Clorox to the Rescue!

When I was little I never understood Matthew's account of the wedding at which the king ridiculed the wedding guest who did not wear proper wedding attire. The king didn't only disallow his guest entry; he threw him out with instructions to "bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth."

Wow. Just because the poor man wasn't dressed right? This punishment always seemed ridiculously harsh to me, as a child. The wailing and grinding of teeth stuck in my memory. I'm not a child anymore. I understand. The kingdom of God is somewhere I want to be allowed entry whenever it comes.

Now if I were preparing for a wedding on a certain date I'd have chosen an outfit, made sure it was clean, found shoes and purse, maybe even selected special occasion jewelry. When the day arrived I'd be clean head to toe with shiny hair and polished nails. A wedding celebration is a special event requiring special preparations.

How mush more special is God's kingdom? Light years above! The tricky part here is that nobody knows, no matter what anyone thinks or attempts to calculate, nobody knows the day we'll meet God. We don't know the hour of our own death or the end of this world as we know it. Hmmm...so when should I do my nails?!

Seriously though, the story I did not understand as a child is perfectly clear to me now: if you don't want to miss it always be ready. Have about you the proper attitude before God at all times. You know what you're supposed to do. If your white garment of proper attitude is not so white anymore, not so pure, what are you going to do about it?

Is it just a small stain from a thoughtless act? Nothing a little stain stick can't handle. Or do you need to douse it in Clorox and soak it in the radiant light of the SON to draw out all discolorations? Only you know what you need to do. So do it. Make your garment dazzling white to greet the Lord. Shine so brilliantly that He can't possibly pass you by.

Or if it seems too much for you to handle, you could always wait around for the wailing and grinding of teeth. Your choice.

~ Maureen :)

"We're Here to Get Each Other into Heaven"

"We're here to get each other into heaven": words spoken at a Bible Study class. Profound words. Words so profound to me that although I'd not been taking any special notes up until that point, I whipped out the first paper my hand grasped which turned out to be my checkbook, of all things, so I would remember the exact words. I do that sometimes when something is said beyond the norm.

How simple. How simply wonderful. What if we all operated on this premise 24/7? What would this world be like? Irrecognizable, I think. "We're here to get each other into heaven."

Today how would you change your actions, words, thoughts if that was your sole reason for living? What would you do? You would do and I would do what we SHOULD do. Don't we all know what that is pretty much every single moment of every single day? Really - don't we? In our heart of hearts? We all know what's right, what would please God the most, what would smooth another's way to heaven. We know. We're not stupid. Or are we? "We're here to get each other into heaven."

So what are you going to do today to get someone into heaven? One thing - what'll it be? Calling that friend to chat even though you, yourself, feel poorly. Volunteering at the soup kitchen. You've always been meaning to go but just haven't gotten around to doing it. Maybe now's the time. Or jotting a note to a lonely friend or a frazzled mom. Take that spotlight off of you. Shine it on another because "we're here to get each other into heaven."

Think about what you've just read. Read it again. Your mind heard it the first time - now read it a second time so it sinks into your heart. And then put that thinking cap on and do something concrete to make another's way easier. Just think - if you are pushing another into heaven look how closely you are behind them. God certainly can't miss seeing you there, too. What if the only question God asks you after you die is, "What have you done to get My other children here with Me?" Just as I whipped out my checkbook you can whip out a list a mile long if you take the time to begin now. Funny thing about God, though. With or without the lists, He knows - He always knows.

"We're here to get each other into heaven."

~ Maureen :)

Who Can be Against Us?

Who can be against us? Plenty of people can. Circumstances may leave us exasperated. Mistakes foil our plans. Our own dreams and desires seem to plot against us. Very many forces in this world can be against us at any given time. We feel as if we are being ganged up on. We have a problem and for the life us we cannot construct a satisfactory resolution. We worry. We lose sleep. We ask our friends for their advice. We run away. At such times we are forgetting the good. We are forgetting the God. Our God, our Father who desires only the best for us.

Forgetfulness is bad if it is God who is slipping our minds. Hopefully our moments of forgetfulness are few and far between where God is concerned. Best case scenario: we never forget.

But I forgot tonight - not for long - but just long enough to feel alone. Isn't there a song about feeling alone in a crowded room? Well, that was me. I knew what was happening but couldn't seem to shake the feeling. I tried to look at those around me and find God in them but I couldn't find Him. I scanned the crowd. No one looked remotely happy. And I could not push myself to be God for another. Just couldn't do it.

Mercifully, the time to depart arrived. I came home unsure of what I should do or where I should go. I opened the Bible to the phrase which began my post : "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Those first five words are pretty darn important. The ultimate qualifier, wouldn't you say?

I feel better. I don't feel alone anymore. God is here.

Remember, God is there, too. Never feel alone.

~ Maureen :)

God the Farmer

Are you wheat? Or are you a weed? How do you know? Do you hang around with other wheat or other weeds? What's the difference between a weed and a wildflower? Aren't they the same things?

In my part of the world chickory is growing alongside the roads. Such beauty. Wildflower? Weed? I say wildflower-weed because it is not only possible, but most probable, for the two to co-exist.

I'm wheat as well as weed. I have my multigrain moments on good days while on other days I'm sure my dear ones have wished to spray me with Weed-B-Gon. In this weekend's gospel Jesus reminds us in parable form that pulling out the weeds while the wheat is young may damage the wheat. So He encourages us to let both grow side-by-side just as He allows both parts of each of us to grow right alongside each other.

Days when we are grumpy or downright mean God does not smite us sending us to a fiery end. No, God the Farmer is patient with His cultivation. He watches over us, He cares for us whether we are weedy or wheaty. We are two sides of the same human coin. How we choose to flip is up to us – not up to God, or to luck or mere chance. We're talking free will here.

You can be the biggest weed the world has ever known. You can ignore your wheat side. It's up to you. Or you can cultivate the good in you. Only you can truly recognize the weeds as they surface, and only you can carefully separate weed from wheat. No one can do it for you. God won't do it for you. But He will be watching every moment. And He will freely give you all the tools you will need. He'll give you pointers along the way. So read His signs. Use His tools. Be His wheat. And watch your garden grow.
~ Maureen :)

Can you look square in the eye of God?

