Courage

“Believe in yourself.
You gain strength, courage and confidence
By every experience in which you stop to look fear in the face…
You must do that which you think you cannot do."

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Last May, while attending an out-of-town workshop, there was a poster hanging along the corridor wall outside my room. I really liked the wisdom of its message so I took note of the words on it. Several times these past months, I have found myself calling upon its message and from it, gaining courage and openness to "the more" in my life.

I hope you too will find it helpful in overcoming your own fears or self-doubts, and the other "blocks" in your life.

The Face of God

A few years ago, this little boy lost his leg when a fire ravaged their home. But even more painful than losing his home or his leg was the loss of his mama. He missed her so much that sometime after it happened, he approached one of his teachers in school and begged her to be his mama! We first met him at a gathering of kids during an annual mission camp. He was using crutches. He looked very sweet and had a certain aura of calm inspite of his situation. He even broke out into a smile when we approached him.

Whenever I look at his lovely face in this picture, especially the glimmer in his eyes and his smile, I can't help but think that this is the Face of God in it's pure form. A face that reaches out even amidst painful circumstance, a face that reflects glimmering hope through its eyes and smile, as if to say, "Hang in there. We can still find something good."

Thank you, little one, for teaching us this about hope!

The Song Becomes a Prayer

When i hear the song of David Gates (of 'Bread') below, this is the image of Jesus that comes to mind... and then the words of the song become a prayer that warms the heart. "Tomorrow and today, beside you all the way..." - Beautiful!

If

If a picture paints a thousand words,
Then why can't I paint you?
The words will never show the you I've come to know.
If a face could launch a thousand ships,
Then where am I to go?
There's no one home but you,
You're all that's left me too.
And when my love for life is running dry,
You come and pour yourself on me.

If a man could be two places at one time,
I'd be with you.
Tomorrow and today, beside you all the way.
If the world should stop revolving spinning slowly down to die,
I'd spend the end with you.
And when the world was through,
Then one by one the stars would all go out,
Then you and I would simply fly away.

Special Moment

My children are much taller and bigger than me now. But forever I carry within my memory the tender, peaceful feeling that would always be there years ago when during their infant days, I would bend over to bring my face very near them as they slept, to see them up close, and to hear their very soft breathing... or if it could not be heard, to just watch their chest go up and down in rhythmic movement. Then to look at their curled up little fingers and try inserting my little finger in theirs, as a way of holding their hand, or letting them hold mine, while they slept.

For those of you who still take care of infants, I pray that you enjoy these moments to the max. May every rise and fall of their breath as they sleep tug your maternal heart. Only a God such as ours can author these special, tender moments.

Happy mothering!

Master Painter

Look at the beautiful colors. How can one not believe there is a God who created this, a Master Painter who painted these vibrant colors to life. And to think that this is just one among the zillions of other nature scenes in our world. When you see a scene like this, you just have to PAUSE, LOOK CLOSELY, and then SAY A PRAYER of praise and gratitude to the good Lord who showers us with so much life and beauty.

Thank you, dearest Lord for your gift of color and life!

Like the Rays of the Sun

One of my favorite books is entitled, "Miracles Do Happen", written by Sr. Briege McKenna. (You can look up the customer review from years ago in Amazon Books.)

At that time, I had just finished reading the book and was impressed in particular by how she described the power of the Blessed Sacrament. She likened our sitting in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament to sunbathing! When you sunbathe, you just sit or lie still and not try to do anything in particular. But after sometime, you realize that your skin actually absorbs the sunlight and acquires a sunburn color.

When we sit in adoration, our presence is all Jesus wants. We don't have to say or do anything other than sit in His presence. Then we leave the chapel. But quite amazingly, afterwards, you will realize that something else has actually taken place. Like sunburn, we are not exactly the same as before we started sitting in His presence. The change can be so subtle or so gentle... but it will be there.

I have experienced this time and again. So much has unfolded in my life that I can with all surety call as grace. And I just know that these are fruits of the time spent in adoration, before the Beloved Blessed Sacrament.

It's been eight years that I have discovered this powerful Presence. And the desire to regularly visit continues. I try to drop by at least once a week. My Friday afternoon is blocked off for this regular "date" with the Lord. It's a great way to end a busy week - basking under the warm rays of the sun...

May you too experience the warmth and reassuring Presence of our Lord, whether in front of the Blessed Sacrament, or in the quiet sanctuary of your room while in prayerful adoration.

