So often we hear these words, or words similar to them. They are full of hope and encouragement. We who were once slaves to sin have been set free and made anew in Christ because of His love for us. Pretty awesome! We know these words are true in our heads, but what really challenges myself and others is knowing that these words are true in your heart.
Knowing that these words are true in your heart requires not just knowledge and faith, but also total surrender. You have to surrender your feelings of inadequacy, guilt and shame to Christ, who died so you wouldn’t have to carry these burdens. You can no longer use your past sinfulness as an excuse or reason as to why you are how you are. Your sins don’t shape you, they alter the path that God laid before you. What you do on that new path is up to you. You should use your past failings as stepping stones to a better you instead of stumbling blocks to better relationships with God, yourself and others.
So often people see their lives as defined by what they’ve done and how far they’ve fallen or strayed. When in reality these things don’t define who you are, but are markers of the path you have taken to get where you are today. Everyone’s life is filled with a past history of running from God and giving into temptation. You can either use this to draw closer to God through His merciful and forgiving love or you can use it as an excuse as to why you aren’t good enough, deserving enough, or worthy to be loved by God. You can accept the fact that you have been remade through Christ’s love for you, or you can reject that. It’s up to you.
No matter what you choose God will continue to love you. It is up to you to accept His love, He will not force it upon you. In accepting God’s love and the fact that you have been remade, you are agreeing to not define your life by your past failings. You are giving God you guilt, shame and feelings of inadequacy because if you have truly been remade than your past is no longer a part of you. And thus you cannot define your life by your sins; you can merely accept the fact that you have ended up where you are because of past decisions, and then move forward, closer to God, from there.
This is definitely a hard road to walk on. One I frequently struggle with. It is so easy to fall into the trap that you are not good enough. But YOU ARE!! Christ had nails driven into his hands and feet, a crown of thorns trusted onto his head, his back beaten, and his side cut open to make you believe that you are good enough. Will you accept that?
Do you accept in your heart that you have been remade anew through Christ’s love for you? Does your past sinfulness define who you are? Have you fully surrendered your guilt, shame and inadequacies to God? What is holding you back from doing so? Have you grown accustomed to and comfortable with the guilt and shame of your past?
You don’t have to be, for Christ died so that we might have new life. Live it!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Building Block of Life
Trust. It is one of the most fundamental elements in any relationship, whether that be with an employer, a close friend, mother, God, anyone. Trust is so easily broken, and very carefully built over a period of time. Trusting someone means that you place yourself, your most intimate thoughts, the depths of your soul within their hands knowing that they will comfort you, guide you, protect you. You believe whole heartedly that they have your best interest in mind, and thus will not hurt you in any way.
Trust is such a delicate and intimate part of life. It is so fragile, one wrong step and it can be taken away or reduced significantly. But if it is still present, it is the foundation for which a deeply personal relationship can form. Trust takes time to learn, for it is only with experience that one can decide who to trust with much and who to trust with little. It is only by being hurt, having your trust broken, that one can develop a clearer understanding of trust and all that small word brings along with it.
Recently, God has been pointing out to me that trust is something that I still need to develop more fully in all of my relationships, including my relationship with Him. I am not too sure why, but for as long as I can remember I have been reluctant in sharing personal thoughts, happenings, struggles, and failures with those around me, no matter how close a confidant I consider them. To me, some things just seem so personal and deep that if I shared them with someone I would feel completely exposed and I guess that is what scares me the most. When exposing the most intimate parts of my life with someone I am unsure of how they will react towards me and I fear that I will be hurt in some way. Currently, I am working on developing a deeper sense of trust with those close to me because I know that those around me are wonderful resources, guides, comforters and just people who will listen when that is what is needed. It is a nerve-wracking road that is for sure, but one that I know will lead to deeper relationships that are more balanced, which is something I long for because I feel that all too many of my relationships our heavily weighted on the other person due to my lack of openness and sharing.
I want to leave you with a quote that I found somewhere that I cannot remember at the moment. Here it goes: “God sees that you do not honor Him sufficiently with holy trust. Trust in Him and you will have the fulfillment of what your heart desires.” Peace to you on this journey.
Trust is such a delicate and intimate part of life. It is so fragile, one wrong step and it can be taken away or reduced significantly. But if it is still present, it is the foundation for which a deeply personal relationship can form. Trust takes time to learn, for it is only with experience that one can decide who to trust with much and who to trust with little. It is only by being hurt, having your trust broken, that one can develop a clearer understanding of trust and all that small word brings along with it.
