Many times, I run through a day with so much on my plate between homeschooling and errands and keeping the house afloat. I wonder why I don’t always feel His presence, or why I feel devoid of Him in my heart. It dawned on me that I do hear Him: He is that whisper when I catch my breath, the whisper when I hug my family and tell them “I love you,” the whisper in the silence while I’m washing dishes or folding laundry. He is the "small whisper" (see 1 Kings 19:12). He quiets my active mind with His gentle whisper, reminding me that He is there. God’s Whisper Just singing along With the same ol’ song Ain’t nothin’ wrong But it don’t feel right I felt fulfilled That was up until I stood still Day was silenced by the night God’s a whisper on a busy day Forgotten Word I need to say Yeah the Lord hits me that way Through a whisper on a busy day He’s there reminding me Of the overlooked beauty All that I fail to see In my blindness Gently He turns my head For my sins, He bled Died on the Cross in my stead In His merciful kindness God’s a whisper on a busy day Holy Word I need to pray Yeah the Lord hits me that way Through a whisper on a busy day Amidst the craziness of it all He reminds me to answer His call Through a whisper on a busy day His Spirit breathes the Word I need to pray Yeah the Lord guides me the right way Through a whisper on a busy day   Danielle Erwin is a Catholic wife and homeschooling mother of five. She has authored a book of poetry on miscarriage after she miscarried two of her own babies and is currently working on publishing her book of poetry on the Catholic Faith.   [bctt tweet="God's Whisper // A Poem #BISblog //" via="no"]

Ciabatta bread, fresh from the oven, is one of my family’s favorite foods. It transforms an average meal into a feast, especially when served with a small plate of olive oil and shredded parmesan, and, of course, a glass of wine. Our Family's "Rosary Ciabatta Bread" Recipe I wish I could remember where I found this particular recipe. The ingredients are ordinary ones, the rise times are fairly typical, but perhaps the biggest trick is in the knead, which takes a total of fifteen minutes. We’ve nicknamed this recipe "Rosary bread," for this reason. While the kitchen mixer is busy kneading the dough, there’s plenty of time to recollect your thoughts, to pray about what’s on your mind and heart, and yes, to slip a Rosary into the mix. (Not literally, of course.) How to Make Rosary Ciabatta Bread The essential steps to most any bread making are easy enough, but today I'm seeing a connection between the wholesomeness of homemade bread, and the holiness of a domestic soul. First of all, take a look at the ingredients. What do we put in the mix for the batch of bread? Common, readily-available ingredients such as yeast, water, sugar, flour, oil, and salt. And in the mix of ingredients that make up our everyday life, what ordinary things are tossed in? Rocking the baby, balancing the checkbook, preparing meals, running errands, and much more. The big responsibilities and mini must-dos that are required in fulfilling our domestic vocation are the ingredients added into our lives. These things, measured out and poured into our days, are part of our recipe for personal holiness. Second, the ingredients need to be kneaded. You want the yeast to reach every bit of dough. We need to be needed, too, but we also have needs. In our prayer times, we pray for ourselves, others that are closest to us and those faraway, and for the world at large. Our prayers spread throughout creation, and stretch to the heights of Heaven. Today’s woman—the homemaker, the mom with a mission, the woman in small business or high stress career—can she declare her “need time?” Just as the yeast permeates the batch, prayer penetrates our hearts, opens our minds, and causes our souls to rise. Thirdly, the dough requires a rest time. This enables the yeast to do its work, which in turn affects the overall quality and texture of the bread. And so it is for us: our rest time energizes us, opens our imagination, inspires us to soar. Do we take time to rest? To wonder and ponder, to pray and play? Find time to relax, to withdraw “from the crowds" as Christ did. When, where and how do we make time for that? A spontaneous visit to the Blessed Sacrament, a scheduled Eucharistic Adoration hour, or perhaps a silent Ignatian retreat are just a few options. Fourth, after being shaped into loaves, the bread dough is ready for the oven. And for us, after being shaped by prayer, things definitely heat up for us. We are asked to do more, to give more of ourselves. This is when our prayer is put into action. Committed to a goal, with purpose declared and defined, we schedule some type of time slot for things to be formed and finished. What challenges must we face in order to develop our personal talents and creative interests? What hard things must we endure in order to get the end product, whether tangible or intangible? B e patient, but work for the result. Trust God in the process. He asks us to invest our talents, to produce good fruit for his kingdom, all for his great glory and the salvation of souls, including our own. And finally, enjoy the feast! Fresh bread shared with others fosters community. There are so many groups and gatherings, Bible and book studies, podcasts and websites dedicated to bringing women together. These places, as well as our own circle of family and friends, provide support and encouragement. We are called to share our gifts, to be a source of heavenly leaven that makes souls rise, and to invite others to the feast. Are we celebrating in heart, rejoicing in God’s love by sharing the Gospel message? How are we bringing the bread of life to others? Rosary Ciabatta Bread Recipe Ciabatta, aka "Rosary Bread" Total time: approximately 2 hours 1.Dissolve 2 teaspoons of instant yeast in 1 1/2 cups of warm water. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of sugar over the yeast and let it rest until foamy.2.Combine 3 ¼ cup of flour with ½ teaspoon of salt in a large mixer bowl. Add the yeast liquid. Knead at low speed for 10 minutes.3. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and continue kneading for 5 minutes at low speed.4. Cover the dough and let it rest for 15 minutes.5 Shape into a rounded loaf and set on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Let it rise for 45 minutes.6. Cut small slits into the top of the loaves. Optional: sprinkle with water and top with 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds.7. Bake at 425 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes 📿 Make It a Daily Habit Find Your Perfect Rosary From the Blessed Mother to St. Therese, St. Joseph, and Our Lady of Guadalupe, our rosaries are made to pray for your intentions every day. Shop All Rosaries → Let us know if you make this Rosary ciabatta bread! How did it turn out? Did you get to pray your Rosary? Laurie Schmitt, a veteran homeschooling mother of nine and grandmother of two grandprizes, is the author of Catholic historical fiction books for children, including Lepanto’s Lady (Our Lady of Victory and the Battle of Lepanto), Champions of the Rosary (Our Lady of Good Help and the Peshtigo Fire) and Giorgio’s Miracle (Eucharistic Miracle of Turin). In her writing, she aims to tell tales that weave truths of Catholic tradition and teaching, seeking to evangelize and catechize the next generation of saints. Picture books are coming soon! You can find out more about her here.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. // John 14:27 Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. // John 13:34 Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Jesus said:“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. // John 10:27 Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Stress is a normal part of life. It can be difficult to manage it, but thankfully there are many verses from the Bible that offer guidance on how to deal with stress and related issues. Scripture Verses to Pray When You're Stressed You might not associate stress with the Bible, but the Word actually contains plenty of examples of people dealing with it. “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” // Exodus 14:14 This Bible verse tells us that even when things seem difficult, God is on our side and will help us through whatever challenges come our way. “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.” //Psalm 55:22 When we have stressors weighing us down, it can seem like everything is falling apart around us. This Scripture verse reminds us that God is always there to help us and that we can put our trust in Him. “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” //Psalm 27:1 This verse reminds us that no matter what stressors come into our lives, God will always be with us. We can find strength in Him during difficult times. “Be still, and know that I am God.” //Psalm 46:11 This verse is about learning how to find peace in the midst of stress. When we are feeling overwhelmed, it can be helpful to take a step back and just breathe. This verse reminds us that God is always with us and that we can find solace in Him. “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light.” //Matthew 11:28-30 This verse is about Jesus offering us rest. When we are stressed out, it can be difficult to find peace. This verse reminds us that Jesus is there for us and offers us the peace that we need. “Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.” //Matthew 6:34 This verse tells us not to stress about tomorrow, because worrying will not help anything. We should focus on today instead of getting stressed out over the future. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” //John 14:27 In this verse, John is telling us that Jesus is our peace. When stressors are weighing us down, we can find calmness in knowing that God gives us His own peace of mind and serenity to get through whatever challenges come our way. “He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?” //Romans 8:32 This verse reminds us that God loves and cares for His children. We can put our stress in perspective, knowing that whatever happens to us, we are always loved by Him. “Be anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” //Philippians 4:6 This Bible verse tells us that instead of worrying over what could happen or fearing the future, it's better just to pray about issues as they come up because praying helps relieve stress. Struggling with Stress Stress can be a debilitating feeling that keeps us from being our best selves. When stress becomes overwhelming, these Bible verses (and others) can help you find peace and serenity again. With the right perspective on stress through praying or seeking out God, we may be able to make stress less of an issue for ourselves. It’s worth noting that, for some, stress can lead to unhealthy addictions and substance abuse. Both a strong faith and professional treatment can help you heal. Remembering that God is always with us can be a tremendous source of comfort and hope. What's your favorite Scripture verse to pray when you're stressed?   Heidi Bitsoli has been a content writer with Sunshine Behavioral Health since 2019, where she researches and writes articles, guides, and blog posts on mental health and addiction. Prior to that, she wrote extensively on health, medicine, business, and human interest topics for a variety of clients. Her writings have appeared in numerous university publications, magazines, newspapers, and websites. She has a degree in English from Lake Superior State University in northern Michigan. A lifelong lover of learning, she enjoys researching and writing about the complexities of mental health.
