Welcome to our Blessed Chats series! Each month, we will dedicate an entire week of blog posts to a topic that affects many of us. These conversations often come up in our Facebook groups and in our real life friendships. We want to share a variety of perspectives on the topic at hand, so we've asked women to share their stories and how the teachings of the Church have guided and comforted them. In this series, we're talking about finances. We'd love for you to join the conversation! My husband and I were raised in families that had similar outlooks on money. Neither one of us grew up particularly well-off or “rich,” and both of us were accustomed to having to earn our own money to buy the things we wanted. We were also incredibly fortunate to enter into our marriage covenant free from student debt thanks to the diligence and dedication of our parents. You’d think that growing up with similar backgrounds, and being on pretty equal footing when it came to our personal finances when we got married, we’d be on the same page money-wise. You’d be wrong. Money + Marriage In reality, we had very different outlooks on finances. My husband was a hardcore “saver” and preferred adding to his savings account over buying new things. Although I tried to deny it, I was definitely a “spender,” never spending beyond my means or taking on debt in order to shop, but really enjoying the rush that a new article of clothing or home decor item would bring. Get on the Same Page One of the very first things we did as a married couple was take a finance class. I am so thankful for that class, offered by the parish we attended at the time, for helping my husband and I to truly get on the same page when it came to our personal finances. Together, we dug deep and learned things about ourselves that made a huge impact on how we viewed money. We learned that it’s super common for one spouse to be the saver and one to be the spender, and how to reconcile those differences. We cut up credit cards and vowed to get debt-free as soon as possible. We reflected on what the Bible had to say about tithing, and made a commitment to offering a full 10% of our income back to the Lord as a tithe. I cannot recommend Financial Peace University enough as a starting place for your finances, whether you’re drowning in debt, killing the savings game, or just starting out and have no idea what to focus on first. [elementor-template id="415212"] Make a Budget Regardless of whether or not you’re able to take a finance class, the best thing you can do as a couple is to make a budget each month. The word “budget” usually brings up images of rice and beans and secondhand clothes. But in reality, a budget is simply a plan for where your money is going to go! Sitting down together to map out where you want and need to spend money each month is super important. I’ve come to love our monthly “budget meetings,” where we look at the calendar and figure out every possible thing we need to budget for that month. Are we going on a date night? Do the kids need any clothes? Do we have any gifts to buy? By sitting down to talk about our finances, we end up talking about so much more and I end up feeling like we’re truly on the same page when it comes to our calendar and commitments as well as our budget! Budgeting Tools There are some great tools out there for creating budgets, and it’s worthwhile to play around with a few to figure out what works best for you. From old-school pencil and paper, to fancy excel spreadsheets with formulas, to an app like Mint, YNAB (You Need A Budget), or EveryDollar, there are lots of options out there. The important thing is to get down on paper (or in electronic form) how much income you’re bringing in, and ensuring that your expenses (including bills, savings, debt payments and anything you spend money on) does not exceed that income. Get Comfortable with Compromise It’s important to point out that neither the “spender” nor the “saver” mentality is superior when it comes to finances within marriage. God gives us all unique personalities and dispositions and that is a beautiful thing! If you and your spouse are on different ends of the spectrum when it comes to spending versus saving, it offers a great opportunity for compromise and “dying to self” which is what marriage is all about! My husband has said many times that thanks to my outlook, we’ve spent money on things or experiences that he never would have if it were just up to him. He’s glad for my nudging to be a little more “spendy.” On the flip side, there have been countless times when I wanted to impulsively spend money on something and, even though we had the money to do it, my husband advised waiting and holding out to see if we could get a better deal or simply changed our minds. Thanks to his patience and steadfastness in our savings goals, he’s saved us from a lot of unwise purchases and financial headaches throughout our seven years of marriage! Like with Everything in Marriage, Communication is Key Talking about money—really talking about it—simply offers another opportunity to get to know each other’s heart, grow in love for one another, and strive for holiness as you seek to honor the Lord and abide by His will for you and your money, together. If you want more on the Church's rich teachings on these engaging topics, our best-selling study, "Blessed Conversations: Rooted," dives into the Catechism's teachings and now offers a video companion series along with it featuring Theological Editor Susanna Spencer and Managing Editor Nell O'Leary. Get it here.   [bctt tweet="Blessed Chats: Finances // Money + Marriage #BISblog #blessedchats" via="no"]

