Living in the mountains, I see a lot of wind. I also feel it and hear it. Feeling a gust of wind on a cold day is one thing, but sitting and watching it from the comfort of your home, ideally with a warm beverage in hand, is another thing. I love watching the wind. Well, you can’t actually see wind, but I love watching the effects of wind. The dancing leaves, the swaying branches, all the buffeting and blowing... I love it. The strength and power of something completely invisible. Invisible and yet undeniably real. But my favorite thing to watch in the wind is the clouds. The Silent Movement of the Clouds I remember the first moment I realized noticed them and their reaction to the wind. Watching a large white heap glide seamlessly and gracefully in between the peaks of the mountains, changing shape every moment fluidly and gracefully. It never stayed the same. It was new every moment, rushing its way to who knows where, at the very whim of the wind that held sway over it. And the whole time it was silent. There are so many connections we can draw between the spiritual life and God’s creation, but for this moment, I’d like to focus on that silence. Surrender, Not Resistance The trees, the grasses, the leaves, and even the flags in our front yard all stand in stark contrast to the wind in this way: their reaction to the wind involves a lot of noise. They interact with the wind, but it’s an interaction of resistance. The stand against the wind, and jerk, rattle, bend and sometimes even break against it. Clouds, on the other hand, remain silent. Their attitude towards the wind is not one of resistance, but surrender. They know they are nothing against it’s moving power, and so they don’t fight it. They give in, and giving become a part of a beautiful dance of change, shift, and motion. They are silent. They are beautiful to watch. And they are peaceful. Do We Move? This is the question: How do we react to God’s grace and the impulses of the Holy Spirit in our lives? When we feel Him nudge, what in creation do we resemble? Do we stand firm, stubborn, and resistant to Him like the trees in the wind? Do we rattle and cause a huge fuss because we don’t want to follow Him? Do you feel a lot of noise and confusion in your life as a result? Maybe it’s time to become like the wind. Maybe it’s time to feel that nudge, and let go of what we want and desire. Maybe it’s time to give in to where He wants to lead us and guide us. Maybe it’s time to embrace surrender in exactly those moments when we want to resist. The choice is ours. But I believe that if we choose to become like the wind, the shift and flow of our lives will become a thing of beauty. It will become a thing of silence. It will become rest. Will we choose resistance or surrender?   [bctt tweet="Contentment in the Clouds #BISblog //" via="no"]   Gracie Tillman lives and works in Colorado as a missionary. She loves the outdoors, music, spending time with friends, and anything involving pasta. She strives to be a joyful follower of Jesus and live life to the full.

I was crushed. Angry. Defeated. I had done everything I was supposed to do. I had gotten the right internships, made the grades, put in blood, sweat, and tears. This shouldn't be happening to me. I did everything right. The year was 2020 and Zoom was no longer just the platform where I connected with friends, it was the app I hopped on one day to find out I had lost my dream job due to the financial strain of the pandemic. My world was instantly thrown off its axis. Glorifying the Grind We live in a culture that glorifies the grind. Look at everything from music to movies, podcasts to social media. As women we are constantly presented with this image of perfection that can be attained if we are only willing to hustle for it. We are told that there is nothing that can’t be ours if we have the right mix of determination and hard work with a dash of self-care thrown in. Because, as we all know, you can’t take on the world without treating yourself to an iced coffee and now and then. If you’re willing to work for it, the promised land of perfect job, handsome hubby, size 2 jeans and blossoming social life will open up before you. You can do it, you are in control, and you are a self-sufficient #girlboss. I’m ashamed now at how bought in I was to the whole idea. I took pride in my ability to do it all. Until life brought me to my knees. Rock Bottom Big events in our lives force us to stop and take a beat. Whether it’s job loss, illness, a death in the family, the end of a relationship we never saw coming, suddenly we remember we are not in control. Our illusions of self-sufficiency are shattered, often painfully so. Our hustle becomes worthless, the grind screeches to a halt, and we are left feeling lost. Two Choices When Things Grind to a Halt We can choose between two paths in this moment: one of anger that takes us further down the road of self-determination, or one that beckons us to a deep intimacy with the Lord. Choosing to let go of hustling, grinding, and self-sufficiency is a lifelong process. It doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a counter-cultural move, one that takes intentional work on our part. Self-sufficiency // Dependence When I lost my job, I lost a lot of my independence with it. I moved back in with my (sainted) parents and looked to them for guidance. They never shied away from my pain, my needs, or my big emotions. They were a soft place to land in a world of upheaval. And as much as I resisted depending on them again, I needed them. The answer to our desire for self-sufficiency comes in the form dependency. Dependency on another person can only come from a deep level of trust. I trust my parents implicitly because of my experience with them. I know them and I know they love me beyond a shadow of a doubt. I have years of knowledge and personal experience I can draw from that leads me to that undeniable conclusion. In turning away from self-sufficiency, we are invited to become dependent on God the Father. Our Father. But it is absolutely impossible to be dependent on someone we don’t know. So we have to get to know Him. Learn who He is, see what He’s done. Get to know who He wants to be to you. You’ll find all of that in the pages of your Bible. He longs to not only reveal Himself to you but to be everything for you, including your Provider. Take time in Scripture to let Him into your life and heart. Grinding // Wasting Time The antithesis of striving and grinding is wasting time. As women, we are maximizers, multitaskers, and borderline professional time managers. Give me half an hour of time to myself and I will have listened to a new podcast, folded my laundry, made happy hour plans, and snuck in a quick call to my grandma. In a world that constantly encourages us to rush, do more, consume, and achieve, wasting time can often feel physically uncomfortable. Be intentional with how you waste your time. Wasting time with the Lord is life giving, wasting time scrolling Instagram is life draining. Spend time in an Adoration chapel. Wake up and catch the sunrise with the Father. Dive into some spiritual reading. Have conversations with faithful friends. Take a conscious step to get off the hamster wheel and spend time with the Lord and people who point you towards Him, with no agenda other than just to be. Hustling // Abiding in Gratitude The very definition of hustle reads as follows: to obtain by forceful action or persuasion. If we accept this mantra as the way we receive things in life, it can lead to an incredibly warped view of both ourselves and the Lord. Either the blessings we have in life are the result of our forceful actions and successful attempts to persuade God, or the gifts of a doting Father who loves us and longs to give us every good thing. It can’t be both. Lucky for us, we don’t have to wonder which lens is correct: If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. // Matthew 7:11 When we shift from hustling to recognizing the Lord as the Giver of all good gifts, we develop a new sense of gratitude and understanding of His limitless generosity. Cultivate it by beginning prayer in thanksgiving, taking time to jot down moments you were grateful for, or just stopping to say thanks when something wonderful happens. This means giving thanks not just for the big stuff (health, family, etc.) but the small moments as well. Catching a cool breeze as summer slips away, the text of encouragement that came at just the right moment, hearing your favorite throwback on the radio. As we recognize and acknowledge the Lord, we move away from self-determination and towards the Lover of our souls. A Soft Place to Land Take a deep breath, relax and lean into Him today, sister. He is our soft place to land. You don’t have it all together and you can’t do all the things. But the great news is, you were never expected to.   [bctt tweet="Grinding... to a Halt #BISblog //" via="no"]   Shelby Hennen is a young professional who hails from the Midwestern metropolis of Kansas City MO. She loves a good book, a good chat with a friend and a good taco joint.

He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. // Luke 2:51 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’s so easy to become wrapped up in shopping for the perfect Christmas presents. In our attempts to beat the crowd and to ensure everyone on our list is gifted with what we think he or she really wants, it is so easy to forget the real reason for the season, how we really prepare for Christmas. There is no guessing what Jesus wants from us in preparation for the celebration of His birth. He wants us to ready our hearts with prayer, growing closer to Him, the One Who is all that matters. He seeks the gift of our hearts turning towards Him. He desires for us to glorify, honor, love, and worship Him in thanksgiving for the gift of His Christmas presence. Christmas Presence // A Poem Always a rush To get the best It’s the final push So you forget the rest Without regard To your fellow man Your sight is marred As you grab what you can Tryin’ to find The right Christmas presents Go out of your mind ‘Til your neighbor resents Who you are You’re not content Did you forget the Christmas Star And the real Christmas Presence This is a season Of unencumbered peace Christ is the reason We fall to our knees Lookin’ through sin We cease To let Him in And for us to decrease Are you blind Still searching for the perfect Christmas present Real reason out of your mind What’s the season's intent He isn’t that far So be content Follow the Christmas Star To the real Christmas Presence In all that you do This holy season Remember what’s True Remember the real Reason When you seek to find The best Christmas present Keep Christ’s Presence in mind Think of the season’s intent Invite Him into your heart To His peace, consent He’ll do His part The perfect Christmas Presence [bctt tweet="The True Christmas Presence // A Poem #BISblog //" via="no"]   Danielle Erwin is a Catholic wife, mom of five, homeschooler, dog mom, author, poet, and master of puns. She has helped moms through their miscarriages with the poetry she wrote following her own pregnancy losses. Danielle is now working on compiling all of her poetry on the Faith into a book…and a few other author-y projects when she gets the time.

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. // Luke 1:39 Love this from today's readings. Let His word dwell in us richly, sisters. Get this image of the Visitation in a printed holy card here. Download your F R E E wallpapers right here --->>> Phone wallpaper Desktop wallpaper

I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. // Philippians 1:6 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

A couple of nights ago, my husband was bringing the kids up to bed. I was slowly and tiredly bringing up the rear. I also couldn’t help but notice everything that needed picked up. I was overwhelmed and tempted to go ahead and put things away. So many toys all over. Dishes in the sink. Other random items on the counter. A Poem on Putting Prayer First But night prayers awaited me upstairs. Just thinking about that reminded me to leave it all behind for prayer. And then there was peace. Leave It All Behind Floor’s a mess But I’ll address That another time Gotta make my words Thine Yea Lord, it’s time Head upstairs Much awaits me there It can wait another day Time to make my way To Your feet to pray Kneeling at Your Cross Don’t want this time lost Don’t have ‘til it’s too late Everything else can wait I can do it all another time Right now I have to leave it all behind Gotta pray as I ought Pray as You taught Speak You in all I do and say Let You lead my day I want to follow Your Way Plenty wrong Need to be strong Amidst unrest I see Your loving gaze towards me In Your peace, I now be No better time than now For my heart to love and head to bow To give You glory and praise Don’t know the number of my days Don’t know if I’ll get another time So I can’t leave You behind I’ll leave my to do list On my list of things to do Nothing more important than this Than in this moment to give praise and thanks to You I have plenty of time To leave worldly things behind Spend this moment loving You No greater thing to do Than to make good use of my short time Before I’m called to leave it all behind   [bctt tweet="Leave It All Behind // A Poem on Putting Prayer First #BISblog //" via="no"]   Danielle Erwin is a Catholic wife, mom of five, homeschooler, dog mom, author, poet, and master of puns. She has helped moms through their miscarriages with the poetry she wrote following her own pregnancy losses. Danielle is now working on compiling all of her poetry on the Faith into a book…and a few other author-y projects when she gets the time.

Last spring, I wasn't following my own advice... Between wrapping up our first year of homeschooling, coaching, trainings, baseball games and practices, and missing my mom, I needed some extra rest and I didn't take it. When I accepted this and reflected on letting myself get fried, I realized I hadn't written out my evening gratitude list for weeks. I love this as a nightly routine because it gets me off the screen, it's a gentle way to reflect on my day, and I always manage to find joy no matter what. The good news is that it was simple for me to begin again. I picked up my journal and made my list. I don't write a novel; it's usually bullet points. The next morning I came across the following quote in a devotional a good friend gave me: Men are generally the carpenters of their own crosses. // Saint Philip Neri What to Do When You're Burnt Out Getting burnt out is a choice. Okay, so it happened. Now what? Here are five things that help me rekindle my flame when I'm burnt out. 1. Surrender. Accept that doing all.the.things is not realistic nor healthy. It’s also okay to not be good at everything! If you are on social media on any given day then you are bombarded with what you should be doing and it’s easy to fall into the comparison game. Time to let Jesus take the wheel. Here’s a powerful prayer called the Surrender Novena. The novena describes universal worries and there is one answer. 2. Go take a nap. You cannot even think straight when you are tired, so stop pretending staying up a little longer to finish that one thing will make you a productive superstar. Not getting the right amount of sleep means you are elevating stress hormones, “foggy brain”, compromising your immune system, and messing with your mood. Hmm, sound about right? Now that I’m a mom, I understand why, when I went to look for my mom, I started in her bedroom. 3. Sit in the sun. Go outside! Get some fresh air. Your body needs sunshine to produce Vitamin D and to help you feel calm and focused. Our bodies are amazing! Celebrate this by stepping outside and appreciating the beauty around you as well as your own. 4. Make an appointment with yourself. I’m a big fan of scheduling self-care—actually writing it down in my planner. I am quick to brush off reading, a foot soak, or even scheduling a dentist appointment because there is always something more productive to do. So I block time on my calendar to take care of myself. How productive are you really if you’re giving the world what’s left of you? If you can brush yourself off so easily, think of how your family, friends, and co-workers feel when they can tell they’re getting what’s left of you. Make an appointment with yourself and keep it. Your mind, body, and soul are absolutely worth the investment. 5. Say “no.” You are in charge of your schedule, act like it. Give yourself permission to s l o w down. The next time your flame is a flicker, stop and ask yourself, “are my choices bringing me closer to or further from the life I want to build?” What works for you when you’re burnt out? Share it in the comments and help someone else!   [bctt tweet="Burnt Out? Here are 5 Ways to Reignite Your Flame #BISblog //" via="no"]   Liz Montigny coaches Catholic women to go from daily chaos to simplicity so they can love life. She is a wife, mom to three boys, and tea, big earrings, living a non toxic lifestyle, and creative evangelization are some of her other loves. Find out more about her here.

2022 Liturgical Planner | Saintly Scents Candles | Emmanuel Christmas Devotional Miraculous Medal Earrings | BIS Water Bottle | Lined Journals Nunc Coepi: A Year of Prayer | Tiny Saints Mary + Elizabeth | Made New: 52 Week Devotional FOR COLLEGE GALS Miraculous Medal Earrings: The best dainty earrings ever, ever. 2022 Mini Liturgical Planner: Our favorite way to stay organized and focused on the Lord, but fun size. Spiral Bound Lined Journals: Go ahead; take ALL the notes. 8×10 Prints: The best way to decorate your dorm, your apartment, or your desk. Shine Hat: For the days you need to bring a little light to your lecture (or, let’s be honest, if you woke up too late to wash your hair). Stickers: These sweet little stickers are perfect for your laptop, water bottle, or notebook. Made New Shirt: Let the entire campus know that He has made you new! Restore Sweatshirt: Perfect for study sessions in chilly libraries. FOR MAMA GALS Saintly Scents Candles: Calming and sweet-smelling, our two favs for Mamas are Prayer Time and Dream Time. 2022 Full-Size Liturgical Planner: Hour-by-hour breakdowns of each day, meal-planning section, and daily prayers. Basically a mom’s best friend. Shine Hat: This hat + dry shampoo = the dream team. Restore Sweatshirt: Reminding you that He always restores, no matter how much sleep you don’t get. Spiral Bound Lined Journals: Great for prayer journaling, grocery lists, doodling… whatever! The perforated pages are perfect to take out and go! Grace Before Meals Poster: Bring a little peace to your dinner table. Rise, Let us be on our way Poster: Hit the ground running, Mama. FOR SPIRITUAL GALS Emmanuel: A Christmas Devotional: Christmas doesn't end on December 25th, it's only beginning. Catholic Journaling Bible: With lots of space in the margins to take notes, journal, or doodle. Blessed Conversations // Dwell: A study on the Eucharist. Can't beat that. Encourage Bible Verse Cards: Such a perfect way to memorize scripture. All of My Life Poster: A simple, but powerful reminder to put on your wall. Future with Hope Lined Prayer Journal: Pray every day, journal every day. FOR LITTLE GALS (& BOYS!) Rise Up Scripture or Saint Postcards: These are perfect for sending to family / friends, for Scripture memorization, or to use as art around kids' rooms! Jesus is the Balm Lip Balm: Protect little lips from getting dry and chapped! Rise Up Kids Devotional: Your kids will grow closer to the Lord and to the Saints with this sweet devotional just for them! Saint Prints: These sweet little saint prints are the perfect decor for any kids’ bedroom! Stickers: What kid doesn’t LOVE stickers? 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

His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed. // Daniel 7:14 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

Fresh flowers adorn the kitchen table. The morning sun streams through the slats on the shutters of the windows. Morning coffee and a baked treat fill the house with delicious aromas. These are some of my favorite homey things. The idea of “home” is so comforting. Some beloved authors have highlighted why. As Louisa May Alcott put it: The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely. Or, as Jane Austen observed: There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort. Miss Austen also perceived, correctly, of course: Good apple pies are a considerable part of domestic happiness. Cultivating a Home Cultivating the domestic arts as a Catholic woman is a holy joy, I have found. But it encompasses so much more than just decor and good food, though those are important. The feminine genius is synonymous with “home”: cultivating care and comfort and creating a happy haven for souls. From incorporating Catholic elements such as a crucifix, a Marian statue, holy cards, and images of the Saints to making meals for family and friends, domestic life offers many opportunities for personal and spiritual growth. Simple Joys are the Grandeur of Life I have been reading letters my paternal grandma wrote long ago, praying for her soul as I read about how much we have in common, including things so connected to all that is home: loving to bake and cook and enjoying the beauty of peonies and fall. Coffee always reminds me of my blessed chats with my maternal grandpa. So I sip and pray. These simple domestic joys have a special place in my heart. Blessed conversations mean so much, too, from discussing family history to sharing cherished memories of loved ones. The blessed things of home and hearth, in my view, are linked to the feminine genius and authentic femininity, and those we naturally care for, because of the One we serve as we serve our kin and neighbor alike. After all, “ … in the midst of our specific responsibilities in the here and now, we can find Christ” (Theology of Home II). Christ is Our Home As Catholic women, Christ is the center of our lives and our domestic dwellings. “Christ is already here among our homes and our souls” (Theology of Home). Christ is indeed the heart of home. The haven of home is a lovely concept—how we are nurtured and blessed in the confines within alongside those we love, with Jesus at the center. Love of Christ compels us to put that love into service of others. As Emily Malloy, food and floral design editor for Theology of Home, posted recently: “hospitality is also a charism and love in action.” Of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and Home Sweet memories of all things domestic are closer to my heart each year as Thanksgiving approaches and as the Church today celebrates the feast of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, a pious princess who lived in the 13th century. Saint Elizabeth of Hungary reminds me that the things of home and hearth are vital, with love as the foundation. Love … was the basis of her whole life. // The Greatest of These Is Love: The Life of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Among her charitable endeavors, Saint Elizabeth brought bread to the poor daily, as illustrated in my favorite image of her, “The Charity of St. Elizabeth of Hungary” (1895). Feeding Body and Soul When I’m in my kitchen, I feel close to dear Saint Elizabeth. In fact, I received a special answer to prayer on her feast day a few years ago. Often when I am in the kitchen, I think of her and seek her intercession, contemplating how baking and charity are linked. So whether I am baking my paternal grandma’s banana bread (so good) or something pumpkin (bread and muffins are my preference) or making a tried-and-true creation, I focus on how feeding others extends to care for souls. As Thanksgiving approaches, this poignant quote about the holy witness of another dear Saint comes to mind, too—for it reflects the worthy witness of Saint Elizabeth: The more we live in an atmosphere of gratitude, the more open our hearts are, and the more God can lead us and visit us. Thérèse understood this thoroughly and tried to practice it all the time …” // The Way of Trust and Love: A Retreat Guide by St. Thérèse of Lisieux by Father Jacques Philippe Bread, Roses, and Sanctity The saints are such blessed company. Indeed, as Pope Benedict XVI reminded the faithful, “the saints are friends and models of life for us.” Did you know roses, such a beloved flower of love amid domestic life, connect Elizabeth and Thérèse? Once, when Elizabeth set off “secretly on an errand of mercy ... the bread she was trying to conceal was suddenly turned into roses.” Thérèse, of course, is known for sending down a shower of roses. Both holy women died at the young age of 24. But their loving legacy lives on in our hearts—and homes.   [bctt tweet="Saint Elizabeth of Hungary: Home and Hearth #BISblog //" via="no"]   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.   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

As I scanned the first few lines of the email, I my heart felt as though it sank into my toes. “Thank you so much for your interest in…. At this time we are pursuing a different candidate whose experience better meets our needs… we wish you all the best in your search.” Another rejection email. Another few fruitless hours spent crafting the perfect cover letter and preparing for interviews. Another setback. Searching for a new job at any phase in life can be a draining experience. Whether you’ve lost your current position, are stuck in a toxic work environment, or just aching for a career change, the search for a new role can be an intimidating prospect and a beautiful invitation to step forward in faith. Job Searching with Jesus As you navigate your job search, here are four ways to invite God into the journey with you. 1. Find a verse. The Bible is full of incredible verses about the presence of God, His care, and His providence. I would encourage you to take time and really talk with God about what He wants to speak to you in this season of searching. Maybe He is inviting you to trust or place your hope in Him. Or maybe He’s simply asking you to remember your worth comes not from your work but from your identity as His daughter. Whatever He wants to communicate to you, He’ll find a way to put on your heart. And once He does, keep it physically close to you. Save it in the notes on your phone. Make it your computer lock screen. Write it on a sticky note and put it on your bathroom mirror. Highlight it in your Bible. Keep it close, accessible and at the forefront of your mind. There are many voices you can listen to while looking for a new position, make sure you are always able to hear the Lord’s loud and clear. 2. Phone a friend. The Saints are powerful friends and advocates for us in Heaven. When looking for a job, there are a few in particular I would recommend inviting to walk with you. First and foremost, your own patron or confirmation Saint, who is always in your corner. Other great additions to your support team include Saint Cajetan, the patron Saint of job seekers, Saint Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, or if you’re really feeling discouraged, Saint Jude, the patron of hopeless causes. Whether it is through your daily prayer or through a structured novena, you can never go wrong asking for help from these incredible advocates. After all, who better to talk to about your desire for meaningful and fruitful work than the man who provided for Mary and Jesus? Rest assured that the Saints are there to intercede and help bring your hopes and needs before the Father. 3. Extend the invite. This practice may seem small or insignificant, but I can assure you, it is so fruitful. Invite the Lord into each moment of your job search by offering a small prayer each step of the way. Some of my favorites are: “Come, Holy Spirit” and “Jesus, I trust in You.” Keep it short and simple and say it audibly whenever you can. Before clicking submit on that application.... Jesus I trust in You. Before answering the call on that phone interview... Come Holy Spirit. Some days you’ll say it in full confidence, other days it might not come as easily. But just extending the invitation allows the Lord to walk alongside us in a real and tangible way. 4. Keep it honest. When you are going through a job search the rollercoaster of emotions be overwhelming and it is easy to feel like you are spiraling out of control. No matter what’s going on in your search process, remember: keep talking to the Lord about it. He wants you. Not you at your best. Not you after you’ve gotten your emotions in check. You. The you that is heartbroken after not getting the job. The you that is frustrated when the search drags on. The you that is worn out, cranky, or irritated. Bring it all to Him. He wants it all. And He wants all of you. Take everything to Him, without censoring yourself or holding back. He can take it, and what’s more: He wants to. You're Not Searching Alone No matter where you are in your job search process sister, I can promise you are never alone. Jesus wants to walk with you through every season, and He longs to be near you in a special way during this time of transition. Are you searching for a job right now? Drop a line in the comments below and we will pray for your search!   [bctt tweet="Job Searching with Jesus #BISblog //" via="no"]   Shelby Hennen is a young professional who hails from the Midwestern metropolis of Kansas City, MO. She loves a good book, a good chat with a friend, and a good taco joint. 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