   HIS WORD CHANGES LIVES God is speaking to you through His Word. In this personal study, you will learn to hear God's voice by reading slowly and praying deeply. BEGIN THE JOURNEY

Coffee and conversation: both blessings to behold. Together, they can create community. I recall such good conversations over coffee in college: with my favorite English professor, with my sister and dear friend (scones included, of course!), and with our Bible study group. There’s something about gathering for a warm cuppa that creates warm conversation. Crucial Conversations My favorite coffee-and-conversation memory is with my grandpa. He loved coffee, too. We would leisurely chat about current events, history tidbits, and family lore, one sip at a time. It wasn’t just grabbing a cup of coffee together. It was cultivating meaningful memories. How important it is to take time for good conversation with family, friends, and co-workers alike, especially in our current times. We should take time to check in with colleagues amid hectic deadlines or text or call a friend to chat. We should have that blessed conversation with a loved one who needs some quality time, discussing ancestral history and other interesting topics of mutual interest. That time is precious, for you will uncover knowledge about the other person—and yourself—and maybe even gain greater understanding of family dynamics and heirlooms alike. Presence and Prioritizing Relationships As Saint Francis de Sales put it: To take the air, to go for a stroll, to enjoy a friendly chat, … are such honest diversions that the only thing needed to utilize them well is simple prudence, which gives to all things their rank, time, place and measure. I think what this eminent Saint and Doctor of the Church means is that “a friendly chat” should be enjoyed because of the company it includes. Prudence aids us in discerning who most needs that time of conversation on any given day, time, and place. Perhaps some need all three, as “The Gentleman Saint” noted: fresh air, a stroll, and a good chat. Pray that you can know who that is and respond accordingly. Good conversation may seem like a simple thing but it is truly a necessary part of Christian life. Faith and fellowship go hand in hand. Through speech, we can help others work out a problem or what is causing them to worry or focus on what brings them joy... and everything in between. Cultivating Consistent Chats Practically, how can we add more chats into a life, with or without coffee? Set a time and place. Have a favorite coffee shop? Text a friend and meet. Need to meal plan? Invite your sister who needs to do so, too, and plan together. Have to get your walk in? Call a companion and set out. In need of more family time? Schedule a Sunday dinner for a good meal and, most of all, conversation. Bring a Bible or book or quote of the day. Delve into Scripture while you enjoy your favorite cold brew, latte, or mocha with friends, neighbors, or church group. Or talk about a good read. What speaks to you and where you all are in your life circumstances? What Saint quote inspires you of late? Insights will abound as the conversation flows. Discern what to discuss. What is a topic this person needs to discuss? Pray about it beforehand. Is it a fun diversion, like paint colors or decorating ideas or the latest must-try recipe or must-see show or movie? Or it is something more serious: heartfelt advice on a subject of concern? Sometimes it could and should mean praying together. Also, think of questions you’d like to ask. Maybe you’ve always wanted to know the story behind cherished religious art in your grandparents’ home. Why do they love it? Maybe it’s why you love it, too. Is there a story about a relative that is worthy of retelling? Could the other person offer a new perspective or needed advice to you? Delve deep and you will be blessed. Most of all, focus on the company. As Pope Saint John Paul II put it in his “Letter to Women”: women acknowledge the person, because they see persons with their hearts. Whether you are chatting over coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, or walking and talking out on your favorite jaunt, or at your kitchen table enjoying a homemade meal or treat, whether with friends or family, the persons before you are of supreme importance. God’s daughters or sons are in front of you and need your time and attention at that moment. That knowledge transforms a simple chat into something truly blessed. What's your favorite way to cultivate conversation and community? What challenges have you faced in your efforts to do so?   Amy Smith is the associate editor of the National Catholic Register, a service of EWTN, and the author of The Plans God Has for You: Hopeful Lessons for Young Women. Amy spends her days drinking coffee while editing features; she likes to write about everything from hope and Saints (her favorites are Thérèse and Gianna) to Jane Austen. You can find out more about her here.
