I remember it as clear as day. "You can have a personal relationship with Jesus; He wants to be your friend!" I was in sixth grade, and it was our day-long class NET Retreat. I sat with my legs crossed in a circle on the floor of the Saint Joe's church basement next to the other girls in my class. I looked at our small group leader wide-eyed, my heart paused for a moment. "I can be friends with Jesus?!" I thought to myself. I'd grown up in a faithful Catholic family. Church every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation. Daily Family Rosaries. Private Catholic School. I "knew" a lot about my Catholic faith—but I didn't yet know Jesus. That day on retreat made one thing really clear for me: knowing about someone is vastly different than actually knowing someone. "You can have a personal relationship with Jesus; He wants to be your friend!" This sentence changed the trajectory of my faith life. In a way, it was the Holy Spirit tapping me on the shoulder (or the heart, really) to remind me that Jesus desired friendship with me. He wanted me to know Him just as He already knew me, and knows me still! Jesus wants to be the One you turn to in joy and in trouble. The One you lean on in seasons of hardship and the One you rejoice with in seasons of celebration. "In this world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world" (John 16:33). May the reality that you have an unwavering companion in Jesus be your peace today. Let's pray today, sister. Come, Holy Spirit. Continue to help me see that Jesus truly wants to be near to me! listen to today’s devotion [bctt tweet="He wants to be your friend! // Shalini Blubaugh" username="blessedisshe__"] Jesus my Brother, thank You for Your unwavering love.  

"You are witnesses of these things" (Luke 24:48). The disciples were astonished as Jesus approached them. The crucifixion had come and gone. Jesus was no longer with them as their constant companion and teacher. And yet, there He stood in their midst. "Peace be with you," Jesus spoke. The disciples sat, startled and terrified. It's wild, isn't it? That we, too, are witnesses of these things. That we, too, can sometimes sit startled and terrified in the mess. Suffering is everywhere—we see and experience little crucifixions in our own day-to-day. Whether it is dying to self to serve our families, broken relationships within friendship, illnesses that plague people we love, cumbersome financial struggles, or a type of societal death as our society continues to openly reject the truths of our faith. Suffering is here. But it isn't the end. Suffering is not the end of the story with Jesus. Though we may move through our lives recognizing the struggle that surrounds us, may we never take our eyes off of Jesus. May we look to His scars and see the beauty in the story they tell: death, heartbreak, challenge, and suffering are not the end of the story and never will be with Him. We are witnesses of these things. There is so much goodness right here in our midst. Let Jesus' beautiful wounds shed light in your life today, sister. Invite Him to come to you today and be your peace. Call to Him in these moments and sit with Him as He shares with you the story of the Cross and Resurrection. May we be incredulous for joy and full of amazement because our God has already won the victory and we are the Easter people. Let's live as witnesses of these things today! listen to today’s devotion [bctt tweet="God has already won the victory. // Shalini Blubaugh" username="blessedisshe__"] Fill me with hope in my suffering, Lord Jesus.  

It can be so easy to complicate prayer, can't it? As I began to cultivate a faith life as a senior in college, my "prayer" time consisted of a to-do list: Make the Sign of the Cross. Journal three things I was thankful for. I'd always pause at this point, not confident that He truly wanted to hear what was on my heart, and end with another quick Sign of the Cross. There is nothing wrong with any of the above, but I think—for so long—I missed the point of prayer. Prayer is simply a conversation with God! Our good, good Father. The One Who sees us and delights in us. The One Who meets us where we are in our faith! He even gives us the Our Father prayer in today's Gospel as prayer with so much depth that one could pray with it for hours (Matthew 6:7-15). In my routine of prayer I did not give God space to respond in my heart. No faith is too small for Him to work with, and when we make ourselves available to Him in the time we have: He moves! Do not be discouraged if you find yourself with a prayer to-do list or another day that's gone by without setting time aside to be in His presence. Just as any other strong relationship takes time to cultivate, so too does our relationship with Him. Run to Him and know with confidence that He waits to hear what's on your mind and heart. And day by day, our relationship with Him will come alive and be strengthened. Day by day, He'll foster this relationship and lead us from a prayer time of to-do to a prayer time that simply leaves us content in His presence. [bctt tweet="Run to Him. // Shalini Blubaugh" username="blessedisshe__"] listen to today’s devotion Re-commit to a simple prayer routine of, "Jesus, I love You, Jesus, I Trust in You" today.  

