Believing

Friends of Faith:

Why is it that we sometimes have such a difficult time acting on the beliefs of our moral faith, as strongly as we identify in our belief of God?

Could it be that we just get too busy in this “culture of stuff” and don’t take time to exercise our faith belief?

I am often torn between the treasurers of God’s world and a world which includes both the fulfillment of human treasures and the trials of “being tested” in my faith.

In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Pt 1: 3-9

It is difficult to maintain our lives in this world while searching and yearning for God’s. Yet, this should be our goal… to live in this world making it God’s world. With Jesus as our example: to love one another, as Christ loved us; by giving our lives for each other; by doing God’s will even though it may not be what I might want for myself (“My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” Mt 26:39)

The disciples, too, even though Jesus lived in their midst, were tested, tried, and failed to recognize, live, believe, and always do what Jesus asked of them.

Simon Peter denied Christ three times; the disciples on the road to Emmaus didn’t recognize him and Thomas asked to touch Christ to “prove” his existence.

Yet, like them I am asked to have the faith to believe in a power higher than myself, like them I am asked to pray unceasingly, to have the trust to get out of the boat and meet Jesus on the water,and to sustain myself with the food He provides (in nature and in the Eucharist).

I can’t control the world around me, so God is constantly giving me signs that He, through the Spirit, and in Christ’s example is with me everywhere I turn: in all of nature (thru the rain that waters the food grown to sustain us),and in all of life (thru children and grandchildren who continue our family).

Although science thinks they can control, choose, and imitate life and nature, we will not find everlasting joy and peace until we truly believe and trust in the mercy of God: in the elements we cannot touch: the wind (Spirit), the sun (Son), and the rain (Baptism of God).

And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” Lk 24: 30-32

My conscience burns with moral truth. My heart burns with internal knowledge of His will. But my eyes aren’t always open to see and my ears don’t always listen. That is the choice I am given by God, to believe in this world, or to believe in His living Word.

God is in charge of the growing and the feeding of both my body and my soul. He is ultimately in charge of my life if I will trust Him to have power over me. And it is in that giving up of my own self, that I find ultimate peace and happiness.

They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. Acts 2: 42-47

God, You are power and mercy, You are in control. Help me to believe and to give up the life I think I want, for the beauty of the life you give me, even when I can’t or don’t recognize the gifts I am being given. Thank you for the people you have put in my life that allow me to see you and help me to be a person that allows others to see you through me. In faith I trust, I believe. Amen.

Believe. God is providing us all that we need. Find the faith to trust in all that He is and has provided.

Blessings,

Charlotte

Is There another way?

Women of Faith:

Have you ever been given advice or told something which you didn’t particularly want to hear, or had a difficult time believing? Have you ever asked: “Is there another way?”

Or have you simply gone your own way and ignored the advice you were given – thinking “I know better?”Did you fail to believe the advice, or fail to trust that another person was going to fulfill their side of the bargain?

When Zechariah exhibited a lack of trust and disbelief in what he was told he was struck “speechless” (an angel appeared and told him his wife Sarah was going to have a baby in her old age). In Sunday’s gospel (Lk 1: 57-66) his speech returned after the birth of John the Baptist, Sarah’s nine months of pregnancy; and when he finally trusted in God’s word: that “his name will be John.”

We are warned many times in the bible to repent, trust and follow God: “Although prophets were sent to them to convert them to the LORD, the people would not listen to their warnings.” Chronicles 2:24 17-25

And though the LORD warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and seer, "Give up your evil ways and keep my commandments and statutes, in accordance with the entire law which I enjoined on your fathers and which I sent you by my servants the prophets," they did not listen, but were as stiff-necked as their fathers, who had not believed in the LORD, their God. They rejected his statutes, the covenant which he had made with their fathers, and the warnings which he had given them, till, in his great anger against Israel, the LORD put them away out of his sight. Only the tribe of Judah was left. 2 Kgs 17:13-18

Will we lose our own soul, or in our humanness the blessing of someone we love, because we fail to trust, because we have become stiff-necked and rejected the warnings and advice that God gives us through those he sends to us as His messengers?

Will we lose our speech, our ability to communicate, or some other important aspect of our life because God takes away a blessing we have chosen to ignore? (Have we cried “wolf” too many times –and now our plea, and prayer, for help is ignored?)

Will we have to be like Zechariah and lose the blessings we have been given before we come to appreciate all that we have? (Our health, our spouse, our children, our family, or any of our earthly possessions which we take for granted.)

It is a difficult lesson to learn, because in our human nature we are continually looking for an easier way out of whatever situation we have gotten ourselves into. And in our lack of faith we choose to ignore many of our blessings, and the Godly advice we are being given, because sometimes our own attitude seems to change a blessing into a “tough cross to bear” and not until the blessing is lost do we realize it’s importance or it’s true worth.

"If they violate My statutes and keep not My commands I will punish their crime with a rod and their guilt with stripes. Yet in My mercy I will not take away from them, nor will I betray My faithfulness." Ps 89: 31-34

God is patient, but eventually we all must stand and answer for what we have or have not done. He will grant us mercy, but we must repent and convert to gain that mercy.

Look into your hearts and ask, "What am I doing (or not doing) now that I will have to face later? What must I do or change now in my life to make sure that I have given my trust completely to God?