   [bctt tweet="Go Ahead, Take the Time for Talking #BISblog //" via="no"]

“Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” // John 21:16 Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

There are certain biblical characters who, without great detail and explanation of their lives, have captivated me through the written Word. One such holy man is Ananias. There are a few different Ananias’s mentioned throughout Scripture of varying degrees of holiness. I'm referring to the Ananias of Acts 9. Who Was Ananias? Ananias was a disciple of Jesus who lived in Damascus during the time of the persecution of Saul. Around the same time of Saul’s dramatic conversion experience, the Lord came to Ananias and informed him that he must seek out Saul and visit the Christian persecutor so that Ananias may give him back his sight. The Lord told Ananias that He told Saul in a dream that Ananias would do so. Ananias, after asking a few clarifying questions of God, did as God commanded him and restored Saul’s sight. Ananias of Damascus is only mentioned in this one chapter. And yet I believe there are volumes to be learned from his example. I believe that Ananias demonstrates the perfect model of anyone in ministry and service, and I believe he does this through his: docility, courage, and humility. Docility Ananias was open and receptive to the promptings of God in his life. When he heard the Lord calling him, Ananias responded with the genuine and surrendering response made so famous by Samuel: “Here I am, Lord.” Only someone who is docile to the Holy Spirit is able to discern the Lord’s call in this busy life and able to respond with such promptness and openness. Within ministry, I believe that docility and openness to the Lord is one of the greatest virtues we can foster. After all, our goal in ministry is to bring others to Jesus and not to ourselves. If we are not listening to His Word, letting Him speak through us, and giving the Spirit the space to work, then we are not truly bringing Jesus to other people. Courage Ananias was undoubtedly courageous. Earlier in the book of Acts, we learn that Saul was well-known for brutally persecuting the Christians of his time. At the beginning of Acts 9 we read that the very reason that Saul was traveling to Damascus was to do just that: persecute the Christians of the land. Saul was infamous among the Christians as someone to avoid. And yet, it is to this man—a man who could have easily killed Ananias—that the Lord called Ananias to minister. Ananias expressed his fear to the Lord in going to see Saul: Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to thy saints at Jerusalem… // Acts 9:13 And yet, when the Lord asked him to do this thing, Ananias did it. He trusted in the Lord, knowing that He would never leave him or let him down. To do this would require great courage on the part of Ananias. In ministry, we are going to be called to minister to those who disagree with us, who shame us, who make a bad name of us, and who even hurt us. But like Ananias, we can trust that where the Lord leads He also goes with. He will not leave us alone in the frightening and dangerous situations, but can bring great good out of it. We need only be courageous and trust Him. Humility Ananias is only mentioned in this one chapter of Acts of the Apostles. He performs the miracle of giving Saul back his sight. One miracle in one man’s life. And yet it begs the question: if Ananias had not been open to the Lord’s will, would we be missing a Saint that is as influential to all of Christianity as that of the great Saint Paul? Ananias’s service and renown might not seem that great, but without him, where would we be? Similarly, we never know who it is that we might encounter in our ministry. Maybe it is not our calling to become a world-famous preacher or evangelist (it most likely isn’t). But we never know what our small actions might, in turn, put in to action. If we can be humble enough to do our small parts well, then we can trust the Lord to turn everything in to His plan from there. As Mother Theresa so aptly put it, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Learning Lowly Leadership Ananias is an underrated figure in the Bible. But I think we can all agree that, upon closer inspection, he has a lot to teach us. Without people like him all along the way, we wouldn’t be where we are now. I pray that you embrace an Ananias spirit in your ministry, and even in your daily life. You might only end up being mentioned once or twice, and you might never know who you make an impact on. That’s ok. Answer the call anyway. “Here I am, Lord.”   Gracie Muraski lives as a missionary in the beautiful Colorado mountains with her husband. She is passionate about writing, spreading the love of God, building friendships, and anything involving pasta. 
