Comparison is like a thief that comes in the middle of the night to steal your joy. Whenever we compare ourselves to another person we basically allow the thief in ourselves. It took me a long time and lots of prayer to realize that I sometimes fall into the trap of comparison. The good thing about growing older and (hopefully) wiser is that we begin to see these things more clearly and can then put an end to them before they can cause great damage to us. I’m not sure that men struggle with this as much as women do. But one thing is for sure: living in the era of social media has exacerbated this struggle 100 times more for women than before social media came around. We tend to look at those feeds and think things such as: her life is perfect; her husband is perfect; her kids are perfect; her vacations are always amazing; she seems to be so much holier than I am (this one, I feel, is more dangerous than we think)... and the list goes on. Is Comparison Crippling Your Calling? The Lord in His goodness has shown me that every time I compare myself or my life to someone else’s, I’m basically turning my back on all the beautiful gifts and talents He has bestowed upon me. I’ve come to realize that this is also one of the worst forms of wasting my time. Ask yourself if comparing yourself to someone else is getting you closer to where you want to be. We need to stay focused in our resolve to not allow comparison to get in the way or diminish our desire to serve the Lord in whatever capacity he’s calling us to. Another thing to consider is that when we fall into the comparison trap we put ourselves in great danger of being dragged down the dirty road of envy and jealousy. When we see the grace of God being fulfilled in one of our brothers or sisters in Christ, the right and ordered reaction is to rejoice! When we see something good, say so. Affirm it, encourage it, and most of all support it! Just as some people’s brokenness can keep them from giving a loving response to our failures, other people’s brokenness can also keep them from giving a loving response to our successes. The Cure for Comparison The practice of gratitude is one that can help us counteract comparison, jealousy, and envy. When we strive to live our lives with a grateful heart and spirit, we find that these dangerous things will have no room in our hearts and lives. It will serve us well never to worry or be envious of the gifts God has given to other people. Instead, we need to concentrate on those gifts He has graciously bestowed upon each of us individually. That way, we don’t waste time or, worse yet, risk falling into the trap of being so preoccupied with someone else’s life and gifts that we neglect and forget to use the ones we have been given. I love what Father Jacques Phillippe writes in one of his books, In the School of the Holy Spirit: God loves everyone with unique love, He wants to lead them all to perfection, but at the same time has very different paths for different people. This means that the frequency and characteristics of the inspirations of grace will differ from one person to another. We cannot force the Spirit, God is the master of His gifts. This means that God is the master of everything in our lives. And He makes no mistakes. So regardless of what your life looks like at this moment, you are never less valued or less loved than any woman who may “appear” to you to have been more blessed than you in different areas. It’s all about perspective. I am convinced that comparison in any shape or form is truly not from the Lord. Instead, I feel that it is the evil one who loves when we are trapped in the world of comparison. That way, he can manipulate us to be in constant competition with one another, forgetting that, as sons and daughters of the same Father, we are all in this together. Learning to Live Your Strengths Years back, I was introduced to a book that has really helped me understand how God has given all of us different gifts and talents for a reason: to serve Him and His people to the best of our abilities (not someone else’s ability). Living Your Strengths (Catholic Edition), by Albert Winseman, Don Clifton, and Curt Lisveld, will help you discover your God-given talents so you can best serve and inspire your community. This book will also show you how to concentrate on your strengths and not on your weaknesses. The book also comes with a strengths-finder evaluation. God is not looking for another Mother Teresa. He’s looking to use you, exactly where you are on your journey. But for this to happen, you need to get to know yourself better, discover what you are good at, what areas you thrive the most and so on. Let us pray that we will learn to keep the thief we call comparison as far away from us as possible. How do you avoid the trap of comparison on a daily basis? What practices have been helpful to you?   [bctt tweet="The Cure for Comparison #BISblog //" via="no"]   This post contains affiliate links. Thanks so much for supporting the ministry of Blessed is She!

I am a repeat Facebook deleter. Since I was allowed to have my first Facebook account as a teenager, I have deleted it multiple times. Now, there are days that I am still tempted to remove myself from the social media platform, but then I am reminded of the benefits it provides. The Roses and Thorns of Social Media Facebook has brought me to tears by friends sharing about vulnerable challenges they are working through in their life yet continuing to place their trust in God (things like infertility, miscarriages, depression, cancer diagnoses, etc.). It’s a great place to find out about local events like our library’s story time for kids, concerts in the park, farmer’s markets, and food truck festivals! I also love it for the ways it helps me to take a peek into the lives of my sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews who live a state away! Seeing them in person is always better, but it brightens my day to see my family enjoying the amusement park I grew up going to as a kid, or even seeing them eating popsicles in their backyards! At the same time, the use of social media can be isolating and destructive. We must be vigilant lest we fall into the internet becoming our primary means of socialization and, as Pope Francis says, become “social hermits.” It can be destructive to ourselves by enabling us to so easily compare our lives to others. It can be destructive to our neighbor if we use our online perusing to be a source of gossip or fail to be respectful in our comments or posts. Direction from Dorothy Day The internet allows for anonymity, and this anonymity can be the fuel one needs to make nasty comments online (or maybe honest comments, but made without prudence and charity). There are countless virtual “fights” between people who have never met each other before. This lack of personal encounter makes it easy to cross the line from respect into mockery. Without knowing the background of the brothers and sisters we engage with online, it is crucial to tread lightly. Lead with patience and openness. Give it a few hours or even a couple of days before firing off a post at lightning bolt speed, creating a word storm potentially wreaking havoc. If that comment is still burning inside of you after allowing an appropriate amount of time to pass, pray about how you can offer your opinion with a merciful heart and words inspired by the Holy Spirit. As Dorothy Day said: Everything a baptized person does every day should be directly or indirectly related to the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. These Works of Mercy are our guide to help us serve our neighbor both spiritually and physically. They can also be our roadmap for growing in relationship with others beyond the facade of our screens. Corporal Works of Mercy The Corporal Works of Mercy call us to tend to the basic needs of our neighbor. The Catechism states that these works include feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, burying the dead, and giving alms to the poor. Here are some concrete ways to live out these acts of charity and justice! Feed the Hungry, Give Drink to the Thirsty, and Give Alms to the Poor Have you recently seen one of the friends you follow post on social media about serving at a local food shelter or pantry? Consider reaching out to them to find out how you can volunteer your time in the same way. Maybe you could create a Facebook event where you invite others to donate needed items and bring them to your house so that you could drop them off at the pantry or go together for an afternoon of volunteering. Another option is setting up a Meal Train for a friend in need and sharing it (with their permission) on social media! Sheltering the Homeless Similar to the first point, look up nearby homeless shelters and set up a time to go serve and invite some of your friends on social media to join. Or ask your parish if they could create an event on Facebook that you could share on your wall, inviting others into. Another option would be to find a homeless shelter that you would like others to donate to in place of a birthday gift. Visiting the Sick and Burying the Dead Have you seen one of your friends post online about an illness or death in their family? Give them a call to see how they’re doing or write them a note letting them know you are praying for them. Visiting the Imprisoned Around Christmas time, use your Facebook search under “Events” to see if there is somewhere that you can buy and donate gifts for children whose parent/s are incarcerated. Angel Tree is a great place to start. Spiritual Works of Mercy The Spiritual Works of Mercy call us to meet our neighbor’s spiritual needs. “Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently” (CCC 2447). Instructing and Advising People are often asking for guidance on social media. When it comes to those looking for direction, say a prayer for the person you are reaching out to before answering. Then, ask the Holy Spirit to give you the words to say. Consoling and Comforting Instead of just typing, “I’m sorry,” and hitting “send” to the person you see in your life who is going through a hard time, send them a handwritten note via snail mail to let them know you are praying for them and ask them if there is anything you can do to help. Forgiving and Bearing Wrongs Patiently There are many times in our lives when we may feel wronged. Sometimes through the words we read on one of our social media accounts. The next time you find yourself stewing by a comment online, take a moment to pray for patience. As mentioned earlier, hit pause and refrain from posting a reply until at least a few hours have passed. Then go before the Lord and ask Him if he wants you to respond, and if he does, then ask Him how. Which work of mercy has you excited to serve?   [bctt tweet="Why I Still Have Facebook // Social Media + The Works of Mercy #BISblog //" via="no"]

I had just spent another night sleepily clutching my Bible when I woke up in a rush, unsure if it was the next day or just a few hours later. I grabbed my phone with a sigh: 4:32 a.m. The recent tumults of life had caused me to grow overly fond of mentally and physically holding on to the Word of God in some desperate attempt to make sense of it all. In the span of the two years of COVID, I had graduated undergrad, moved across the country for work, came back home to my small-town, went through a break-up, began my Master’s program, and started therapy and medication for my mental health. It wasn’t one thing over another that had caused this wave of fear, but it was as if the perfect storm of it all that had finally gotten to me. And I guess with it meant no sleep. The Soul as a Sea There may come a time in your life when the state of your soul feels like a great sea. And just like your soul, the sea has many ebbs and flows. Somedays, you may feel your soul is a deep, bottomless sea, full of undiscovered, endless depth. Others, your soul feels like a full sea of life and abundance. There may be days when you experience a roaring and rushing sea within you, moving a mile a minute; there may be weeks when your soul takes the form of a storming sea of fear, confusion, and danger. Whatever the state of your soul, it can be difficult to discern your way through that sea, through the current state of your own covenant with God. But there is hope and encouragement in Jesus Christ who asks not only to know our souls, but to move in and walk on the sea of our souls. Our Lives’ Swells After rinsing my face, I had hastily said the Litany of Trust to clear my head and hopefully put myself back to sleep. Mediating on what I had just prayed; however, I got stuck on the words, “That You give me the strength I need for what is asked, Jesus, I trust in You.” I remember saying to Jesus soon after, "Lord, I don’t know how I am going to be able to get through this all, how to make my soul strong enough, but I trust in You." The swells and tides of daily life can get brutal. We can question everything, even ourselves, and if we will have the strength to make it past this storm. When changes occur, when experiencing loss, whether it is feeling truly lost in the world, or some form of internal or external suffering, all of life’s twists and turns can leave you feeling nothing close to strong or stable. Only unsure where to go next, scared of what is to come, and unable to breathe. In those times of questioning God’s presence, promise, and providence in my life, I couldn’t lean on my own navigation to get out. I needed the guidance, support, strength, and grace from Saint Peter and the Lord himself at the helm to steer. Sails Being Set and the Captain My parish being dedicated to the first pope, Saint Peter has always been someone I looked to for advice, counsel, and especially inspiration. Simon Peter had a resilient heart and loving dedication to Christ that remind Scripture readers that no matter the failures and trails of yesterday, there can always be victory tomorrow. In the Matthean story of Jesus walking on the water to meet the disciples, Saint Peter exemplifies this internal experience of walking on the sea of your soul to meet Him. While the disciples are “being tossed about by the waves” and wind against them, Jesus notices their fear and “came toward them, walking on the sea” (see Matthew 14: 24-25). Then, invigorated by Jesus’ presence and power, Simon Peter decided in hope and courage to ask Him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water” (Matthew 14:28). It is in Jesus’ simple calling to Peter to “Come”—not in the dying down of the waves, not the peace of the wind’s silence, but in the words and gaze of Christ—that allow Peter to set out of that boat and towards his Lord. But this doesn’t last. Peter took his eyes away from Jesus, “saw how [strong] the wind was,” and began to sink in fear (see Matthew 14: 30). The Lord Jesus saves him, as He does all of us, but in the stretching out of his guiding hand, Jesus calls Peter to more: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14: 31). Come on Peter, why did you doubt? I should be asking myself the same.     Our Soul’s Shores After the winds died down, Peter and the disciples praised Jesus and knew He was the Son of God; as His people, however, we should be able to know this Truth whether or not the storm has passed, amid our walking or sinking. How often do we find ourselves like Peter, doubting Jesus even when He is right there with us? Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life no matter what our lives look like or the state of our soul, yet we doubt it at the very sight of the wave coming our way. We must learn how to praise and love Christ before, within, and after the storm, so He may come and dwell in our souls always. During the swells and tumults of life, it takes practice, patience, and grace to know that Jesus is with us amid it all, protecting us, and using this season of our lives to make us stronger going forward. We must learn how to proactively prepare for this, in order to make us stronger in Him before the sea can test us. Through prayer and reading Scripture as our map, we can spend time with Jesus and the Saints like Simon Peter, asking for help and encouragement no matter which way the boat may rock. Through the Sacraments, especially Adoration, we can meet the gaze of Christ and receive His grace and mercy necessary to quiet the storm and noises around us and hear Christ calling “Come.” And in praying the Litany of Trust and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, we can remember the ocean of mercy He opened for the whole world on the cross, and because of this, that we can trust Him in and with all things. In these times of doubt, pray for His voice to be stronger and for Saint Peter’s intercession, that we may have the strength and courage to walk on water, to face our storms trusting in Him more than anything else. Empowered by Saint Peter and the grace and mercy of Christ, there is always hope of finding our way out of the vast sea and walking into the peace of His living waters. Prince of the ocean’s peace, calm the waves within me. Saint Peter, who once walked the sea, lost in the deep, come and lead me. Amen.   [bctt tweet="Walking with Christ on Our Sea’s Swells and Shores #BISblog //" via="no"]   Liz Homick is a first-year graduate student pursuing her M.S. in Library and Information Science at the University of Maryland, College Park. Liz strives in her daily life to share her love of Christ with every person she meets, or at least make them smile or laugh along the way. When she isn’t writing or studying to be a profession guardian of books, her friends and family can usually find her listening to Fr. Mike Schmitz’s podcasts, reading thirty books at once, or singing Disney songs on repeat. 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

As summer slips away and we get ready to step into autumn, we notice a shift taking place all around us. School has begun for students of all ages. Relaxed days transform into steady routines. Hot, humid temperatures are replaced by a crispness in the air. And perhaps there is even a tinge of crimson on the green trees. Fall Welcomes Change As we observe the seasons moving from one to another, we welcome the refreshing changes that fall promises. We also sense a desire for change in our hearts, too. We are ready to settle into something new. Ready to get back into the swing of things. Ready to return to the patterns that keep life running smoothly and steadily. This may include restoring our sleep habits and meal plans, dusting off our planner, or preparing the mudroom to welcome backpacks, football cleats, fall jackets, and sports bags. This certainly includes the one thing that comes above all else: our prayer life. Ways to Renew Your Prayer Life this Fall Perhaps the ease of summer allowed our prayer routine to simply float along, like on a gentle wave. But now it’s time to bring it back to the steadiness of shore. And since fall is a natural season of order and routine, we can easily set a new pace for prayer in our lives. Below are five ways to renew our prayer life this fall. 1. Pray Scripturally One simple way to return to a more intentional habit of prayer is by incorporating lectio divina into your daily routine. This simply means praying with Scripture. I suggest beginning with the Psalm or Gospel from daily Mass. These simple steps can be your guide: Spend a few minutes settling down. Notice your cares and concerns. Jot down a few feeling words. As you settle into prayer, invite God to approach you. Notice His presence and enter into it. Read the Scripture passage slowly several times. Highlight words and phrases that stand out to you. This is usually God’s personal message for you, so pay close attention. Notice what rises in your heart: thoughts, emotions, memories, hopes, fears, or dreams. Offer them to God. Listen for His response, through Scripture or a stirring in your heart. Converse with God about your experience. This could include journaling. Conclude by thanking God for this time with Him. A Scripture Meditation Study Seek His Kingdom Pray with Scripture through the Gospel of Matthew. With guided reflections, prayer prompts, and space to journal, this study helps you encounter Jesus and make His Word part of your daily prayer. Explore the Matthew Study → 2. Pray Liturgically Another way to renew prayer is by living liturgically. Take note of various feast days and devotions that are honored and celebrated this fall. Pick one or two each month, and find ways to incorporate them into your daily life. Here are a couple ideas to spark your creativity: Befriend the angels with the feasts of the Archangels (September 29th) and Guardian Angels (October 2nd). Learn more about the angels in the Catechism of the Catholic Church 325-354. And incorporate the Angel of God prayer on a daily basis. October is dedicated to the Rosary, and on October 7th, we honor Our Lady of the Rosary (or Our Lady of Victory). This is a perfect time to add the Rosary to your prayer repertoire. To begin, here is a step-by-step guide. 3. Pray Adoringly If you feel stuck or dry in your prayer routine, a simple way to persevere is by praising and adoring God. Reminding ourselves that prayer sets aside time to offer due worship to God for all that He is and all that He does gives us a springboard for deeper, rooted prayer. To begin, here are a few ways to praise and adore the Lord: Visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. No words are required. Simply be in His presence. Sing (or listen to) praise and worship music. Pray with the different names of Jesus. Write your own litany of gratitude for all that God has done in your life. 4. Pray Creatively For those who are eager to try something new this fall, why not explore prayer through a creative outlet? Bible or prayer journaling invites us to use our holy imaginations to pray incorporating various art materials—from paint to pens to washi tape—to capture our insights and inspirations. Catholic artist Ingrid Blixt has created a series of devotional kits for those who desire to pray creatively. They include beautiful elements, such as stickers and die cuts, inspiring devotionals, Bible verses, and journaling prompts. Kits are available for different liturgical seasons and various themes. 5. Pray Physically Perhaps fall has us eager to not only renew our prayer but also to renew our exercise routine. We can incorporate them both by going on prayer walks with the Lord or Rosary walks with Our Lady. We can also utilize Catholic exercise programs, such as SoulCore or Pietra Fitness, which focus our attention on God while strengthening the gift of our bodies as temples of His Holy Spirit. Does your prayer life need renewal? How do you plan on refreshing it this fall?

I trudged along the river shore with determination. The seagulls swooped and chattered above my head as they maneuvered effortlessly in and around the river swells. I kept my head down and continued to scan the foamy surf for bits of sand-roughened glass. I was particularly fond of the deep blue glass that occasionally washed on shore from the depths of another time. Blue beach-glass was quite rare; but today my search had been futile. I slowed my progress and looked toward the horizon where the sun was beginning its circadian descent behind the cliffs. It was, however, still high enough in the sky to throw brilliant shafts of sunlight directly into my line of vision, and I shielded my eyes as I tried to discern the faint shape of the bridge in the far distance. I narrowed my gaze as I searched for the long, scalloped lines of the peninsular bridge that spanned the breadth of the river. I couldn’t see it, but I knew it was out there, somewhere in the blinding light… stretching toward home. Home. I felt the familiar pang of homesickness as I looked toward the western shore, and I whispered yet another silent prayer to God, and begged Him for insight into my isolation; but once again, I was met with a thickening silence. A New Land When my husband and I moved into the backwater country of Virginia, I was disconsolate. It was rural, and practically uninhabited (to my way of thinking). The culture was different here. People were polite but more reserved than what I was used to. For the first time in a while, I had to make a concerted effort to find friends and kindred spirits. I was no longer teaching writing, raising a family, or running a ministry—and my social connections and support system (that had seemed so abundant before) now withered into a tiny rivulet of emails and occasional phone calls. It was a brave, new solitary world for me… and I was unhappy. I did try, though. I made a handful of valiant attempts to find activities and hobbies that would fill my days and weeks. I started a garden and managed to plant a small fig orchard. I learned about local art, antiques, and even discovered a natural flair for photography—which was all mildly diverting. And of course, I read. I read books on Catholicism and history, and I began reading books about homesteading (because, hey—I was out in the middle of nowhere). But the feeling of isolation was still there, and I began to grow more and more disillusioned with my limited endeavors… and with myself. There were so many nights, long after my husband had fallen asleep, when I would lie in bed, staring into the impenetrable darkness, wondering what I was doing there. In my heart, I knew that God was aware of my self-imposed gloom, but that did not stop me from asking Him, over and over, “Dear Lord, why am I here? How can this be preferable to the life I left behind? How can I serve you in the middle of this isolated wilderness?” But my unanswered queries seemed to rise into the blackness—like the tiny sparks of an open fire that are quickly consumed by the stealthy, dark mist. My Own Sort of Exile Tiny sparks. All my efforts, all my prayers, and all my hopes seemed like tiny sparks that amounted to nothing but tiny ashes. I could not fathom God’s plan, and I began to seriously wonder if I had been sent into some sort of exile—perhaps, never to return. The first time I acknowledged the concept of exile, I felt chagrined. Exile was for criminals, political prisoners, or rebels. I was none of those things. And yet I was certainly living the life of an exile. I decided that I needed to find a different comparison, so I turned to my Bible, which is and continues to be my first resource for just about everything. I read about Ezekiel, who was exiled with his wife near the River of Chebar. Once there, he experienced several spectacular visions on the river bank of the remote outpost. Then there was Abraham, who while not specifically exiled, picked up all his belongings, his livestock, his family members, and left his homeland, for the land of Canaan, a complete unknown. Abraham did all of this without complaint. I read about Cain, who is considered to be (and certainly was) one of the great criminals of the Bible. And yet… even though he was exiled to the land of Nod, God gave Cain a mark of protection. Finally, there was the cosmic tragedy of the original exiles: Adam and Eve. They had defied God, and eaten from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Their just punishment was exile from the Garden of Eden, to this place we all call home. The LORD God therefore banished him from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he had been taken. // Genesis 3:23 As I read that passage, I felt a quasi-kinship with Adam and Eve’s eviction from the Garden. I was reasonably sure I knew at least a little about how they might have felt in their new, foreign land. Never Abandoned As I pondered these epic dramas (and several others), I realized that there were some consistent threads that ran through these accounts in the Old Testament. There was the thread of God’s omnipresent protection over the exiled. God never abandoned them. He was ever-present in their life-stories, willingly involving Himself in the ordinary and extraordinary events of Ezekiel, Abraham, Cain, and Adam and Eve. I also recognized the very human theme of longing. The brave or star-crossed refugees, regardless of the circumstances that sent them into exile, longed for protection, safety, blessings, and, of course, their homeland. I could definitely identify with that. I knew what it was like to long for those things. But there was something even larger here, and I began to realize that God was teaching me something through my own exile: I was not alone. We are all exiles, making our way through a foreign wilderness. We are aliens in an alien land, trying to find our way back home to our heavenly Father Who continually offers us everything we need for the journey. In fact, it is the central theme of the entire Old Testament: Return to Me. Yet even now—oracle of the LORD—return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. // Joel 2:12 Exile can be a Gift Understanding began to mend the edges of my frayed, internal fabric: my exile was a gift. It was a call from God to look beyond my current world and toward Him. He had eliminated all the frenetic energy of my old life and brought me into this hushed interval, a place of singular beauty and silence. Here, at last, He could speak to me in a still, small whisper. And for the first time in a very long time, I could hear Him in the depths of my heart. “Return to Me, with your whole heart.” A loving God had gone to tremendous lengths to draw me into my own personal exile so that I could finally hear His appeal. He had given me so many signs, so many opportunities, and more time than I deserved to draw me away from the noise of the clamoring world. I had resisted Him at every moment of my exile, and yet He continued to beckon me and even wait on me. My tiny sparks of sorrow had not turned into tiny ashes. They had instead been collected by the hands of angels and stored in the flames of His Sacred Heart. God Waits for Us I finally felt (more than heard) the irresistible appeal from a patient and loving God in the wilds of these beautiful tidelands, my place of exile. Only now my exile had shed its disguise and I saw my seclusion for what it was: refuge, a sacred space, my remote sanctuary. It was a place to seek God and listen for His voice, It was a reminder that my true home is not here. Now, when I raised my eyes to the blazing horizon, I could look beyond the distant bridge, past the sun, and into the ether, knowing that home is where His Heart is. But there’s more. God waits for all of us in the quiet landscapes of our souls. He waits for you, as well as me. He has orchestrated the elements of your lives, so that you also may return to Him. And since we are all unique, I know that His appeal to you may be experienced in different ways, but the message will be the same: “Return to Me, with your whole heart.”   Sarah Torbeck is a convert to Catholicism. She is a widow, mother and grandmother, as well as a contributor for Catholic Mom. She also maintains a blog, and is a member of the Catholic Writer’s Guild.   [bctt tweet="Tiny Sparks #BISblog //" via="no"]

By nature, human beings are storytellers. Stories have the power to connect us to one another more than anything else. They can help us understand who we are. We shouldn’t be afraid that we are not worthy to speak His name or to share all God has done in our lives through sharing our stories. Sharing our stories is a natural way to evangelize and help people understand what has shaped our convictions and behaviors. Ultimately, we are all looking for the same thing, and that thing is God. That void we all have in our hearts can only be filled by Him. Saint Augustine said it beautifully: Our hearts are restless until they rest in you, Lord. More than ever, men and women everywhere are looking at their own hearts’ restlessness and deep discontentment. Being Missionary Disciples Engaging in a culture that so often turns from God is not an easy thing, but it is what we are called to do. We have a call: “ To love God with all our hearts, minds, souls and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves” (Mark 12:30-31). It is this call to love that motivates me, and I’m sure so many other Christian writers, to engage in the world. We are to assist the Church in speaking Truth in love. We are to be missionary disciples. I have always had a love for reading. With a good book in my hand, I feel I’m always learning. And yet, the more I read the more I realize just how little I do know. I love reading about the lives of the Saints and find them very inspiring. I look at the saints as my Spiritual mentors. Seeing the variety of people the Lord has called to serve Him in the Saints gives me hope that I, too, can serve Him, despite all my limitations and shortcomings. Be Not Afraid to Share Your Faith Modern men and women are eager to hear from other Christians who are living in today’s world and facing the difficult challenges of our time. How can you and I be more like the Saints and hope to join their rank someday? One of the ways to achieve this sometimes daunting task is by returning daily to the living water of the Gospel and by not being afraid to proclaim Christ to a world that is in desperate need of Him. Faith is transmitted and lived through worship and communion of the people of God. Saint Thomas Aquinas, whose intellect and use of reason helped him understand and deepen his Faith explains it perfectly: Faith is a habit of the mind whereby eternal life is begun in us, making the intellect assent to what is non-apparent. Those who proclaim to be spiritual, but not religious, are mostly using this line as a copout. It’s just another way to say that you have all the answers and therefore don’t need to seek God. The opposite is true for us who are believers. We understand that we don’t have all the answers, and therefore, need our religion to show us how to best get to know our Creator, and how to best follow in Jesus’ footsteps. Jesus is Our Teacher In the Gospels, we find that Jesus is constantly teaching us. Unfortunately, in today’s anti-religious, anti-God world, many mistakenly view religion as a cold organization with rules and restrictions. In His goodness, God didn’t wait for me to find my way to Him. Looking back on my life, I can clearly see how He was always pursuing and coming after me. He was always using different people and situations to help me get to know Him and His Church. Our Catholic Faith, by nature, involves community. Little by little, I was learning how much I needed that community of faith. The more I was learning about my Faith, the more I fell in love with it. Our Creator always has our best interest at heart. I love what Saint John of the Cross says: In the first place it should be known that if a person is seeking God, His beloved is seeking him much more. If we desire to be good disciples and evangelize well, then we first need to learn about our Faith and have a real relationship with the person who gave us that Faith, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Perhaps one of the answers to all the confusion we see in our society today—about the most basic questions such as identity and the nature of family—could be found in our failure to evangelize. We are all called to evangelize. Yet, we cannot give what we don’t have. Steadfast in Our Beliefs If anything, today more than ever before, we need our Catholic Church to remain steadfast in her beliefs and teachings to help us navigate the changing tides of the world. The goal of a missionary disciple is to live in deeper freedom. They must find joy in walking alongside those who find themselves lost, helping them discover their true purpose in life, according to God’s will for them. People wander the wrong way—myself included. We need to learn how to be a beacon of light that helps people find their way home. It would be foolish to try to evangelize to others without first connecting with the Lord in prayer and through a dedication and love for His Word contained in the Scriptures and Sacraments. The more we get to know the Lord’s mission, the more equipped we will be to help spread that mission to others. There’s no better time and place to start than here and now! Start exactly where you are. In your communities, families, and cities.   [bctt tweet="Steadfast in Sharing Your Faith #BISblog // " via="no"]

If you ever find yourself in the hustle and bustle of Trafalgar Square in central London, you’ll be surrounded by historic statues and fountains, some built as early as the 1800s. You’ll also find London’s National Gallery, which is open to the public free of charge. It is home to paintings by Raphael, da Vinci, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Monet, and Italian artist Michelangelo Merisi Da Caravaggio (1571-1610). Caravaggio was a Baroque artist who was skilled in creating three-dimensional scenes by using oil and canvas. He was very talented in the “chiaroscuro” technique. This was used to create depth by accentuating the extreme contrasts of light and shadow. Caravaggio used this method in order to bring the viewer face-to-face with the characters in his paintings. He wants the observer to take notice of the intricate details of the expressions on his character’s faces as well as their body language. Caravaggio is known for his tendency to paint biblical stories very dramatically and sometimes grotesquely. Even American Film-Director Martin Scorsese has been inspired by the work of Caravaggio. An example of one of his more intense paintings is Salome with the Head of John the Baptist. Saint John the Baptist This is the John who leaped in Elizabeth’s womb when Mary greeted her cousin after making her long journey through the hill country to Judah. The John who we learn in the first chapter of Mark’s Gospel “appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins…clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey.” He proclaimed to the people that one mightier than he would be coming, one who would not just baptize with water, but would baptize with the Holy Spirit. John’s Imprisonment and Beheading The Gospel account on the Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist speaks of Herod’s arrest of John. Herod had him imprisoned in order to heed the request of his new wife, Herodias, who was formerly the wife of Herod’s brother, Philip. John spoke to Herod about how it was unlawful for him to have his brother’s wife. He was not shy about speaking to Herod honestly. Because of this, “Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so” (Mark 6:19). Despite the fact that John spoke to Herod of his sin, Herod had a respect for him. He did not share his wife’s dislike of the man. Rather, he had a holy fear of John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. He kept him in custody, and though he did not always understand the things John was saying, he enjoyed listening to him. While John was imprisoned, Herod had no intent of killing him. That is… until the day of his birthday party. At Herod’s birthday celebration, Salome, the daughter of Herodias, performed a dance for Herod and his guests. This pleased Herod so much that he told Salome that he would give her whatever she asked for. Herodias suggested to her daughter that she ask for the head of John the Baptist. Under the influence of her mother, Salome made the request and asked that John’s head be brought to her on a platter. This is what is portrayed in Caravaggio’s masterpiece Salome with the Head of John the Baptist. Entering into the Scene The name “Salome” is derived from the Hebrew word for “peace.” However, the Salome we encounter in this Bible story is not a woman who exemplifies the roots behind her name. In the famous use of Caravaggio’s chiaroscuro, we are brought right into the presence of the four characters in his painting. It is as if Caravaggio is trying to push John the Baptist’ head into our view while spilling his blood out of the frame. The Four Characters Executioner // The executioner appears nonchalant and apathetic about the deed which he just carried out. He looks ready to wash his hands of this chore and pass along John’s head to the woman who requested, removing himself from any responsibility. Yet at the same time, there is a slight look of repentance in his eyes, not totally understanding the purpose of what has just been done. He grips his sword in a position where the handle and his hand form the shape of a cross. Elderly Woman // An elderly woman appears in the background with her hands folded. Though her face does not show much emotion, it appears that her hands are clasped together in prayer. Salome // Here is the very woman who asked for the head of John to be served to her on a platter. Despite the haste in which she had her mother’s request made, she can’t seem to turn her eyes towards John’s lifeless face. John the Baptist // We see John’s head at the forefront of the painting, his mouth hanging open. Fitting, as he is the man who is known as the forerunner of Christ. He is the one who spent his life actively preaching about Christ’s coming. What Does It Mean? This image reminds us of the sad indifference that people can have towards Christ. It illustrates to us the distance people have placed between them and morality. John is there to call us out of this indifference saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2). If we have become lukewarm or detached from our faith, John pleads with us to humbly return to Christ. The elderly woman in this painting has her hands folded in prayer. What is the prayer that you want to bring before the Lord today?   [bctt tweet="Baroque Art and a Beheading #BISblog //" via="no"]

Jesus told us that He would send the Holy Spirit to remind us of all He said to us (see John 14:26). The Holy Spirit was sent to remind us. He brings to mind again the truths that He has already taught us, through the Faith and through what he has written in our hearts. I take consolation in the fact that I am not the only one the Holy Spirit has to remind—Jesus knew we all need a frequent reminder of Who He is! At my first Blessed is She retreat, I was inspired to start what I call a “Truth Journal.” In this journal, I do not write any of my own personal thoughts or reflections. This journal has no timeline. It is solely for God’s Truth contained in Scripture. I use this journal not only to learn about the Lord but also to speak His Truth over myself when I am tempted to settle back into a flawed version of Him. When I put limits on Who God is, I limit His work in my life. If our image of God is deficient, our pursuit of Him will be deficient as well. Keeping a Truth Journal God has given us the ability to conquer lies with Truth. My little journal helps me do that. On each page, I have written a different attribute or promise of God. I pray with Scripture a lot, and as I come across an attribute or promise of God, I add it to the page. Some attributes just have one or two verses, some have pages of Scripture. I save reflections and commentaries for my Bible. I limit my little journal to just the Scripture verse, as I know God’s word is true. This helps me, for when I am praying later with an attribute of God, I have only the Truth of His Word, for when we know the Truth, the Truth will set us free (see John 8: 32). Scripture Verses about the Attributes of God Here are a few examples. God is trustworthy. Psalm 33:4 // For the LORD’s word is upright; all his works are trustworthy. Psalm 145: 13 // The LORD is trustworthy in all his words, and loving in all his works. God is a protector. Psalm 18:31 // God’s way is unerring; the LORD’s promise is refined; he is a shield for all who take refuge in him. Deuteronomy 31:6 // Be strong and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them, for it is the LORD, your God, who marches with you; he will never fail you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:8 // It is the LORD who goes before you; he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you. Psalm 46:2 // God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress. Isaiah 43:1 // Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine. God is omnipotent. Ephesians 1:18-20 // May the eyes of [your] hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might, which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens. Isaiah 43:15 // I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King. God is faithful. Matthew 21:22 // Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive. Matthew 7:7-8 // Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 // The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it. 2 Corinthians 1:18 // God is faithful. Isaiah 41:13 // For I am the LORD, your God, who grasp your right hand... It is I who say to you, Do not fear, I will help you. 2 Peter 3:9 // The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard “delay,” but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. God is with us. Isaiah 41:10 // Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Psalm 145:18 // The LORD is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth. Matthew 1:23 // Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.” Matthew 28:20 // Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age. God is merciful. Psalm 145: 17 // The LORD is just in all his ways, merciful in all his works. Psalm 86:5 // Lord, you are good and forgiving, most merciful to all who call on you. Lamentations 3:22-23 // The LORD’s acts of mercy are not exhausted, his compassion is not spent; They are renewed each morning—great is your faithfulness! Reminded and Renewed On the days when I need to be reminded of God’s mercy or faithfulness, I can open my little journal and pray through a few of the Scriptures. On days when I want to praise His power and majesty, I have Scripture I can turn to. On days when I need to be reminded of God’s goodness or I want to celebrate His kindness, His Word is ready. I have been known to read and pray all of a particular promise of God, flooding myself with Truth to wash away the what is not of the Lord. God’s Word is living and effective (see Hebrews 4:12) and it changes me when I give the Holy Spirit permission to remind me through the Word. What attribute of God would you like to compile Scripture verses about?   [bctt tweet="Scripture Verses about the Attributes of God #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

The Catholic Church highly values education. In fact, it was the efforts of Christians and professed religious throughout history who made major advances in the fields of mathematics, science, and many others. Additionally, it was the actions of Catholics that brought about the education of the masses. Prior to their collective efforts spanning centuries, only the rich could afford to educate their children. It should come as no surprise then that many of the canonized Saints within the Church possess college degrees. Saints Who Went to College If you or someone you know and love is off to college, check out these Saints who could serve as heavenly intercessors throughout your post-secondary studies! The Saints below were heavily influenced by their educators and those they met during their studies. Saint Francis Xavier, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, and Saint Peter Faber Francis Xavier was a rich young man in his twenties who was highly interested in athletics (specifically the high jump). He attended the Collège Sainte-Barbe of the University of Paris. His worldly goals were of great contrast to that of Ignatius of Loyola who enrolled at the school at the age of thirty-eight in order to gain the skills necessary to found the Order of Jesus. The pair became roommates, but Francis regarded Ignatius as a fool and ridiculed his attempts to help students spiritually. Peter Faber was a third roommate of the pair. Contrastingly, Peter was intrigued by Ignatius’ message and converted. Francis Xavier later followed suit after some soul-searching. All three men are credited with founding the Jesuit order. This trio would be great to turn to when seeking holy, supportive friendships. Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Also known as Saint Edith Stein, she became a leading philosopher of the 20th century. She studied to obtain her degree from the University of Breslau (now Wroclaw University) and the University of Göttingen. Though her dissertation on empathy awarded her a doctorate with summa cum laude (the highest honor a school could bestow), the university rejected her qualification for a teaching office at the institution based on the fact that she was a woman. She worked as an assistant to her mentor professor until the summer holiday during which she came across the writings of Saint Teresa of Avila. Those pieces eventually led to her conversion to Catholicism. Not long after, she entered the Carmelite order. This philosophic Saint would be a great intercessor for women pursuing degrees in male-dominated fields. She would also be great for all those seeking the fullness of Truth. Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodriguez Santiago At age thirteen, faith-filled Carlos was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a crippling digestive issue. His ailment was so depleting that it took him until the age of twenty-one to earn his high school diploma. Seven year later, he enrolled in the University of Puerto Rico to continue his education. Once again, his health failed him and he was forced to withdraw near the beginning of his sophomore year. Carlos did not accept defeat. His grades had been excellent, so he continued to study and learn on his own. For the next fifteen years, Carlos sought knowledge as he could, but always with the goal of using it to serve the Church. His passion was evangelizing and catechizing, and he was one of the first people to translate the Latin prayers into Spanish so that his local community would understand them better. This determined Blessed is a great example to those who start school on a non-traditional timeline, or those who have health issues that foil original plans. Saint Gianna Beretta Molla Gianna was the tenth of thirteen children within the Beretta family. Generous service and virtue were values that were instilled by the Beretta children from a young age. In fact, Gianna’s parents strongly encouraged their children to obtain professional degrees at a high level, not to gain a level of prestige, but so that they could be of service to their communities. Gianna chose to study medicine at the University of Pavia, but she was not a natural student. She greatly struggled through her classes, but she persevered to become a pediatrician serving the small town of Mesero. Gianna can be called upon as an intercessor for many reasons, including by those who truly struggle to obtain their degrees. Blessed Zepherin Namuncurá Zepherin was the son of a Mapuche Chief who was sent to a military school in order to better advocate for his native people. Unsurprisingly, he was not well received and transferred to a mission school run by the Salesians. While he did experience more acceptance in the faith-filled environment, some of the students were not without their prejudice. However, others loved him and compared him to Saint Dominic Savio. Through it all, Zepherin grew to love Catholicism, one of his favorite devotions being the Rosary. He enrolled in the minor seminary in Viedma, Argentina (the equivalent of going to college). He desired to bring the Faith back to his people and was such a good student that he ranked second out of his whole class. Sadly, he died of tuberculosis before finishing his degree. This courageous Saint can be called upon by all those attending schools where they feel like “outsiders.” Transforming the World Saint Catherine of Siena famously said, “If you are who you should be, you will set the world on fire.” In a similar fashion, political activist Nelson Mandela claimed, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” As followers of Jesus, we would add certain elements to that sentiment: Christ and His grace. While God can use anyone to change the world (and often uses the weak to lead the strong), there is no doubt that educated Christians have contributed considerably to bringing the Gospel message to our cultures around the world. Do you have a favorite Saint who attended college? Add to our list in the comments below!   [bctt tweet="Saints Who Went to College #BISblog //" via="no"]

Pope Francis declared the 4th Sunday of July as the world day for grandparents and the elderly, coinciding with the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne. Sure, there is a hallmark holiday of sorts in September, but this feast does well to put it into context. What a beautiful opportunity to take stock of the elders in our lives who have had a lasting impact on us, and continue to offer wisdom and love in the way that the Lord called this holy pair to demonstrate. There is much to love about Saints Joachim and Anne: They are married Saints whose feast is celebrated together. They are the parents of the Immaculate Conception. Their tremendously important role in paving the way for Christ, is primarily behind-the-scenes. Grandparenthood: A Unique Calling “If I knew having grandkids could be this much fun, I would have had them first.” If I had a nickel for every time I have heard the expression, I would have a tidy little sum. I love to hear the delight in the voices of those in the company of the next generation. There is a different emphasis, after all, a privileged role, that grandparents have. Rather than reinforcing bedtimes, driving carpool, and cooking dinner, they are in the unique position to be present without an agenda in a way that parents simply cannot. I love the variety of names that Grandparents are known by: Gigi, Pops, Nana, Grandma, Grandpa, Gram, Grammy, Granny, Oma, Opa, Bapa, Papa. These terms of endearment are often spoken from the mouths of babes and worn with tremendous pride. Joachim and Anne each wear the title of Saint, but they were called by other names, too! Multi-Dimensional Figures For this reason, it is worth imagining Saints Joachim and Anne not just as Mary’s mom and dad, but as Jesus’ grandma and papa. Brother Mickey McGrath created a wonderful image of Jesus with His grandparents. When I heard him speak about it, he mentioned imagining the child Jesus having a sleepover at their house. Pure joy! As I have gotten older, I have met grandparents in a variety of roles. Some are raising their grandchildren. Many don’t see their grandchildren as often as they would like. Some are faithfully present, while others take little interest. Some keep a running tally of the growing number or their brood, while others yearn to meet their children’s children and grieve that void. In many cases, older neighbors, godparents, teachers, or friends simply become adopted into the role, regardless of relation. The Gift of Grandparents In a culture that has lost much of its reverence for the wisdom of older generations, and in light of this feast, we are in a unique position to celebrate those in our lives who walk or have walked with and nurtured us, as well as those who hold out those precious gifts to our own children. If the nurturing of a grandparent isn’t your current experience, invite the Lord to bring someone into your life who might. If perhaps you are someone holding onto the ache for grandchildren (or, what’s a couple more?!), invite Jesus to make clear a family in need of time and energy you might desire to share with them. Within the Context of a Family The fact remains that the God of the universe took flesh and did so in the context of a family–not just parents, but aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. The Holy Family is not as distant as we sometimes believe. They are as available to us as our own relationships–chosen or otherwise. Let’s glorify God in these important connections! Prayer to Saint Anne and Saint Joachim, Grandparents of Jesus Saint Anne and Saint Joachim, you were ever faithful to God, trusting in Him in your lives and while you prayed for a child. Your patience and perseverance in prayer are an example to me. I ask that you pray for me, that I may be ever faithful and trusting in God. May I always keep my focus on Him and trust in His timing in my life. May my love for God and my faith in Him never waiver, no matter what happens in my life. May I appreciate the faith of others (like you two) and be inspired to a deeper faith. May my life of faith in God be richly blessed. May I know, love, and serve God with all of my heart. Saints Anne and Joachim, thank you for your example of faith. Thank you for your wonderful daughter, my spiritual mother Mary. Thank you for the love of God and the faith you inspire in me. Grandparents of Jesus, pray for me. Amen. (source) Who have been influential grandparent figures for you and how might you honor them today? How might you be called to step in as a grandparent, or reach out to someone who is particularly good at nurturing the faith for you or your family?   [bctt tweet="Jesus' Grandma and Papa #BISblog //" via="no"]

Imagine it is a hot day, one of those time-stands-still-sweat-pouring-out-of-you kind of days. You go to reach in your bag for the thermos you filled with ice and cold water for your trip. Your hand scrummaging through your purse, at first calmly, and then anxiously as you begin to realize the possibility that in the midst of all of the mayhem, you left the thermos on the countertop. Phew! At last, your hand touches the metal container and a sigh of relief escapes your lips as you open it up for a big gulp of cold, refreshing water. It is in those simple moments that my heart is filled with gratitude and I often cannot help but say a prayer, “Thank You, Lord, for water.” Sister, let us think together today about the ways that we can help our homeless brothers and sisters to experience a similar relief in the midst of the hottest days of the year when death numbers rise due to overheating and dehydration. Intentional Homeless Outreach in the Summer As I offer you four tips for homeless outreach this summer, I invite you to consider the words of Our Lord in the Gospel of Matthew on which the judgment of the nations will be founded: I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. // Matthew 25:35-36 Tip Number One I think we have all been in a scenario similar to the one I asked you to imagine. There is nothing like a nice cold drink on a blazing, hot day. So how do we maintain both ourselves and others less fortunate than us hydrated? Go ahead and buy some extra bottles of water the next time you do your shopping. Estimate how much is needed for your household and then include some extra for the homeless you may meet or seek out in the coming days. If you don’t own a cooling bag already, do yourself a favor this summer and purchase one. Usually, the cooling packs that go in the freezer are included in your purchase of the bag. It will be a game-changer for you in the heat. Not only will it be useful for your usual trips to the beach or sport events, but you can also use this simple bag to be able to offer the homeless in your area a cold beverage to drink. If you are going for a ride around town, keep the bag close to you in the passenger seat in order to be able to easily reach over at a red light where homeless men and women can often be found on a hot day. If you are more like me and take the train everywhere, find a drawstring cooler bag that is small enough to fit in your backpack or purse or simply make one using a jumbo sized zip lock bag and a gel cooler pack. Then you can have close at hand one cold drink for yourself and one for the thirsty stranger you may meet along the way. Coconut water or lightly sweetened lemonade may be a great alternative to plain water! Tip Number Two If you and some friends are gathering for a night at the movies or a stroll through the city, or you are the mom on duty for drop off after the kids’ game, consider packing some sandwiches beforehand which you are able to keep in a cooling container or can quickly hand out (so as to avoid any food spoilage if left out in the heat). This is not something only for the summertime, of course, but here is the tip for this season: add some fruit or extra vegetables! Because the summer’s heat can lead to dehydration and the electrolytes lost through sweating should be replenished, the human body needs more than water to remain hydrated. Throw in a small container with pre-cut pieces of strawberries, melon, or banana. Add avocado slices in some of the sandwiches you prepare. Include a yogurt that has been kept cool throughout the day–and don’t forget the disposable spoon! One thing to remember here is that any fruit that is to be given to our homeless brothers and sisters should be fresh, as spoiled fruit can lead to stomach problems and we are hoping to make their summer better, not worse. The fruit should be peeled and cut into smaller pieces since you cannot guarantee they are able to bite down into a whole fruit. I still remember the disappointment in a man on the street to whom I offered a whole apple once. "I can’t eat that,” he said, in spite of his hunger. As he opened his mouth to tell me this, I was able to see why: he was missing his front teeth. Tip Number Three Because of the constant sweat our bodies are producing during these hot days, one of the privileges we have that may often go overlooked is the opportunity to change into a new set of clothes. We can go home after an afternoon run in the sun, shower, and put on fresh-smelling, breezy clothes. One way that you and I may consider helping our homeless brothers and sisters during these months is by providing them with extra T-shirts or breezy dresses and wide pants. If you have the means, you can go to your local clothing store and purchase some items or simply go through your closet and set aside summer clothes that are in good condition. Divide them in bags according to size and sex and have them in the trunk of your car ready to be given away when a need presents itself. Or perhaps you can drive them down to the local homeless shelter or even to your parish which may be a place frequently visited by those who are homeless. Tip Number Four Maybe, like me, you need a little more motivation than the powerfully provoking words of Jesus in Matthew 25. The best way to remedy this is to get another friend involved. You can also create a day activity for your children and your friend’s kids as well. Why not make it a big family affair? I once was a babysitter for a lovely family that held a camp in their home every summer. There was always one day of the week that the children were tasked with preparing sandwiches and cold drinks for the homeless and delivering it to a nearby soup kitchen. A fun idea to get others involved is to set up a weekly, free lemonade stand in a part of town where the less fortunate can also have access to a delicious, homemade drink. The point is, we are stronger in numbers. If you are not so brave so as to go up to a stranger and offer them a cold drink or a meal, think of someone who is! Ask them to join you one afternoon a week for this endeavor. Perhaps you can propose some of these ideas to your local prayer group or women’s group and could even work through a relevant study together. Maybe your pastor would be willing to make an announcement on Sunday calling for those interested to see you after Mass. The possibilities are endless, we really have only to take to heart Jesus’ words: “You did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). What will you commit to doing this summer for those in need?   [bctt tweet="Homeless Outreach During the Summer #BISblog //" via="no"]

Welcome to our series on the beautiful midlife season! We will explore all the blessings, challenges, and changes that accompany this time in a woman's life, from the physical, to the relational, to the spiritual, and more. Come with your questions in the comments! Recently, I was listening to a podcast on the topic of discernment, excited to learn new tips and tools. About halfway through the hour-long podcast, I turned it off in frustration. “This doesn’t have anything to do with me,” I thought. The podcast was about vocational discernment. Then, I celebrated that fact. “This podcast has nothing to do with me!” After years of discernment, and initial years of settling and adjusting to my vocation, I have finally reached a point of contentment. Many of us, after ten, or twenty or thirty or more years into living our vocation reach that sweet spot of content, but not yet perfect. Life experience has matured us in leadership and life skills, and we are living and embracing the fulness of our spiritual motherhood. The Spiritual Shift of Midlife In our early life, our prayers are often turned to hopes and dreams, discernment of God’s will, and filled with hope. Later in life, our prayers turn toward our final goal of Heaven. Friends and family have passed on and we begin to evaluate our life from an eternal perspective. In the sweet spot of middle life, as our earlier prayers have been answered in one way or another, we settle into life routines and our prayer shifts again. Prayer becomes more focused on our day-to-day events, learning to surrender to His will. Even though we have reached a point of contentment, blessed and beautiful as it is, it presents its own unique heartaches and challenges. Our parents are becoming elderly, new worries and fears emerge as children age, and we try to navigate how to balance the service of others and our own needs and desires. Sometimes it’s hard to put words to our experiences when we are trying to pray about them. Prayers for the Midlife Season Here are a few prayers from our friends, the Saints, who have done this before. Let us to turn to them when our own words are not there. When I am in Authority O Good Shepherd Jesus, good, gentle, tender Shepherd, behold a shepherd, poor and pitiful, a shepherd of the sheep indeed, but weak and clumsy and of little use, cries out to You. Teach me, Your servant, therefore, Lord, teach me I pray You, by Your Holy Spirit, how to devote myself to them and how to spend myself on their behalf. Give me, by Your unutterable grace, the power to bear with their shortcomings patiently, to share their griefs in loving sympathy, and discretely to help them according to their needs. Taught by Your Spirit, may I learn to comfort the sorrowful, to strengthen the weak, to be weak with those who are weak, to be indignant with those who suffer scandal, to become all things to all in order to save all. Place true, just, and pleasing words in my mouth, so that they all may be built up in faith and hope and love, in chastity and lowliness, in patience and obedience, in spiritual fervor and submissiveness of mind. I commit them into Your holy hands and loving providence. May no one snatch them from Your hand, nor from the hands of Your servants unto whom You have committed them. May they always persevere with gladness in their holy purpose, unto the attainment of everlasting life with You, our most sweet Lord, their Helper, who live and reign to ages of ages. // Saint Aelred of Reivaulx When I am Busy How is it God, that you have given me this hectic busy life when I have so little time to enjoy your presence? Throughout the day people are waiting to speak with me, and even at meals, I have to continue talking to people about their needs and problems. During sleep itself, I am still thinking and dreaming about the multitude of concerns that surround me. I do all this not for my own sake, but for yours. To me, my present pattern of life is a torment; I only hope that for you it is truly a sacrifice of love. I know that you are constantly beside me, yet I am usually so busy that I ignore you. If you want me to remain so busy, please force me to think about and love you even in the midst of such hectic activity. If you do not want me so busy, please release me from it, showing others how they can take over my responsibilities. // Saint Teresa of Avila When It’s Hard to Keep Going O my Mother, Mary Most Holy, obtain for me holy perseverance and the love of Jesus Christ. When I’m Grieving Lord God, we can hope for others nothing better than the happiness we desire for ourselves. Therefore, I pray you, do not separate me after death from those I tenderly loved on earth. Grant that where I am they may be with me, and that I may enjoy their presence in heaven after being so often deprived of it on earth. Lord God, I ask you to receive your beloved children immediately into your life-giving heart. After this brief life on earth, give them eternal happiness. Amen. // Saint Ambrose When I'm Worried O my God, Trinity whom I adore, help me forget myself entirely so to establish myself in you, unmovable and peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity. May nothing be able to trouble my peace or make me leave you, O my unchanging God, but may each minute bring me more deeply into your mystery! Grant my soul peace. Make it your heaven, your beloved dwelling, and the place of your rest. May I never abandon you there, but may I be there, whole and entire, completely vigilant in my faith, entirely adoring, and wholly given over to your creative action. // Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity When I Want to Complain Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors' souls and come to their rescue. Help me, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbors' needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings. Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbor, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all. Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks. Help me, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness. My true rest is in the service of my neighbor. Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who, I know, will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence. May Your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me. // Saint Faustina When I Need the Holy Spirit's Help and Presence Spirit of God, come upon me as You came upon the chaos of the world, as you came upon the Virgin Mary to create in her Our Lord. // Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity The Lord is just as faithful to us now as He was when we first began this journey with Him. We may hear Him less, but hopefully, we know Him more. In this season of life, He is working to make us saints in concrete ways. Our day-to-day life, even when what was once exciting but now may be mundane, is glorifying Him. Rest in the love He has for you, the sweet tender love of being known now, today, for who and Whose you are.   [bctt tweet="The Midlife Series // Prayers for the Season #BISblog //" via="no"]

Welcome to our series on the beautiful midlife season! We will explore all the blessings, challenges, and changes that accompany this time in a woman's life, from the physical, to the relational, to the spiritual, and more. Come with your questions in the comments! When I was pregnant, there was an endless flow of advice and tips from fellow moms about what to expect and how to best get through the pregnancy years. Now that those days are over, I am entering into the next phase of my female life. However, I rarely hear anyone talking about perimenopause, the time leading up to actual menopause. Women normally start getting symptoms in their 40’s, although some start even earlier. Saying Goodbye to More Babies For me, before there were any discernible physical changes, there was the emotional hurdle of facing the fact that I was most likely not going to have any more children. There were no more chances to give my only daughter a sister. And my youngest son would never be a big brother as he hoped to be. Longing for a child was not a new feeling, having gone through miscarriages and secondary infertility in my child-bearing years. I was lucky that, through it all, I was still able to bear four healthy children, and three of them after the ripe old age of 35 (as my doctor pointed out.) I knew I was blessed, but I still needed to allow myself to grieve the loss of any future children. The Pleasure of Having Older Children Our Lord consoled my heart and gave me the grace to accept His will in my life. Eventually, the longing for a baby faded away and I was able to concentrate on the pleasure of having older children. I watched in wonder as my little ones began to grow into young men and women with their own distinct personalities. On the practical side, my husband and I were able to have spontaneous dates without worrying about a babysitter. My daughter and I started to take girls weekends away as we developed a mother-daughter friendship. My workload lightened with so many abled bodies in the house. Family trips were much easier without diapers, bottles, strollers, and the missed-nap-meltdown (although there may be a teenage version of it, but that’s another story). Frankly, I love this new phase of motherhood and the possibilities it holds. Physical Changes in Perimenopause Some of the common symptoms of perimenopause—irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, decreased libido, headaches, sleep issues, mood swings, etc.—read like a hormonal horror story! Honestly, now that I know my body will no longer be making babies, I am ready for my period to go away for good, but I’m not looking forward to any of the negative symptoms. From what I have observed, perimenopause is as varied as menstruation is for women. While I had minimal PMS, I had friends who suffered greatly from symptoms. Likewise, I have spoken to many friends who are years younger than me who have started experiencing symptoms that I have not. However, as if in anticipation of this blog post, a couple of months ago, my period started becoming irregular and the other day I woke up feeling hot and had to take off my blankets. My sleeping pattern has been off and I’ve been feeling overly emotional lately. Like anything in life, we all have to deal with inconveniences. When we were on our periods we made sure we had back up supplies, meds for cramps, and extra chocolate on hand. In preparation for hot flashes, I can dress in layers and keep a bottle of cool water by my bed. I’m extra careful to stick to a sleeping routine and incorporate more exercise into my day. And with all things, if symptoms get severe, I’ll talk to my doctor about options. In the Bedroom The same way our bodies change after having a baby, there is a learning curve as our bodies age. The physical relationship with my husband needed some adjusting as well. On a practical side, utilizing items like lubricant or different positions helped with physical discomfort. Likewise, while I sometimes may need a little more time to “get into the mood,'' there is more freedom to relax knowing that we won’t be interrupted by crying babies or little ones trying to open the bedroom door. Plus, at least for me, I’ve reached a point in my relationship with my husband that I feel comfortable sharing these things with him. Being vulnerable and honest with each other brings us closer together. Plus, a sense of humor can ease up many things. A New Chapter This is definitely a new season in my life and I’m still navigating the waters of perimenopause. Sometimes it feels like I’m experiencing the hormonal changes of pregnancy but without the blessing of a baby at the end. However, it helps when I shift my perspective. These are more than just physical changes. They affect my body, emotions, and spirit. I’m looking at this as a season of life that holds new adventures and the freedom to explore more possibilities. One chapter may be closing, but I am excited to see what God has in store next.   [bctt tweet="The Midlife Series // Navigating Perimenopause #BISblog //" via="no"]

Welcome to our series on the beautiful midlife season! We will explore all the blessings, challenges, and changes that accompany this time in a woman's life, from the physical, to the relational, to the spiritual, and more. Come with your questions in the comments! The Middle Ages is a period of time in European history that began with the fall of the Roman Empire and continued through to the Renaissance. Much like the historical time period, the middle ages in human development brings with it a leaving behind old ways, and invites a newness of thought and priorities. The term "renaissance" actually means "rebirth." Similarly, this time between the ages of 40 and 60 can best be navigated when viewed as a time for rediscovery, recommitment, or rebirth of the self. Midlife Myths One of the phenomena in American culture most associated with being middle-aged is the mid-life crisis. This psychological crisis is stereotyped often as the middle-aged man who divorces his wife of 25 years, picks up a young trophy wife, and buys a flashy sports car. Although some of us may know individuals who show some of these behaviors, more commonly the middle years force us into a healthy examination of our own life—including our bodies, goals, and achievements. The crisis occurs when our expectations of our life don’t meet with reality and we reject the chance to grow and, instead, we regress. Another popular notion of mid-life is the empty-nest syndrome. This refers to feelings of life dissatisfaction following the raising of children. A couple devotes their life to a very child-centered way of living and once the children are gone, the couple finds themselves without a sense of purpose or even a sense of self. In reality, many families find themselves with adult children at home, still desiring that their children be more independent. In both these scenarios, the dissatisfaction comes from a disconnect between expectations of reality. Many had idolized visions of what life would look like when they reached midlife, without taking into consideration normal human development. Midlife Psychological Changes As we enter the middle years, there are fundamental things about our body and mind that change. We see changes in hormones and subsequent changes in sleep, hair loss/greying, sex drive, cognitive challenges, weight gain, loss of muscle mass, and hearing and vision difficulties. Some also struggle with unfulfilled dreams leading to further disappointment. All of this can lead to isolation, depression, an increase in stress, and general feelings of dissatisfaction. Living All of Life for the Beloved The reality of midlife can be beautiful, especially for those who strive to live a life in Christ. In the early years of adulthood, it is easy to be focused on physically providing for and caring for others, leaving little time or energy to spare. Midlife brings with it a different set of challenges, but those too can be opportunities for greater spiritual growth. In fact, there is little stability in religious identity in midlife; only about 20% of individuals remain stable. The other 80% split relatively equally between those who see a decline in their faith versus those who see an increase in their faith life. The trajectories for faith development seem to be influenced by the events experienced (for example, the death of a loved one or children and family dynamics). The biological changes can also act as a catalyst for deeper spiritual growth and a renaissance of our spiritual selves as we examine our lives, even our own mortality, and we make changes in order to grow closer to and in deeper intimacy with Our Beloved. Being Aware of and Attentive to the Shifts Having an awareness of the biological and social changes of midlife gives us a chance to be intentional about how we respond. These responses are influenced by our attitude, which in turn will either help us to navigate this stage successfully or not. For instance, if we see that we are experiencing cognitive difficulties, rather than letting the changes discourage us we can start to be intentional about using our brain more (not less) and trying to challenge it in new ways. If we notice our bodies are hurting from inactivity, we can commit to moving more intentionally during the day. When we notice our metabolism changing, we can change our diet to meet the metabolic needs of our stage in life. One of the first changes I recognized was a problem with my sleep. I committed to regular sleep times, spoke with my doctor, made lifestyle changes, and adjusted my attitude such that sleepless time at night became quiet prayer time that I embraced. A Great Gift Midlife brings with it social, emotional, physical and even spiritual challenges. It can also be a time of internal quiet, reflection, and recommitment to what really matters. Our vision of health shifts away from vanity to longevity. We gain wisdom given as a gift and practiced through decades of living. Consider approaching midlife as a time of renewal, or even a rebirth, rather than rebelling against nature. Find the beauty in this time and embrace your continued growth of mind, body, and spirit.   [bctt tweet="The Midlife Series // A Renaissance of the Self #BISblog //" via="no"]

Welcome to our series on the beautiful midlife season! We will explore all the blessings, challenges, and changes that accompany this time in a woman's life, from the physical, to the relational, to the spiritual, and more. Come with your questions in the comments! As designed by God, our lives and our bodies go through changes that are unavoidable. Just like with the weather, each season of our lives brings with it its challenges and delights. Change can sometimes bring with it anxiety and uncertainty. The good news is that, throughout all those life changes, we can be sure that Our Lord is by our side, guiding us and showing us the way. Preparing for those inevitable changes is also a good idea. A New Phase of Motherhood As I write, my family is getting ready to go through a big change as our oldest daughter, Bella, just graduated high school and is leaving home for college this fall. And even though my husband and I have been preparing ourselves for this change, I know that her absence will not be easy. I will miss her sweet smile the most! Bella has been my go-to for help the last few years, driving her siblings around and picking up groceries at the store. She has such a giving heart. I will also miss those late night talks when she comes home from being out with her friends. And the phone call that comes everyday right at 6 p.m. when she's done with her part time job and is about to come home. Her first question is always, "What’s for dinner, Mom?" And as Bella moves on to the next phase of her life, I pray that God will give me the peace of mind that comes from knowing that He loves her so much more than I could ever love her. And out of that love for her, He will watch over her and guide her steps. He has beautiful plans for her life, just like He has beautiful plans for each and every one of His beloved children. A New Phase of Daughterhood Last month, while I was in Brazil visiting my parents, I had some time to reflect on how much their lives have changed. My dad is 95 years old and has had dementia for the last 7 years. Thankfully, for now, he can still shower and dress himself (although I did notice that he has a hard time buttoning his shirts). He does need to be watched to make sure he doesn't wander off onto the streets. Dad can no longer shave by himself, for fear that he may get hurt, so my siblings arranged to have someone come to the house to shave him once a week. It's hard to watch a man who, before dementia took over his mind, had so much to say. He could recall stories from 50 years ago and tell them like they just happened yesterday. Now, he is reduced to just sitting there with a blank stare on his face. I hate this terrible disease and what it has done to my dad’s mind! My mom, who is 84 years old, still has a mind as sharp as ever. Unfortunately, her physical health has been declining in the last few years. Without a doubt, being dad’s primary caretaker has taken a toll on her health. Remembering all the sacrifices they both made to care for their large family of eleven kids made me want to be there for them even more. As I was getting ready to leave Brazil after my two-week stay, I couldn’t help but feel a little guilty that I would be leaving my elderly parents. Knowing that my husband and kids were anxiously waiting for my return made me feel a little better. I always say that half of my heart is here in the United States with my husband and our kids and the other half is in Brazil with my parents and siblings. And so is the life of the immigrant. My Own Midlife Change Our bodies go through a lot of changes during menopause. There are extreme shifts in hormone levels. We may not sleep well because of the hot flashes and may also experience mood swings. In the last few months, I have noticed that I have begun my midlife change with missed periods. I have to be honest and say that this part about missing periods is all bittersweet for me. It’s a sad realization that my body will no longer be able to collaborate with God in bringing more babies into the world. The hot flashes are very real. My husband and I used to sleep with the temperature in our room at 74 degrees. Now I’m finding that I need it to be around 70 degrees to help alleviate those crazy middle of the night hot flashes. Moving Forward in Peace With all that is going on with these mid-life changes, I feel ever so blessed to be exactly where I am. In the last few years, God has done miraculous things in my life. He used my amazing, holy pastor to completely heal me from the trauma of the sexual abuse I suffered as little girl. At 52 years old, I find myself with a new found purpose: to allow God to use me and my story to heal those who are still hurting from all types of trauma-induced wounds. I'm getting ready to publish my third book, Healed and Restored: A Journey through Trauma, Resilience and Transformative Healing. My heart is filled with gratitude. I am grateful that God who has been kind enough to look upon His lowly servant with eyes of mercy. Just thinking about what else God may have planned for me in the years ahead fills my soul with joyful anticipation. I have heard about many who get to this point in their life and still don’t know what their true purpose is. I am privileged to be in a season of giving back and encouraging others. And I have a strong feeling that my life story has truly just begun. A Prayer for the Season As you read this, you may be going through a tough season, dealing with crisis you didn’t anticipate, or a major life change that is shaking your foundation. Try to focus on the positive and thank God for bringing you this far. The same God who was there for you in the past is also present in the here and now, and in all the changes in between. Dear Heavenly Father, help me to let go of any fear and anxiety and replace them with a bigger trust in You. Amen. Here are a few excerpts from the Litany of Trust that relate to this season, too: From the fear that trusting You will leave me more destitute, Deliver me, Jesus. From anxiety about the future, Deliver me, Jesus. From the false security that I have what it takes, Deliver me, Jesus. From discouragement, Deliver me, Jesus. That not knowing what tomorrow brings is an invitation, Deliver me, Jesus. To lean on You, Jesus, I trust in You. That my life is a gift, Jesus, I trust in You. That You will teach me how to trust You, Jesus, I trust in You. That I am Your beloved on, Jesus, I trust in You.   [bctt tweet="The Midlife Series // A Foot in Two Seasons #BISblog //" via="no"]

Welcome to our series on the beautiful midlife season! We will explore all the blessings, challenges, and changes that accompany this time in a woman's life, from the physical, to the relational, to the spiritual, and more. Come with your questions in the comments! It was my 46th birthday. There wasn’t much festivity, because it was a Wednesday. And midweek birthdays can be hard to pull off in a busy family of eight, with school and sports and youth group activities. I knew we would celebrate over the upcoming weekend, and I really was fine with that. So why did I feel so sad as I crawled into bed? Feeling melancholic about my birthday threw me for a loop. I have always enjoyed my birthday, and age has never bothered me. I entered my 30s and 40s without any desire to be younger than I was. And in fact, I tended to look forward to the year ahead—older (and hopefully wiser)—with contentment. What made turning 46 so different? Why did I “feel” my age in a way that actually made me feel old? And what brought about a sadness about life that I had not felt before? Entering Midlife Over the next few months, my husband and I had several conversations about the shifts we were experiencing in our own lives, in our marriage, and in our family. Both of us felt a little shaky and uncertain, as if our lives suddenly felt foreign to us. We noticed that what used to work didn’t work anymore. Our normal rhythms and routines no longer felt smooth. Rather, we were hitting bumps in the road and falling into some pretty wide potholes. Moreover, our communication was becoming irregular and unintentional. And we were missing out on opportunities to grow into this new season of life together. While we didn’t have many answers, we surrendered to the fact that we had entered midlife. And we wondered: now what? More to Midlife Than a Crisis Doing a simple internet search, the most common terminology surrounding the mid-life season is "crisis." Isn’t that awful? And discouraging? Why does this season of life (and not others) have to be referred to as a crisis? And is the crisis inevitable? Perhaps midlife is described as a crisis because it feels like it comes out of nowhere. One day, life is going along as it has been for the last 20 years. And the next day, life feels very different. The shift, however, happens over time. But the busyness of life distracts us from the changes that are occurring. I personally notice midlife changes in three areas of my life: Motherhood Marriage Mission Motherhood As my children graduate from high school and move into adulthood, my school-aged children are increasingly busy with school, friends, and part-time jobs. All of them still need me, but that need is different and certainly more infrequent. And while I am still called to be available, I also have more time on my hands. Time that used to be filled up so easily now sits ready for something… But what? Marriage I look across the table at my husband, and I can’t remember the last time we had a deep conversation about something other than kids, schedules, and finances. Who is this good and godly man? I want to reacquaint myself with him, but I don’t know how. It feels like there is too much to say and not enough time to say it all. Mission And then there are the goals that are still unmet. The book I have not written. The places I have not visited. Will they remain dreams? Is it time to dream anew? What is God’s call for me? And is anything preventing me from fulfilling it? From Crisis to Gift Facing opportunities to rediscover myself, get reacquainted with my husband, and redefine my motherhood feels both exciting and overwhelming. But where do I begin? How is this going to work? Recently, I was reminded that dryness in prayer is simply God’s way of preparing the soul for a deeper experience of Him. Like a farmer tills the soil before He plants a new crop, the Lord clears the landscape of our hearts before beginning a new work in us. Similarly, God uses dryness in prayer to heighten our awareness of Him or rekindle our desire for Him. On that newly-toiled plot of land, we may not see a lot of development, but the hidden work of the farmer is vital to the growth of the new crop. Similarly, midlife may feel like a desert or a newly-cleared plot of land, but that dryness or emptiness is simply God’s way of preparing us for something more. He is inviting us to pay attention to who He is and what He is doing. He is showing us that He is the answer to our questions, and our needs and desires will be met in Him. This perspective allows us to perceive midlife not as a crisis, but as a gift. We read in Ecclesiastes 3:1: For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” It goes onto say that God “has made everything beautiful in its time. This confirms that midlife is not a crisis. Rather, it is a time and matter under Heaven. It is an intentional season to enter into “for such a time as this” (see Esther 4:14). And it becomes the catalyst for God to till our hearts for something new. Do You Not Perceive It? How do we make the shift from crisis to gift? How do we recognize the beauty of this season? Here are four ways I am learning to embrace midlife as a gift and recognize the blessings along the way. 1. Pray With Scripture In addition to the Scriptures cited above, here are a few verses to take to prayer during this season of life. The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. // Isaiah 35:1-2 Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. // Isaiah 43:18-19 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. // Philippians 1:6 2. Pay Attention While we are meant to be present to our midlife moment, it is also a time to observe where we’ve been and contemplate the direction we are going. Be grateful for the past. Reconcile wounds that I have inflicted or received. Invite the Lord to write straight with crooked lines. Be still and know that He is God (see Psalm 46:10). Hope in the Lord, even if I can’t see what He’s doing yet. Renew Your Vocation While life is no longer what it used to be, God invites us to reclaim our identity in Him and discover new ways to live that out. Be mindful of new ways to love and support adult children. Regarding time, focus on quality over quantity. Ask my husband to go for a walk. Write him a love note. Register for a silent retreat. Settle into quieter, more contemplative prayer. Let’s Journey Together I am encouraged to not shy away from talking about midlife. It can be weird and raw, because it is such a new season for me. I have nothing figured out, but I am learning as I go. And we can walk together, side by side, with the Lord as our guide, leading us through the gift that is the midlife season.   [bctt tweet="The Midlife Series // So Much More than a Crisis #BISblog //" via="no"]

So often am I faced with silence when I ask God for help with whatever conundrum I face that day. At the end of the day, I feel like I’m left hanging, still awaiting His answer. I am quick to forget the peace He affords me when I receive Him in Holy Communion, even in spiritual Communion. That peace is His answer. He gives me graces in the silence, and those are my help. It’s in these moments when I rest in His peace, and He answers me with His silent graces. Silent Graces // A Poem Silent graces in fettered words Silent graces, always heard In the hush of prayer unspoken Heard by Bread of Life there broken Even without my word’s noise He hears my pleading voice And in moments when I’m at a loss He hears and responds from His Cross When my heart struggles to stand It beats, but beats like man Struggling to find strength through strife As it grasps for another chance at life Graces given at His word Graces silent, but in action heard When I can’t find words to say He hears me when I silently pray When I seek a tangible response To cater to my deepest wants When even a why would do And I still hear nothing from You It’s in that harsh silence I face The unheard, Your silent grace And when I don’t think I know what to do I look at Your Cross and follow You Even when faced with uncertainty And the answer doesn’t face me blatantly When I’m falling into the pit of despair You remain waiting for me there You pick me up and make me stronger Though I keep asking how much longer Let pass this cup and yet, still Not according to me, but as Thy will For upon my first life’s end When for my spirit You inevitably send I’ll then know the cost Of enduring what I’ve lost And seeing what I’ve gained Is all that will remain When I gaze upon Heaven’s holy faces The result of God’s silent graces Danielle Erwin is a Catholic wife, a homeschooling mother of 5, and she loves writing poetry whenever the Holy Spirit inspires her! She has published a book of poetry she wrote after her miscarriages called Holding On: Poems on Coping With Loss After Miscarriage, as well as a book of poetry on the Catholic Faith called Something More: Poetic Moments With God.   [bctt tweet="Silent Graces // A Poem #BISblog //" via="no"]