What type of Dirt are you?

I have a question -- "what type of dirt are you?"  No, this is not a Facebook poll.

I just read the parable of the seeds sowed on four types of dirt - the hard path, the rocky soil, among thorns, and the fertile soil.

So, what type of dirt am I?  I believe it goes with how things are any given day or time for me..  I know I've been the thorny soil for many years in my life -- this is the soil where we allow the everyday items to chock out my faith.  It's easy to do - we can get so caught up with a busy schedule, with what society says, and such.  Faith can easily be put on a back burner. 

Many years ago, my home was filled with lovely items (it still is, but this goes better with my story - so friends, don't call me out.)  Some of the items belonged to my mother and grandmothers, others were gifts, and most were items I saw in the store and I just knew they would look cute in my home.  But one day I came to realized that among all my items on display, I had nothing which spoke of my faith.  I did have a crucifix in my bedroom - but no where else in my home.  When people came to my home, they thought it was nice, but it did not really speak of my deeper self - my faith.

A few years later, when I was finishing my undergrad, Art was in my last semester - the assignment was to have a picture taken of us (this was before selfies were a thing) set with items that spoke of who we were.  I had a stack of my college books closed and turned upside down to say I was finished - I was look to my right to as to be looking to the future and in the background a crucifix with a red rose (St. Therese') was hanging on the wall.  I now look at that picture and can see - that yes my faith was there, but it was in the background of my life.

Today I still have the crucifix in my bedroom, but now also in my main living area along with a picture and statue of St. Therese'.  I find myself looking at both each day - sometime absentmindedly -  others with a purpose.  The crucifix reminds me how great God's love is for us and my statue and picture of St. Therese' reminds me to ask for prayer - for myself, my family but also for this world.  And I would hope/believe if I was taking that picture today, an item representing my faith would be in the foreground.

So, what type of dirt am I?  Jesus explained the parable as such for his disciples.  The seeds are the word of God; the hard path is those who hear the word, but are not open to it - the seeds fall and cannot grow - then birds (Satan) comes and snatch the seed away;  the rocky soil has just a little dirt - when the seed falls here it can start to grow, but cannot grow deep roots because of all the rocks which represent underlying problems such as hardened hearts - when trouble comes - drought, winds, torrential rainfall  - which we all know it does - the seed quickly dies; the thorny grounds allows the seed to start to grow, but then quickly chocks it out - and these are all the trappings of our life; and the fertile grounds - that is when the seed falls and grow and produces a great amount of fruit.

There is one important point - we must choose what type of soil we are and we must choose to receive the seed.  As with the seed - we must choose to hear and receive the word of God.  If we just listen without an open heart and ready to learn it's deeper meaning and to allow it to change our lives - the word will not grow with in us.  Spending quiet time pondering God's word is a good thing - it is allowing that seed to grow deeper roots.

Life is not always easy - storms come through out lives and can challenge our faith.  We can find ourselves is situations where we have no idea of what to do.  These are the times if that seed has grown deep roots we can lean on it - we can know we are not alone and God is there to help us through the storm - if we simple open our hearts to it.

So, what type of dirt are you?  I pray you will allow God's words speak to your heart and that you will be open to receiving it.  I pray that your seed will grow deep roots and be strong when trouble blows.  The one blessed thing is that God allows us to change - he allows us to develop into better dirt. 

Lovely things in my home is fine - but it's not the most important when it comes to my faith.  My type of dirt changes, sometimes I may even go backwards
, but other's I move forward - life is not perfect - we are human - but the love of God is always there for us if we choose it.

A Year Acceptable to the Lord

I use to be someone who always made New Years Resolutions, and like most, I usually have broken them by mid January.  Then I went a few years with not doing anything, and now I much rather set goals.  My Spiritual Director asked me last week, where did I want myself and my faith to be at the end of 2019.  I thought about it and then said “I would like to be a published author and I would like to be bolder in my faith.”

I currently have 2 projects in the works - a children’s book and a devotional/advent calendar combo for the next Advent season.   More info on the both to come.  But what I wanted to look at is my goal at being bolder in my faith.

I had not really thought about it, but the words came tumbling out of my mouth when I answered Sister’s question.  This leads me to think, that the goal was not necessarily my goal,  but the Lord’s goal for me.

I have always been very open with my Catholic faith, but not one who really shared my deepest faith with but a few friends.  Not that I want to be in anyone’s face, but perhaps I should take the opportunity when presented to share my deep love of the Lord with others.

So, with that in mind, last week I had seen someone I am acquainted with on social media share a link about an article of nuns being sexually abused and her commentary on how the Catholic Church should close their doors and we Catholic should “wake up.” I rolled my eyes and moved on, then stopped and went back to the post.  I set it down for a little while, then decided I needed to respond.  My response was “I refuse to allow the sins of some, keep me away from the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist.”  I didn’t see any instant replies to my comment and let it go.  A few days later I went back to see if anyone added any comments to find this “friend” had un-friended me.  Honestly, it made me laugh.  Perhaps a few years ago this may have discouraged me, but not anymore.  For me it was a sign, yes, this is the direction the Lord wants me to go, and I am following it.  For I have learned when I have been on the Lord’s path, evil has tried to shut me down.  I only feel bad that evil used this person to try to move me away from my Lord.

What goals do you have for your faith? What would be a year acceptable to the Lord in your life look like? Pray on it, ask the Holy Spirit to show you where the Lord wants you to grow. And join me on an adventure this year as we travel the Lord’s path.

Calling in the Desert

As a mother and wife I can tell you that there have been many times when I feel that everything I say falls on deaf ears.  I only want good for my family - so suggesting that my son pick up his dirty clothes or put the dish into the dishwasher versus on the counter is for his good - teaches him discipline.  But I believe there are times my family simply tunes me out.  One, perhaps because they know what I am asking them to do may require effort; or two, may require them to change something in their behaviors as in putting the dirty clothes down the laundry shoot instead of on his bedroom floor; or perhaps it is a concern that it could be a little of both.

And, I believe - make that "I know" at times I do the same with God.  I can see what he is asking of me will require me to do something/to change something.  So, I act like I didn't hear it.  Honestly, who am I kidding?  Just as I know what my child is doing, so too does the Lord know what I am doing.

It can be scary to change - it may require us stepping out of our comfort zone.  There are times when it is much easier to stay here in sin than to change.  It also just as scary when we can see the path the Lord is moving us to - and it's big and long and hard.

This is when faith must step in.  This is when we need to release our fears, and to be truthful, it is when we need to stop thinking about ourselves and our fears and just do what the Lord is asking.

Fear of what to come is a very human reaction.  We can put too much thought into it - so much so - the fear locks our feet to the ground.  What we see in the fear becomes our reality; even if it is absolutely a lie.

So, how do we release the fear?  Lots of books have been written on it, many I've read.  But it all boils down to our Faith.  Faith in the Father - faith that his love for us is greater than any fear our mind can conjure up - faith that his never ending mercy is there to help us to reject sin and pick us up each time we stumble - and faith that he is walking beside us with each and every step we take.

Today is a good day - hear the voice crying in the desert - do not tune it out or turn away.  Do not think of our own self, do not allow fear to keep us from the goodness of the Lord.  Just as Peter had to face his fear when he stepped out of the boat - the Lord is asking/calling us to do the same.

Let's turn our attention to the Lord, open our ears and do a little "water walking" today; let us step away from our fear and answer the Lord's call.

Allowing Your Light to Shine

As a child, my cousins would always call me a little miss goodie two shoes.  I don't know about you, but for me, that always seemed like a derogatory name.  I don't really know where my nature to be of service to others has come from - but I believe the Angels must have been whispering in my ears from my birth.  Do I get it right all the time, absolutely not - but that is how we all learn.

As an adult, I have worked for various non-profits and volunteered for many different organizations.  I can remember one place I worked, the department I was in was very busy and most did not have time to participate in the volunteer opportunities our employer asked of us, so I tried to do more to represent our department.  And I was shocked when my supervisor told me that those employees in the department who were very busy - actually complained.  I can remember my answer "well, if they would do more, I believe I would not feel that I need to carry the load for our department."  Maybe not the more elegant answer (I can be very defensive when cornered.)  I now can see that they were either jealous that I took the time to help or they felt bad because they could not - most likely the later.  Today, I am part of an organization which is all about giving service to others and we are highly encouraged to do so.