   [bctt tweet="An Ananias Spirit (+ Why Ministry Needs It) #BISblog //" via="no"]

O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

We are called to steward our lives well, and regardless of the personality God gave us, that involves some level of planning. As we grow and mature into adulthood and in the Christian life, we will be entrusted with more responsibility. At Blessed is She, we set out to make your prayerful planning smoother and, well, more prayerful. A Planner for Your Season In that vein, for the last several years, we have offered two different planner layouts to fit whatever your needs are in this season of your life. So which one is better for you right now? Which one will be the most useful tool in the prayerful stewarding of your schedule? We called in two BIS writers on two different planner "teams" to share which planner layout they use and why it works with their particular personality and needs. Bonnie Engstrom shares her passion for the big planner, and Gina Fensterer explains why the mini makes most sense for her life. So pretend you're sitting with your girlfriends over a cup of coffee and they're telling you all about what helps their life function... Team Big // Bonnie I love my BIS planner. I use the academic year layout and I’m on team big. I tried the mini planner one year and my life was a mess. There may come a time when the Mini meets my needs better than the big, but I think that time is many years away and so, for at least the next decade, I’ll be team big. I know teachers who use the BIS big academic planner for their lesson planning. As a college student, I would have loved this planner for keeping track of my meetings, due dates, and extra curriculars. But I am the mom of many, so I’ll tell you how I use my BIS big and why it works so well for me. Academic Layout First, a note about the academic layout. I have eight kids attending two different schools. My husband teaches and coaches for a third school. Everyone in my home lives according to the academic year so it just makes sense for my planner to be on the same schedule. And when I think about the crazy busyness of the end of the calendar year, I shudder to imagine having to begin a new planner. No, thank you! But I love setting up a new planner each summer. I pull out my set of pens and stickers (like the planner stickers from Sweet Little Ones and the BIS shop) and I grab the previous year’s planner. I go through my new big planner, adding birthdays, marking favorite feast days, and noting special anniversaries. In the Notes section in the back, I copy the dates of my godchildren’s birthdays, Baptism dates, and First Communions. I add doodles of fireworks for the 4th of July and pink and purple candles for each Sunday of Advent. It’s nothing special, but it’s fun and colorful and I like it. The Size Now, I love this planner because of it’s size. It’s not bulky, so I can slip it into my diaper bag or a tote bag; but it’s large enough that I have a spot for all my lists and schedules. There are ten people in my family and each of us has an assigned color in the planner: purple for my eldest, bright blue for one son, green for another, gold for my husband, and navy for me. Black ink is used for whole family events. (I keep my pens in a pouch like this, which is always on the front cover of my planner.) As dentist appointments, track meets, and playdates are scheduled I write them down in the roomy squares of the monthly layouts. The same page offers a note section on the far right and there I jot down extra information, like fasting requirements for lab work, details for School Spirit Week, and the claim information for that time I accidentally swiped a car in the gym parking lot. But wait! There’s more! The Monthly Section Each Sunday afternoon I sit down with my planner, pens, church bulletin, school and classroom newsletters, the upcoming forecast, and the sports scheduling app. Referencing the monthly layout and every other resource, I write out our daily schedule for the week. I meal plan, write To-Do lists, and complete the grocery list which grew throughout the previous week. None of it has to live in my head because there is room for all of it—a place for everything and everything can be in its place, written in color-coded ink of course. It’s glorious! Monthly Notes Section A favorite feature is that each week has a full page dedicated to notes. I use these for planning parties, taking notes during ministry or IEP meetings, and jotting notes during phone calls. I always use the page for the week the event will occur so it’s always easy to find. I never have to wonder where the invite and shopping lists for my kid’s birthday party are, because they are written together in the week of his birthday. And of course, I am able to do all of this —organize my life and the lives and schedules of nine whole other people—because the Blessed is She big planner has enough room for all of it. Team Mini // Gina I was in college with my dream on-campus job, sitting down with my new boss, when I became a planner user. It’s not because I’m a “type-A” personality who knew I’d fail miserably if I didn’t once and for all figure out a system