Today I learned...

Today, I learned many things- some things that I have known before but forgotten, some things that I knew but have seen in a different light, and things that are brand new. Yet each of them is valuable.. insight... a tool that I can use to continue to grow, and to learn about myself as well as things that influence my life. All of these are things that I have learned while in retreat.... a Lenten retreat to be specific... and it's been a joyous and insightful journey. And I want to give thanks to God... for guiding me on this path... for walking with me every step, for loving me as only He can do. I want to thank those who have organized this retreat, special Sr. Linda.. for being my mentor. I will treasure our times together forever.

So getting back to the original intent of this particular blog, I would like to share a bit of what I have learned today! So here goes:

*Today I have learned that God loves me... this is something that I have known for sometime, but what is new is that profound feeling of how He really does.. despite my flaws and imperfections, all the "stuff" that covers me, and hides me.. masks me and has altered from the person He created in me, He loves me. He me how I was, He loves me now. He loves me no matter what!

*Today I learned that I need to stay where my feet are! I need to not run ahead of God's Grace. I need to focus on staying in today, in the moment. It's all we really have. I can't do anything about the past, and the future hasn't happened yet.

*Today I learned that I need to breathe.

*Today I learned that I need to have quiet time, to just be!

*Today I learned that there's no right or wrong way to pray. I can find what works for me.. I can write my own recipe for praying, so that I can have my own "tools and ingredients" that help me to pray.

*Today I learned that sometimes it's good and necessary, to clear my head.

*I learned that the Mother I was so closed to "back in the day" is still there.... she's hard to see under all the "stuff" but she is there... and that is the person that I need to focus on when I visit.

And last, but not least, Today I learned that I have choice in everything. I can choose how I react, I can plan. I can choose to do something rather than do something because "I have to". And in doing that, what ever the task is that I am choosing to do, the outcome will be much more positive.

Thank you God, Thank you Jesus, and Thank you Holy Spirit... for being with me on this Journey. I love you.

An Irish Blessing for Saint Patrick's Day:


"A sunbeam to warm you, A moonbeam to charm you, A sheltering angel so nothing can harm you"

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While driving home from work today, I tuned in a program on our local Catholic Radio station. The program was on Ireland in honor of St. Patrick's day. The show host talked about St. Patrick of course, which I missed... but I did hear the following two prayers, honoring two of Ireland's Saints:

St Brendan's Prayer

Shall I abandon, O King of mysteries, the soft comforts of home? Shall I turn my back on my native land, and turn my face towards the sea?

Shall I put myself wholly at your mercy, without silver, without a horse, without fame, without honour? Shall I throw myself wholly upon You, without sword and shield, without food and drink, without a bed to lie on? Shall I say farewell to my beautiful land, placing myself under Your yoke?

Shall I pour out my heart to You, confessing my manifold sins and begging forgiveness, tears streaming down my cheeks? Shall I leave the prints of my knees on the sandy beach, a record of my final prayer in my native land?

Shall I then suffer every kind of wound that the sea can inflict? Shall I take my tiny boat across the wide sparkling ocean? O King of the Glorious Heaven, shall I go of my own choice upon the sea?

O Christ, will You help me on the wild waves?

PRAYER OF SAINT BRIGID OF KILDARE
For A Heavenly Feast

I wish I had a great lake of ale for the King of kings,
and the family of heaven
to drink it through time eternal.
I wish I had the meats of belief and genuine piety,
the flails of penance,
and the men of heaven in my house.
I would like keeves of peace to be at their disposal,
vessels of charity for distribution,
caves of mercy for their company,
and cheerfulness to be in their drinking.
I would want Jesus also to be in their midst,
together with the three Marys of illustrious renown,
and the pople of heaven from all parts.
I would like to be a tenant to the Lord,
so if I should suffer distress,
He would confer on me a blessing.

Amen.