One of the first gifts I received as a new, first-time mom was a gift of books for my son. As a book lover myself, the gift was much appreciated. I’ve always wanted my children to grow up in a home filled with books, and I love reading to them throughout the day. It’s one of our favorite activities to do together! Building a Catholic Library for Kids As my children have grown, I’ve realized that there is a dizzying amount of beautiful, quality books for children out there, including incredible books about our Catholic Faith! So many talented authors, illustrators, and publishing houses have created incredible resources for us as parents as we try to teach our children about our Faith. There are books about the life of Jesus, books about the Saints for even the smallest hands, even Missals and Catechisms meant for children. This is by no means an exhaustive list. But if you’re looking to add some beautiful books about the Faith to your child’s bookshelf, I hope this list gives you a start! Books about the Saints We have so much to learn from these holy men and women in Heaven, and these titles bring the stories of the Saints to life for kids of all ages, including the youngest ones! My Little Book of Patrons by Katie Baklinski Stories of the Saints: Bold and Inspiring Tales of Adventure, Grace and Courage by Carey Wallace Brother Francis of Assisi by Tomie dePaola Mother Teresa of Calcutta by Francine Bay and Emmanuel Beaudesson Sitting like a Saint by Dr. Gregory Bottaro Loyola Kids Book of Heroes: Stories of Catholic Heroes and Saints throughout History Cloud of Witnesses: A Child’s First book of Saints by Katie Warner Light of Heaven: A Children’s Book of Saints by Adalee Hude Saintly Rhymes for Modern Times by Meghan Bausch A Boy Who Became Pope by Fabiola Garza The Loyola Treasury of Saints by David Self Queen and the Cross by Cornelia Bilinsky The Saint and His Bees by Dessi Jackson (check out her other Saint stories here!) Books about Mary Devotion to the Blessed Mother is an integral part of the Faith that we share. These books are a great place to start in teaching that devotion at a young age! The Lady of Guadalupe by Tomie dePaola Mary Stories from the Bible Mary, the Mother of Jesus by Tomie dePaola Mary and the Little Shepherds of Fatima by Marlyn Monge Marian Consecration for Children by Carrie Gress Books about the Mass Perfect for the Mass bag or just reading at home, these titles bring the Mass to life for children. A Missal for Little Ones by Joëlle d'Abbadie Jesus Invites Me to the Mass by Sabine du Mesnil and Gemma Roman A Missal for Children Light of Sunday by Geena Harrington Father Ben Gets Ready for Mass by Katie Warner I Went to Mass: What Did I See? By Katie Warner Articles at Mass by Ellen Tomaszewski Books about the Church and Sacraments Beautiful books about Sacraments and various aspects of our Faith, put in terms kids will understand. Loyola Kids Book of Catholic Signs and Symbols by Amy Welborn Kiddie Cat by Katie Warner A Little Book about Confession for Children by Kendra Tierney and Maria Ashton Your First Communion: Meeting Jesus, Your True Joy by Pope Francis Stories of the Blessed Sacrament by Francine Bay Bibles and Bible Stories A children’s Bible or a book of Bible stories is a great way to introduce the Scriptures to kids! Bible Stories for Little Children by Sophia Institute Press The Catholic Bible for Children by Karine-Marie Amiot, Francois Carmagnac, and Christophe Raimbault The Life of Jesus According to St. Luke by Sophie de Mullenheim The Illustrated Parables of Jesus by Jean-Francois Kieffer and Christine Ponsard The Beautiful Story of the Bible by Maïte Roche Books on Prayer Foster a lifelong love of personal prayer in your kids with these books about different prayers geared towards different ages! On A Mission to Love (children’s Rosary book) by Debbie Starestinic Mysteries of the Rosary board book set by Nancy Bandzuch Let Us Pray: A Child’s First Book of Prayers by Katie Warner Loyola Kids Book of Everyday Prayers by Margaret Savitskas Other Great Titles More great titles about other aspects of our Faith! Heavenly Hosts: Eucharistic Miracles for Kids by Kathryn Griffin Swegart OFS Who Is Jesus? His Life, His Land, His Time by Gaelle Tertrais Colors of Creation by Paul Thigpen, PhD Lilly Lolek: Future Saint by Katie Warner Catholic Stories for Boys and Girls by Neumann Press Drawing God by Karen Kiefer Tell Me About the Catholic Faith: From the Bible to the Sacraments Giorgio's Miracle by Laurie Schmitt   Where to Look for More Catholic Books for Kids Want to find even more great options? On Amazon, look at what’s listed under “frequently bought together” as well as “books you may like” and “sponsored products related to this item.” They often list other great titles based on the one you’re currently looking at, and it’s a great way to discover new books you might not otherwise! Other great places to look include Magnificat Bookstore, Loyola Press, TAN Books, and The Catholic Company! Any other books that are must-haves in your home library? Share with your sisters in the comments!   [bctt tweet="Building a Catholic Library for Kids #BISblog //" via="no"]   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She! THE PERFECT BOOK FOR KIDS Rise Up will open up beautiful conversations with your children about the virtues. . This will bring beautiful fruit to your prayer life and to your children's prayer lives. GET RISE UP

Since becoming a mother myself, Mother’s Day has become one of my favorite days. Not only because it’s a day that I feel honored and celebrated in my own vocation as a mother, but because I’ve realized, since becoming a mom, how much my own mom sacrificed all those years for the sake of her children! It’s a dedicated day on the calendar to celebrate and love on her, even as I’m being celebrated as well. I always imagined I’d be able to spend every Mother’s Day with my mom in person since she lives close by, but circumstances have made that impossible for the last couple years. Instead of getting together for brunch, coffee and cake or bringing her flowers in person, I rely on technology, deliveries and the internet to make the day special. Celebrating Mother's Day When Your Mom is Far Away Whether you’ve moved away from your mom or temporarily aren’t able to see her because of social distancing recommendations, you can still celebrate from afar. Here are a few fun ways to make the day sweet and special, even if you’re miles apart. Send Flowers I know, I know, so cliche, right? But think outside the box! Send her a packet of flower seeds she can plant in her garden. Bonus if you plant the same ones in yours! Gift her a painting of flowers she loves, or something she might not expect, like this Botanical Rosary print. Or consider sending a spiritual bouquet instead. Offer up Rosaries, Chaplets of Divine Mercy, Novenas or other prayers and write them out in a beautiful card you can pop in the mail. And if you want to send a typical floral bouquet, consider shopping small and ordering from somewhere like Farmgirl Flowers. Share an Experience Thanks to technology, it’s possible to feel like you’re doing things together, even if you’re far apart. Hop on FaceTime to cook a recipe, do a craft “together”, or have an at-home spa day, complete with mani/pedis and face masks. If movies/TV is your thing, start the same movie or show at the same time and chat on the phone while you watch. Get creative! My mom and I both love to do macrame, so it would be fun to FaceTime or hop on a Zoom call while we work on the same macrame project and catch up. Donate in Her Honor Amid the current circumstances, donating money, food or other supplies to a charity in your mom’s honor is especially meaningful with so many people out of work and needing basic necessities. It’s a beautiful way to honor and pay forward the sacrifices she made all throughout your childhood! If she has a favorite charity, go ahead and donate there. Most have an option to print a little card you can send that details your gift. Deliver a Meal or Treat If you’re close enough for a drive-by drop-off, leave something yummy on your mama’s porch. Make (or pick up!) her favorite treat or something you love sharing together. If an in-person drop-off isn’t possible, you can order online from most places and have it delivered. Whether it’s a delicious cake, gourmet ice cream, or just takeout from a local spot, a surprise delivery is sure to make your mom’s day. And let’s be honest, the one thing most moms want most of all on Mother’s Day is not have to cook (or clean up!). Having dinner delivered takes care of that! Gift Her Something Unique Email her a video message she can watch again and again or make a list of all the things she was right about (in my case, it would be a very long list!). Make her a calendar she can hang on her fridge filled with photos that will make her smile. Or splurge on a digital picture frame that allows you to email photos straight to it so you can surprise her with new photos whenever you want. A delicious-smelling candle to remind her of the ultimate model of motherhood, a gorgeous Rosary bracelet or a beautiful mug to brighten her morning routine. Think beyond Amazon and send her something she might not expect! Love for Our Moms Whether you’re celebrating Mother’s Day from 1,500 miles away or 15 minutes down the road, I pray the day is a beautiful reminder of the love and sacrifice of your mom, and moms everywhere. There is but one and only one, Whose love will fail you never. One who lives from sun to sun, With constant fond endeavor. There is but one and only one On earth there is no other. In heaven a noble work was done When God gave us a Mother. -Irish Blessing How will you be celebrating your mom this year?   [bctt tweet="Ways to Celebrate Mother's Day When Your Mom is Far Away #BISblog //" via="no"]