to manage my time and commitments. No. My boss told me, “Gina, you’ll start using a planner to stay on top of your courses or you can’t work for me.” That was a gut-punch reality check. So I used that planner, loved every day working that college job, graduated, and promptly ditched my planner habit. I share all that because even a non-planner can appreciate a well-done planner and make it work in her life! If you are like me, a more “go-with-the-flow” type of person, you may just find that you love the Blessed is She mini planner, too. More Than a Planner for Me This planner is made with the Catholic woman in mind. This is “not your grandmother’s free church calendar” that we all bring home from our parishes during Advent. This is a beautifully-designed planner with more than feast days listed through the year. Need a refresher on the mysteries of the Rosary? Those are here, as well as all the prayers in the Rosary (having the Apostles’ Creed nearby is always handy, since I forever mix it up with the Nicene Creed). Need an examination of conscience? Also here. I bring my mini along to Confession (because it’s easily portable!), pray with the examination, and then write down the date of my confession so I can keep track. No more “Bless me Father… it has been… um… I don’t remember but less than five years?” Love to pray novenas but you forget when they begin? This planner has a sweet list of novena start dates to help you remember them. I never knew I would appreciate those things in a planner until I used it. The BIS planner keeps me coming back to it over and over because it works to integrate my daily life tasks with my spiritual life. And now I’m once again a regular planner user, and still a “go-with-the-flow” kind of gal. No Time Slots + Free Spaces That’s why I love the mini, too. Since it doesn’t have time slots on the daily pages, I don’t feel like I’m scheduling all my daily to-dos in any given hour. I’m a stay-at-home homeschooling mom, and my family runs on a routine rather than schedule. Check-the-Box Having the “check the box” list works perfectly for me, so I can jot down appointments and their times, as well as more minor things on my “want to get this done” list so I can track them. The Goals Pages Keeps Me Focused I think I love the mini planner most because not only is it portable (it truly does slip easily into a tote bag or diaper bag), it helps me to keep my life focused on the big picture with the Lord’s will in mind. Each month begins with a page to pray with a theme, to bring any concerns to the Lord before I start adding that month’s to-dos. It also includes my favorite page of all: the goals for faith, family, and fun and a section to record prayer intentions. These pages–the prayer and goals–keep me focused on the most important things with Christ at the center of all my days. What Team are YOU on? So which layout works best for you and your life? Team Big? Team Mini? Or are you on Team Mini with the gorgeous perfect bound binding? Let us know in the comments below! Happy praying + planning! LITURGICAL PLANNERS Our Liturgical Planners are based on the Litany of Humility. Enter into prayer every day alongside this beautiful Litany. Order your days in His peace. GET YOUR PLANNER For Your Prayer Life Deepen your daily prayer life with a planner built around the Liturgical Year. Shop the Catholic Liturgical Planner →

He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. // Matthew 28:6 Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

Fear no more, O daughter Zion; see, your king comes... // John 12:15 Love this print from Mariana Pimiento of Big Apple Catholic. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

I’m a big fan of Spiderman and all the Spiderman movies. I love the action, the characters, the morals, and the dialogue. One part of the movies that has stuck with me recently is a line from the newest MJ: “expect disappointment, and you’ll never be disappointed.” It’s fitting and proper to her moody character. And there is an enormous part of me that completely agrees with her sentiment. A Lack of Hope I believe what MJ is referring to is hope, or maybe the lack there of. There are many situations we encounter in life in which we find ourselves hoping for a certain outcome. That hoped for outcome can be anything from an offer of a job, the health of a sick loved-one, a passing grade on a test, or fill-in-the-blank with whatever it is that you are hoping for right now. It is natural, even when we have surrendered something to God, to still hope for a certain outcome. And yet, why do we sometimes not let ourselves actually hope for what we want? Why do we stifle the hope and lie by saying we will be equally fine with either outcome? Why do we constantly brace ourselves for the worst? Why do we expect disappointment? I think it’s because we’ve bought in to the lie that if we expect disappointment, and we are in turn disappointed, we think the disappointment won’t hurt as bad. We’ve started thinking like MJ: “expect disappointment, and you’ll never be disappointed.” But where does hope fit in to this equation? What Hope Is Hope is a theological virtue. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that Hope is when we “place our trust in Christ’s promises and rely not on our own strength” (CCC 1817). Hope is obviously something important, something to strive for. I think we would all agree that we want to trust in Christ’s promises and rely not on our own strength. We also really don’t want to get hurt. And we will go to great lengths to protect ourselves from hurt and disappointment, especially in the emotional realm. I tend to not let myself actually hope for what I want and what I desire out of a fear of being more hurt when it doesn’t happen because I had gotten my hopes up. But is being disappointed actually bad? Is it a bad thing to feel that pain and that hurt? Or have we just taught ourselves that our emotions are bad and something to shut down? Maybe the truth is that our emotions are good—gifts from God—even when they can hurt. Maybe we are denying our heart’s their full capacity to feel and embrace the fullness of life in our attempt to avoid pain. Our Hope is in SomeONE At the end of the day, our hope ought not to ultimately be in someTHING, but in SomeONE. Our hope is in Jesus Christ. If our hope is completely in Jesus, then no matter what outcomes may happen within our certain circumstances, we cannot truly be brought to despair. We might be disappointed, and that might hurt, but Jesus remains, and we can trust that He has a better plan than what we envisioned. We hoped, and we hurt, but we can continue to hope in Jesus no matter what happens. To me, that’s better than not hoping and still hurting. The book of Isaiah tells us: Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. // Isaiah 40:31 If we are able to hope in Jesus, when we are pleased in the outcome and when we are disappointed in the outcome, we will renew our strength. We will fly and run and walk, even in the middle of disappointment. I’m really bad at this. I don’t think any of us are perfect. But my challenge is this: next time you find yourself wanting something good but are scared to lean in to it because of the fear of getting hurt or being disappointed, hope anyway. When you think it can’t happen, hope anyway. When you are scared to death of disappointment, hope anyway. When everything turns out right, hope anyway. When everything seems to go wrong, hope anyway. Your hope was never in a thing at all, anyway.   Gracie Muraski is a missionary in the beautiful mountains of Colorado with her husband. She enjoys writing, building authentic relationships, going on runs, and anything involving pasta.   [bctt tweet="Hope, Anyway #BISblog //" via="no"]

I was in Adoration on retreat at age 16, tears running down my face while I asked Jesus if I should be a nun. “Just tell me,” I begged, with fear in my heart. “I just need to know!” Thankfully, the good Lord knew I did not need to know that information at age 16. What I needed to know was not my future state in life, but how to know Him better in the present. 5 Common Mistakes in Discernment It’s easy to get confused about discernment. If you’re anything like me, you may have spent time in youth groups, on retreats, or in bible studies only hearing about “discernment” in relation to religious life. In other words, “Are you discerning your vocation?” was often insinuating, “Are you thinking about becoming a sister?” Later on, in college, the idea of discernment also spread to dating. “Are you discerning marriage together?” friends would ask. No one talked to me about discerning my life. 1. Limiting the scope of discernment That’s the first common mistake in discernment: relegating it to one particular question and thinking you don’t need it after that. Religious sisters still discern. Married people still discern. Consecrated singles still discern. Discernment isn’t something that stops once you enter a permanent state in life. Discernment isn’t just about your “vocation” in the formal sense. Discernment is about having an ongoing conversation with God about all the decisions of your life. This includes, of course, big questions like entering a convent or getting married—but it also includes questions of work, family, friendships, and things like how we spend our time and money. 2. Failing to dialogue with the living God Notice the word “conversation.” Sometimes we make the mistake of treating discernment like it’s one big game of “guess what God is thinking.” We act like God is a magic-8 ball: ask your question, shake it around in prayer, and get an answer. Then, we act like we’re robots instead of humans with the gifts of intellect and free will. We just want God to tell us exactly what to do and we’ll do it without thinking. But that’s not how God created us to work. He’s not a magic-8 ball and we’re not robots. In 1985, John Paul II spoke directly to young people about this question of discerning life, explaining that we are both called to take responsibility for our lives and to seek the guidance of God’s will. A human being is a creature and at the same time an adopted child of God in Christ: he is a child of God. Hence during youth a person puts the question, "What must I do?" not only to himself and to other people from whom he can expect an answer, especially