We cannot run from suffering if we commit to walk with Christ. It's a lesson in love that I come back to daily and it's one I fall more in love with as we continue to walk, too. January 2019 rolled around and I was a new mama to Callan who was just a month old at the time. We were piled high with law school loans and brand-new baby expenses. I stayed home with Cal in a new-to-me city and Matt went off to a job he greatly despised—with long hours and laughable pay. In February, I had an overnight stay in the hospital and come March, Callan was admitted to the hospital for ten days. We felt like our world was crumbling around us—we were exhausted, money was tight, and the anxiety of how we'd possibly get through it all was crippling. Amidst the chaos of learning to be new parents and navigating physical suffering and mental stress, we experienced an abiding acceptance of His will for us. It was, for a while, a "grit your teeth and bear it" kind of acceptance. Yet as we leaned into the chaos, it became evident that all would be for our good and His glory. "Therefore, do not throw away your confidence; it will have great recompense" (Hebrews 10:35). Abiding acceptance became a true joy for us—we could suffer deeply and still walk alongside Him towards eternity. The paradox! Our faith journeys will not be without suffering. If we look to the Cross, we know this: as followers of Christ, we will encounter deep pain and worldly uncertainty. He did not promise that this Way would be easy, but that He would be with us through it all. Sister, let us not draw back and perish because of the suffering we encounter in this life. Let us, instead, be among those who have faith and keep our eyes fixed on this walk with Him to eternal life! In the uncertainty, He is certain. [bctt tweet="In the uncertainty, He is certain. // Shalini Blubaugh" username="blessedisshe__"] listen to today’s devotion Consider someone in your life who could use some extra support on her journey. Reach out with a text or call today.

I was a college senior and had finally decided that enough was enough. I needed to find new friends who would encourage me in my faith journey rather then discourage me (or encourage complacency). I walked up to the coffee shop doors and wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans. I was meeting one of the Saint Paul's Outreach missionaries on campus for the first time. Trailing me into the coffee shop that afternoon were shame, memories of my sinful past, embarrassment over the gulf between who I had been and who I wanted so deeply to choose to be. I sat across from this woman and felt that she saw me, not for what I'd done, but for what I was choosing now. A life pointed towards Him. A desire to pursue holiness. A need for a new vineyard in which I could work for His kingdom instead of my own. All that I walked into the coffee shop with—the shame and the memories—dissipated as the love of Christ filled that empty space. That day, this woman chose to show up and remind me that Our God is a God of mercy and compassion and second chances. Sometimes, changing our minds like the second son in today's Gospel (Matthew 21:28-32) looks like my story. And sometimes, perhaps, it's simple course corrections here and there as we continue to work in His vineyard. Whatever the case and wherever you find yourself today, may we remember that we can always return to Him! And furthermore, may we remember that we may be the one today that reminds another that they can turn back, too. [bctt tweet="We can always return to Him. // Shalini Blubaugh" username="blessedisshe__"] listen to today’s devotion Does anyone in your life need encouragement or support to make big changes? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you today.

We were newly married and brand-new parents, too. Our little girl, just three months old, lay in the PICU hospital bed. We'd brought her in the night before and were admitted to the hospital. She had bronchiolitis and would be okay. Yet as we sat there in her hospital room for the next seven days, my heart broke over and over again. With every needle poke. With every new bag of fluid. With the next dose of medications, my heart broke for our girl. What I would have given to be the sick one instead of her, to offer my littleness for her! I was exhausted, mentally, physically, but spiritually most of all. We were already more or less living paycheck to paycheck, buried in our law school loans. And the thought of medical bills on top of everything else made my heart sink deeper into despair. It felt like I had nothing, just nothing to give like the widow in today's Gospel, Luke 21:1-4. And yet in those silent moments in Cal's hospital room, as she slept and night fell, I'd chat with God, offering only what I knew I could—my heart and a desire to follow His will for us. I realized in those little moments that though I felt like I had nothing to offer, what I could offer meant everything to Him—myself right where I was at—and that was enough. Blessed be His name when I have much to give. Blessed be His name when I have what feels like very little to give. Blessed be His name because what I have to give is me. My desires. My plans. My finances. My past, present, and future. God, help me to offer what I can today. To give to You freely. To trust in Your plan for me. Help me to know that offering myself to You—just as I am—is enough for You to draw me into Your love and help me grow closer to You. [bctt tweet="Blessed be His name because what I have to give is me. // Shalini Blubaugh" username="blessedisshe__"] listen to today’s devotion Let's pray the Anima Christi prayer together today.

