Category: Prayer

A Walk in the Garden

The opportunity to have such a close friendship with God captures my heart and fills it with joy.

I love this time of year. The leaves changing colors and the cooling temperatures bring me a sense of peace. While on a walk the other day, the evening breeze cooled my cheeks and rustled the fallen leaves at my feet. It reminded me of a short passage from Genesis 3:8 in which Adam and Eve hear God walking in the garden at the breezy time of the day (the evening). This image sparked a myriad of questions in my mind. Did He often walk in the garden, and did Adam and Eve usually join Him? Did they share their day with God, and did he share his with them? The opportunity to have such a close friendship with God captures my heart and fills it with joy. So, why do Adam and Eve hide from God as he approaches? They hide because they believed the lies of the serpent and have sinned; they chose to turn away from God and his love. However, like any good father, God doesn’t just give up and walk away; He has some questions.

God asks Adam, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:8) Then He asks, “Who told you that you were naked?” (Genesis 3:9) The gig is up, Adam knows, that God knows, they ate from the one tree they were forbidden to eat. Those two questions have been circling in my head. However, in my prayer, God puts a little bit of a spin on them. He asks, “Who told you that you weren’t good enough? Who told you that you weren’t worthy?” The gig is up — He knows I’ve been listening to lies. In his infinite patience, He waits for me to answer. In the meantime, He gently reminds me that it wasn’t Him who told me those lies. 

So, who tells me those lies? The sources of these untruths are innumerable. At times, my own voice can be the one I hear saying I will never be a good enough mom, wife, or friend. There is even some doubt I will ever be good enough for God to love me because of my faults. The voice that speaks those lies can drown out God’s voice of love, truth, and mercy. It is a constant battle for me to discern truth from lies. Admittedly, I get easily discouraged and lose hope that I’ll ever win the war. Hopelessness is the perfect condition for the lies to grow, multiply, and take hold. What lies do you hear? Who is speaking those lies to you?

Sometimes, we receive a wake-up call of sorts. We hear those same lies voiced by someone we love. Maybe your spouse is discouraged with their career path, or your daughter feels like her dreams won’t happen because she is not enough, or a friend is struggling with her resilience in dealing with a habitual sin. Whatever the situation, it is painful to hear someone you love think so little of themselves. I imagine that is how God feels every time I believe the lies about me over His truth. Perhaps we all know someone for whom we can speak God’s love, mercy, and truth to when they are feeling unworthy, afraid, alone, discouraged, or wounded. I will be that voice for my sons, my husband, my family, and my friends. Will you be that voice of truth for someone you love? Will you listen to the voices of truth in your life?

“Truly, the LORD

is waiting to be

gracious to you, truly,

he shall rise

to show you mercy.”

Isaiah 30:18

When I fall into hopelessness or begin to doubt I will ever overcome my failings, I can be like Adam and Eve and try to hide from God. I’m falling for the lie that God’s mercy and love are not for me. I am afraid to share the broken parts of me for fear of losing His love, being unworthy of His love, or not doing enough to earn His love. I have forgotten that God already knows all of me. Psalm 139: 1-3 states, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.” And just in case I have any remaining doubts about His willingness to be merciful, Isaiah 30:18 reminds me, “Truly, the LORD is waiting to be gracious to you, truly, he shall rise to show you mercy.” When I have mustered the courage to come out of hiding, I have found peace, encouragement, and mercy. He delights in all of me, desires to speak His truth to me, and to heal me through the sacrament of reconciliation and prayer.

We need to come out of hiding, but how? For me, that means I am going to choose hope for myself and those I love. It means actively choosing to love, unconditionally, the people God has placed in my life and to receive their love. Finally, it means seeking and accepting the love and mercy that God offers me in His sacraments. I deserve nothing less, and neither do you! I am going to freely walk with God, in the garden, during the breezy time of the day. I’m going to deepen my friendship with Him. Will you join me?

The Poem

Beautifully crafted and bravely shared, these words have encouraged and challenged me to make changes in my life.

There is a poem downtown, stamped into the sidewalk. Every time I run by it, I pause. The words are few, but they have deeply impacted my heart.

Feet carry your body.

Your soul carries

your heart.

Running will never

escape the pain.

It will follow

collect its dues

and persist until

the truth is faced.

Skylar

I do not know Skylar – we have never met. I do not know if Skylar is a man or woman, a student or a full-time poet, young or old;  I am in the dark about Skylar. What I do know is this poem has sparked numerous prayer conversations with God. Tough conversations and simple ones as well.

Simple prayers include praise for these feet and legs that allow my body to run, to care for itself physically, to carry me places that bring beauty to my eyes, sounds to my ears, and joy to my heart. The act of running can free my mind and refresh my soul. It lifts the fog, giving me the ability to see situations more clearly and allows me to work through difficult events of the past or ones coming on the horizon. My daily run provides me an opportunity to pray. Running has been a gift to me over the years. It has also been a physical curse – injury, ill-fitting shoes, overuse, and pain. Additionally, I’ve used it to escape – to avoid leaning into complicated situations – to run away.

Avoidance, this is where the rest of the poem picks up, “Running will never escape the pain. It will follow.” This fact exists for any activity we participate in to avoid pain – to numb – TV watching, social media, alcohol, work/being busy, exercise, overeating. The list is extensive, and perhaps the numbing agent each of us uses is as unique as we are as individuals. Myself? It depends on the situation, and honestly, I have struggled with many of these over the years. I am a serial user. I work hard to overcome one vice, only to pick up another one in its place. Some may enjoy a couple of numbing habits simultaneously. They enjoy snacking while consuming alcohol or snacking while watching television. Regardless of the method, the result is the same. The numbing successfully avoids the pain, the anxiety, or the situation. In and of themselves, these activities can be benign; it is when they become the way to cope that trouble starts.

This method of coping worked well for me; that is, until my niece introduced me to Dr. Brene` Brown and her work with vulnerability. Dr. Brown has some powerful TED Talks available on YouTube related to guilt, shame, and numbing. These short videos, along with several of her books, have made a powerful impact on how I choose to live each day. Perhaps the most startling truth she exposed, “You can’t just numb the negative emotions of fear, shame, and unworthiness. You numb all your emotions, including joy and happiness.” Yes, you read that correctly, you numb it all. If I wanted to live with joy and happiness, I had to stop numbing the anxiety. The only fix to end the numbing? Stop running, face the truth, and lean in. Take the time to find what is causing your pain or burdening your soul. If we don’t take these steps, “It will follow, collect its dues, and persist.” The only way to shake the shadows of the shame, fear, and lies of unworthiness is to be vulnerable. I had to start engaging, having those difficult conversations, making changes in my work and my relationships, turning to prayer, and setting the boundaries necessary for me to live.

Now is the point in time when the conversations with God got a bit rough, a lot raw, and downright exhausting. I thank God daily for a cohort of friends that have supported me in learning to lean in and setting boundaries, a spouse that has encouraged me to make changes in my life to help me be the best version of myself, and the gift of my faith that Jesus will choose me and help to make me whole. Slowly, but assuredly, I am finding freedom from numbing. In new ways, I am living in joy, and as the person I am meant to be.

There are times I run by Skylar’s poem, and tears fill my eyes when I realize the amount of work I have left to do. Other times they are tears of gratitude for these 28 words. Beautifully crafted and bravely shared, these words have encouraged and challenged me to make changes in my life. No longer do I run to escape, to punish, or to numb. I run to live, to experience, to thrive. To be free.

Letting Go and Loving

From love, we can see ourselves as human, imperfect, and beautiful. From love, we can cut everyone, including ourselves, a little slack.

A friend recently asked me how my Sunday night anxiety was going? I paused and smiled. I realized it was gone, and for the first time in decades, I can sleep all night! What is Sunday night anxiety? It goes a little something like this… 

The clock. There it is telling me it is way too early to be awake, yet there I am, wide awake and worried. It robs me of my precious sleep and my inner peace. The anticipation of the week ahead puts my brain into action. How will we get to all of our activities, find time to make meals, spend time with friends and family, pay the bills, clean the house, grocery shop, volunteer, and attend meetings? The downward spiral accelerates into the rabbit hole of exhaustion. Always so much to do. And before you know it, it is time to get up and start the race.

Sound familiar? This course of living is unsustainable, and truth be told, it is not living. It is surviving. Barely. For me, this way of life ceased to be survivable. Something had to change. 

