It Takes More Than Prayer

May 2, 2016May 2, 2016Leave a comment

This seems to be a theme to many discussions I’ve been having with different people lately. Of course, prayer is important – it has its purpose and place but we can’t stop there!

So many people use prayer as a way to remain passive or change the burden of action onto someone else – namely onto God. “God, fix it.” “God, show us a miracle.” “God, change their hearts.” It almost seems like a challenge for God to prove himself in a way that reminds me of Jesus’s 40 days in the dessert with the Devil (Matthew 4:5-7). I’m sure that isn’t the intent of the person making those petitions but, really, what are THEY willing to do in order to help?

The grace present inside all of us makes us, literally, the hands of God. The question shouldn’t be why God let something bad happen, it ought to be what could I have done to have kept it from happening? How can I help to remedy it now? What can I do in the future to make/keep things better? Hold the phone! Wait a tick! That takes effort on our part! And courage! And insight! And most importantly ACTION! Sometimes I think that when people say prayer doesn’t do anything, it is because they are praying for the wrong things.

We have these bodies to make the world a better place not just to look cute (though a lot of the world would try to make you think otherwise). Inaction makes us weak and unhealthy so that just proves that we are MADE for doing things! I know, we are technically doing things all the time (on the cellular level, I’m really quite busy!) but are we choosing to use our time and energy on the things that matter most?

How about the next time you “paws to pray” you ask God to receive the guidance for YOU to do something in the world? “God, inspire me to find the answer to the problem.” “God, give me the strength to follow through on the answer you lead me to.” “God, help me develop the patience to be an example of your love to this person so I can lead them in the right direction.” Prayers like that can change everything.

“Where I Am Right Now”

May 1, 2016May 2, 2016Leave a comment

“Where I am Right Now” by Jared Anderson

I absolutely love this song. Not only is it a toe-tappin’ tune, but it reminds me of one of my favorite sayings:

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” -Teddy Roosevelt

Whenever I get too type-A and hard on myself, I remind myself of that quote so I can slow down all the “should” statements bouncing around in my head. Because how can you expect yourself to do more than what you can do? It doesn’t even make sense to think you can! But there are a lot of us that still try to do it on a daily basis.

So the line in the song that goes, “And the enemy tells that lie, That I’m missing out on a better life,” especially hits home for me because if I’m focused on things I can’t even do (the “should” nags), that dialogue definitely isn’t coming from God. Even the small things we do, as long as it is done with great love (paraphrased from Blessed Mother Theresa) are what God asks us to do…big and grandiose makes only for earthly rewards.

The next time that you find you are comparing yourself with the Jones’ take a moment to evaluate your true situation…some days you really can only function at 80% of your absolute best, and that’s okay because it is what where you are at that day. Just make sure that you recognize the difference between avoidance and self-preservation. We all need a break from running at our maximum from time-to-time, however, make sure to identify whether you are doing it to re-energize your mission of serving God or if it is to avoid being a servant of God. As with so many things about faith…it is the intention that is most important.

If you haven’t already, take a moment to be present as you listen to Jared Anderson’s song. Make your “paws to pray” for the day a self-evaluation of where you are right now.

In a Theatre Down by the River

April 30, 2016May 1, 2016Leave a comment

A parishioner at my church is the director of a play that is happening right now at a little community theatre that is housed on the third floor of the town police station. This old limestone building right next to the river has been the police station for as long as I can remember. I’m positive the city has grown in population but apparently the crime has not. Not that I’m complaining.

The staging of a 1950’s home.

So a few of my friends from church and I went to give support and have a night of entertainment.

The play bill touts the summary:

“‘Over the Tavern’ is a warm and hilarious look at family, growing up and faith in the 1950s. 12-year-old Rudy Pazinski is a smart, wise-cracking kid who’s starting to question family rules and the Roman Catholic Church. When Rudy goes up against the ruler-wielding Sister Clarissa and announces that instead of being confirmed he’d rather shop around for a more “fun” religion, all hell breaks loose.”

Although the plot wasn’t exactly what I expected it to be from the summary, it was full of wholesome humor and Catholic tropes that hit home. My favorite line was in reference to explaining what happens during Confirmation – “You answer a bunch of questions, the Bishop slaps you and you’re on your way!” (painfully paraphrased)

A few of the individuals I was with were concerned that, with the 8:00pm starting time, they would probably have to get a nap in sometime during the play. But the small venue allowed for the actors to engage the audience in such a way that everyone was wide awake (and chuckling) through it all! As we left there was good conversation about the highlights of the previous two hours…which is always a good sign.

My “paws to pray” for the day:

Thank you, Lord, for such great friends. They are an honor to serve and a pleasure to enjoy their company. Please continue to keep them close, inspire them to follow you, and give them single-minded direction to do your will. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

From Novice to Bodybuilder

April 29, 2016May 3, 2016Leave a comment

A 40-Day Spiritual Workout for Catholics by Bob Rice (2013)

I facilitated an at-home spiritual retreat using this book with my church. We started January 1st as a New Year’s Resolution. It was a cute play-on-words since so many people’s New Year’s resolution is to workout for physical health, we were doing it to improve our spiritual health. And since any workout is difficult to maintain without a little motivation, having an accompanying online blog was a wonderful addition. We all really supported each other to keep going for the whole 40 days as well as go more in-depth into the author’s reflections.

I honestly can’t say enough good things about this book! Bob Rice created such a thoughtful progression from day to day that he really did foster a deeper connection to the traditions of the Catholic faith. I kept having so many ah-ha, light bulb moments that it started to get humorous almost. One of the things that can be hard for a lot of people is to move their faith from their heads to their hearts. But, on Day 12, Mr. Rice provided such beautiful imagery of what our reception into Heaven would be like, it provoked very deep emotions for me. The next time I was at Communion, I had a much stronger connection to what I was taking part in. Others in my online group mentioned similar connections throughout.

So whether you are able to read this book as a group (which I HIGHLY recommend) or on your own, I suggest that your spiritual growth is worth the 40 days. I plan on doing another cycle through it, too – since there are always little details that you don’t necessarily pick-up on the first time through a book. Not-to-mention, you are always at a different stage of your spiritual journey, for messages to hit you from another direction. But that’s the fun part that makes religion “alive”!

A Puppy Paws

April 28, 2016April 30, 2016Leave a comment

Here’s three minutes that you can enjoy. And as soon as you start smiling (I guarantee you will), that is your cue to “paws” to praise God and give thanks that moments like these exist.

The Japanese Crab Apple Was Actually in Quite a Good Mood!

April 27, 2016April 28, 2016Leave a comment

When I taught 1st grade, I’d say to my kids on days that I was feeling a little less patient than usual that I was “feeling like a crab apple” so they shouldn’t infer anything personally if I seemed short-tempered. I’m not sure how that simile came to be, but a tree like this can only inspire a good mood.

Look how fancy pantsy this tree is! It’s in the front yard of my mom’s house. Granted, this is one of those trees that blooms quickly with delicate flowers that get blown away with the next stiff breeze or light rain shower but it is magnificent as it lasts. Last Saturday, my mom and I sat outside with her dog, Sophie, soaking up some rays since the weather was absolutely gorgeous. We were sitting near the front bird feeders so we made many red-wing black birds angry for blocking their drive-through restaurant but we had plenty of chickadees, house finches, cardinals, and goldfinches coming close to grab some grub. We even had a great blue heron fly overhead and a flicker rooting around the southern part of the lawn as we settled deeper between the wooden slats of the bench.

We decided to take some pictures of the Japanese Crab Apple tree while it was at its height of elegance (as we always aim to do each year) before the next spring weather shake-up blew through. Its transient beauty is part of what makes it so special – something to look forward to appreciating however briefly. It draws you to stand there and look however long you can in a few moments of meditation before you realize you are staring at a tree – taking a “paws to pray”, if you will.

How can I say that was a “paws to pray” if I didn’t actually have a mental conversation with God? Because the appreciation of nature is a praise to God. Taking time to notice it, to absorb its balanced energy, to share it with others – is a type of prayer. Look at the close-up picture below of the petals and leaves and see how an artist created that. It was made for us to enjoy and take part in the interconnections between living things (as the single bee going flower to flower proved).

Springtime in the Midwest is a great time to re-energize as new life abounds through not only the Resurrection of Jesus celebrated on Easter Sunday but as the Earth is painted bright again by the power of the life through God.

Saint Francis did it, so can you!

April 26, 2016May 5, 2016Leave a comment

St. Francis of Assisi apparently preached to animals. I mean, why not? They’re good listeners and they’re great at looking like they’re interested. You can’t go anywhere without running into some animal – whether it is the dog at your feet, the cat on you lap, a bird in the tree outside your window, a resident spider in the corner of your room, or an earthworm on the sidewalk after the rain. So why not make them a purposeful part of your life?

Worried about feeling silly talking to animals or reading a bible passage out loud just so Spot or Bubbles (your fish) can hear? Think of it as a good first step to being more comfortable evangelizing to other people. We’re all called to talk about God to others – but, I don’t know about you – that can be pretty hard for me. I’m not sure how the other person is going to respond, I feel like I don’t know enough to be able to respond to their questions or critiques, I don’t want to seem pushy about my personal beliefs, then I get all shy and clam up.

But you don’t have to be a street corner, bible thumper to evangelize (not that I’m criticizing that method but there are many of us that are not extroverted enough to do that). My sister had babysitters who were students at the local Christian college. One time she made the comment that she couldn’t understand why they were always so happy! Like, ALWAYS! Yeah, my guess is that it’s probably because they have embraced their faith – and when you do that, there’s no reason to be UNhappy! And just with their attitudes, they evangelized. It wasn’t in-your-face; it wasn’t confrontational, but there was something noticeably different about them…in a good way!

So use the comfort of the solitude you have with your pet (or any animal nearby) to make yourself comfortable with being in your faith. As you walk to get your mail, notice the sparrow in the tree and say, “Why hello there! I see you are enjoying this fine day that God has made, too!” Well, for that one you might want to do it in your head so your neighbors don’t get concerned. But, seriously, can it hurt to say a before meal prayer when you put down the dog’s dinner bowl? I guarantee if you have small children they will LOVE this practice. Not only will it help to instill habits of appreciation, thanks, and praise but it will help to give them the language and comfort level to continue with it as they grow older – with animals OR people! And, really, the worst that could happen is that other people might look at you a little sideways but that just might start a conversation that both of you need.

Paws to Pray

If not now, then when?

Category: Religion