"For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1). I was a senior in college at the time, and I'd spent another night out with my friends. It was a typical night out—the same events repeated each weekend. Out on Friday night and again on Saturday night. I'd get back to my apartment, fall into bed in the wee hours of the morning, and wake up in the early afternoon, not able to recall much of anything at all. My heart and soul knew that I was a slave to sin, but I carried on anyway. After another typical Saturday night out, I awoke. I looked at the clock. It was 10:30 in the morning, and for the first time in two years, my soul felt the heaviness of my decisions. I had fallen from grace. In that moment, my desire was to be at Mass. I'd stopped attending two years prior. But that night, I made it to Confession and Mass for the first time in a long while and realized how truly merciful our God is. My life rattled that Sunday morning. I felt the weight of my sin. I felt the weight of my selfish choices. I felt the weight of . . . emptiness. For the first time in two years, I prayed again as I laid in bed, "Help me come back to you, Lord!" He gave me the strength to see and His mercy came to me. Sister, you are not alone in the emptiness or the sin—whatever it looks like for you. His grace is here and His mercy is now. Reach for Him. Call to Him. And then act from a place that knows that He purifies from within. Let us approach Him with a willingness to turn back and begin again. Let us stand firm in truth: He waits for us with open arms and a heart ready to mercifully forgive. You are His beloved—run to Him. [bctt tweet="His grace is here and His mercy is now. // Shalini Blubaugh" username="blessedisshe__"] listen to today’s devotion Need a little help remembering how to go to Confession? It's right here.

Detachment from all things for the sake of holiness in pursuit of Him, that's what this life's journey is all about. And it's heartbreakingly hard sometimes that He gives and takes away. But when we come to know the Lord, His goodness, His mercy, His love for each of us as His precious daughters, we know that all He asks of us, to follow Him, is worth it, even when we have to surrender, detach, and let go. Maybe for you, it's been loss. Maybe it's been seemingly unanswered prayers. Perhaps it's been learning to trust Him in and through it all. Or maybe you're ready and willing to follow Him right this second, open hands, heart, and all. But to follow Him is an offering, a sacrifice that we can choose to make each and every day—in every moment of this day. By saying yes to His call without second guessing His voice. By letting go of what He's been calling us away from with a heart full of trust and awe. By relinquishing our own desires and receiving His desires as ours—knowing that there is nothing but goodness ahead. Because that is Who He is. Yes, Lord, I will follow You. Even if that means returning to You what You've so graciously given me—time, money, talent, friendships, occupation, family. I will freely give to You as You have freely given to me. I desire to follow You willingly, wholeheartedly, and with joy as I embrace Your will for me and this life adventure that will ultimately lead me to eternal life. Yes, Jesus. The sacrifice is worth it—I will follow You. Help me to follow well in this day. Help me keep my eyes fixed on You instead of what I feel I am leaving behind. Remind me, Jesus, that this path You've called me to is meant to make me a Saint. Here I am, Lord—send me. [bctt tweet="Yes, Lord, I will follow You. // Shalini Blubaugh" username="blessedisshe__"] listen to today’s devotion Re-read today's Gospel. Whom do you identify with?

