To Our Heart of Mary Women's Fellowship Family

Usually, when we go to the movies, we sit through a series of trailers that advertise movies coming soon.

There was a time in my life where I thought that I would be a prisoner of my own fears and anxiety.

Today’s passages come from tonight’s Evening Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours (also known as the Divine Office). For those who don’t know, the Liturgy of the Hours is a series of prayers dating back to the times of St. Benedict.

This particular Psalm is a favorite of mine. It reminds me that no matter what happens, I can always trust in the Lord and take refuge with him.

Today’s passage from Sirach tells us not to give into our sorrow, anger, or jealousy. It’s not an easy thing to do, even in this holiday season. Some people have to deal with Seasonal Affective Disorder, which affects their mood this time of year.

Have you ever had something that you seriously looked forward to? Think of graduation or your wedding day or a certain birthday. The anticipation for Christmas is one that most of us can relate to.

Waiting is inevitable in our lives. We wait for the mailman to come, we wait for dinner to finish cooking, we wait in traffic, or we are waiting at the doctor’s office. We are constantly waiting for something in our lives.

I have said it in a previous post, but I am going to say it again- I love when we see foreshadowing in the Bible and in our faith. It truly is God’s little ways that give us hope for the future as if he is giving us blueprints to follow.

Growing up in Southern California, I don’t quite remember Daylight Savings Time affecting me as much as it does here in Pennsylvania. When Daylight Savings Time is coming closer a few things happen- the days start becoming shorter, the leaves start to fall, and it. gets. colder

So yesterday may have left you with a little questioning of how else we can prepare for the birth of our Lord, and how we can fully ‘prepare’ during Advent.

Its funny to read the introduction to my last post and then to introduce this post, it seems very contradicting. Growing up, in an effort to help us prepare for Christmas and to fully embrace the Advent season we didn’t decorate until days before Christmas.

For all those that know me personally, and not just through the social media beat, they would know that the time from Thanksgiving to the Epiphany is my favorite time of year.

I often wonder what God saw in Paul, on his murderous journey to Damascus. Paul expressed no remorse, yet God was merciful. He proved to have greater plans for Paul than Paul did for himself. And Paul, however blinded (quite literally) to his fate that day, came to recognize this.

Three months ago, my husband and I lost our first child. We were eight-weeks in, joyful with anticipation, delighted. After three long years, God had finally called us to be parents.

I once heard it said, that when we have debt, we are a slave to that debt. As a barely-out-of-college loan holder and new homeowner, that alluring phrase has caused me great anxiety over the years.

The summer before my senior year of college, I knew the man I was supposed to marry. It was confirmed pretty clearly to me through our 2 ½ years of dating. Yet, that August I found myself perpetually teary eyed and emotional over our break-up that I “so didn’t see coming.” 

We sat in darkness and waited. I could hear the waves crashing in; I could feel the sand on my toes. It was early, oh so early. But, what was to come would soon make our lack of sleep worth it.