I am struck by this weekend's gospel as I sit amongst the flowers and weeds in my gardens. I haven't weeded for two weeks. Amazing how quickly weeds sneak in, isn't it?

Still, most of these weeds are small except for this one insidious type – fast growing with deep roots. A little effort and even those are history – dead.

I wanted this day, alone outside in my gardens. I had an extremely tempting invitation to breakfast from one of my sons. I declined, to weed. Crazy? As his truck pulled away I wondered. But no, not crazy. Just what I need. Just what God needs to work through me.

I crave quiet and solitude. Living in a house with five men is noisy. And when it's noisy it's harder to hear God.

So here I am taking a break from kneeling in the dirt, soaking in a little sun and enjoying a gentle breeze. And being open to hear God speak to me.

I have one weed right next to a hostas. This weed resembles the hostas so closely. Sneaky. How did it get there? Did this weed, in seed form, walk around looking for a compatible friend? Something it could fool into believing it was a fellow hostas? Hardly. But how did it get there? How did it know? One of life's mysteries. This wannabe hostas didn't fool me though. I saw it for what it was: a fake, a phony. I yanked it.

And that is how we must look at all circumstances in our lives. Will this get me closer to God? Or will it not? If you are willing to ask yourself that question and answer it honestly, God's Word has fallen on fertile soil and will flourish reaching out to others of God's children helping them on their journeys.

Once you accept God's Word you must be ever vigilant. You must nourish His Word. Attend Mass. Study the Word. Try hard to understand its meaning in your life, not necessarily what it meant to Abraham or Moses but to you, right now in your present situation. It will speak to you if you will listen.

Next, you must weed out whatever does not belong in God's fertile soil. Because, let's face it, fertile soil is fertile soil. It will make the weeds grow just as well as the flowers. When weeds in your life walk up to you, look you in the eye and wish to be near you, you must turn away. No matter how tempting it is. Remember the apple! A teeny apple and look at the ramifications for us all. So weed daily, hourly if need be. Weed. Keep your soul's soil fertile.

And finally, as difficult as it may be, you must prune away parts of yourself that have become unpleasing to God. Perhaps your job just isn't for you. Perhaps the stress level is so high it is steering you away from God. Pruning is choosing. Choose wisely. You may not get a do-over. Adam and Eve didn't.

Well, back to my gardens. Back to my life – feeding, weeding and pruning – so one day when this life is over I can look square in the the eye of God and not blink, not even once.
~ Maureen :)

Dear Readers,
Perhaps with this writing I shall transform from my hideously lax once a month writing to a more reader-friendly once a week! Do you ever have these times? You are well-intentioned, super busy and your writing falls to the wayside? Your writing - the thing that makes you happiest, the thing that gives you purpose - and you take a hiatus from it? How stupid is that? Throwing away something that gives you joy!

Those mom writers/readers of you clicking over from Mom Writer's Literary Magazine know the joy that comes from writing. You understand the well-intentioned mind, the frazzled life. My frazzle has been a graduation party which is now, thankfully, history. Done with last week. So now as I attend grad parties rather than orchestrate them I am much more relaxed. Today I shall attend two.

However, as I sit at these parties with time to visit and time to think, I cannot help but wonder what comes next for me. I am at a crossroads. My four children are grown yet still live at home attending a nearby college. I am missing another female in the house more than I ever have in the past. God blessed me with all boys. I do enjoy the visits of my son's girlfriend though. She is an ally in this world of men. Last night we three (son, girlfriend and I) were the only ones home and my son controlled the TV remote. On and on he scrolled down until we were all tired of seeing movies listed that are terribly old or just not worth watching. We women complained and suddenly my son chose Little Women. How happily surprising. Chivalry does exist. I enjoyed a pleasant evening with two very pleasant people.

So, I can orchestrate a graduation party for 100 people, I can enjoy some of life's simple pleasures, I can do what needs to be done when a deadline looms but what am I really supposed to do with this thing called life? With this joy called writing? What is my purpose now that the little kiddies are big kiddies? Much food for thought. Come back to see how I navigate through my life's questions. I welcome advice if you've been where I am now.

Happy Sunday!
~ Maureen :)

Hello MotherVerse Readers

About a month ago I took an online workshop at MotherVerse in hopes of improving my site. Lots of information, many helpful people but not much time to implement what I've been learning. Hey moms, can you relate? Of course you can. We come last. Sad, but true.

So right now if some of you moms have clicked over from MotherVerse ~ Hello, nice to meet you! ~ Right now I am living through the daily lunacy of throwing my very last high school graduation party. We have had three in a row in the past three years and I am soooo ready to be done! Until this party is behind me - 10 days and counting - my inspiration is focused elsewhere, but please check in here to see what's new once my brain cells are not so fried with party planning and doing! Talk to you soon.
~ Maureen ;)

Prayer Requests

I think you cannot have too many prayers flying up to heaven on anyone's behalf. So...if you have someone who is in need of God's help, please post your special intention here and we will send up the prayers.

For my five men, may God hold them in the palm of His hand always.
For my parents and brother, may God keep them in His special care as they fight their daily battles.
For all service men and women, may God bring them home safely, most especially Micah.
~ Maureen

Trinity to Infinity

On this Pentecost Sunday I would like to share a poem with you that I wrote about the impact of calling on the Holy Spirit, confident that He will work with you and through you.

Trinity to Infinity

Father, Son or Holy Ghost
Which One do you love the most?
Is it One or is it Three
In this Blessed Trinity?

Is it Three or is it more?
Add yourself then you have Four
Four in One not just Three
Adds up quickly so you see
As more and more choose the way
To strive for good every day

In all you say and all you do
Let the 3 in 1 shine through
Till the day when They will be
Transformed to Infinity

~ Maureen :)

A Love Throughout the Ages

May 10, 1941 – A very good day! Because, you see, on that day 67 years ago, a man named Franny and a woman named Ethy became one. At 10:00 in the morning this couple was united before God, family and friends promising to love and honor “till death us do part.”

Groom’s brother and bride’s sister stood as witnesses for the happy couple. A wedding party of 12 tuxedos and evening gowns did not march down the aisle. But they had love.

After the rice was thrown (not birdseed, bubbles or butterflies), the newlyweds toured the town in a 1939 LaSalle borrowed from groom’s father. They did not rent a freakishly stretched stretch-limo. But they had love.

First stop was Tomei Photography Studio in Akron, Ohio where the local photographer snapped a few photos. They did not immortalize every conceivable moment of the day on video. But they had love.

Second stop: The Canteen for a wedding breakfast for 20 honored guests. Next came some rest. (Now isn’t that a unique feature to include in one’s wedding day?) On to the parents’ of the bride’s house where an afternoon reception of cake and punch afforded well-wishers the opportunity to convey congratulations to the groom and best wishes to the bride. And then the guests went home.

That evening the mother of the bride prepared an elegant wedding dinner for family. They did not catapult bride’s parents into enormous debt orchestrating a catered extravaganza complete with mind-numbing music blaring from bass-boosted speakers. But they had love.

The honeymooners then drove to Warren, Ohio where they spent their first night as husband and wife, followed by a cozy week of fishing in Canada. They did not sail the seven seas with total strangers. But they had love.

And for the past 67 years they have passed that love down to their children and their children’s children with more than enough left over for their great grandchildren. They did it right all those years ago remembering what mattered most, and they are still doing it right 67 years later.

Still holding hands, still laughing, still waking up next to each other, and still listening to Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy belt out, “Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life,” on those Victor 78s. What is their sweet mystery of life? Simply this: because they were never stingy with love, because they didn’t store it up for themselves, but lavishly broadcast it time after time, decade after decade, to any and all who crossed their paths, they still have love.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Pop!
I love you infinity,
Your darling daughter

~Maureen :)

The following is a tribute written by me for my parents two years ago entitled, Overflowing Cup.

The love your parents give you
Is the love that fills you up
The love our parents gave us
Overflowed the cup

Generosity beyond belief
All their hearts could hold
Spilling over to their children
Treasured more than gold

Examples shared, values set
To love through every year
Of happy times as well as sad
Wherever our lives veer

Ears to listen, eyes to smile
Lips to praise and kiss
Hands to hold, arms to hug
We were given this

Given this by God Most High
Because He loves us so
And wants us all to share this love
With those whom we do know

We wish for you your hearts’ desires
And God’s protection, too
As well as a great big huge
Happy 65th anniversary to you

Have a most wonderful weekend, dear readers. Happy Mother's Day to all you moms.
~ Maureen :)

It's Your Move, God

Can you believe it is already May? Time does not merely fly by anymore, it blasts forward at warp speed. I turn around and another month is gone. Another turn – another year. On and on.

Which leads me to ask myself what am I doing with this precious time that vanishes so quickly? Am I accomplishing things that are pleasing to God? Am I asking God what He wants of me? Am I then doing whatever He asks? Whatever He asks???

Hmmm...Food for thought.

I'd like to relate a story that happened to me in the wee hours of the morning, just this morning. I have begun taking an online workshop at MotherVerse to jazz up this very Web site. I need to learn more of the technical ins and outs of posting blogs. So I sat down here late last evening and began to fool around with various fonts and colors. All was just fine for a while.

But then I couldn't seem to do anything right. I'd click my mouse and nothing would happen but the most irritating noise from the tower of the computer. On and on went this noise. Click, click, click. Nothing. I got so mad!

Finally I walked away. (Anyone who knows me, knows it was more like "stormed" away, but no matter.) I started flipping through the channels on TV and passed EWTN. I don't usually watch that channel. But I heard God as I quickly clicked by. He was calling me back. I listened to that commanding voice as God whispered to me. Had I let my anger control me, let "my" will control me, I probably would have watched Pride and Prejudice for the millionth time until I became sleepy enough to go to bed.

But I stayed right where God wanted me, and I watched and I learned. He sent me away from the computer so He could give me a few pointers. In this day and age of so very many diversions and dilemmas we must train ourselves to hear God's voice, be it a whisper, a nagging repetition or a thunderbolt. We must listen and we must act.

I really like having this God the Father taking me under His wing. I've been a mom for 23 years. You know, Mom, the be all and end all of most homes. "Do this. Don't do that. Are you crazy? What were you thinking? Or weren't you thinking?" Countless decisions made every day affecting lives most profoundly. I'm tired. I want some rest, some guidance. I am soooo ready to give it up to God. So here I am God. It's Your move.

~ Maureen :)

God Doesn't Make Junk

Have you been making God smile? I have…some of the time. More than one time a day so that’s good. We can always do more though, can’t we? All of us have such a capacity to love if we choose to love. Most times it is very hard to forget the hurts of the past though. Have you discovered that too? You are going along and BAM something or someone crosses your path and suddenly your world forever changes. You can’t go back but you can’t go forward either. You’re stuck in a limbo-like state. That’s when you really need God.

Do you let disappointment or failure derail you? Or do you learn from it? Most times I am not a quick study. I need to be bashed more than a few times before my thick skull is penetrated. And I guess that’s OK; that’s how God made me. Remember that old saying about God not making junk? Well, that’s all well and good when you are rationalizing about yourself: “I’m not so bad because God doesn’t make junk.” You pump yourself up to feel better.

But what about the other people in your daily path? Are they junk? Did God make them? Well then, there’s your answer. But it’s so hard sometimes – really, really hard. Do you have a co-worker who drives you absolutely nuts? A family member? A fellow church member, even? Do they push all the right buttons to make you crazy on a regular basis?

Here’s an added challenge to accompany your April commitment: next time you see that “special” person dig deep within yourself, look deeply within them and try your level best to find out what God could possibly like about them. There’s got to be something. Keep looking and looking until you find it (or until they think you are a looney tune and run away). Either way – you tried.

Remember: God really does not make junk. He makes people very different from ourselves, that’s all. We like the likable. We like the familiar. We like what makes us happiest, not what makes us work the hardest. We are most comfortable around these types of people. Why wouldn’t we be? So don’t beat yourself up as you enjoy the company of your best friends. Just don’t slam the door in the face of another. It takes less energy to let the door stay open than to slam it to smithereens. Take it from a door slammer from way back. Nothing gives such satisfaction as slamming a real solid wooden door to emphasize a point. Just be sure one of God’s own is not on the other side.

~ Maureen :)

The 30 Day Challenge

April 1st. A new month. A clean slate. A new beginning. What will you do with it? I challenge you to do something out of the ordinary. Depending upon where you are on your journey with God will dictate which road you take. Are you young or older? Are you in a relationship with God already or do you need a nudge? Each one of us is somewhere different along our faith continuum.

But this is a “one size fits all” challenge: do one thing each day for the next 30 days that you will be doing for the express purpose of making God smile. You know, being God must not be the easiest job in the world. He could use a little cheering up I’m sure when He looks out upon His people to see some of the horrors of this world – His world. So let’s cheer Him up.

How do we cheer God up? I can hear the question through cyberspace. We do for others. Pick one “other.” Could be the same other for 30 days. Could be various others with whom you come into contact. Could be anyone at any time – friend or stranger, spouse or child. What will you do to make the life of another better? What are you, your very own self, willing to do to help the other? This is not something you would ordinarily do. For instance, I’m supposed to make dinner for my family. That’s a given. That doesn’t count. What would count is if I visited a neighbor sharing some of that dinner, or better yet, invited the neighbor here to share dinner and conversation. Unfortunately, in this world at this time one does not have to look very far at all to find someone who could benefit from a little TLC. Tender Loving Care? Or The Love of Christ? Same thing, don’t you think?

So the challenge is put to you. You can be happy that Lent is over and you can again eat meat on Fridays and settle back into your Christian “routine,” or you can take your faith a step further and BE Christ to the other.

Do the unexpected. Be bold in your thoughts, and your actions will follow. Be open to the presence of God for He is everywhere. You will find someone whose day can be brightened by your presence. Do you live with other people? Give them each a big fat kiss and tell them you love them. It’s as easy as that. If you live alone, pick up the phone and strike up a conversation with someone you’ve been neglecting due to your busy schedule. Give them 15 minutes. You have 15 minutes. You do. So do it! No excuses this time.

I wish you well in these next 30 days. Remember, all you have to do is make God smile one time every day. Good luck!

~Maureen :)

Trust Him – Love Him

Happy Easter Week!

I hope you all had a peace-filled Easter. Most of you moms were probably busy beyond belief, but what else is new? Perhaps on this Easter Monday you are finding some rest. I’m happy to say I am.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of spending time with family, two of whom were under eight months of age – my little great nieces. Since it has been a long time since my children were so young I took great joy in holding these little bundles of joy.

You forget how small they are, how cuddly, so innocent. And what struck me most about these little ones, and all little ones, is the fact that they are totally dependent upon their parents for everything. Food, clothing, warmth, amusement, love. I shudder to think what would happen if these little cuties were not cared for so well.

Obviously much separates us all from the animals – our intellect, our souls – and our total dependence on our parents. Think of young animals who can walk or swim right after they are born. Some creatures have just a snippet of time with their parents before they are off to fend for themselves. Not so with children. Good parents protect and nurture giving themselves completely to their young. And the babies learn to rely on their parents – for everything.

That’s how we should all be with God who is our Parent. He should be everything to us. Father, Mother, Brother, Sister, Confidant…the list is endless. If you have a good relationship, a faith, with God you should be able to rely on Him for all you need. You should think of Him first every day. You should expect goodness from your Father just as little babies expect goodness from their parents.

God has never let you down. When all is bleak you may think the world has let you down but you will always have a Friend in God – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. As you begin a newness with the Risen Christ this Easter Week, I encourage you to put all your confidence in God. Put your health and well-being, your finances, any and all worries you may have, your wishes and dreams into God’s hands. Talk to Him as you would talk to your most loving parent because that’s who He is – your most loving Parent. See what happens. The more you trust Him the more you love Him; the more you love Him the more you trust Him...

~Maureen :)

Every Single Blessed Day

Burying wishes under their needs
Staring in horror as the Son bleeds
Compelled to do what is morally right
Though insignificant compared to His plight

Wishing and hoping for dreams to come true
Unsure of life - unsure of You
Feeling futile as you give self away
Every single blessed day

So many poor ones
Too many who cry
So many needing
Why, God, oh why?

To get us to Heaven
Is that the trick?
Each good deed
Adds a paving brick?

Cementing the path
Is that the key?
To do what is right for all,
Not just me?

You can always say no when you tire
Jumping right down from your cross
You can throw in that towel
To recoup some of your loss

Or you could learn from the Master
And stay the course come what may
Giving more of self away
Every single blessed day

© 2006 Maureen Locher

May God be in your actions every moment of this Good Friday remembering all that He did for us.

~Maureen :)

Tears of a Mother

Drop by drop the tears spill out upon her cheek
Little spurts of sadness week after week
Quiet cries inflict the pain upon her heart
Until a new day begins and she must start
To do all that is expected of her
And say not a word

How will she watch Him day after day
Living and loving in that little boy way?
How will she do all for Him that she must
Instilling in Him faith, hope and trust
When all the while destiny draws near
And say not a word?

How will she steer Him on His clear course?
Who will be her unending source
Of wisdom and virtue and unending love
To teach her the values of God above?
For whom does she pray
Yet say not a word?

As her Boy grows into the Man
She can do more than anyone can
To ease His fear, to lift His eyes
To the Father above who also cries
In pain for the Son who must suffer
And still she says not a word

Why was she chosen to bear such a weight?
How will she live knowing His fate
Just waiting and watching until that day
When soldiers come to take Him away
To a death long foretold to save us all?
Yet all will watch and say not a word

©2006 Maureen Locher

How on earth did she do it?
~ Maureen :(

Look to God Now

Whenever you feel alone
Remember Jesus was alone
So you’re in good company

Whenever you feel despair
Remember Jesus in the Garden
All His friends fell asleep
He needed someone to talk to
He felt alone and sad just like you do
He talked to His Father
Try talking to yours

You question your fate
Jesus knew His which is infinitely worse
Jesus had to live to die
For sins He didn’t even commit
Jesus was a good person just like you
He served others just like you do
People always demanded more of Jesus
As people demand more of you
More miracles, more wine, more loaves, more fish - always more

Whenever life demands you must give more
Remember Jesus, and cheerfully give more
For who is to say what is enough
Except our heavenly Father?
One day it will be enough
God will whisper in your ear
When enough is enough
And you’ll open your eyes and you’ll see God
You’ll have the answers
You’ll feel the true joy of being in God’s company
Look to God now, so He’ll look for you later
© 2006 Maureen Locher

Cheerfully give this Holy Wednesday. God will see you and smile. He needs smiles this week for He remembers the past events of this week just as we remember.

~Maureen :)

Dear God,
In three days Your Child is going to die. He has been Your pride and joy, a model child His whole life, a most loving Boy. You have watched Him grow and learn and come into His own. You have 33 years of memories stored up of Him.

You were so elated when He was born You sent Your angels to welcome Him into this world. You were such a proud Papa. As Your Son grew in age, wisdom and grace your pride increased accordingly. He could do no wrong.

He was a friend to the less popular; He shared all He had with any in need; He didn't care what people thought of Him; He knew Who He was. He was Your Son and He never did one thing to tarnish the name You gave Him.

But a few weeks ago the tide turned. You felt that shift, didn't You? You saw. It seems Your Son is too good all of a sudden. People are becoming jealous of Him, and very fearful. Do You know they are plotting against Him? You could change their minds. You could turn their hearts of stone. You could make them see. Why aren't You? Why won't You help Your Son?

Soon people will falsely accuse this Boy of Yours, betray Him and deny His friendship. Your heart will break when they spit on Him, when they insult Him and beat Him. You only have three days left with Your Son.

They will humiliate Him. They will scourge Him over and over and over. And at some point during the torture of Your Son You will die inside. You will not be able to endure watching Your Son suffer so. But You will do nothing to stop it. They will crush the thorns deep into His flesh and hammer spikes into His hands and feet.

You will watch as they hang Your Son on a cross in three short days. You will see every drop of blood and hear every sigh, every groan. But You will be numb to it, helpless. Just when you think You cannot possibly endure one more second of your Son's suffering, You will hear Your Son's voice loud and clear, wracked with pain, accusing You of forsaking Him. And suddenly Your heart will be no more; it will be gone. Your Son will be no more; He will be gone.

Why will You let Your Son die, God? How can You? You have three days to do something about it. Please do it. Please stop it. Make them see.
Love,
Me

Dear Daughter,
I know what's coming, you are right. I will not stop it. "Make them see," you begged. Instead I will make you see. I will make you understand. Find your son. Look into his eyes. You will find your answer. You will see the reason I will let my Son die on Friday. What do you see?
Your loving Father

Dear God,
I see me in my son's eyes.
Love,
Me

Dear Daughter,
You have your answer. I have already made my choice. I cannot have My Son and you. I choose you. Love Me.


~Maureen :)

We Need God; He Doesn't Need Us

Jesus came for the common woman and the common man. He came for the ones who are searching, the ones who are lost and lonely. He came down to earth to suffer as we suffer. Not only the scourging and crucifixion but also to experience the deep down sadness and loneliness that fill so much of our lives.

What if Jesus had been the most happily of married men with lovely children and not a care in the world? No worries touched his life, no sickness, no disappointment, no sadness at all. Isn't it really hard to imagine that life as one belonging to Jesus?

Don't you always relate best to someone who has gone through what you are going through? If you are sad and searching, to whom could you better relate than Someone who could have had anything He wanted, anyone He wanted, yet He chose to remain alone? Jesus didn't have a wife to love. No little Jesuses to whom He could teach His carpentry trade. No little Marys gazing up at Him as if He were the greatest Man on the face of the earth.

Jesus could have had all that and more. A loving wife, children, a home. Instead He chose to live the life of a nomad never settling down, not calling anywhere "home."

Why would He do that? To show us all that we can survive alone because we are never really alone. That when we seek comfort we need only look up. That when we desire a confidant we need look no further than the end of a heartfelt prayer.

We need God; He doesn't need us. We are to rely on God for everything. That's what Jesus did. He relied upon His Father for everything. Jesus had a tunic, a robe and a pair of sandals, so we're told. Not closetsful of clothes. Not shelvesful of collectibles. No transportation except when He rode into Jerusalem. He walked everywhere He needed to go. He didn't carry a Nazareth knapsack filled with food. Remember that when God the Father enabled His Son Jesus to feed the multitudes, God was feeding His own Son as well. He was taking care of Him just as He takes care of all of us.

You may think you are calling the shots in your own life, but you are not; God is. Chances are the more you truly think you are in control, the more mucked up your life probably is. Let God control your life; He does it anyway. Rely on Him. Expect Him to take care of you. Welcome it and show your gratitude to Him at every opportunity.

This start of Holy Week go to your Father. Tell Him you love Him. Tell him you need Him. Ask Him what He wants you to do. Ask Him what He wants for you. And then listen and obey.

~Maureen :)

Our Lord's Passion in Mime

I just returned home from a mime presentation of the Passion of Our Lord. It is Palm Sunday as I write this. I am proud to say I successfully fooled three of my sons. What do you think of when you hear the word "mime"? I think of Marcel Marceau and of course, no speaking. Not exactly the most exciting event for a 22-year-old, a 20-year-old and a 17-year-old. My 18-year-old was working this evening.

Tonight's journey began this morning. You see, today was a day when we could not go to church together "as a family," as I often say. I went at 9:00 and my 18-year-old went with his dad at 11:00. Those other three boys of mine decided they didn't need to go to Mass today; instead they slept much of the day away. I was at a church function so when mom's away...

But mom came home. And mom was not happy. At 4:00 in the afternoon her three sons were still sleeping. She formulated a plan. She woke them for dinner. They ate together and then she began her diatribe. I believe she talked for a good half hour without stopping. Talked of the evils of missing Mass, and many other potential young men evils. She was on a roll. She had quite the captive audience because these boys are great guys, but sometimes they decide to assert that independence thing. And today they did it en masse.

As I finished my heavenly inspired sermon I informed them that since they missed Mass, they were going with me to the Stations of the Cross at 7:30 this evening. Tomorrow begins their Spring Break so they didn't have a leg to stand on as far as any objections would go, and we all knew it. Another point to add: they really love me and they knew I meant business.

They asked about the Stations of the Cross. I was vague. "How long do you think it will last?"

"Not sure."

"Why not? You've been to them before."

"Yeah, but not like this one." Evasion working.

As we arrive at church many cars are already in the parking lot. My guys are amazed at this and persist in their questions.

"Geez, why so many cars?"

"I don't know."

And then my oldest son spots kids inside with paint on their faces. "What is this? The mime?"

"Yes." And in we went. They felt hoodwinked but I cared not. We were there.

And it began. As the first group of eighth graders pranced down the aisle complete with face make-up and wielding streamers I thought, "Oh no - they're going to start laughing." And then like a gift from God our priest came and sat right in front of my men. My worries were over. They wouldn't dare snicker. And the show continued.

It may take much reflection and many rewrites to do justice to what I saw tonight; I will never forget it. Here's an abbreviated version. The performers were eighth graders! I wasn't watching three minutes before my eyes were tearing up. And on and on it went through the horrific story we all know so well. Beautiful music with haunting words, exceptional performances, feeling beyond words. We watched as "Jesus" was baptized, cured the sick, and entered Jerusalem until He began His Passion. I never looked at my boys once throughout the entire 1 1/2 hours. I couldn't take my eyes off Jesus. By now the tears were rolling down my cheeks but I didn't care.

I watched, entranced, as Jesus was carried to His tomb by His believers/betrayers/beloved. For this production our church's altar was simply gone. Gone. Where did it go? I didn't even know it could be moved. But it was gone, and in its place the tomb: a table. And on this table Jesus was most reverently placed and covered completely with a white cloth.

There He was offered up on the table: the Lamb of God. He had been taken, blest, broken and given to us all. This young man, this boy not yet in high school, lying under a sheet. I'm sure by this time the church is back in its proper order; the altar replaced. But I know without one shred of doubt in my heart that every single day for the rest of my life as I gather around that altar to partake of the Body and Blood of Christ, I will see that boy's body, Jesus' Body.

As their final farewell, the players silently walked around the church, most of them truly crying, not acting, and each walked into a pew in front of every person there. They rubbed their own cheeks which were full of facepaint removing some of it and gently rubbed the cheeks of every person in attendance while looking into our eyes as if they were wise beyond their years.

My boys and I left the church without a sound; I cried all the way home. They were silent. We entered our house with the traces of facepaint still upon our cheeks. No one had made a move to remove it or was it that no one dared remove it?

We all knew we were in the presence of God this evening and we brought Him home.

~Maureen

The Tenacity of the Towel

Do you ever feel like you're just hanging out there? Not really attached to very much at all? Like a towel that's been hung on the clothesline to dry, battered about by the wind all day long until it is barely hanging on by the pinch of a clothespin? What options does our little windblown friend have?

Well, it could stay on the line being whipped about on the breeze. It could stretch itself out from under the restrainst of the one remaining clothespin hurling its flat self to the ground at the mercy of the next great gust of wind. Pretty scary for the little guy. A curious critter could haul it away to parts unknown. The wind could increase sending it up, up and away. Could be forever tangled on a tree branch. Could soar like an eagle seeing sights it had only imagined. Poor little fellow doesn't know what to do.

Or our little friend could just wait. It could try with all its might to hang on until the two familiar strong hands come to release it, to smooth it and soothe it, momentarily holding it against a big beating heart, breathing in the freshness of it. Next those hands will fold it ever so gently and place it in amongst the other cared for friends cradled in the sturdy wicker basket.

Today on your journey I wish you the tenacity of the towel. Wait for Him. Hold on. He'll come.

~Maureen :)

Try, Try Again

I just wrote a blog and for no apparent reason it disappeared. You cannot imagine the restraint I am using in not slamming down the top of my laptop. However, I did that once on a used laptop I'd had that had been giving me lots of trouble. Well, after that slam it didn't give me anymore trouble; I killed it! And forever were my words lost in the process. So I've learned a lesson of sorts with that experience. Patience is a virtue, so I've heard.

Sometimes I think patience is only meant to go so far though. Patience to the extreme can be a bad thing. Patience has its opposite in change, and most times change is very hard but very necessary for one's life. Status quo never really has a very good connotation. It implies stagnation. Are you experiencing stagnation in your life right now? Do you wish to be doing something you have not yet found the time or money or inclination to do? Do you just need a shot of courage? Too bad we can't walk down the Yellow Brick Road to Oz to get that shot of courage. Do you feel like the Cowardly Lion at times in your life?

What can you do about your circumstance today to make it better? Can you surf the Web to find answers or ideas? Can you call a trusted friend to ask her opinion? Do you have a quiet place in your house where you can go to ask God for some much needed guidance? Today, instead of patience, I wish you the courage to do just one small, yet important, thing. Steal the Nike motto and just do it. Remember if at first you don't succeed...
~Maureen :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

The title says it all: I wish you happiness this Valentine's Day. And happiness does not necessarily come tied around a dozen yellow roses. Or hidden in a box of overpriced candy. Or, or, or...

Yesterday I sat down to write a few valentines. My heart was not in it. Not in it at all. I actually put them aside. But then I thought, "This person will be really happy to receive this tomorrow and how much actual effort does it take?" So I picked up my pen and wrote and licked and stamped and sent. (Similar to took, blest, broke and gave, don't you think?) And I'm glad I did. I gave something of myself even though I didn't feel like it. Do you think Jesus WANTED to die for our sins? Do you think He woke up each morning knowing exactly what was ahead of Him jumping for joy at the prospect of starting His day? No. But He did it. He did it for us.

Just like everything else in life, it's not what you get or how YOU feel on this Valentine's Day or any given day; it's what you give. So give, just give - spread some joy today. A little bit of valentine joy goes a long way. Go make your heart happy by making someone else's happy. Happy Heart Day!

~Maureen :)

Will You Walk the Walk?

It's bitter cold in these parts right now. Quite unlike the climate in Jesus' whereabouts way back when. Nowadays people move at a frantic pace; back then more leisurely, I think. But 2000 years ago we did not have antibiotics or washing machines - two wonderful creations. I do not wish to live in Jesus' time. At least I don't think I do.

I always like to think that I would never be the one to yell, "Crucify Him." I refuse to do so during the Passion on Palm Sunday. I would hope I'd be a Mary Magdalene, but one never knows, does one? Would I really have the guts to buck the system and drop everything to follow Jesus if He asked me?

I'll let you in on an incident that happened at my house two weeks ago after Mass: For various reasons people were all in VERY bad moods after Mass. (Except me, of course.) So we head home, downward spiraling as we near our home sweet home. We arrive. The meanness and stupidity continue until I have had enough, and I scream in the middle of my dining room so all are sure to hear, "So where's the peace of Christ in this house?" (Remember, I am screaming these words. Crazy, huh?) I continue, "If Jesus came right now and asked me to go with Him I'd leave children, husband, nets, everything - and go."

But would I? Would I really?

I think I made my point. It took its toll on me though. I think being a disciple of Christ is one of the hardest things to do well. Note I said "well." Anyone can, as they say, talk the talk, but will you walk the walk? No matter what?

When you think of me think of me as a nearly empty vessel. God has systematically been presenting me with challenges which have gotten progressively harder. A few days ago I knew there was only one way to go, and that was up.

And so I asked God to begin filling me up with only the things He wants in me. Thankfully and finally, He has begun doing just that. Every one of my days is like a mini-play. There are only two central characters: God and me. Everyone else and everything else are secondary. They play bit parts in this life of Ours.

The Bible tells us Jesus was not accepted in His own hometown; sometimes I feel the same way. I think many here think I've jumped off the deepend into the Jesus pool. To me I'm just better for it, but they wonder, I'm sure. I can't worry about what they think though. Sometimes I simply brush their dust from my figurative sandals and go on.

So would I leave all to follow Jesus if I lived in His time? I don't know, but I know I'm trying in my time. Send a little prayer my way, will you, please? I'll return the kindness.
~Maureen :)

God's Will Is Always Goodwill

Hey, I'm back. You must be too if you're reading this. Were you able to carve out 15 minutes for you and God today? Did He speak to you? Did you recognize Him in the kind word of a friend or were you God to another with your kind word? Either way you're on the right track.

That's all most of us can do, I think - start small. One friend to one friend. Ladies, do you remember that Herbal Essences Shampoo commercial many years ago: "She tells two friends, then they tell two friends...?" Pretty soon the TV screen was filled with tons of little faces, all begun from one friend who had some good news to tell.

Well, I think that this Good News is certainly more important than what shampoo you use. So tell two friends. You need not spout Bible verse. Simply smile at them. Ask them how their day is going. TV commercials must be my theme today because I am reminded of the current ad from Liberty Mutual. I love this ad! It's the one where one person helps another, a third person witnesses the good deed and continues the chain of good will. I love everything about that commercial: the conveyed thoughts of helping, the music, all of it.

So when you ask yourself tomorrow morning what God's will is for you, remember that God's will is always goodwill. There is no bad will from God. So, go tell two friends...

~Maureen :)

Crunchy Ashes

Did you feel the crunchy ashes glide across and down your forehead today? Were you a visible reminder to all you met that we have begun a very special time of reflection for the next 40-something days? Are you giving up things this Lent or are you giving more? Or a combination of both? Enough questions.

When I look at the many and varied people in my life I can be in their presence for a very short time before knowing for whom they are living at any particular moment - whether it be living to do God's will or their own will.

I look at my own children. There is a life I want for each of them. I want them to learn the things I have been learning these past few years of daily Mass and attention to God's will in my life. But I can't force it on them. They must choose it. They are all old enough. I am greatly disappointed that none of them opted to go to Mass today to receive ashes. Why should it be an option? But it is. Everything in our lives is an option; it's called free will. Yet another instance of God's genius.

Ash Wednesday is so much more than being smeared with the burnt palms. It's a solid beginning to a time of reflection. In today's non-stop pace I wish for my boys and for all of you readers to take the time to slow down. If one doesn't avidly seek a slowdown it will never come. Unless perhaps God decides to intervene to seriously slow you down and in my experience that's usually a little scary - until you fully realize God's purpose.

So what is God's purpose for your life right now? Do you have a pretty good handle on it or are you clueless? Everybody must start somewhere, so clueless is OK - for now, if that's where you truly are.

Maybe you do not have the luxury of attending daily Mass; I consider it a great gift from God and I hope I must never live without it. Mass centers me. That's the key to a worthwhile day which, before you know it, turns into a wonderful life, George Bailey!

Too many people don't have a clue as to what God wants to do with their lives. Many simply do not care. They don't ask Him. Find that quiet time. Steal it if you must, but find 15 minutes a day if that's all you can muster.

Ask God what He wants you to do and look and listen all day long for His answers. You will be amazed at the ways in which He replies, and how frequently. It's scary and freaky and fun and awesome all at the same time. Do it and you'll begin a frienship for life - the Friendship that is life.

Happy Ash Wednesday! Find that time tomorrow. Come back. I'll be here. I promise.

~Maureen :)

Willpower - Whose Power?

Willpower. Today is a Saturday with nothing of great consequence on the horizon. So as I looked at the clock around 6:30 this morning I stayed snuggled under the covers and thought. I love the time before the sun comes up. I love the dark. Once the first streak of light brightens the sky it's just not the same.

So God and I talked about many things. For some reason the word "willpower" flashed into my mind. Now when I think of willpower the first thing that comes to mind is food and exhibiting willpower to resist food. But this New Year I made no such resolutions. In fact this year I made no resolutions of any kind. They don't work. And you know why they don't work? Because I am not resolute about my resolutions.

"Marked by firm determination," Merriam Webster's dictionary defines resolute. I guess I've just never had that firm determination for any resolution I've ever made. Nothing I've ever come up with seemed to matter all that much to me in the long run. And aren't resolutions supposed to be about the long run? Losing weight, doing this, not doing that - who cares?

Curiously, a synonym for resolute is "faithful." I can relate to that word. As I lay in bed this morning that's what I thought about. How can I do what I'm supposed to do to stay faithful - to do what God what's me to do? Then and there is how I thought of willpower in a different light. In a different light in the dark.

Whose will are we talking about in willpower? Whose will are we attempting to assign the power? If it's our will chances are we will fail. But if it's God's will He'll give us all the power we will ever need to succeed. So tomorrow as you lie in bed ask God what His will is for you just for that one day. Don't ask Him to lay out your life in front of you. That's not showing true faith. If you knew all the answers ahead of time what would be the point? I sure don't want a crystal ball. Sometimes I may act as if I do but that's when I'm not aligned to God's will. When I get to thinking too much I get into trouble.

Whatever is going to happen is going to happen. Whatever God wants to happen will happen. His power will make it happen. Yes, we all have free will - yet another "will" word. Free will, God's will, willpower. These are connected. Use your free will to choose God's will and God will give you the willpower to carry it out. Try it tomorrow. Continue it into all your tomorrows.
~Maureen :)

Why Do We Do What We Do?

As I sit here contemplating what God wants me to do today, I am compelled to write to you. I listen to God all the time now. I never used to be able to say that. It has been a process. A process that has taken me many decades, but I'm here now and that's what counts. I read another blog today which really has me thinking. I encourage you to click over to http://momwriterslitmag.typepad.com/ to look at Dionna Sanchez's blog entitled, "All I Have to Be," from January 23, 2008.

You see, I too, am a people pleaser. I want most people to like me. Only recently have I realized that admiration by others is not one of Jesus' top tens. You won't hear that proclaimed in weeks to come in churches. You will hear the Beatitudes and "being liked" is not one of the Beatitudes. Neither is admiration which is really what we are seeking when we strive to be liked.

One of the things that struck me the most about Dionna's words was the fact that Jesus wasn't liked by everybody back in His time and likewise is not liked in the present day by many people. Jesus! I mean, c'mon, this is Jesus for crying out loud! That thought is a very freeing concept for me. That says to me, "Just do it. You have a good head on your shoulders. You've long known the difference between right and wrong. Don't care what other people think. Do it because you feel it's what God wants you to do."

"Doing" for others is the major concept in the Beatitudes but I think it bears merit to ask yourself why you are doing what you are doing? Is it for the greater glory of God or is it for your greater glory - to be liked and admired? Your motive is key here.

With the season of Lent nearly upon us (I thought we just celebrated Christmas!) I know I am going to be doing lots and lots of thinking about why I do what I do. Is it for God's glory or for mine? Hopefully I can answer that question honestly and act accordingly.

~Maureen :)

Be the Prayer

Prayer. Is this a thing or a person? Is it something you do, as in, "I said a prayer"? Or is it someone: A pray-er, one who prays? Or is it both? Did you know you can be a prayer and a pray-er all day long? Have you ever tried?

Try it. Tomorrow when you wake up, in your first conversation of the day with God, tell Him you will offer your entire day up to Him. It's way better than reciting prayers all day long. This way you are the prayer. It's a hands-on way to pray.

Every single time you do something good you have already offered it up to God as a present. Think of all the gifts God gives you every day. Don't you think He'd like to get some back every so often? So try it tomorrow. Be the prayer.

Maureen :)

Feathers Not Bricks

I guess this is the time when I put my money where my mouth is. I feel rotten. I have been sick for days now, went to the doctor only to be told I must rest for four to five days without benefit of antibiotics. So here I am - just me and my letter to God:

What is it You want of me, God? What am I supposed to be learning from this? I have gone through the poor me mentality which is so crazy because so many people are way worse off than I am. I know this, but I still feel crummy. Why am I suffering now? What good is to come of this? Patience? Am I to learn patience? Am I to realize true gratitude for my restored health once it's restored? Each day I suppose I feel a teeny bit better, but still bad.

I'm trying not to yell at those around me even though I really feel like it. Are You teaching me restraint, God? What other virtues must I learn? That's a scary thought. I'm not exactly in the most receptive mood. What else shall be coming my way? You've been known to use the power of plagues in the past. Maybe could we bypass those in this modern day; keep them buried in the past? I can be a quick study when I want to be. Throw all the feathers You want at me, but please withhold the bricks.

You know I like to write. Are you disguising this illness as a means for me to slow down and grab the opportunity to write? Is the sickness merely the wrapping paper and bow with the true gift inside the pretty box being hours of writing? Is that it? Then I really should be thanking You, so thank You.

Am I simply supposed to take the time to look around and appreciate what I already have been given by You? There is absolutely no comparison to the wonders You have bestowed upon me compared to the poverty and abuse so many of Your children must endure on a daily basis. I complain too much. Maybe not so much anymore to others, but in my head and heart I'm still a complainer. And who hears the sounds of my head and heart? Yep, just You. I'm sorry.

I will sincerely try to be better - BE better - not feel better. Only You can restore my health, so while I'm laid up I will filter my heart and mind sounds so as to not hurt Your feelings, and open up the listening avenues to hear Your wishes for me.

'Member God, feathers, not bricks - pretty please with sugar and honey on top? I'll be good.

Love,
Me :)