Pregnancy is a beautiful and often difficult season. A season of waiting, longing, excitement, worry and ultimately, total dependence on Jesus. For me, I have never been more aware of my own humanity than when pregnant. I am not the One who breathed this child into existence. I have no control over how the pregnancy goes. I cannot guarantee that I will hold this baby in my arms. It is a time of learning to completely surrender all my perceived control and trust in God and His goodness and provision—no matter the outcome. As I write this, I am nearly 27 weeks pregnant with my third child. We are in the midst of strange, unprecedented times in our country and world, as everyone is consumed with fighting COVID-19. Pregnancy is already an exercise in total surrender and loss of control, but this feels like an entirely different ball game! I’ve never needed prayer as an anchor in my life more than these past few weeks. And with the future so uncertain, prayer is the thing that is grounding me as I try to envision and plan the remaining weeks until this baby’s arrival. Praying through Pregnancy There are so many incredible prayers to turn to during pregnancy, from the Litany of Trust to the Prayer to Our Lady of la Leche. As I’ve prayed through two-and-a-half pregnancies, I’ve picked up some specific ways of praying that have proved to be really fruitful. Pray through Symptoms Offering up whatever symptoms I might be experiencing and uniting them, in my very small way, to Jesus’ suffering on the Cross has been very powerful for me. Whether it’s morning sickness, headaches, extreme fatigue, food aversions, heartburn, or whatever you might be experiencing, you can offer up your discomfort and know that it’s consoling the Heart of Jesus to do so. What does it mean to offer it up? It doesn’t mean to pretend you aren’t struggling or to paste on a fake smile, but rather to pray that your discomfort would be meaningful and that Christ would use it how He sees fit. Consider offering up your experience for a friend who longs for a child in their arms or one who lost a child. Offer for all those experiencing infertility or simply for mothers everywhere. Additionally, give thanks for symptoms you don’t have! It can often feel like you’re just drowning in every miserable symptom, but a quick look at BabyCenter will likely remind you otherwise. Grab a journal and dot down some symptoms you’ve been spared! Let the Baby’s Development Inspire You Grab your favorite baby app, and let the baby’s development week-by-week inspire how you pray. When the baby’s heart is developing, you can pray for a heart for Jesus and others, a heart for the marginalized, a heart for justice. As the little hands and feet begin to form, pray that they would be the hands and feet of Jesus. As the lungs are growing, pray for the Holy Spirit to infuse them with the breath of life. You get the picture! This has been a beautiful and powerful way to both connect with the baby being knit together beneath my ribs, and pray intentionally for them. Pray for Dad While pregnancy is a time of immense change for the expecting mom, it is also a great time to pray for dad! Although he may not be dealing with the not-so-fun symptoms of early pregnancy or feeling every kick and flutter, he is still adjusting and growing and preparing for the arrival of this child. If you haven’t already, ask your husband how you can pray for him specifically as it pertains to pregnancy. It’s a beautiful way to grow together as a couple and be united in this vocation God has called you to—the mission of parenthood. WRITE + PRAY We invite you to sit with the Word and unpack it in a uniquely personal way, finding your own story. Discover your story within His. GET WRITE AND PRAY Turn to Our Lady and the Saints How gracious God was to give us the ultimate model of motherhood in the Blessed Virgin Mary! If you’ve never had a strong devotion to Jesus’ Mother, now is the perfect time to start. After all, she understands what we as women and mothers are going through. She carried a child for nine months in her womb. She faced uncertainty during her pregnancy. She may have experienced loneliness and sadness as friends and family turned their backs due to her situation. She gets it. She is a mother in every way, and she wants nothing more than to walk alongside you, intercede for you, and wrap you in her mantle of peace as you journey through pregnancy. We also have incredible models and friends to look up to in the Saints. There are so many incredible examples of Godly mothers in the saints, like St. Zelie Martin, St. Gianna, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. As you prepare to be a mother—whether it is your first child or fifth—turn to the Saints and ask for their prayers! The Communion of Saints is a beautiful part of our Catholic Faith, and what a gift we have in it! Total Surrender Pregnancy is a time unlike any other. It's a time of total surrender and reliance, more than ever, on Jesus’ strength to sustain you. May it also be a time of deeper relationship with Jesus, His Mother, as well as the Saints. May you experience great growth in your faith! Our Lady of la Leche, pray for us! Mary, Mother of God, pray for us! What prayer practices have you found fruitful during pregnancy?   [bctt tweet="Praying through Pregnancy #BISblog //" via="no"] WANT TO DEEPEN YOUR PRAYER? Get ready to be radically changed by the Lord and His presence. Be drawn into intimacy with the Lord by way of weekly videos, a community within the Blessed is She app, and invitations into reading scripture in a whole new way. BEGIN THE WELL: ABIDE

I met one of my very best friends late in college. We bonded during my junior year in design classes over Ingrid Michaelson and Helvetica fonts, studied abroad together the next summer, and graduated together in December of 2012. She immediately took a job with TIME Magazine and moved to New York City. For over seven years now, we haven’t lived in the same zip code, and we’re lucky if we get together in person once a year. But thanks to technology, our friendship remains strong, and when we do get together face-to-face, it’s like no time at all has passed. For many of us, long-distance friendship is our reality (especially right now). Whatever the reason, it can feel like distance is the end of friendship, and that’s a hard pill to swallow, especially when it feels like making friends in the first place is no easy feat. How to Maintain Long-Distance Friendships But with technology, intentionality and a lot of grace, distance is not a death sentence for friendship. Here are five tips for maintaining flourishing friendships no matter how many miles separate you. Utilize Technology It has never been easier to keep in touch with faraway friends than in today’s day and age. Thanks to apps like Voxer (voice messages that can be sent and played whenever) and Marco Polo (video messages that can be sent and viewed whenever), FaceTime, and regular texting, there are so many ways to stay connected. Consider sticking to a regular day/time for a FaceTime chat, like every Sunday at 8 p.m., or every third Thursday at 9 a.m. Staying consistent means it’s more likely to happen, since it becomes a standing date on your calendar. Keep in mind that not every conversation has to be a drawn-out, sit-down chat. Texting each other random GIFs or memes, a quick bit of encouragement, or a funny memory you share keeps you feeling connected, too. Don’t Ditch the Tried-and-True I did a poll on Instagram, asking women for advice on maintaining long-distance friendships, and was surprised by how many mentioned the old standbys—phone calls and snail mail! Although we have a million ways to communicate, few things beat a good hour-long catch up on the phone, a note in the mailbox just to say “hey,” or a little care package sent for no significant reason. Make a note a few days before your friend’s birthday to send an actual card in the mail, give her a call on your way home from work, or scoop up that cute little banner from the Target Dollar Spot and pop it in an envelope to send her way. Pray for (and with!) Each Other This might seem obvious, but it was a big breakthrough for me when I started using a prayer journal that had a spot each month to write down friends’ names and their prayer requests. I realized how cool it was to text my besties at the start of each month and ask how I could intentionally pray for them throughout that month. It kept me in the loop on things that were going on in their lives—things that rarely make it to the social media highlight reel. We can sometimes feel like we’re keeping up with our gal pals by scrolling their social media and doling out lots of “likes,” but that can lead to missing the big stuff, the vulnerable stuff, the stuff that can be hard to talk about, even among friends. I found that by asking how I could pray for them—and then following up throughout the month to ask how things were going or how they were feeling—drew us closer together as we shared those hard or heavy things. You could also go through a devotional or study together with your friend or group of girls, and hop on a video call or group chat to discuss it periodically. Praying the same novena together would be neat, too. A spiritual bouquet is another great idea, especially if you’re part of a tight-knit friend group. Each month, one person “receives” the bouquet, and everyone else offers Mass, Adoration, Rosaries and other prayers for them. Rotate through the months so each person gets to receive a bouquet once (or a few times!) a year. Do Things “Together” Even if You’re Far Apart Whether it’s watching your favorite show together over FaceTime or just calling each other afterward to discuss, or listening to the same podcast episode to dish over later, it’s fun to feel like you’re still doing stuff together even if you’re physically apart. You could read the same book at the same time, or even start an online book club with your friends scattered across the country. Like to exercise? Sign up for an online exercise challenge together. Love to cook? Do a fun cooking challenge together. Again, technology makes it possible to feel like you’re doing these things side by side, even when that’s not reality. See Each Other When You Can While this might not be a reality for everyone depending on their season in life, friendship really thrives when you can get together in-person, no matter how infrequent. Lots of women suggested making plans far in advance so you know you have it on the calendar to look forward to. Lots of people stick to a reunion the same weekend every year (i.e. the weekend before Labor Day) to make it easy to plan around. Others switch off for birthday visits, but make it a point to spend their birthdays together. Making the effort to get together—while giving lots of grace for when circumstances make it impossible—goes a long way. Long-Distance Friendships Just Take Some Effort At the end of the day, long-distance friendship thrives on the same ingredients as in-person friendship: intentionality and a whole lot of grace. Intentionality to truly pursue each other and keep up on each other’s lives and not just rely on social media to keep us filled in; grace to not feel resentful when one person’s life season makes it hard for them to reply immediately, return phone calls, or commit to a visit. Whether your bestie is the next state over or across the ocean, it’s possible to keep that friendship growing despite the miles, and the effort is worthwhile. How do you stay in touch with long-distance friends? Share in the comments! [bctt tweet="How to Maintain Long-Distance Friendships #BISblog //" via="no"]

We went to Mass as a family the first Sunday in March. We sat in our usual first-row pew, sweated through toddler misbehavior, extremely loud requests for donuts, and whining about when church would be over. We laughed at the kids’ antics afterwards with the people who sit behind us—the same two families who always sit behind us—and spent time in the community room afterwards, eating donuts and catching up with friends. In short, it was a very regular Sunday morning. Since then, it feels like life has been turned upside-down for nearly everyone as we try to navigate the current COVID-19 crisis. With public Mass suspended for the foreseeable future, many are tuning in to live-streamed or recorded Mass online and watching from their living rooms. While this is an amazing resource we’re able to utilize thanks to modern technology, nothing compares to experiencing Mass in person, and I know so many of us are yearning for the day when we can return to our pews—rowdy kids in tow and all. Tips for Attending Mass at Home with Kids During this Time If you’re trying to keep Sundays special and create a “new temporary normal” for Mass in these very extraordinary times, I’m right there with you. Here are five tips to making Mass at home sacred and special, especially if you have young children in the mix! Dress Up Although the current situation has us sitting at home for extended periods of time, consider changing into your usual Sunday Mass clothes to watch, even if you’re just sitting on your couch. Dressing up reminds us that this day is special, set apart, and that what we’re doing is different from the Netflix binge we’ve been partaking in. Even if we aren’t experiencing the Mass in-person or receiving the Holy Eucharist sacramentally, we can still make the effort to present our best selves to Christ and ditch the weekday sweatpants for an hour or so. Create a Reverent Atmosphere You may not be able to whip up some gorgeous stained glass windows in a pinch, but I’d be willing to bet you have some items around your house that can help create a reverent atmosphere in which to watch Mass. Figure out where you’ll be setting up your laptop to live-stream and consider covering the table with a tablecloth (white or purple for Lent) or any piece of fabric! Even draping a scarf around the computer would add an element of beauty. If you have candles (these are on sale right now), set a couple out and light them. Grab a crucifix and lay it nearby, and add any statues or icons you might have (or even print an image off Google!). If you have children, put away all the toys and allow them to have the usual things you bring to Mass or some faith-based books and Rosaries.     Involve the Family, Especially Kids Think of ways your family can be involved in preparing the space throughout the Mass viewing. Can someone lay out the tablecloth and set up the laptop? Can someone else light the candles? Maybe a child would love to “process” in from another room carrying a crucifix or Bible to mimic an entrance procession. Have someone pass a “collection” basket, and go ahead and toss in your offering for the week, which you can either mail to your parish office or donate online. Let’s face it—watching Mass from home is far less interactive than we’re used to, but a little creativity can go a long way in making it engaging, even for the littlest ones. Keep Your Post-Mass Tradition Do you usually get brunch at a specific restaurant after Mass? Order it to-go, if it’s available. Normally head to the community room for coffee and donuts? Pick some up at the grocery store and FaceTime the people you usually sit with to catch up while you eat. If you usually make a certain meal at home, stick to it. Whatever your tradition is, keep to it as much as possible! It will help things feel a bit more normal in this time of staggering uncertainty. Stay Flexible and Pray for Patience Nothing about this is normal or easy, and that’s okay. Pausing the live-stream to redirect rambunctious kids, adjusting your usual Sunday traditions, and longing for in-person community and fellowship is all going to take a lot of patience and flexibility on everyone’s parts. Pray for the patience to continue to adapt as this current crisis evolves, and trust that God provides everything you need. "Come to Me..." At the end of the day, God is so pleased with our sincerest effort, no matter what that looks like for you. Whether your “Mass table” is adorned with a lace tablecloth and candles or it’s a beat-up card table shoved in a corner of the living room as you attend Mass virtually this Sunday, be assured that your desire to experience Him is enough. He will meet you wherever you are, now and always. What tips do you have for meaningfully watch the Mass from home? [bctt tweet="Tips for Watching Mass from Home with Kids #BISblog //" via="no"]