Recently, God has been pointing out to me that trust is something that I still need to develop more fully in all of my relationships, including my relationship with Him. I am not too sure why, but for as long as I can remember I have been reluctant in sharing personal thoughts, happenings, struggles, and failures with those around me, no matter how close a confidant I consider them. To me, some things just seem so personal and deep that if I shared them with someone I would feel completely exposed and I guess that is what scares me the most. When exposing the most intimate parts of my life with someone I am unsure of how they will react towards me and I fear that I will be hurt in some way. Currently, I am working on developing a deeper sense of trust with those close to me because I know that those around me are wonderful resources, guides, comforters and just people who will listen when that is what is needed. It is a nerve-wracking road that is for sure, but one that I know will lead to deeper relationships that are more balanced, which is something I long for because I feel that all too many of my relationships our heavily weighted on the other person due to my lack of openness and sharing.
I want to leave you with a quote that I found somewhere that I cannot remember at the moment. Here it goes: “God sees that you do not honor Him sufficiently with holy trust. Trust in Him and you will have the fulfillment of what your heart desires.” Peace to you on this journey.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
A Day full of Mom
First off, I want to wish everyone a Happy Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary!!! May Mary bless and watch over you today and everyday.
So, I'm on fall break this week and I was trying to think of something to do with my friend Abby. I wanted something that could combine God, being outside, food and talking. I came up with the idea of going to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, so we packed our lunches and headed out for a day of adventure!
I was really excited because I had never been there besides to look at the Christmas light displays (which are fabulous btw). I was looking forward to being able to enjoy the gorgeous weather, with a good friend of mine all while surrounded by Mary awesomeness. What kind of day could be better? I sure couldn't think of anything! :)
Upon arrival we ventured into the vistor center, to grab a map and check out the gift shop, because who can pass up a good Catholic gift shop? I surely can't! I could spend all day in there looking at all the epic Catholic things. But alas, I finally gave in and decided it would be best to head back outside to begin the real adventure, so that is what we did.
The first place we stopped, was the Agony Garden in which was a beautiful statue of Jesus praying fervently. Looking at his face, expecially his eyes was so amazing. They were full of longing, fear and questioning...ahh they were just emotion packed. I could have looked at Jesus all day.
But, that too came to an end and we ventured across the path to the stations. We walked along quietly reflecting on each scene, while testing our knowledge of identifying each station. This was probably one of the first times I actually reflected on the stations, instead of just reading along with the pamphlet. Oh, how awesome this was. While we were relfecting on the stations, I would try to place myself in one of the people's shoes and see what I would be thinking if I was them. It was a powerful experience, and I came to the conclusion that I need to pray the stations more often because it is not only during Lent that I am carrying a cross but rather everyday that I choose to follow Christ I am carrying a cross. So that is a goal of mine, to pray and reflect on the stations on a more regular basis, what that basis is has yet to be decided.
After grabbing lunch, chatting all the while, we jumped right back into our adventure. Next, we visited the Ressurection garden which had a beautiful stone tomb in the middle of it. Then we headed over to the annunciation garden, which had a statue of Mary and the angel Gabriel as well as a reflection pool with bells in it. We arrived there shortly before one o'clock so we decided to stay until one, so we could hear the bells. Oh how you should have seen how we both jumped when they began going off!! I bet the family on the other side of the pool was probably laughing at us, it was pretty funny.
We then walked down some path that went through the woods, which was really awesome, and led to the Lourdes Grotto. I really like this grotto quite a bit, it was just full of awesomeness. There were so many votive bags with prayer requests written on them surrounding the grotto, and candles at the front, you could really tell that many people had a strong devotion to Mary. Since today was the beginning of my consecration novena, I decided to light a candle asking for Mary's protection, guidance and love.
Leaving the grotto, we marched off to visit the hill of Guadalupe. Upon arriving, we noticed some cacti in the landscaping, so being our typical selves we deemed it necessary to touch them. If you've never touched a cacti, they feel pretty weird kind of like foam mixed with something, I'm still trying to figure this out msyelf so if you have any input let me know :) At the hill of Guadalupe, there was of course another marvelous statue and a WATERFALL!! Besides the waterfall, I think my favorite part about this place was the seclusion of it, pratically hidden from the road it was very intimate and peaceful.
All that was left on the map now was the visit the main ampiteather and shrine. We got to the main part and there was a huge statue of Mary it was so beautiful. Then we ventured around to the back, and oh snap there was so many little places of goodness back there!!! We first ventured into the Mary Chapel, which had gorgeous pictures of Mary everywhere and awesome stained glass windows. It was here that I officially began my consecration, and I couldn't have picked a better place without the help of God. Then we headed off to this walkway which had mosaics of Mary, which too were simply amazing. Ooo then we went into this other chapel, which had mosaics of the sorrowful mysteries at the front. They too were amazing, I could have sat there looking at and reflecting on the mysteries all day. Probably one of my favorite places of the whole Shrine. Then we saw this other walkway that had mosaics of Jesus' life, just as awesome as everything else.
It was such a blessed day, full of God and Mary and joy, peace, and love. I'm still working on processing everything that happened, but one thing I know for sure is that I am definitely going back to the Shrine, and hopefully it wont be too long before I do!! If you get the chance, I recommend it completely!! Actually, don't go if you just get the chance, make the time to go! I can guarantee that it will be an amazing experience!!
So, I'm on fall break this week and I was trying to think of something to do with my friend Abby. I wanted something that could combine God, being outside, food and talking. I came up with the idea of going to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, so we packed our lunches and headed out for a day of adventure!
I was really excited because I had never been there besides to look at the Christmas light displays (which are fabulous btw). I was looking forward to being able to enjoy the gorgeous weather, with a good friend of mine all while surrounded by Mary awesomeness. What kind of day could be better? I sure couldn't think of anything! :)
Upon arrival we ventured into the vistor center, to grab a map and check out the gift shop, because who can pass up a good Catholic gift shop? I surely can't! I could spend all day in there looking at all the epic Catholic things. But alas, I finally gave in and decided it would be best to head back outside to begin the real adventure, so that is what we did.
The first place we stopped, was the Agony Garden in which was a beautiful statue of Jesus praying fervently. Looking at his face, expecially his eyes was so amazing. They were full of longing, fear and questioning...ahh they were just emotion packed. I could have looked at Jesus all day.
But, that too came to an end and we ventured across the path to the stations. We walked along quietly reflecting on each scene, while testing our knowledge of identifying each station. This was probably one of the first times I actually reflected on the stations, instead of just reading along with the pamphlet. Oh, how awesome this was. While we were relfecting on the stations, I would try to place myself in one of the people's shoes and see what I would be thinking if I was them. It was a powerful experience, and I came to the conclusion that I need to pray the stations more often because it is not only during Lent that I am carrying a cross but rather everyday that I choose to follow Christ I am carrying a cross. So that is a goal of mine, to pray and reflect on the stations on a more regular basis, what that basis is has yet to be decided.
After grabbing lunch, chatting all the while, we jumped right back into our adventure. Next, we visited the Ressurection garden which had a beautiful stone tomb in the middle of it. Then we headed over to the annunciation garden, which had a statue of Mary and the angel Gabriel as well as a reflection pool with bells in it. We arrived there shortly before one o'clock so we decided to stay until one, so we could hear the bells. Oh how you should have seen how we both jumped when they began going off!! I bet the family on the other side of the pool was probably laughing at us, it was pretty funny.
We then walked down some path that went through the woods, which was really awesome, and led to the Lourdes Grotto. I really like this grotto quite a bit, it was just full of awesomeness. There were so many votive bags with prayer requests written on them surrounding the grotto, and candles at the front, you could really tell that many people had a strong devotion to Mary. Since today was the beginning of my consecration novena, I decided to light a candle asking for Mary's protection, guidance and love.
Leaving the grotto, we marched off to visit the hill of Guadalupe. Upon arriving, we noticed some cacti in the landscaping, so being our typical selves we deemed it necessary to touch them. If you've never touched a cacti, they feel pretty weird kind of like foam mixed with something, I'm still trying to figure this out msyelf so if you have any input let me know :) At the hill of Guadalupe, there was of course another marvelous statue and a WATERFALL!! Besides the waterfall, I think my favorite part about this place was the seclusion of it, pratically hidden from the road it was very intimate and peaceful.
All that was left on the map now was the visit the main ampiteather and shrine. We got to the main part and there was a huge statue of Mary it was so beautiful. Then we ventured around to the back, and oh snap there was so many little places of goodness back there!!! We first ventured into the Mary Chapel, which had gorgeous pictures of Mary everywhere and awesome stained glass windows. It was here that I officially began my consecration, and I couldn't have picked a better place without the help of God. Then we headed off to this walkway which had mosaics of Mary, which too were simply amazing. Ooo then we went into this other chapel, which had mosaics of the sorrowful mysteries at the front. They too were amazing, I could have sat there looking at and reflecting on the mysteries all day. Probably one of my favorite places of the whole Shrine. Then we saw this other walkway that had mosaics of Jesus' life, just as awesome as everything else.
It was such a blessed day, full of God and Mary and joy, peace, and love. I'm still working on processing everything that happened, but one thing I know for sure is that I am definitely going back to the Shrine, and hopefully it wont be too long before I do!! If you get the chance, I recommend it completely!! Actually, don't go if you just get the chance, make the time to go! I can guarantee that it will be an amazing experience!!
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