Month: March 2020

Posted on

Extraordinary

“Extraordinary people survive under the most terrible circumstances and they become more extraordinary because of it.” 

― Robertson Davies

Yes, we are living in extraordinary times.

I began my day today by saying a prayer for our world while lighting a votive candle.

I was surprised at how much comfort this gave me.

Maybe it would be for you, too?

Memorare       

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,

that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,

implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.

Inspired with this confidence,

I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.

To thee I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate,

despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me.  Amen.

I am…

B…simply being. 

~Peace~

 

Posted on

Warnings

“Fear is a part of life. It’s a warning mechanism. That’s all. It tells you when there’s danger around. Its job is to help you survive. Not cripple you into being unable to do it.” 

― Jim Butcher, Dead Beat

These days our world changes by the hour.

I’m torn between limiting my exposure to world events and wanting/needing to know all the latest developments. Do I get my news first thing in the morning and dampen my entire day or do I wait until the evening and risk a restless night?

I’ve chosen the evening which means I can listen with a glass of wine.

I’m not relying on that alone, though. I’ve added a second coping mechanisim–prayer.

It’s my usual practice to fall back on my Catholic background. This experience is no exception.

I am thankful I have Pope Francis to lean on right now.

Pope Francis’ Prayer to Mary during the coronavirus pandemic 

O Mary,

you always shine on our path

as a sign of salvation and of hope.

We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,

who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm.

You, Salvation of the Roman People,

know what we need,

and we are sure you will provide

so that, as in Cana of Galilee,

we may return to joy and to feasting

after this time of trial.

Help us, Mother of Divine Love,

to conform to the will of the Father

and to do as we are told by Jesus,

who has taken upon himself our sufferings

and carried our sorrows

to lead us, through the cross,

to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.

Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.

I am…

B…simply being. 

~Peace~

Posted on

Tough Times

“Tough times don’t last, tough people do, remember?” 

― Gregory Peck

Just when I thought our world couldn’t get any crazier–it does.

Michael and I watch from our house on the hill as Covid-19 forces our community and our world in directions no one could have predicted. National and state news conferences appear to be the new normal, updating us on the how many new cases there are across the country and how many have lost their fight. It eerily reminds me of the Viet Nam death tolls I remember as a kid back in the 60’s.

I’m not sure where all this will take us. I do know we Americans are very strong, very smart, and very tenacious. It seems we do our best under stress–it brings the best out in us–I feel a sense of unity similar to those days immediately after 9-11.

This experience will force us all to change the way we do things–from doctor visits to going out to dinner. Telemedicine will be used and fine tuned very quickly now that Medicare will pay for those visits. Communities are working on ways to lessen the financial impact to local businesses. The city of Austin, Texas, just passed a city ordinance allowing alcoholic drinks to be part of takeout orders. I’m thinking that would never, ever have happened without this level of economic stressor. With the required time off work, many employees will get some much needed rest and down time. Maybe these rested souls will return to the work place with a renewed appreciation for their work. Maybe families will actually get to have quality time together not sandwiched between soccer and dance practice? Maybe we will get to know that lady across the street?

Maybe I’m an optimist?

It’s very hard to watch and not help. I’m telling myself the best thing I can do is stay home and stay well. I can pray for those working hard to find the answers we all need to fight this virus and those working hard caring for the sick. I worry and pray for my friends who are healthcare providers.

Pope Francis and other religious leaders have called for world prayer. As a way of doing this, I’ll be sharing some prayers over the next few posts–some old some new.

Please join me in praying for ourselves, our families, our friends, and our world.

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument
of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred,
let me sow charity;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, truth;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light; and Where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood as to understand; To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; And it is in dying to ourselves that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

I am…

B…simply being. 

~Peace~

Posted on

Hanging On

“Worry is most often a prideful way of thinking that you have more control over life and its circumstances than you actually do.” 

― June Hunt

These past few weeks have been a roller coaster ride for all of us.

Hang on, my friends. I’m thinking we’ve entered unmapped territory.

In my sixty plus years on this planet I’ve seen Americans pull each other up and through a lot of unimaginable things. I have faith in us and believe we can do anything–especially when we add prayer.

“..when someone says “please pray for me,” they are not just saying “let’s have lunch sometime.” They are issuing an invitation into the depths of their lives and their humanity- and often with some urgency. And worry is not a substitute for prayer. Worry is a starting place, but not a staying place. Worry invites me into prayer. As a staying place, worry can be self-indulgent, paralyzing, draining, and controlling. When I take worry into prayer, it doesn’t disappear, but it becomes smaller.” 

― Sybil MacBeth, Praying in Color: Drawing a New Path to God

I am…

B…simply being.

~Peace~

Thank you, Deb Henderson, for letting me use one of your wonderful pictures today. You are always so generous. I wish you and your family many blessings. 

Posted on

Mom Prayers

“The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.” 

― Soren Kierkegaard

In this self proclaimed year of “self,” I’ve found great comfort in prayer.

For me, the most soothing are the prayers I remember from my childhood–those prayers practiced and memorized while sitting beside my mom. Today, as I’ve done for the past sixty-something years, I began my day with the following:

Good Morning, dear Jesus, this day is for you. I ask you to bless all I think, say, and do. Amen.

Angel of God

My guardian dear

To whom God’s love

Commits me here

Ever this day

Be at my side

To light

To guard

To rule

To guide. 

Amen.

I am…

B…simply being.

~Peace~

 

 

%d bloggers like this: