Seems like everyone is doing #fridayintroductions today so I'll jump on the train before it's too late.
Hey everybodyyy, I'm Sara.
I have a blog I like to write, it's called To Jesus Sincerely. It's not because I'm holy or have everything all figured out.
I write because it motivates me to be more intentional. To be more prayerful. To look for God's presence in my life, and share my experiences to help you find His presence too!
Sometimes I write Rosary meditations. Or nature meditations. Posts about virtue. Reflections on parenting or marriage or friendship. I've written fun, lighthearted posts and more vulnerable posts. I've shared my journey through depression and my sex prayer 😱😉😄. The common thread? They all relate to my spiritual life. Responding to the call to holiness. Trying to love Jesus more and draw close to Him.
Or sometimes they're just random, but hey, that's okay too right?
I'm also the Tech Assistant over at CatholicsOnline.net. It's a super cool group of Catholic entrepreneurs (bloggers, speakers, artisans, businesses, you name it) who support each other and lift each other up.
BUT I have this teeny (huge) baby that sucks all the brain thoughts out of my head, so I might be just a liiittleee behind on my writing and my teching these days.
Let's see if you can give me some thoughts! What's one thing you'd like to see me write about? If I have a post already written, I'll send you a link! If not... I'll add your idea to my brainstorm list and see what happens!
I have this thing about windows. I love them. I like to open the blinds, pull back the curtains, and let the light in.
I don't like to be cut off from the world. I don't want to shut out nature. If I have to be inside, I want to feel as much of the open air as possible.
Spiritually, I want to be the same way. I want to open my windows of my soul to the Light of God's grace. I want to let Him in. Feel His presence as much as possible.
But today, as I watched my daughter, Fawn, line her little statues up on the window sill, I realized it needs to go both ways.
I opened the shades to brighten the room. And Fawn brightened the world outside with her statues. She displayed her "holy toys," visible to anyone who walks or drives by.
I can't just let God in and keep Him here. My soul is not a one way window. I have to share Him back with the world.
God, fill me with Your light. Wash me with the brightness of Your Presence. And give me the grace to share Your goodness back to the world. Let me be a witness to all that is true, good, and beautiful. May all who cross my way see You in me. Amen.
Sometimes, there are things we think we *should* be able to do ourselves. And when we can't, it can be frustrating, disheartening, overwhelming.
Today, that thing for me, was washing my hair. My eczema is flaring up on my hands again. It hurts to straighten my fingers. My hands are weak. I've been wearing gloves to keep my flaking skin from snagging on everything I touch.
I was up last night, gripping ice packs to try to relieve the burn. This morning, I got up to shower and start my day.
The thought of filling these hands with shampoo made me cringe. The idea of pulling my craggy fingers through my strands of hair - cutting them like a tangle of thin wires, had my heart pumping. Even the clean water running over my skin felt like daggers of pain.
Something so simple became a daunting task.
But I think God allows us to endure struggles in order to help us grow. To being us closer to Him and to others. To remind us that we're not alone in this world.
We need each other. We need relationships. I always want to be the strong one, standing on my own, there for others. But sometimes I need to let others help me too.
I like the feeling of being solid in by beliefs, strong in my faith. But I have to remember that I don't do this by myself. Faith is a gift from God. And I need Him to constantly uphold me, to renew me in my faith, to help me grow. Without Him, I AM helpless. And I need to lean on Him, to rely on Him to keep me strong.
So today, I let myself enter into the feeling of helplessness. Vulnerability. I let myself need others, and remember my need for God. I asked my husband to wash my hair for me. His gentleness and compassion while caring for me reminded me of God's infinite love and great kindness.
If you're suffering today, going through something difficult, and you feel like you can't do it on your own, you don't have to. You weren't MADE to do it on your own. We were made to need each other. Reach out and let someone help you. Reach out to God, and let Him uphold you.
We're only helpless if we don't let others help us.
Be vulnerable. Be humble. Be helped.
#myCatholiclife #catholicsonline #Christmyhelp
We went to Mass at our new parish today.
I was nervous about the kids in a new church. What they behave? Would they be welcome? Would there be other families or would we stick out like a sore thumb?
We walked to the front and found our pew. When we sat down, the first thing I noticed brought tears to my eyes. Every seat had a hymnal and a missalette - and a children's book! Every. single. seat!
I felt welcomed. Encouraged. Loved. I felt like our family belonged right here in the pew. Not in a crying room, not relegated to a different parish, not left back at home, but right here.
Right here with Jesus.
Let the little children come to Him. Come to Him like little children.
On this Father's Day, I'm thankful for the gift of family that fathers give us. I'm thankful to my dad for always being there for me. I'm thankful to my husband for being open to having "our hands full" of kids. I'm thankful to our pastor for welcoming us so warmly into the parish family.
I'm thankful to God our Father for the gift of life. For the gift of relationship. For our Family, the Church. For reminding us, through His Fatherhood, of the importance of children. For holding children up as a model for us to learn from in our faith.
These children of mine - these rowdy, energetic, totally trusting, love-filled, fierce children of mine - they ARE the Church. I'm proud to bring them to Jesus and to learn from them how to be a better, fiercer, more faith-filled Catholic.
Thank you, fathers everywhere - biological, spiritual, God our Father - for nurturing your flock. Please continue to love your children and lead them always closer to Christ.
#MyMassTakeaway #fathersday2018
