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Now brethren, we urge you to praise God. That is what we are all telling each other when we say,
Alleluia.
—St Augustine
Linking with the ladies from Suscipio
Moments of Gratitude
In a recent homily, my pastor, who is from Africa, said one of the greatest lessons his mother taught him was that when life gives you 100 things to cry about, God will give you 1000 to be thankful for. So, despite a heaviness of heart since last week, I started with small things and while the clouds haven’t yet lifted …I just keep counting:
:: diet root beer
:: sunglasses
:: transportation
:: days with no transportation
:: ceiling fans
:: running shoes
:: a Bible that fits in my purse
:: a medium point pen
:: gregorian chants
:: the right color lipstick
:: working on needlepoint
:: books
:: a paper shredder
:: sunrise/sunset
…..
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God
—Philippians 4:6
Praying
:: for Pope Benedict’s health, strength and peace
:: for the Holy Spirit to guide the conclave in selecting a new pope
:: The alms-giving, prayer and fasting of Lent give way to a deeper knowledge and union with ~ the love of God
Memorizing
In the Kitchen
:: Subiaco Fish Fillets, broccoli, Israeli couscous
:: Kale, Carrots and White Beans
:: Minestrone
Reading
Waiting on two books that have been highly recommended to me, both by Father Joseph Esper:
Defiance: The Anti Christs in History and Their Doomed War Against the Church
Spiritual Dangers of the 21st Century
Pondering
From: St Gertude the Great–Herald of Divine Love
But, Gertrude did not dwell on such reflections of her unworthiness.
Instantly she placed all her hope in God’s goodness by saying:
What will it avail me to hesitate?
Even if a thousand years were given me, I could nevertheless not prepare myself fittingly.
I will therefore go to meet him with confidence and humility,
and when my Lord sees me from afar, He will send in advance a garment wherein I may be fittingly clad to be
presented to Him.
Captured
The Last Judgement
12th Century Byzantine Mosaic
Torcello Cathedral
+PAX
February 18th, 2013 at 7:34 pm
Heart stirring Caroline….I will keep you in prayer for I know the days of darkness and the gratitude does help to some degree.
Do you think it has to do with the your concern with the state of the world/Church?
Many blessings and gifts…small and large.
February 18th, 2013 at 9:32 pm
I love your thorough list of blessings. I only put down one, and am humbled by your positivity.
I will pray for your heavy heart, Caroline.
February 18th, 2013 at 9:38 pm
Jeannine, I always give credit to Theresa, of Desert of My Heart who literally tutored me through reading her beautiful posts she originally called Multitudes on Monday.
I appreciate your prayers and that you stopped by to visit.
Blessings and +
February 18th, 2013 at 9:45 pm
Theresa…I think it’s a kettle of soup. Definitely weakened from concern with the world/church and then add to that a few close call family health concerns and all it took was one more thing as a last straw…and there they came …the black clouds. I know you know how to pray for it and I so appreciate if you would. The Auxilium Chrisitanorum prayers have been very helpful..for sure the Lord brought those along through you at just the right time.
Blessings always and +
February 19th, 2013 at 2:14 am
Praying for you, Caroline.
February 19th, 2013 at 2:20 am
What a beautiful blog you have Caroline. I am glad I came to visit today. You have reminded me to keep up with the gratitude journal I started.
I love the quote from Saint Gertrude…just love it.
February 19th, 2013 at 3:59 am
Thank you Samantha .. These gratitude journals really force me to focus on what I have to be thankful for…just like my pastor’s mom said : )
Blessings and appreciate you stopping by +
February 19th, 2013 at 4:00 am
Erica..Thank you for the prayers (and for stopping by)..one of the many blessings of meeting so many wonderful people through blogging. +
February 19th, 2013 at 5:20 am
I will be remembering your intentions when I pray, Caroline. I admire your wisdom in deciding to start with small things. I have to admit that I do not yet fully get Saint Gertrude there, but she captured my attention, and I’m on it.
By the way, you do needlepoint? Wow!
February 21st, 2013 at 7:43 pm
Thank you Marcia…I agree St Gertrude’s quote is is a great one to ponder.
I love to needlepoint .. : )
Blessings always +