Praying for President Obama

I just LOVE this idea.  CatholicCulture.org is sponsoring “a thirty-day perpetual Rosary for the Obama administration, that it may be animated by an authentic perception of the Good, which will also lead it to oppose intrinsic evils such as abortion, euthanasia, fetal stem cell research, human cloning and homosexual marriage.”

If you’d like to sign up for a time slot in the Obama Rosary, click here:  Obama Rosary

History in the Making….

HT:  Enjoy the Journey

Love at First Sight…..

I only saw his face for the first time today and already I’m smitten. 

More thoughts on Advent…..

….can be found here.

HT:  Elizabeth Foss

Advent is here. How Will You Prepare?

Choosing Joy

Today was one of those days I had to wake up and choose joy rather than despair. Yesterday our country elected a man who believes the current contents of my uterus (a 12 week baby) does not need protection. It grieves my heart to no end. I used to have a bit of disdain for “one issue voters”. Maybe I thought they were unable or unwilling to see a bigger picture – whatever I thought that was. Having heard some POWERFUL homilies over the past few weeks however, I now understand that a pro-life vote isn’t just about the baby – although that in itself would be enough. It’s about a fundamental belief of the meaning and value of life – not just for babies but for any persons unable to speak for themselves – all created in the image of the same God and all needing our protection.

A couple of the runninggals came home from a tennis lesson this evening feeling very disturbed about some conversations they had there. A few of the other kids were being very verbal about their support of Obama and their belief that a woman should be able to choose; that the contents of my belly isn’t yet a human being because it can’t think for itself. So that’s what it comes down to, huh? If you aren’t able to think for yourself then your life isn’t worth squat. This requirement for a worthwhile life would put a lot of senior citizens, mentally handicapped, newborn babies, AND hormonal teenagers in a heap of trouble, don’t ‘ya think?!

Fortunately, here in the Runningmom household, “Christmas music season” begins every year on November 1st. Yep, you read right, “O, Come Emmanuel” is already blaring around here and will continue through Epiphany. Today, the carol du ‘jour was “Joy To the World” and how fitting a song for this day.

“Joy to the world, the Lord has come……….“

Therein lies our hope. The Lord has come. He has died and IS risen. He reigns supreme from His throne. He is unchanging. He is the author and defender of life. And so we cling to Him – in His Word, in His Church, in His Sacraments. And we pray for our leaders, whomever they may be, that our Lord would show Himself to them and have mercy on them.

Let your voice be heard today – there’s a lot riding on this one….

A Sacred Assignment

I’ve been commissioned by Our Lord for a very special assignment and believe me when I say it WON’T involve running! Typically, assignments such as this have an initial phase of about 9 months and then a lifetime after that. Sometimes, however, the assignment ends a bit sooner and a bit differently than expected. Either way, however, the sacred priviledge of participating in God’s creation of life is just that. A priviledge. An undeserved gift. Either way, we cling to Jesus to fill us with the grace to press on through the joy, pain, and suffering.

I’ve been on similar assignments quite a few times before and was always filled with joy at learning the news. This time feels different though. Still joyful but very, very different. As a Catholic, living open to life and understanding just a little more each day of God’s exceedingly abundant generosity to me in the Sacraments, I am almost speechless that the Author of Life would allow us the joy of participating with Him in creating life. I almost tremble at the awe of it. We’ve been praying for this gift for years. This time, however, we sought the prayers of some individuals we had never sought before. This time, whenever I receive the Eucharist, Jesus’s body and blood are not only feeding me but the life inside of me as well. Something about that makes this time very, very different.

I know there are many of the world who would scoff at my sentiments. I’m reminded of the cashier at our local Food Lion Grocery:

“I’d rather have 6 boys than 4 girls!” (spoken as she surveyed me standing there with my 4 lovely Runninggals who were watching and listening to her with wide eyes)

..and she went on….

“I’d rather have 6 boys than 2 girls! It’s not worth the trouble.” (said with a heightened tone to emphasize her point)

(Thank you dear grocery store lady for planting the seed in my dear girls’ hearts that some would think many children are too much trouble. Thank you also for the reminder to keep you in my prayers.)

And there’s this which nearly breaks my heart to read. I don’t think it needs any further elaboration.

Like I said, I’ve been on such assignments before. One, however, was lost before I ever knew her face. That’s always a risk we take being open to God’s plan for us – that he might allow us to suffer. I’m reminded of a post on this blog quite a while ago. Still, it is Him, not my own comfort or security, that I seek. I have experienced his faithfulness and generosity to me for much of my life but even more, and at a much more intimate level, since fully experiencing Him in the Eucharist. His grace is sufficient.

If you’re interested in keeping tabs on this most current “project”, I’ve added a fun little something on my sidebar.

On another note, I’ve thought often in the past few months of closing down this blog. Life is so full and there’s little time to dedicate to reading and writing. I overheard a conversation recently, however, that reminded me I still have much to say. Just don’t know quite when I’ll get around to saying it!  I’m pretty sure it won’t be until the time when food is more appealing and I don’t require 9 sleep at night! 

Holy Saturday

I vividly remember Holy Saturday of one year ago. It was April 7th, a beautiful spring morning….and there was SNOW on the ground! It was unbelievable. I took it as a sign of the incredible things to come later that day.

I have no way of knowing how many of you who stop by here will be welcomed into the Church this weekend. But for those who are coming in, you have my constant prayers today and tomorrow. I still remember the butterflies in my stomach. For many, the butterflies may be accompanied by doubt. I’m praying against that for you. For some, there is grieving of friends you have lost along the journey. I’m praying for our Lord to supply your every need. God may be asking some of you to take a step of faith because it still doesn’t all make sense to you. I’m praying for you to know his strong presence with every step.

I have said it before but I’ll say it again. It. Is. Worth. It. You’ll not regret this decision – hard as it may have been to make. He will meet you in it.

He is waiting.

The apostles, saints, and martyrs of old are waiting.

We’re all (the Church Militant, the Church Expectant, the Church Triumphant) waiting……..to welcome you to the table.

Have a glorious Easter!

Brief Family Update

Thank you to everyone who has offered prayers for our family.  We lost my father-in-law on Monday, St. Patrick’s Day.  That same day, my own husband was hospitalized for a small bowel obstruction.  (He is recovering nicely.) As one of our fine priests said, the Lord has given my family our own “Lent” to walk through.  The sting of death has been very real.  We all long for the day when there will be no more mourning or weeping and we are thankful to know the One who overcame death.  Thanks be to God.