You have a place in God's Heart. // Come to the manger and get your Advent devotional here! 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

This morning, Father approached the ambo, offered the customary greeting and announcement, and began to read the assigned Gospel passage from Mark. As I stood listening, it struck me: “I was here this morning.” The passage chronicled Jesus’ call of Levi (Matthew) and subsequent dinner arrangements and proclamations, inferring that He is the physician sent to the sick of soul. This was not the first time in recent memory that this account had been presented to me; I had used it less than four hours earlier for my morning meditation. (I find it nice to read the Scriptures before hearing them at Mass.) I really appreciate passages with concrete images and encounters into which I can easily place myself. I find them much more conducive to meditation than lofty, philosophical discourses. But, that could just be me; everyone’s different. Placing Myself Before Him in the Word When I pray with Scripture, I follow a simple process. First, I call to mind Christ’s presence. This works especially well when praying before the tabernacle, but can be done anywhere. I hand over to Him any concerns which may be weighing on my heart. I open up to the Scripture passage I’ve chosen, and slowly read it. I picture the scene and reflect upon it. I put myself there and relate to Him. I speak to Him, and take time to try to listen to Him. After a time, I re-read part of the passage or move on a bit. I ponder, speak to Him, and listen some more. I close my prayer time with thanksgiving. Encountering Him In this passage, we were told of Levi’s concrete, life-changing encounter with our Lord: As He passed by, He saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed Him. // Mark 2:14 This morning, in my own time of quiet prayer, I, too, had encountered Jesus. Like Levi so long ago, I had met Him, present with me in the tabernacle of our chapel. Now I was meeting Him again as the Scriptures were read aloud. Soon, in the most extraordinary way, I would be meeting Him at Holy Communion! Meeting Him in the Morning It is beautiful to be able to meet Jesus several times a day, in the Scriptures, in “the Breaking of the Bread,” and in the people I encounter. I encourage you, dear sister in Christ, to take time in your busy day to meet Jesus in His Word. It can be an amazing experience, giving purpose and direction to your day. I don’t know about you, but I have a ways to go in being more conscious of His holy presence with me throughout the day. A step in the right direction, though, is meeting Him for a morning visit.   [bctt tweet="The Ways of the Word #BISblog //" via="no"]   Sr. Christina Neumann is a Franciscan Sister serving the elderly and disabled at St. Anne's Living Center in Grand Forks, ND. Along with office work, gardening, and duties in the chapel there, she also writes a weekly blog for her religious community.

When I was a kid in elementary school, I started watching a series called The Amazing Race. I loved analyzing every task and making decisions based on the clues as if I was running the race myself. I loved the element of mystery as competitors found out your next destination when you read your clue. I became even more mesmerized when I witnessed a father-daughter duo competing. As a child I thought, "One day, I am going to do the Amazing Race with my dad." A Dream Later Realized The Amazing Race. I wrote it on my childhood dream list. Then, life happened. I went to high school, moved to Australia and met the most handsome man on the planet, went to university, began a career, got married, and started a family. A beautiful husband, our beautiful girls, a great relationship with my parents and brothers, surrounded by a few good friends... I felt like this is what my childhood dreams were made of. One day, in God’s perfect timing, I was reminded that one of my childhood dreams hadn’t yet been fulfilled. The wild one, the one that I said outrageously without inhibition, before I was aware of such a thing as comfort zone or fear or limitations: competing on The Amazing Race with my Dad. I saw an advertisement encouraging people to apply for the upcoming season and I thought, why not? A Hope for Evangelization I was fearless about applying but only because God had planted seeds in my heart through the previous Australian season. In that season, a team of religious sisters from the Missionaries of God’s Love were competing. During their time on the race, they were so bold in their faith and even once stopped their race to pray for healing over the de-militarized zone in between the border of South and North Korea. They did this knowing that a few seconds can cost them the whole race! Another team I loved were a husband and wife duo who reminded me that our children are a source of inspiration to reach greater heights and in turn we inspire them to dream big with the Lord! So on the final day of submissions, I grabbed my camera and approached my dad. “We are going to film an audition video for the Amazing Race” I told him, and pressed record. Throughout the whole selection process, my dad was in disbelief. “I have better chances of winning the lottery than getting casted for the Amazing Race.” As we progressed along the selection process, my Dad still remained unconvinced. "There are so many people being interviewed for the season, let’s just go for the ride." Until one day, we were sitting in front of the executive producers of the show via Zoom. This was when we realized how close we actually were. Hope in the Wait I had been praying for my childhood dream to come true. But when a few weeks passed after the final interviews and we hadn’t heard from the casting team, my prayer changed to, “Lord, if this is not Your will, please remove the desire from my heart. I do not want to be heartbroken. Please give me the grace to accept that whatever is on the other side of this as part of your plan." The day after that prayer, I got a phone call from the casting team. "A team is no longer able to compete in the race. Are you and your dad still available?” It felt like the Lord was ensuring that my intentions were aligned with His. Not that He needed the clarity, but I did. And We're Off I packed my bags. I brought the essentials: my Rosary, the BIS journaling Bible, and my miraculous medal. When I left home, I said goodbye to my husband and children with an unshakeable sense of peace. This is how I knew that the journey we were about to embark on was God’s plan for my life. This sense of peace was a reassurance that God had His hand over this very season. This peace—the peace that I often misplace as I go about my daily life—was so profound that it could only be pointed to the Lord and His peace that surpasses all understanding. In our first leg of the race, Dad and I were in danger of elimination. Serving a penalty on the mat isn’t usually positive in The Amazing Race context but our Faith teaches us to wait not in desperation but in hope. Trusting that whether we went home that day or got to keep racing, God has a plan on the other side of it. Thankfully our journey wasn’t finished yet. Racing for Opportunities Throughout the race, we prayed for opportunities to shine God’s light, to have opportunities to be counter-cultural in a competition by helping others, and for the grace to hold on to our virtues especially when the competition got tough. Dad and I loved praying the Litany of Trust, together and sometimes individually. Looking back now, I can truly say that our strongest days racing were the ones we began holding hands in prayer and ended with thanksgiving to the Lord. As the race progressed and competition got tougher, it became difficult to get further when our intention was to remain true to our virtues and abiding by the race rules. One sunny day on a beach in beautiful Queensland Australia, we were the last team to check in and we were eliminated from the race. It was bittersweet as I realized that my childhood dream came to an end but my grown up dream of a family with my husband is waiting for me to come home. A Final Consolation As a reassurance from God that this season of my life and the way the race unfolded was a part of His plan, the doors of our final hotel opened to face beautiful doors of a Catholic cathedral. We were in the state of Queensland, very far from our home state of Victoria and also far away from the restrictions and church lockdown that was brought by the pandemic. The day before I went home to my family and the lockdown that awaited in my home state, I was able to meet Jesus in Reconciliation and Eucharist in person. My dad and I received Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time in six months, and that may have been just the most extravagant consolation for my then-wounded heart. What followed were a few long months of grieving the end of our race journey and processing the shift in my life. Competing in the race was the final fulfillment of all my childhood dreams. Finishing my time on the race it was like fully closing the childhood chapters in my book of life and now with thanksgiving, I get to fully step into what the Lord has planned for me in adulthood. Nothing is Too Marvelous for the Lord The Lord is so extravagant. His plans for us are so great and nothing is too marvelous for Him! He remembers the details—even childhood dreams that we forget as adults. What are your childhood dreams? Bring them to the Lord once again today!   [bctt tweet="The Amazing Race + God's Amazing Grace #BISblog //" via="no"]   Jobelle Collier and her husband, Alan, are raising two girls in country Victoria, Australia. Together, they seek to grow in God's call to a life lived to the full. In 2020, Jobelle got to live out her childhood dream of competing in the Amazing Race with her dad.

For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood. // Mark 12:44 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

As a 20-something unmarried gal, I pretty much have full reign over my daily schedule including how and when I pray. This state of life brought about a sweet season of spontaneity with the Lord, but did not inspire a lot of consistency on my part. I found myself falling asleep while trying to pray at night, or only being able to stop by the chapel for five minutes and calling that encounter sufficient for the day. Feeling the gentle invitation to go deeper and make connecting with Him a daily priority, I felt called to set aside time for daily prayer in the morning. The Bible, especially the Psalms, point towards morning prayer in particularly poignant ways: For to you I will pray Lord; in the morning you will hear my voice; in the morning I will plead before you and wait. // Psalm 5:3-4 My alarm goes off at 5:30 a.m. on weekdays. As a non-morning person, this comes much too early for my liking most of the time. I began attempting my new morning routine in earnest, but was immediately confronted by my own weaknesses. I hit the snooze button one too many times and even found myself dozing when trying to pray. Using Your 5 Senses in Morning Prayer As Catholics, we are blessed to have numerous examples of prayer and sacrament that engage our physical senses to draw us to God. For me, the key to being successful (i.e. not falling back to sleep and really connecting with the Lord in the mornings) came from creating habits in my morning prayer that engage all five of my senses. Prayer Feels Like One of the biggest game changers when it came to making time for daily prayer was setting aside a place. My place is an arm chair in the corner of my bedroom. It’s comfy, large enough to curl up, and has a big basket of blankets right beside it. For me, prayer feels like sitting down in my chair and wrapping up in a blanket. I’m instantly comfortable, relaxed, and ready to be with the Lord. Even if you don’t have a space specifically designed for prayer in your home, make sure you get out of bed and move to a different part of the house. Whether it’s the couch or kitchen table, physically moving yourself to a new location ensures you are more alert. Head to the same place each morning and eventually your brain will connect the habit, recognizing that spot as the place you pray. Prayer Sounds Like When engaging in mental prayer, I definitely recognize the importance of silence. It is important to give the Lord room to speak in our hearts. However, first thing in the morning, it is easy to let our minds drift or doze, especially if we're praying silently. Whenever I find myself getting off track, I start talking to Him audibly. This forces me to focus on what I am trying to relate to Him and ensures I’m really having a conversation with the Lord (as opposed to just thinking about my problems). Prayer Tastes Like Every morning before I begin in prayer, I make a brief pit stop in the kitchen to visit my Keurig. I’m not a coffee gal, but as an avid tea drinker, starting the day off with a London Fog (a heavenly combo of Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla syrup) always puts me in a good mood. I like to make my drink before I settle into to prayer for two reasons: The time it takes to make it ensures I’m even slightly more awake then I normally would be if I went straight into prayer. Caffeine. Sipping throughout prayer helps me to wake up and focus more clearly, sooner than if I was just rubbing sleep out of my eyes. There’s just something sweet about chatting with the Lord over a warm beverage like you would any friend. Consider having your morning tea (or coffee) with Jesus. Prayer Looks Like When my mind wanders in mental prayer, sometimes it is just a flitting distraction that comes and goes, and sometimes it is enough to get me really off course. When this happens, it can be helpful to have visual cues in your line of sight that can help direct your attention back to the Lord. This doesn’t have to be anything fancy, it can be as simple as a prayer card you keep in your journal or a crucifix in your room. Having something to look at when you’re distracted is a gentle reminder to get back to what you’re there for: connecting with the Lord. Prayer Smells Like One of the most powerful senses we have as humans is our smell. Whether it is the smell of freshly cut grass that brings us back to summer nights or chocolate chip cookies that make us feel at home, smell can transport us instantly. For me, prayer smells like a very specific scented candle. I light the same candle each morning when I go to pray. It is a candle I only use when I'm praying, and I’m careful not to light it at any other point in the day. It is just another way to ensure there is a physical cue that reminds me to enter in. This can be any scent you want (I personally love the smell of incense and my prayer candle smells just like it!) And as an added bonus, the warm glow of my prayer candle reminds me of the candle that burns next to each tabernacle. Outside the tabernacle it signals to us the Lord’s presence within, and I love looking at my candle in the morning and being reminded of the Lord’s presence with me there. How Do You Engage Your Senses in Prayer? Prayer may feel, sound, taste, look or smell different for your personal morning routine, but hopefully by engaging your senses in new ways you will be able to connect more deeply with the One who can’t wait to converse with you.   [bctt tweet="Morning Prayer + Our 5 Senses #BISblog //" via="no"]   Shelby Hennen is a young professional who hails from the Midwestern metropolis of Kansas City, MO. She loves a good book, a good chat with a friend, and a good taco joint.