“Let go of the life you imagined for the life God has ready for you.” How many times have you heard, or read, some version of those words? It seems like there’s this image of simply letting go of the hopes, dreams, and visions you hold close to your heart, releasing them into the wind like balloons, and stepping serenely into a totally different reality. What happens when it feels impossible to trust that Jesus has something better in store? What happens when letting go doesn’t feel like gaining anything at all, but, simply, loss? Letting Go of the Life I Envisioned 2019 was a crash course for me in letting go of the life I envisioned for myself. That life included living close to my parents and my mom being available to help with my two young kids or do fun things together. Instead, although my parents’ address is just ten minutes away, they’ve spent most of their time over the past year living across the country in southern Arizona, caring for my dad’s aging parents. It has been a hard adjustment as I learn to mother and try to navigate all that being a mom to two young children (with one on the way!) entails without the support I thought I'd have from my mom. I also always imagined living near my brothers, who I expected would get married and have families of their own. I love to think about my kids growing up with cousins and having big family dinners every Sunday a la the Braverman clan in Parenthood. In reality, both of my brothers live on the west coast, and my older brother and I haven’t talked in a year-and-a-half, which is a blog post for another day. Neither one of them will likely ever move back to the Midwest. My husband and I chose to settle here, where we both grew up, in part because both our families are close by. I never imagined that mine would slowly, for all intents and purposes, move elsewhere. Accepting Reality Although my husband became a police officer in 2017 and started on night shift in November of that year (and stayed on night shift all throughout 2018), this past year was the year that I finally realized that this truly is our reality for the foreseeable future. A completely non-traditional schedule, never having him home the same day each week. Taking two rowdy kids to Mass by myself because he works every other Sunday, eating dinner by myself half the nights every month, rarely sleeping in the same bed because of the opposite sleep schedules night shift requires. 2019 was also marked by the rollercoaster of trying to conceive our third child, and feeling so deserted and ignored by God. Month after month of praying intently to get pregnant, being sure I was, then being devastated when I discovered I wasn’t. I had always envisioned our kids being two years apart. I had to mourn the loss of the family spacing I had planned, and accept that God’s timing was better than my own.     Reconciling Disappointment and Hope How do we, as Christian women, reconcile the desire to follow God’s will for our lives, while also feeling the very real grief of letting go of the life we envisioned for ourselves? Without a doubt, God has our best interests at heart, and wants nothing but good for us. We are His beloved daughters. And yet, sometimes the good He desires for us—the outcomes He is orchestrating for us—are entirely invisible from our human perspective. We’re left with our unrealized dreams or shattered hopes and nothing to cling to but the faith that He is who He says He is and that He will not leave us here. Mourning the life you envisioned for yourself—whether you find yourself far from family, facing a health crisis, in a struggling marriage, parenting a difficult child, longing for friendship or whatever it may be—is true grief and it is a hard season to walk through. He Knows the Plans He Has But take heart, sister. God truly is holding you in the palm of His hand. He meant what He said in Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'   We can rest in those words, knowing we are wholly and completely held in the arms of the One who keeps the whole universe intact. Practical Steps to Take in the Midst of Mourning But knowledge and behavior are two different things. So here are some concrete steps you can take if you find yourself in a season of mourning lost dreams or unrealized hopes as you cling to the faith that God will provide something better than you could have ever imagined. Feel your feelings. Feelings are real and valid, and stuffing them down or pretending they don’t exist isn’t going to help anything. There’s a fine line between letting yourself feel what you feel, and dwelling on those feelings or making decisions from an emotional place. It is okay to feel sad, angry or disappointed when things don’t turn out the way you hoped. It becomes dangerous to stay in that place of sadness, anger, or disappointment because it can quickly spiral into despair. Journal your feelings, talk to your spiritual director or counselor or a trusted friend, and let there be an outlet for how you’re feeling so you’re able to move on. Ask Jesus to open your eyes to the blessings that abound. Even in the midst of incredibly hard seasons, there is so much goodness to be found. Maybe it’s someone bringing you a meal that you didn’t expect, a handwritten note from a friend, someone sending you $5 on Venmo for a coffee. Maybe it’s a new relationship that’s able to grow stronger because an old one faded away. In my experience, when I pray that Jesus would open my eyes to specific ways He’s blessing me, even in the midst of my heartache, He always answers. For instance, my mother-in-law also lives just ten minutes away, and my relationship with her has grown so much with my own mom being far away a lot. I have had to rely on my mother-in-law so much more, and it has been such a blessing to see that relationship blossom in a way it might not have had my mom been here instead. Find solace in Scripture. There are so many verses in the Bible that speak to disappointment, despair, grief, and even anger at God. You are not the first person to feel this way, and God is not disappointed by your feelings. In His goodness and love, He gives us wisdom in His Word that we can turn to even in the hardest seasons. What a gift. Do a Google search for “verses when you’re disappointed” and meditate on a couple (or just one!) He Makes All Things New For so many of us, life does not look at all like we imagined. Maybe in minor ways, maybe in major ways. But we can all cling to the hope we have that God is in the business of making all things new, and that His will for us is better than anything we could have dreamt up ourselves, even (and especially) when it doesn’t seem like it. Have you ever had to mourn the life you envisioned? What helped you cling to hope in God's plan? [bctt tweet="Mourning the Life You Envisioned #BISblog //" via="no"] 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

In the year 1675, the pocket watch was patented, integral calculus was introduced and, most relevant for us and our Faith, Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque to share His love for souls and His desire for a Feast of the Sacred Heart. He also asked specifically for a devotion of the Nine First Fridays in reparation for all the offenses against His Sacred Heart...