Today's Gospel is an absolute gut check, isn't it? "You cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside [are] full of plunder and self indulgence" (Matthew 23:25). Oh, okay God—I see You, and I'm uncomfortable! How often is it that my priorities go astray. How often is it that my focus turns from what is truly important: holiness and our journey toward Heaven. And instead, I turn to what is easier to tackle: the motions of my day to day without pause to remember what this is really all about. How often it is that I take care of what can be seen, but neglect the well-being of my soul! It's too often and it's too easy. But I don't want to live in comfort or complacency. I was not created to live a life that is seemingly neat and tidy on the outside, while my soul continues to die within. The path to Heaven is one taken by an intentional soul—a soul after God's heart. I want to tend to the soil of my heart and soul today, reprioritize today, and set my intention and focus today on Him, His love, on sharing Him and His love even in the ordinariness of this day. Today, I want to be clean from within. Lord, give me the grace today to begin the hard, internal work You long for me to do. Remove from me all fear and anxiety and despair. Give me the grace to know that You, too, till the soil of my heart. You are right here with me doing the hard work. I invite You to refocus my heart, my mind, and my soul. I invite You to prune what needs to be pruned, to purify what needs to be purified, and bring to light anything that still resides in the dark. Create in me a clean heart, oh God and give me a steadfast spirit. [bctt tweet="Lord, give me the grace today to begin the hard, internal work You long for me to do. // Shalini Blubaugh" username="blessedisshe__"] listen to today’s devotion Let us pray Shalini's prayer today.

I am the paralytic. The one that cannot bring myself to Him. I am the one lying on the stretcher, unable to raise my eyes towards Him. I lie crippled in my own sin and shame, in my own desires for what I think my life should be, in pursuit of what I think will set me free. I remain stuck in the fear of what others will think of me if I love Him openly. And as I lie there, unable to walk to Him on my own, He walks to me. He sits with me. He looks at me and smiles at me. He believes in me, and He has the power to heal me—from the inside out. He longs to move me toward faith so that I may move forward with fortitude. With openness, I raise my eyes to His own. His loving and merciful face close to mine. "Courage, child, your sins are forgiven" (Matthew 9:2). I close my eyes and simply rest in His merciful and loving words. They are sweeter than syrup or honey from the comb (see Psalm 19). How can it be that my Savior comes to me? This is Who He is. "Rise and walk!" He says. I open my eyes and feel His hand grasp my own. With my feet on the ground, I stand firm in my faith. I am not made to remain stuck in my mess, but for eternity which endures forever. There is a road ahead meant just for me! My heart rejoices as I walk, looking back at Him. It is my time, now, to tell the others. It is my time, now, to go out and share that He is Who is says He is. Wonderful Healer. Counselor. Merciful Shepherd. God with us. It is impossible to remain crippled—in fear or in sin. I have met Him. He forgives and heals me. And as I walk, my heart rejoices in humility. listen to today’s devotion [bctt tweet="He has the power to heal. // Shalini Blubaugh " username="blessedisshe__"] Take this image of being a paralytic to prayer. Where has He healed you?

"Fight for her," my spiritual director said over the phone. I'd just shared with him one of the ways I knew the Lord was teaching me about mercy. Compassion. Love. Kindness. Forgiveness. A softened heart. None of it was easy, or had been easy. And all of it was painful, or had been painful at some point. I was no longer a friend to someone I really truly believed I'd be friends with forever. "What do you mean 'fight for her'?!" I asked. I was honestly baffled that he'd say such a thing after I'd explained all of the ugly details of how this friendship had ended. He explained, "Mercy is loving when no one else chooses it. Mercy is seeing the other not with your eyes, or the pain in your heart, but with the eyes and heart of Christ. Fight for her, still, by offering the confusion and hurt you feel in the form of mercy towards her." It's not something I'd ever considered. What I had considered was how God could heal what had felt like an open wound for such a long time. "Fight for her." These words have led to so much healing, goodness, and light. "Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift" (Matthew 5:23-24). I don't know what God will do with this former friendship. I don't know if healing will ever entail being friends again. But what I do know, and am so sure of, is this: I can fight for her still, even from afar. I can choose to be charitable in my thoughts. I can choose to forgive repeatedly in my heart. And I will offer it all to Him Who sees the heartbreak of it all. This fight for goodness is worth it, sister. He is here with us, amidst it all. [bctt tweet="God could heal what had felt like an open wound for such a long time. // Shalini Blubaugh" username="blessedisshe__"] Want to learn a beautiful prayer for mercy? Hop on over.