God bless you :=)

Thank You, St. Francis!

Last October 4 was the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. There is a movie about him, 'Brother Sun, Sister Moon' that you may want to watch. There is one song there, where he is enjoying with fresh eyes the meadow and the open air... then he sings a song of gratitude for its loveliness.

We may not be able to go to a meadow or lie on the grass like what he did, but amidst the busy-ness of our day, we can take few minutes to visit the quiet sanctuary we have within us, and like St. Francis, enjoy re-discovering the freshness and the beauty of what is around us - whether it be nature, or friendships, or even day to day activities that actually bring us much laughter, or learning or simply a touch of His goodness.
Have a lovely day!


ON THIS LOVELY DAY

Birds are singing sweet and low, from the trees that gently grow
Soft and serene breezes low, on this lovely day.
To the meadow there go I, to wonder at the butterfly
How the flowers please my eye, on this lovely day.
How I wish it could be always, love and beauty on such a day
I wish this peace on everyone, on this lovely day.

Praise the Lord for birds that sing, for the rains and all they bring
Praise his love in everything, on this lovely day.
Thanks for trees and butterflies, for the things that please my eyes
For the sky that laughs and cries, on this lovely day.
How I wish we could give always, love and goodness and thanks and praise
I wish this peace on everyone, on this lovely day.

The Father's Table

My image of our beloved Father in heaven is that of a Master Potter who continually fashions and shapes each pot that is on His worktable. Daily He molds the pots into more defined shapes, puts special touches for each, fills in any cracks big or tiny, and dusts away excess or loose powder. Each pot is unique and beautiful and intimately known by Him.

I feel like a little child with little skill, volunteering to be His assistant, lacking in strength to lift the bigger pots, unable to recognize cracks nor to do the finishing touches well for now, but very willing to be directed by Him and to learn whatever it is that He is willing to teach.


Dearest Lord,

I humbly beg to be Your little assistant
If this is also what You desire
May I help you to bring healing to the cracks
And to highlight the goodness and the beauty
In the pots you allow me to assist You with.

Hoping to be,
Your assistant potter


(p.s. photo is more of a carpenter's worktable as i have been unable to find a fitting "potter's table" for now)

In the Silence

I have found great comfort in this song. It speaks of how Jesus is most with us in our quiet moments, those times when we are still enough to listen and behold the silence within us. He tells us how He is so present with us there. How He also longs to express His love for us. We only have to give him that silent space and hear him speak. Our desire to feel His healing love is matched, or even outmatched, by His own desire to express the same to us. What a God we have!

The sketch here was done during one prayer time last Holy Week 2007.


YOU ARE MINE
by David Haas

I will come to you in the silence, I will lift you from all our fear,
You will hear my voice, I claim you as my choice, Be still and know I am here!

I am hope for all who are hopeless, I am eyes for all who long to see,
In the shadows of the night, I will be your light, Come and rest in Me!

(Chorus) Do not be afraid I am with you; I have called you each by name
Come ad follow me, I will bring you home,
I love you and you are mine!

I am strength for all the despairing; healing for the ones who dwell in shame,
All the blind will see, the lame will all run free; And all will know My name!

I am the Word that leads all to freedom, I am the peace the world cannot give,
I will call your name, embracing all your pain, stand up, now walk and live!

Heartful Journey

Speaking of journeying with the Lord, here 's a drawing I made last Easter Sunday of 2006. It captures what for me our life can be all about - a heartful Journey with the Lord. God bless you.

You and I

Have you ever tried listening to the words of a pop song, and reframing it so that the love that is written about there is between you and our God? It makes the song even more beautiful. Here's one that has played on in my head. It speaks of our journey with the Lord. If you are age forty and up, you might recognize it - it's from "Goodbye Mr. Chips" and sung by Petula Clark in the movie..

You and I will travel far together
We'll pursue our little star together
We'll be happy as we are together
We may never get to heaven
But it's heaven, at least to try

You and I are going on together
'Til the time we have is gone together
Watch the evening drawing on together
Growing older, growing closer
Making memories that light the sky
That only time can make
That only love can make
That only we can make
You and I

You and I are going on together
'Til the time we have is gone together
Watch the evening drawing on together
Growing older, growing closer
Making memories that light the sky
That only time can make
That only love can make
That only we can make
You and I
You and I
You and I ...

Happy New Year!

Every October 1st is a special day for me because it marks the beginning of a new spiritual year. Another year of growing in understanding and loving the Lord.