“Am I following his commandments—ENTIRELY—not just the parts that seem to apply, are convenient to apply, or that I want to have applied to my life?”

And probably most importantly,” what wise counsel am I receiving and ignoring because I want a different and easier way?” (Do you have a difficult job, a difficult boss, a difficult spouse, parent or child? And what advice are you ignoring because “there must be another way?”)

Heavenly Father, You have given me everything I need to inherit Your kingdom. Please be patient with me as I struggle to trust and to believe that EVERYTHING in my life must be as you ask. Help me to TRUST entirely, SERVE entirely, and LOVE ALL who cross my path – not just those I want to love, not just those I want to serve, but to seek the FULL truth. Thank you for those persons in my life who gently, yet persistently, continue to remind me of all You have blessed me with. Amen.

There is only one “right” way—God’s way. It may not be the easiest way—but God never said it would be easy. There is no “other way” to heaven.

Blessings on your journey,

Charlotte

Believe to Achieve

Women of Faith:
I have had the same dreams as most American women: a “showcase” home; a fantasy vacation in a five star hotel; and the lifestyle of the rich and famous.

And I believed I could achieve.

But as I began my Monday morning rosary I reflected on Jesus’ walk with me thru this prayer. As I asked for his blessings on family and friends I realized how important it is to truly believe that the miracles for which I prayed could be achieved.

I realized how important it is that my goals, visions and dreams reflect not the American dream, but rather God’s dream. And that if I believed His vision, I would achieve His vision.

Here’s an example: The Fourth Joyful Mystery is the Presentation. The prayer is, “Mary, you obeyed the Law of God in presenting the Child Jesus in the Temple. Obtain for me “a Spirit of Sacrifice.”

I have often asked God to help me to not “want more” of what others have but rather to be more willing to “give up” of what I have been blessed with and to not expect anything in return: to have a Spirit of Sacrifice.

My goal is to be able to not resent what others seem to achieve and to not expect or think I deserve something in return for whatever it is that I do for others: to have a Spirit of Sacrifice.

I realized as I prayed that God grants me a miracle each time I can feel joy in another person’s blessings and achievements. I see Him granting me that Spirit of Sacrifice when I strive to give unconditional love to our family; when I chose to spend time volunteering rather than shopping; and when I have the heart to give away something that is only a material possession.

I am more content than I ever thought possible with the grace that fills our marriage; with a home filled by joy rather than possessions; with time to spend sharing with friends and family; and with the blessing of being able to give to someone who has suffered a tragedy.

I have tried to turn my vision for the “good life” into His vision of a “good life”—that of sacrifice and service. Just as Mary gave Jesus back to God at the Presentation and just as Jesus himself gave to us on the cross—they believed that their sacrifices would achieve life for each of us.

Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it. 1 Cor 9:22-23

I believe I can achieve.

I believe in a spirit of sacrifice for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.

I know that each time I unconditionally give of myself I receive contentment, joy and peace from God for sharing the gifts He has given me, material and spiritual.

Heavenly Father: We are truly blessed by miracles when we believe. Help us all to come to know and understand what your vision is for each of us. Help us to know your love, forgiveness and truth and help us to accept and share that same love, forgiveness and truth with each other. Thank you for the many unconditional gifts you give us—especially the graces in marriage and the healing power of forgiveness. Amen.

May we all be touched with a Spirit of Sacrifice—both given and received in love.

Set a goal, see a vision, dream a dream and believe so you can achieve His blessing,
Charlotte

I Believe

Women of Faith:

“I Believe.”

Usually when we see those words around Christmas they are associated with a belief in Santa Claus.

But, I believe, that those words have a far more reaching intention than my “belief” in Santa Claus or even my belief in the “spirit” of Christmas.

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The reading is God’s asking and Mary’s “yes” to becoming the Mother of our Lord—from Luke 1: 39-47--
Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."

I remember often telling the kids, “If you don’t believe, Santa/Christmas/the gifts won’t come.” Their eyes would shine in their beautiful childlike faith—even to this day—and look at me to say, “I believe.” (They knew anything less meant no Christmas.)

So as yesterday’s reading proclaims: “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophetic utterances.” 1Thess 5: 16-24

Do we truly believe? Will we accept “less” than Christmas, less than the message of Jesus’ coming?

Do we believe?

In a God we cannot see: “By faith …he persevered as if seeing the one who is invisible.” Heb 11:27


In a God that is always for us: “If God is for us, who can be against us.” Rom 8:31


In a God that makes everything possible: “For human beings, this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Mt 19: 26

Do we pray not just when we “need” him because things aren’t going well, but at all times in praise thanksgiving for all that we have?
And do we show our belief in the decisions we make, in the actions we take, and in the words we speak?

Heavenly Father: I believe that with you all things are possible. Thank you for the gifts of a warm home and family and friends to share it with; for food on our table; for health that allows me to enjoy everything around me; and for the gifts and talents that allow me to serve others. Bless each of us with the patience and perseverance, the strength and the courage to believe in you, especially when the darkness of daily problems tries to overshadow Your presence. Help me to show my belief not just by my words, but by my actions each day. Amen.

May you have the patience and courage to live your life in, for, with and by your belief of the greatness of God and the miracle of Christmas!

Blessings,
Charlotte