My personality type lends toward often feeling misunderstood. I can’t even tell you the number of times I’ve said in frustration or sadness, “You just don’t understand!†Sometimes, I feel like the only person on Planet Earth who feels the way I feel. And then I’m reminded of the One who has felt every emotion and feeling. The One who intimately knows every pain we could ever experience, as well as every joy...

In college, I majored in Visual Art. It was through the Journalism Department, but my entire major was devoted to learning how to present information in a visual way. “Visual storytelling†was the name of the game for my four years of undergrad, and although I’m not currently using my degree professionally, the things I learned from all that studying are still relevant to my life...

When I’m having a hard day and it feels like everything is spinning, I often stop and put my hands over my heart. Taking a few deep breaths and listening to that pulse beneath my ribs is often enough to center me. After my kids fall asleep, I love to tiptoe into their rooms and check on them. I’ll gently rest my hand on their little chests, watching the rise and fall of their breath, feeling the thump-thump of their tiny heartbeats, as familiar to me as my own...

When I was pregnant with my first child, I listened to a podcast by a woman who was recalling a very painful time in her life. Her firstborn child was dying and her marriage was on the rocks as a result of that tragic circumstance. She reflected on that season...

I’m a checklist gal. I love the satisfaction of making a list, methodically crossing things off. And yes, I am one of those people that adds an item to my list that I’ve already completed, just so I can check it off. Here’s what I’m learning when it comes to the Christian life, though...

“Let every heart prepare Him room.” It’s one of my all-time favorite lines from one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs. I tend to think about it all season long as we journey through Advent. I mull over the idea of decluttering before Christmas to make room for our Lord in our lives, hearts, and homes. What does it mean to truly “prepare Him room?” What does it look like to make space for the light of Jesus to burst forth into our lives this Christmas? Decluttering Before Christmas: An Opportunity Each Year Every year, we get the opportunity to take on this task of decluttering mentally and physically. We get to ask ourselves: when Jesus comes, what will He find? Will He find room at the inn, or be forced to the fringes of a heart, soul, home, and life stuffed too full of all the wrong things? Decluttering isn’t about staying hip to the trends (Kon Mari, anyone?) or trying to be something you’re not (not everyone needs to be a minimalist!). It's simply letting go of what’s holding us back. It’s about “preparing Him room” in every way possible. Make Room Mentally: Declutter Your Mind Advent is a great time to meditate on what’s taking up mental space. For me, this looks like reflecting on my relationships, practicing mindfulness, and writing out everything bouncing around my brain. Take Stock of Relationships First and foremost, Advent gives us an opportunity to reflect on our relationship with God. Are there sins holding us back from a deeper relationship with Him? Most parishes offer an Advent penance service. Commit to asking for forgiveness for whatever is weighing on your heart this season! Mental decluttering also includes taking stock of our human relationships. Are there some that need attention? Is there someone in your life who needs your forgiveness, or someone you need to ask for forgiveness from? Are there relationships that are not life-giving, fruitful or helping you grow? Advent provides the opportunity to really think about what relationships are leading you toward Christ, or away from Him. It’s an opportunity to “make room” in our hearts and minds by mending relationships that need mending and letting go of ones that are not serving us on our walk toward holiness. We all know what a mental drain it can be to have a lingering argument, estrangement, or tough relationship. Advent is a time to free up that mental space by offering or accepting forgiveness where needed and moving on where possible. Be Mindful To me, mindfulness means being aware of what I’m holding onto. This is especially timely in the Advent season and as we work to “prepare Him room.” When Jesus comes, will He find space in your head and your heart, or will they be too cluttered with attachments? Being aware of what we’re allowing in and clinging to is an important first step in detachment. If we want to detach from the habits, vices, and sins cluttering our souls, we have to know what we’re working with. Mindfulness offers the opportunity to notice what is holding us back from complete and total attachment to Jesus. [bctt tweet="When Jesus comes, will He find space in your head and your heart, or will they be too cluttered with attachments? #BISblog //" via="no"] Write It Out One of my very favorite ways to practically free up some headspace is by writing down everything I can think of that is taking up mental energy. Everything from last-minute presents to buy or cookies to bake, to ruminating on goals I didn’t achieve or habits I want to start in the new year, I write it all out with a pen and paper. The physical act of writing seems to transfer it from my brain to the notebook, freeing up the space it occupied. Once I see it all written out, it feels easier to tackle. I can easily figure out what is urgent and timely and what can be shelved for another day, week, or even next year. I often feel frazzled this time of year, which makes it hard to fully enter into the waiting, quiet, and beauty this season offers. Transferring the mix of lists, longings, and other random items from my head to my notebook frees up space to ponder the mystery of this season and a God who took on flesh to save us. Make Room Physically: Declutter Your Stuff In addition to clearing the mental clutter, this season provides an opportunity to get rid of physical clutter. We have a chance to be rid of the trappings of a too-full life that weigh us down. Advent is the perfect time to take an honest look at the physical possessions filling our spaces since there is typically an influx of new things from the various gift exchanges that take place this time of year. Quiet Your Space I love this term I first heard from decor blogger Myquillin Smith. She talks about “quieting a space” each season. I think this is especially appropriate for Advent. Quieting a space simply means stripping it down to the bones. Advent is a season of waiting, a season of quiet, joyful hope, and anticipation. It makes sense to observe this season by creating a simpler space as we wait for Jesus to flood in with His light and love. Designate a room to “quiet” and take down everything non-essential. (Leave your curtains up! No need to live in a fishbowl.) Stash the picture frames, nick-necks, and miscellaneous items out of sight. Purge with Intention Now we’re really digging into the literal part of “make room”! In all seriousness, it’s a perfect time of year to go through our possessions with intention and let go of excess. Oftentimes, downsizing my belongings reveals some attachments in my heart that need to be dealt with. Getting rid of stuff shows me to what I’m super attached and with what particular vices I struggle. Prayerfully purging our homes—not just filling a bag for Goodwill, but asking God to help us with the discontent, greed, envy, pride, irresponsibility, or indifference that lead to such excess—is a spiritual practice that truly makes room not just in our closets, but in our souls. Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room Advent is such a beautiful season of waiting, anticipation, and preparation! As we run around preparing our tables for gatherings, our homes for hosting, and our presents for gifting, let us also prepare our minds and hearts for the gift of a Savior who took on humanity to save us. Let us truly make room in our hearts, souls, and homes for the ultimate Gift this Christmas season, a Gift freely-given and wholly-undeserved. How do you make room for Jesus during Advent? [bctt tweet="Decluttering Before Christmas: Physically + Mentally #BISblog //" via="no"]

No one reaches the kingdom of Heaven except through humility. -St. Augustine   When I think of the holiest people I know, “humble” is one of the first words I’d use to describe them. As you befriend the Saints and learn about the people they were and the lives they led, I think we’d all agree that a unifying characteristic in saintliness is humility. And of course, throughout the Bible, humility is exalted as a virtue to strive for, such as in Ephesians 4:2: “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Maybe it’s the fact that humility is so important on our path to holiness that it’s such a difficult virtue to cultivate. At least that’s been my experience. I often find myself praying to be more humble...and if I’m honest, what I really want is to just magically wake up one day a super humble person, rather than do the hard, soul-scrubbing work of getting there. I was in Confession about a year ago and was admitting my ongoing struggle with pride, vanity, and envy. I relayed how it feels like I never make any headway in any of those areas, despite praying about them often. The priest suggested I look up a prayer called the Litany of Humility and commit to praying it regularly. That suggestion forever impacted my walk with God. The Litany of Humility This prayer was composed by Rafael Cardinal Merry de Val, the Secretary of State for Pope Saint Pius X in 1863. It is a beautiful prayer that goes so much deeper than the simple, “Dear Jesus, please help me to be more humble,” that was my default at the time. At first glance, it is a hard prayer to pray. It hits right at the heart of so many of my insecurities that keep me tethered to pride, vanity, and often envy. The first few times I prayed through the Litany, I felt really confused and frustrated. In just the third line, you’re praying that Jesus delivers you from a desire of being loved! Aren’t we supposed to desire love?! The more I prayed the Litany, however, the more I came to understand the whole point of it. I think of another St. Augustine quote: “Our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” When we look for love, validation, admiration, honor, praise, and accolades from man and when we place our worth and value in those, we’re settling for a less-than existence than what we were created for. Because we were lovingly created by the God of the universe, nothing will satisfy our hearts except true communion with Him. To me, this is what the Litany of Humility is all about. It hits on so many areas that keep us tethered to the opinion of man which hinder us from full communion with God.     Praying the Litany of Humility If you, too, desire to grow in the virtue of humility (hello, probably everyone), here are three tips to incorporating this prayer into your regular routine! 1. Make it consistent. This is my top tip. Praying this Litany every single day has made the biggest impact on my walk with Jesus. Saying the words day-in and day-out has had a profound impact. I recommend a tool I like to call “stacking the habits” to get this done and make it consistent. The idea is simply to “stack” this prayer with something else you’re already doing on a regular basis. For instance, play an audio version of the prayer every morning as you brush your teeth. Or keep it written out in the Notes app and pray it out loud as you wait for your coffee to brew. Think through your day and find something you’re already doing consistently every single day, and add this prayer alongside a habit that already exists! 2. Pray throughout the day. To truly enter deeply into this prayer, consider praying it throughout the day, focusing on a couple lines each hour. There are 24 lines in the prayer, so you could focus on three lines per hour over an eight hour day! I like to pray the lines a few times throughout the hour, really absorbing and digesting the meaning of the words. 3. Pray throughout the month. This is another favorite way to pray this beautiful Litany! Focus on one line per day for about a month. You can meditate on Bible verses that coincide with the line, or ask God to show you specific areas in your life where you need to grow based around that line. For example, for the line that reads, “from the fear of being despised,” you might meditate on John 15:18-19: If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.   Writing Your Own Litany of Humility Another powerful way to pray this Litany is to pen your own with the original as your guide, or simply add on a few extra lines for areas you particularly struggle with. There is no rule against writing your own prayers; in fact, this can be a very profound way to take your prayer to a deeper level. Considering jotting down your own “litany of humility” in your journal or Notes app, making it personal to your own journey and struggles! Here’s an excerpt from one I wrote for myself: From the desire to “grow my following” ... deliver me, Jesus. From the fear of being taken for granted ... deliver me, Jesus. From the fear of having no time for myself … deliver me, Jesus. From the fear of what motherhood demands … deliver me, Jesus. From the fear of being irrelevant … deliver me, Jesus.   The Purpose of the Litany of Humility The point of this Litany, whether you pray the original or write your own, is to be delivered of our own selfish desires, reliance on self, distorted sense of self-importance, and fear of sacrificing our own comfort for the sake of another. To be delivered of such vices is to be on our way to living in the world but not “of” it. To be delivered of such vices is a crucial step on our journey of sanctification. Do you pray the Litany of Humility? Have a favorite quote from the Saints on the virtue of humility? Share in the comments and let’s all grow in this virtue together! [bctt tweet="How to Pray the Litany of Humility #BISblog //" via="no"] 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