Two gifts came into my life about the time when I realized I could not keep all the plates spinning. The first gift I received was a skilled therapist. She provided me simple tools to encourage healthy sleep. One game-changer – get rid of that clock! The adjustments she recommended began to significantly improve my sleep patterns and the amount of rest I received each night. I will be forever grateful for the explanation of sleep drive and how I was ruining it with my cat naps. I am sure I have the graphs somewhere around the house if you want a quick lesson!

The other gift? Eucharistic Adoration. My weekly hour spent with Jesus was the first time that I sat, uninterrupted, meditating on His words and His love. During my hour with Jesus, I try and focus on a short scripture passage in an attempt to discern what I can learn, receive, and apply to my life.

Recently, I’ve been captivated by Luke 10:38-42. In this gospel passage, Martha is busying herself to prepare a meal for Jesus while her sister Mary sits at his feet. Mary is listening to him speak, receiving his love and goodness. Martha complains to Jesus, telling him to make Mary help her. Jesus responds, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” I love this passage because I can see myself in both Martha and Mary. Martha is doing good, preparing a meal for her guests. She’s anxious about the meal timing, preparing and cooking the meal, setting the table, tidying up the house, and trying to make sure all her guests feel welcomed. I would be so irritated if my sister were sitting there, not helping! And yet, it is Mary who I aspire to be. Her ability to be present to our Lord, surrender her worry, and her desire to receive his love – Beautiful. She is teaching me to leave my burdens at His feet. If Mary were here today, I think the song, Nothing Else by Cody Carnes would fully express her heart. She is caught up in a Holy Moment.

I’m caught up in Your presence 

I just want to sit here at Your feet 

I’m caught up in this holy moment 

I never want to leave

Cody Carnes, Nothing Else

When we get caught up in a Holy Moment, we can start to let go of worry and begin to live in love. We can experience these Holy Moments with those around us. In his book, The Biggest Lie in Christianity, Matthew Kelly challenges us to make Holy Moments every day. When I read his book, I struggled to find these opportunities until I applied the love I found in Jesus. The occasions for Holy Moments might look a little like these examples, but the possibilities are endless. Perhaps we leave our cell phone in the car on date night, or we make sure we have dinner with our spouse and kids at least one night a week. Maybe you have a hobby or passion you can share with a child. Perhaps we listen and cry with a friend when they share how the weight of the world is crushing them. What if we treated every human interaction as a Holy Moment? We can do this by being present and bringing our love.

In the end, what does worry accomplish? Look back over the last month, this past week, or just today and reflect on the issues that have caused you to worry. How did the worry change the situation? What does the anxiety cost you? Sleep? Your health? Productivity at work? If agonizing about these situations does not change them, what can? Mary has the answer for us. The love of Jesus. Our love. Love is the driving force of change. From love, we can find patience for our children and ease their anxiety and stress. From love, we can begin to see our to-do list as actions of love for the people and organizations we care for, not items to check off. From love, we can see ourselves as human, imperfect, and beautiful. From love, we can cut everyone, including ourselves, a little slack. What is God asking you to let go of so you too can live in love?

Running with the Rosary IV – Finding Answers

You are my beloved daughter.

Today is the final installment of this blog series on the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary, but I hope it is another step in your continued journey with Jesus. 

The Luminous Mysteries are my favorite. These are the events of the public ministry of Jesus. They begin with His baptism and pick up at the wedding at Cana. They then continue with the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, His Transfiguration, and the Institution of the Eucharist. Why are these mysteries my favorite? Because they tell me who I am, how to live as a Christian, my mission as a baptized Catholic, and they remind me of who God is.

The baptism of Jesus, according to the gospel of Mark (1:10-11), tells that the heavens open up, and the Spirit descends like a dove onto Jesus. God, the Father, proclaims, “You are my beloved Son; with you, I am well pleased.” By nature of my baptism, I am an adopted daughter of God. He chooses me. Thus He says the same words to me, “This is my beloved daughter, with whom I am well pleased.” He gives me my identity as chosen, beloved, and precious. Sometimes in the day-to-day struggles, I can lose sight of this identity and get caught up in statements of scarcity (a.k.a. lies) that sound a lot like, “I’m not a good enough mom/wife/friend/etc.” What falsehoods can God speak His truth into for you? How can He help you remember who you are to Him?

