Change in oneself is often difficult to pinpoint. Growth can seem nearly nonexistent. Sometimes it is only after a decent length of time that we can begin to point out areas where we are different. Ah-ha! Something has changed! Finally! Continue reading “Change”
As school draws near and I find myself mentally preparing for a new year, I feel a growing excitement. It is mixed, however, with the knowledge that once this roller-coaster starts, it will not truly end until May. So I am saying a sad goodbye to sleeping in, staying up late, and not repeating myself fifteen times.
A few days ago, as melancholics are apt to do, I was reflecting on death. Particularly on my death. And how I don’t know when it will happen. It could be seventy years or this week. I have hopes and dreams about getting married and having a family, but those may never be fulfilled. Perhaps, I mused, perhaps I haven’t met the man I will marry because there isn’t one. Perhaps I don’t get married. Perhaps there is not much life left for me. Continue reading “The Vocation of the Present”
Thoughts for this day:
The God who created this vast universe with numerous solar systems and millions of planets and stars, also created the intricate design found within each cell in our body.
Sometimes a pan of sliced almonds set on broil (and forgotten about for eight or so minutes) will start a fire. And it will cause you to call your dad into the room who will blow out the fire and dump out the ruined almonds. It will also be a good dose of humility and remind your mom that things don’t matter–because you ruined her lovely new baking sheet. Continue reading “Monday Thoughts”
The way the crisp blue sky meets fields of golden wheat. A gentle breeze after a day of heavy humidity. Long gravel roads ensconced in tall prairie grass. The finishing touches on a three-course meal. A lazy game of bean bags while waiting for pizza to be delivered. The grace of hugging a sibling after a couple years of no physical contact. Aromatic coffee beans, freshly ground and nestled in the coffee maker. Surprise free iced coffee on a warm afternoon. Casual sushi at my house. Kisses from my adorable nephew. Cheering on my nephew as he conquers bicycle sans training wheels.
Glimpses of beauty from a week in July.
A couple weeks ago, I made a trip to my parents’ house to celebrate the 4th of July with a nice homecooked meal (and since I didn’t want to be eating leftovers for the next while, I needed more than one person at the meal). While my dad was outside, my sister and I were working on the meal as my mom looked through some mail. We were chatting about different things and my mom was reading a letter from an organization defending religious liberty. She mentioned that 100-something people were killed in a horrible manner recently in a country in the Middle East. I don’t remember specifics. I just remember how I felt.
My heart ached. She finished her sentence and I asked if we could talk about something else…and then I just broke. Continue reading “Pursuit of Peace”
For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sinning. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrew 4:15-16)
One of the first times I really heard this passage, several things about it struck me as completely perfect for my life in that moment. And even if I don’t remember the specific state of my life, I am able to point to several parts of this passage that have a perennial blast of truth. Continue reading “Receive Mercy”
I’m reading City of Saints: A Pilgrimage to John Paul II’s Krakow and really enjoying it. (When I finish, I will post a book review.) Yesterday I read part of St. John Paul II’s speech to the youth during his first pastoral pilgrimage to Poland as pope. It was beautiful, so I decided to pass it along. Continue reading “Know Christ”
A group of atheists in my town is spending money to buy billboard space to convince people there is nothing. The only other group that quickly comes to mind that spends so much time and money to prove that there is nothing are those fiercely for abortion.
The atheist group has chosen to utilize one of the best arguments for there not being a God: evil and suffering exist. The billboard points to the millions who died in World War II as evidence of there being nobody who heard the prayers of the Christians and Jews. It is a compelling argument. Nearly everyone can point to an instance in their life or in the life of someone they know that seems to not mesh with a good and all-loving God. But what if the state of the world pointed more to the depravity of which mankind is capable rather than the non-existence of God? Continue reading “The Need for Reform”
“What do your parents do?”
“My dad is a retired firefighter and now drives people at a retirement home. My mom stayed home with us when we were young and now works as a receptionist at a clinic.”
“Hmm. I thought it would be something different…I thought your dad would be a politician or something.”
“Nope. My dad is pretty ordinary.”
Some of the people at the table laugh and one says that the next time he sees my dad, he will tell him that I said he is ordinary.
“What did they do to teach the faith? Did you go to daily Mass?”
“No. We prayed the rosary sometimes and usually prayers at night. My parents just talked about the faith very openly and we always went to Mass on Sunday. My parents are pretty ordinary. They just did what they were supposed to: they were our primary educators in the faith.” Continue reading “Ordinary”
My parents never placed great emphasis on having things. We were far from impoverished, but I grew up knowing that we wouldn’t have the newest and latest gadget or toy. The car I drove throughout high school was fondly nicknamed “The Beast,” largely because it was old, rusty, and muffler-less. Our go-to cups for my niece and nephews are the cleaned out Kraft cheese spread glass containers from the many cheese balls my mom has made over the years. Our compost buckets are emptied out ice cream pails and it is a struggle to remember a time when my parents let me throw away food from my supper plate.
Although these stories of my thrifty parents are nothing compared to my grandparents’ stories (the masters of frugal living, I believe), it was different from the way that many others in my generation grew up. I am at the younger end in my family and so most of my high school friends had parents who were significantly younger. Depending on how you break up generations, my older siblings could belong to a different generation than me. Whatever the reason, I grew up knowing that things can provide only so much happiness. Continue reading “In Defense of Travel”
Seeking After His Heart 