I truly believe we are here to serve each other and when we hold back because of fear of what others may think, or say, we are holding on to the very gifts and graces which the Father has given us.  And when we simply don't want to help another person - well, I would suggest you might want to go to confession (just a thought.)

Serving others may not be the most lucrative activity - in fact it may cost you - energy, time and money.  But honestly when you help another, you receive back so much more that cannot be measured in this world's terms.  Serving others may not be easy - it may be work - it may be hard - it may physically test and challenge you.  But I ask you, (ok - prepare yourself for
here comes a little Catholic guilt)  was it easy for our Lord to pick up and carry his cross to Calvary?  I believe we all know the answer.  We are all called to do works of Mercy and Charity.  As Catholics it should be part of our DNA - if it is not part of yours - pray to the Holy Spirit for an infusion.

But what if you are not physically able to give service - is all lost?  Absolutely not, for you can pray for those who do give physical service and pray for those who need service.  Prayers are our most powerful tool.

If you are at a loss of what to do - perhaps you are newbie at service or now have a family you would like to include - I have a few suggestions -- look at your Parish bulletin for ideas, ask others where they volunteer, check out your diocese website.  Another idea is that Advent will soon be upon us - you could create an Advent Calendar which calls you to do something for another person each day - this is great for a family - items could include visiting a nursing home (adopt a senior), writing personal greetings to people you have not reached out to lately or you know they may be struggling with the holidays, take cookies to your local fire fighters - and I'm sure you can think of many more. 

I've found a links with lots more suggestions:

Catholic Link - acts of Charity

Now is the time to let your light shine - the world needs us more than ever -- people all around you can be blessed by your actions today.

Greener Grass

When I was a kid, one of my Mom's favorite sayings was "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence."  Meaning when we are having troubles, everyone else's life always looks so much better than ours.  Now grown, actually it is greener on the other side of the fence - my neighbor waters their grass all summer - so when my grass is brown and crunchy - their is lush and beautiful - but at what price - see I live in the city and  have city water - so we pay for every drop that comes out of our spicket.  I'll water my flower pots, but we let the grass go - it will rain, eventually, and then it will be green again, and my husband will have to start mowing again.  I've thought about getting a rain barrel to capture rain water for my flowers -- but that's a whole other topic for another blog post on our responsibility to care for God's creation.  Let's get back to the grass is greener thought.

This past weekend's Gospel (John 6:60-69) we hear Jesus ask Peter if he was going to leave too - Peter's response is perfect "Master, to who shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life."  Being Christians is not always easy - we hear the Gospels challenging us to work to live better lives, to love those who hate us, and to give without expecting return.  But as Peter - who would we go to but Christ.

Well, this has had me pondering this week --- what is the difference of "life with Christ" and "life without Christ."  I know my life with Christ has not always been a cake walk - there is not some prayer which makes all my troubles go "Poof" and disappear from my life.  But I look to some of my family members who do not believe in God - and think about what does their lives look like?

Those who are without faith seem to live for the here and now -- and for themselves.  They may have successful work and may seem to skate through life.  But we don't truly know what is lying underneath and at what price does this life style come with.

Ok, this lead to another thought to ponder (I know, I move from one thought to another - but hang with me - I have a point.) I began to think about how wonderful other people's lives look like (greener grass.)  It can be very easy to laps into the lifestyle society has laid out before us.  When I was a young bride - my new husband was not Catholic and though he was a believer, he was not interested in attending weekly Church.  I found it hard every Sunday to get up and go to Mass by myself - and found I was looking for excuses to not go.  I was only thinking of me - my needs. Eventually,  I was able to break that cycle by volunteering for things with the Church - it helped me to give service but also make a support system so that even though I was driving to Mass on my own, once inside I had a family in faith there ready to greet me.  I also found new strength in attending weekly which gave me the courage to live a life of Christ.  This is why when I'm asked about the need to attend weekly Mass - my answer is that it is important - it renews our faith - it feeds our souls - and it prepares us for the week ahead.  And the big answer - Mass is not about us - it is about praise the Father and thanking him for all the blessings he has given us.  This is an important point I think many of us sometimes forget.

So, I reason the big question for our lives is - not green grass or brown crunchy grass but whether we we choose death or eternal life.  I'm sure you can guess my answer.