When these lies settle in to my heart and steal my identity, He speaks the truth of abundance that He is the God that provides in every situation. I often try to set human limitations on God and His ability to provide for me. The wedding at Cana encounters a problem of scarcity – they have run out of wine. Jesus, at the request of His mother, changes six jars of water -filled to the brim – with the best wine known to the region. A friend challenged me to list how God fills my six jars. My six jars are filled with my family, my friends, the women of my faith group, the natural beauty of the world, and my relationship with Jesus. I only need to take the time to notice these gifts to see the depths of God’s love for me and to live in abundance. What fills your jars? Go ahead, make your list. Now for the challenge, are you spending your time, the best parts of you, with those jar-fillers?

The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God has been the hardest mystery for me to unravel. It seems to encompass all of Jesus’ ministry and teaching, thus not just a single event on which to focus. Over time, it has settled on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, to live as a Christian. My mission! The Sermon on the Mount, the focus of chapters 5-7 in Matthew’s Gospel, provides an immense amount of inspiration for Christian living. Jesus challenges us with The Beatitudes, He instructs us how to pray and gives us The Our Father, and He teaches us how to treat others through the Golden Rule. Each of these asks us to give of ourselves. To show mercy, be patient, and share our love. To generously give of our time, talent, and treasure. To walk humbly with Him and those He places in our lives. Are you ready to accept your calling as a disciple of Jesus? 

At the transfiguration, Jesus reveals His glory. I try to imagine how beautiful He appeared and the warmth of His radiance on my face. The moment in which I catch an earthly glimpse of this experience is when the sun rises and shines on my face. It is then that I remember I am His and that He is God. When we can live clear in our identity, from a place of abundance, and know our mission in life, we will be changed! It affects the decisions we make, our responses to adversity, and our ability to see good in all of God’s creation. We can reflect His light, love, and mercy to the world. In short, we reflect His glory! Are you ready to be transformed? What do you need to allow Jesus to change in you so you can glorify Him?

The Eucharist is how I stay connected to Christ, an opportunity to remind myself of the depths of His love for me. There is no substitute for this intimate union with Jesus during the celebration of the Mass. The reception of His body, blood, soul, and divinity. He knew we would need Him. Therefore, Jesus continues to humble Himself so He can walk with us. Every day, in every church, He is waiting for us to come to Him. Although Sunday Mass attendance is an “obligation” for Catholics, I have realized it is a gift to spend time with the one who loves me. There is no obligation necessary when love drives us to be together. This week when you go to Mass, receive His love and give Him your heart.

As the Father loves me,

so I also love you.

Remain in my love.

John 15:9

After running a few hundred miles, praying more than a hundred rosaries, and writing more than a thousand words; the words that speak to my soul, “You are my beloved daughter.” I only need to live these five words, and the rest will fall into place. 

You do not need to join me running, but will you allow Mary to show you how her Son loves you? Or will Jesus use this as an opportunity to introduce you to His mom? Either way, there is so much to be gained in meditating on the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. I will be praying for you!

Running with the Rosary III – Gaining Perspective

In every instance, He kept His word.

Love and joy are two beautiful gifts that we not only receive, but can freely give to those we encounter each day. Have you been able to receive and give love and joy? Perhaps a little perspective will help us offer and accept these gifts more readily.

The Glorious Mysteries give us reason to celebrate! The resurrection of Jesus, His ascension into Heaven, the descent of the Holy Spirit, the assumption of Mary into Heaven, and the crowning of Mary as Queen of Heaven are some pretty spectacular moments in our Catholic faith. These mysteries give me a sense of excitement and perspective. Prayed on Wednesday and Sunday, these events help us remember that the crucifixion isn’t the end of the story.

The resurrection of Jesus is the epitome of gaining the perspective. We can all get lost in the darkness and sadness of our lives. Health concerns, kids in trouble, work challenges; it can feel all-consuming. Even the apostles, who despite, the time they spent with Jesus, doubted His promise to rise again. They got lost in the sadness of His death. Yet, in the quiet of that Sunday morning, He makes good on His promise. He left behind sin and death to breathe life into the world. His resurrection reminds us that the difficult times in our lives are temporary. That goodness and glory await us on the other side of the sadness. His resurrection turns darkness into light and sorrow into joy. As you meditate on this mystery, consider how Jesus and Mary can help you to change your despair into hope.

Upon His ascension into Heaven, Jesus is making good on the promise to prepare a dwelling place for us in His Father’s house. (see John 14: 2-3). Our eternal reward is in Heaven, so we need to ask some questions to keep our lives in perspective. What matters in Heaven? Am I living in such a way that emphasizes what is important in Heaven? Am I giving to those in need or earning more for myself? Do I love all those who Jesus puts in my life? Or am I stepping over them to have the “right” friends? Finally, am I praying in praise and thanksgiving for all I have, or do I take the gifts for granted and think I deserve them? Our lives on Earth are quite finite; our afterlife is an eternity. Do you want to spend your time on this Earth seeking its passing treasures or collecting treasure in Heaven?

As promised, Jesus sends us the Holy Spirit! Our advocate and guide. In Galatians 5:22, St. Paul tells us the fruits of the Holy Spirit are “…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” What if these fruits were the lens from which we viewed the world, our neighbors, our family, and ourselves? Choosing to shift our perspective in such a manner can change every interaction we have in a day. Do you take the time to listen for the Holy Spirit to help you see how you can make a difference using the gifts and fruits bestowed upon you?

The final two mysteries bring us to Mary. From the cross, Jesus gives us His mother, “Woman, behold your son.” Then he said to his disciple, “Behold, your mother.” (John 19:26-27) Some of us have lost our earthly mother or perhaps never developed a close relationship with her. However, we have Mary, the Queen of Heaven! We are never without a loving mother. When you think of Mary, what traits come to mind? In my heart, Mary is gentle, holy, quick to forgive, patient, reflective, faithful, open to possibility, and trusting of God. If we take the opportunity to learn these traits from our Heavenly Mother, how might they change how we view ourselves, speak to our children and spouse, or relate to God? We are NEVER too old to need gentle encouragement, holy advice, or motherly love. St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) offers us a simple prayer to speak in those times of need, “Mary, Mother of Jesus, please be a mother to me now.”

The perspective I gained from these mysteries – Jesus is a promise keeper. In every instance, He kept His word. Jesus rose, ascended, sent us an advocate, and gave us His mother – just as promised. How does knowing He is a God of His word change your perspective of Him?

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.”

John 14:1

Running with the Rosary II – Discovering Love

Breathe and try to imagine the amount of love it takes to lay down your life for the sins of others.

Were you able to find the time to pray the Joyful Mysteries? What moments did God use to bring joy into your life? Keep praying for Jesus to open your heart and eyes to the joy that surrounds you. This week I invite you to pray the Sorrowful Mysteries with me.

On Tuesday and Friday, we walk through the Passion of Jesus. Bead by bead. We are witnesses to His agony in the garden and the scourging at the pillar. We remember the crowning with thorns and the weight of His cross. We pause in silence at His crucifixion. Take a few moments to take all of that into your soul. Breathe and try to imagine the amount of love it takes to lay down your life for the sins of others. As humans, it may be nearly impossible to fathom that kind of love, but that is what we are to nurture in our lives.  

We first encounter Jesus in the garden. He is in prayer, asking the Father to let this cup pass over him. Yet, in the next breath, he surrenders to the will of God. Is this how we pray? Do we ask God for what our heart desires and then, with great trust, acknowledge He loves us and that He will provide? I know, at times, my prayer sounds more like a frenzied litany of demands and bargain-making ideas. Peace only comes when I remember that I am not in control, that He knows the depths of my heart, and that in His great love, He will answer me. What difficulty can you surrender to God today?

The scourging at the pillar and crowning with thorns elicit strong emotions of sadness at the amount of suffering Christ endured. He withstood physical torture and emotional abuse. Each of us has suffered, and since Earth is not Heaven, potentially more is in store for us. It is hard to explain suffering and even harder to understand it, and I’m not sure there are any easy answers. Through His Passion, He suffered,  He lived the whole human experience. So when it seems pointless or too much, turn to Jesus to find love and strength. The band, Casting Crowns, has a beautiful song about the love of Jesus meeting us in our struggles. Take a listen. When did His Love Move First for you?  

After all He endured at the hands of the Roman soldiers, He picked up His cross. I can barely imagine the strength it took to move, much less carry the weight of the cross. Along the way, He falls not once, not twice, but three times. Each time He gets back up. During that long walk, He receives love from Veronica when she gently wipes His face. Simon carried the cross for Him. Friends, we are never meant to carry our burdens alone. Seek help. Talk to a friend, find a therapist, and let Jesus love and help you. Do not think for one second you have to take the long journey alone. 

These mysteries end with the ultimate act of love; the giving of oneself for another. In Jesus’s case, for the world. Specifically, He died for our sins to reconcile us back to God. What sin do you need to bring to the foot of the cross and let Jesus’s love heal? Always the teacher, Jesus’s words from the cross continue to challenge us today, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”(Luke 24:34) Who is Jesus asking you to forgive? Who can you love more fully?

My Jesus, out of love for me…

You surrendered.

You suffered.

You endured.

You humbled yourself.

You forgave those who persecuted you.

You died.

You saved me.

These mysteries have been the most transformative for me over the last 90+ days. They have taught me humility and the peace of surrendering to the will of God. These mysteries have encouraged me to seek help in carrying the burden of my cross. Finally, they have shown me the depths of His love for me. In short, they have taught me about love. What might Jesus want to share with you this week? What can you do out of love for Jesus?

In this crazy world, take a little more time this week to love God, your family, your neighbors, and yourself. Let the Sorrowful Mysteries help you discover the love God has for you and all that His love can heal inside you.

Running with the Rosary

What could God do with your yes?

The season of Lent calls us to fast, pray, and give alms to prepare our hearts. This year I committed to praying a daily rosary to enhance my prayer life. Some of you reading may be thinking this is no big deal. However, for me, the rosary felt like an outdated, routine prayer that wasn’t very inspiring. Therefore, it was with some indifference that I began this part of my Lenten journey. About this same time, I was able to return to running, so I incorporated the rosary into my daily run. At first, I used a podcast to guide the prayer, but before long the events of Christ’s life unfolded into a beautiful story. I no longer needed someone else to lead the journey. 

As we are all well aware, the coronavirus pandemic swept in during Lent and hung with us right through the Easter season. Suddenly finding myself with much more time on my hands, I continued to pray my daily rosary through the Easter season. Another 50 days meditating on Jesus’ life through Mary’s eyes.

As I reflect on the time spent running and praying, I wanted to share the encouragement and love in each of the mysteries of the rosary. Today’s blog is the start of a series.  This week, we will start at the beginning with the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.

Joyful

The Joyful Mysteries prayed on Monday and Saturday each week, begin with the annunciation to Mary and her yes, her fiat, to God. These mysteries walk us through the early life of Jesus. His first encounter with John the Baptist when Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, His birth, His presentation at the temple, and finding Him in the temple. 

When Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, and baby John the Baptist leaps in Elizabeth’s womb- that is joy! Do we leap for joy when we encounter the Lord? Do we seek to visit and support our family, friends, and neighbors? How can we bring the joy of Christ to those we meet?

Many mothers reading this will certainly remember in great detail the arrival of their child(ren). Regardless of how grueling the birth was, the joy that filled your heart when you first laid eyes on this treasure is almost impossible to put into words. Every time I meditate on the birth of Jesus, I am reminded of the gift each of my sons has been to me. How they have made me a better person by challenging me to be more patient, more loving, and more generous. Certainly, there are times we all consider if returning these “gifts” is an option, but fortunately, love wins.

It is in challenging times when we most question our roles as mothers and our ability to parent. When presenting Jesus at the temple the prophet Simeon told Mary, “…and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Luke 2:35) When our children suffer, we suffer. Through all of Jesus’ life, Mary was there to be mother, witness, disciple. Mary’s strength was forged through her deep trust in God. What can you entrust to God today?

How about the overwhelming joy that fills the heart of the mother that has lost her child in Target (you know…when they are “hiding” in the clothes rack)? It is a great consolation to know even Jesus gave Mary a hard time once in a while. 

The Joyful Mysteries, and all the other mysteries of the rosary, are dependent on Mary’s yes at the annunciation. Her fiat allows Jesus to come into our broken world, work miracles, and reconcile us to God. What could God do with your yes?

In case you need a little help getting started, this is a nice resource from Dynamic Catholic on how to pray the rosary. 

The Laudate App has many options to lead you in the rosary and can be found in the Apple App Store for iPhones or Google Play for Androids.

These mysteries have taught me that joy is found in everyday moments and in spectacular moments of life. Maybe you don’t want to join in the running part of this journey, but I do encourage you to join me today in praying the Joyful Mysteries! See what joy is revealed to you. 

Next up?  The Sorrowful Mysteries. Meanwhile, look to find joy in the ordinary. Savor that joy!