A year ago, I would have said I didn’t have any problem trusting God. That sometimes, sure, I balked a bit at His will or His plans. But in general, I was pretty apt to trust Him with my dreams, desires, hopes, and disappointments. With everything! Fully Trusts in God: party of one. Yay for me! And then I stumbled upon the Litany of Trust. The Litany of Trust The Litany of Trust is a prayer penned by the Sisters of Life, a religious order based in New York (it is specifically attributed to Sr. Faustina Maria Pia, S.V.). I don’t even remember how I came across it, but ever since it crossed my path, I have prayed it every morning. It’s been nearly a year now. Praying this prayer daily has revealed just how much I need to grow in the trust-in-God arena. And while that may seem defeating, it’s actually been incredibly fruitful. The prayer hits on so many areas where we might struggle to fully trust the Lord. And every time I recite the prayer, I’m moving closer to full and total surrender and trust in Jesus, even if that movement is imperceptible to me. If you feel discouraged about how hard is it to trust in God, take heart! The Bible and Church history are full of Apostles, leaders, and Saints who also struggled to trust God. He doesn’t demand or expect perfection. He simply asks for a heart turned toward Him and for us to continue to seek Him with all our heart, mind, and soul. The Litany of Trust will help you on your way.     How to Pray the Litany of Trust If you want to incorporate this beautiful prayer into your life, here are three of my favorite ways to pray the Litany of Trust! Pray a couple of lines per hour throughout your day. One of my favorite ways to pray this prayer is to use my phone to create a series of reminders throughout my day, at each hour interval. I add a note to the reminder with a few lines of the prayer, and make those lines my focus for that hour. There are 29 lines in the prayer, so you could have ten hours worth of prayers if you pray roughly three lines per hour. But, feel free to divvy it up however you want! Here’s an example: I’d set a reminder on my phone for 8:00 a.m., and include in the reminder’s note the first three lines of the prayer: From the belief that I have to earn Your love … Deliver me, Jesus. From the fear that I am unlovable … Deliver me, Jesus. From the false security that I have what it takes … Deliver me, Jesus. When the alarm goes off, I silently recite those three lines, and continue to focus on those throughout that hour. Listen to the audio version while you walk, drive, or do chores. The sung litany is short, just five minutes, but I love to listen to it a couple times through while walking with my kids, driving in the car, or doing chores. Or—if I’m being completely transparent—locked in the bathroom while taking deep breaths in the middle of a chaotic morning. It is a great prayer to center yourself and reorient things if your day (or week, or month!) has gone off the rails. Match Scripture to each line. One of the most powerful ways I’ve prayed this prayer was to meditate on it, line by line, for a good month. During this time, I seek out Scripture to accompany the theme of each line. It took the prayer much deeper. It also helped me commit some verses to memory to recall when I struggle in certain areas (discouragement, anxiety, fear). For example, for the line that reads: From the fear of what love demands, deliver me, Jesus. I meditated on the following Scripture passages about what it means to love as Jesus commands: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. -1 Corinthians 13:4-5 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. -1 John 3:16-18   For the line that reads: That not knowing what tomorrow brings is an invitation to lean on You, Jesus, I trust in you. I meditated on the following Scripture passages about not knowing or fearing the future: He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. -Deuteronomy 31:8 ...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. -Phillippians 1:6   How to Find Relevant Scripture Verses You get the picture! As for how to find verses that coincide with each line, good old Google has always been my standby. We also have some posts about verses for different situations. Scripture verses to pray when you’re mad at God are perfect for the line, “From all suspicion of Your words and promises, Deliver me, Jesus.” There’s also a post about Scripture verses to pray in times of scandal. These would work well for any seasons when you feel angry about something that occurred and anxious or unsure about what the future might look like. This post has some great options for several lines of the prayer, including, “from anxiety about the future, deliver me, Jesus,” and, “from resentment or excessive preoccupation with the past, deliver me, Jesus.” As mentioned, there are 29 lines in the prayer. So it’s nearly perfect to spend an entire month meditating on one line per day! Have you ever prayed the Litany of Trust? Do you have a favorite way to pray it? Chime in with a comment—we’d love to learn from you! [bctt tweet="How (and Why) to Pray the Litany of Trust #BISblog //" via="no"] 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

My husband works a high-risk job. Maybe yours does, too. The reality of the dangers of his job are not lost on me. With two young children now, it can sometimes feel overwhelming thinking about all the what ifs. How to Deal When Your Husband Works a High-Risk Job Nothing in my life up to this point has challenged and grown my faith as much as my husband stepping into this role. For the first time, I’ve had to come face to face with the idea—the actual possibility—that my husband might not come home. That I might end up raising our small children alone. That thought can send me into a tailspin of panic, or it can send me straight to the arms of God for comfort and strength. I’m grateful that, for the most part, it’s been the latter. Accepting the Reality Without Living in Fear When your husband works a high-risk job, there is a very fine line between accepting the reality of the danger his job entails and living in fear. Accepting the reality that his job is dangerous allows me to not sweat the small stuff and soak up our time together. It makes me especially grateful every time he comes home safe. But if I’m not careful, I can dwell too much on the danger and start to live in fear and “what if.” I’ve found that accepting the reality of the risk is freeing. It frees me from getting too upset about the things that didn’t get done or the little annoyances that come with marriage. It frees me to love more fully and truly soak up the time we have together. Knowing that there are many women out there who no longer get to cook dinner for their husband or fold his clean clothes brings perspective that helps me to live in the moment and give thanks for it. But when I’m living in fear, it’s paralyzing. Living in fear, for me, looks a lot like checking my phone every ten minutes to see if he’s texted back. It looks like staying up too late because I’m anxious. I’ve learned to notice the difference between the two feelings—a feeling of freedom vs. a feeling of paralysis—and to intentionally seek out help when I veer towards the latter. Deciding Jesus is Enough A few years ago, I heard a podcast episode with a woman who was recounting a very dark time in her life. Her infant son was dying and her marriage was on the brink of collapse. She recalled how she asked herself a very difficult question: Would Jesus be enough? If her son died and she no longer had a child, would Jesus be enough? If her husband left and she was no longer a wife, would Jesus be enough? That podcast forever changed me, and I think about it so often in light of my husband's job. When your husband works a high-risk job, and the reality of danger feels too close for comfort, I’ve found it’s helpful to simply repeat to myself, “Jesus is enough.” If the unthinkable were to happen and my husband was taken away, Jesus would be enough. If he were injured on the job and our lives changed forever, Jesus would be enough. And if absolutely everything I love was stripped away, Jesus would be enough. Some days, repeating that phrase feels like the epitome of “fake it til you make it.” I sometimes don’t feel like I believe it. But I say it anyway, trusting that God will turn my unbelief into belief, and that His promises are true. That no matter what, in every trial, Jesus truly is enough. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff This is such a cliche, but it’s also so true. When your husband leaves for work and that work sometimes includes putting his safety on the line, so many things are put into perspective. I am so grateful for Matt’s job and the ways it has brought us closer as a married couple. It has empowered me to let go of a lot of things that would normally annoy or irritate me. Because in the grand scheme of things, it just doesn’t matter. We certainly aren’t perfect, and I have a long way to go. His job has made me better able to let things go and not get too bent out of shape about the little things, and has made me much more mindful of and grateful for our time together. Place Yourselves into the Hands of Providence Most days, before my husband leaves for work, we pray a simple prayer together as a family. I pray for protection over Matt’s life, and ask God to bring him home safely. I pray for strength for me, for peace and comfort, and that God would cover our family with His protection. I pray the Guardian Angel Prayer silently to myself. This practice of praying for my husband as he drives away, heading to a job which might include danger and could take his life, is a practical reminder that our lives are not our own. That we are called to “place ourselves gently into the hands of Providence,” as one of my favorite saints, St. Theodore Guerin, once said. Turning Fear Into Faith It is hard to send your husband off to a high-risk job. But here is what I know to be true: God will never leave or forsake us. He blesses our efforts. He will never turn us down when we pray to turn our fear into faith. God is there with open arms, ready to flood our hearts with the peace that surpasses all understanding. In our overwhelm or anxiety, let us turn to Him, our good, good Father, who will never let us down. Does your husband work in a high-risk job? How has that impacted your faith? What are your best tips for dealing with all that a high-risk job entails?