart be at rest to simply reflect on the miracle.
Lord, make my heart your manger bed.