his parents and teachers, but he puts it also to God, as his Creator and Father. He puts it in the context of this particular interior sphere in which he has learned to be in a close relationship with God, above all in prayer. He therefore asks God: "What must I do?", what is your plan for my life? Your creative, fatherly plan? What is your will? I wish to do it. In this context the "plan" takes on the meaning of a "life vocation", as something which is entrusted by God to an individual as a task. Young people, entering into themselves and at the same time entering into conversation with Christ in prayer, desire as it were to read the eternal thought which God the Creator and Father has in their regard. They then become convinced that the task assigned to them by God is left completely to their own freedom, and at the same time is determined by various circumstances of an interior and exterior nature. Examining these circumstances, the young person, boy or girl, constructs his or her plan of life and at the same time recognizes this plan as the vocation to which God is calling him or her. // Dilecti Amici, 9 The whole of our life, and what we do with it, is both a gift and a task. It is both given by God to us and done by us. Discernment is an interactive, creative process. It’s not about guessing what God is thinking. It’s about entering into an ongoing dialogue with Him. 3. Forgetting to take action This dialogue happens in prayer of course. Prayer is absolutely essential to discernment. But so is action. Too many of us make the mistake of letting a particular question remain hypothetical. We spend so much time with it in our heads that it’s real to us, but it isn’t actually something we can discern. Discernment is always practical. You can’t just think and pray about going to medical school. You have to actually apply and see if you get accepted. You can’t just think and pray about marrying that guy you saw at daily Mass. You need to actually get to know him. 4. Not considering ourselves And that’s another big mistake: we try to discern without taking stock of what we know about ourselves, practically: our circumstances, our gifts and talents, our particular tendencies. We try to discern generically what is best, instead of what is best for us right now. This is what John Paul II was talking about when he explained that our lives are influenced by “circumstances of an interior and exterior nature.” The Saints' lives are full of stories like this. Saint Gianna really wanted to be a missionary in Brazil. Being a missionary is great, right? Better than being a doctor in your hometown... or at least that’s how she felt. But a wise priest reminded her that she didn’t do well in the heat. Her health wasn’t really suited to doing mission work. Instead, she struggled through medical school, became a doctor, got married, had children, and eventually became a Saint through giving up her life for her unborn child. Her missionary desire has certainly been fulfilled in Heaven! 5. Misunderstanding desire Desire is a tricky thing in discernment. 16-year-old me had a desire to love Jesus and some mixed-up ideas about how to do it. I was petrified that Jesus would ask me to be a nun specifically because I didn’t really want it. In other words, I just assumed that whatever I wanted, God wanted the opposite. I didn't think I could ever trust my own desire. Certainly when we want something evil or sinful, God doesn’t want that for us! But when we want something good (like wanting to be married), we don’t have to automatically assume that it’s forbidden. God wants good for our lives and He wants us to flourish as his children. Discernment helps us sort out what’s going on with our desires for good things and surrender them to the Lord. In other words, we don’t have to make the common mistake of automatically rejecting our desire for any good thing; instead, we can discern those desires through conversation with God and practical action. Keep the Conversation Open Would sixteen-year-old me have been better off knowing that she would get married, but only when her age had doubled? Probably not, and God knew that. He used my desire to love Him to lead me on a long journey of conversation with Him. My desire to know my permanent state in life kept me close, and helped me develop the habit of dialogue with Him, so that when I finally did make vows, I would want to continue that conversation––about everything and anything in life.   Kerri Christopher (MA, STL) is a writer, speaker, and Life Consultant. After spending years researching and teaching on topics like the feminine genius and work-life balance for women, she realized she wanted to serve women practically. Now she offers consulting to help people learn to discern well so they can live with purpose and peace. You can find out more about her here.   [bctt tweet="5 Common Mistakes in Discernment (and How to Avoid Them) #BISblog //" via="no"]

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. // Psalm 34:9 Love this from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

It may bear fruit in the future. // Luke 13:9 Love this from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper