Meditation Is Close To My Heart...

Good Wednesday Morning to you!

I am slightly less droopy than I was on Monday. I think I've found a combination of things that are getting us through this allergy experience. It is miserable to have burning eyes, stuffy nose (now red/raw - thank you very much) and just be miserable with allergies. We are all renewed in the War against Allergies. We have certainly lost a few battles, but not the WAR! Take that bugger monster.

You're welcome for that. I know so many of you are suffering.  Various family members are taking everything from Zyrtec daily (all of us) to Corricidin Cold/Flu, Mucinex, Sinex Spray, Saline Spray, Sambucol (Black Elderyberry), a slew of vitamins. WAR PEOPLE!

So now that we are through with that, I wanted to tell you about a few things I am happy about...

1) We adopted a Cardinal - yes we did. He's Irish (how fitting). Father Sean Brady. Don't you love that? Click HERE if you would like for your family to Adopt one too! We have all been praying so much for our church.

2) There are tons of Catholic Sites out there with Papal Units, explanations of choosing a new Pope, coloring pages, etc. Here are a few:

• Catholic Icing - Pope Activities for Kids
• A Living Garden - Papal Election Play Set
• Catholic Inspired - Learn About The Papal Insignia
• Shower of Roses - Papal Unit Study

Some moms and I are getting together soon with our children and making the LapBooks in the Papal Unit Study. As sad as we are that we are without a Pope, we are sure happy to have a great teaching opportunity with our children.

Which FINALLY brings me to my topic - Meditation:

I really try daily to have time to read a daily devotion or two and center myself. Sometimes I hit the floor running and don't have time.  Sometimes I get on the computer before I read, and that is a BIG mistake.. I get so sucked in to responding on FB or checking to see if there are any comments on my blog. AACK.  But,  Today was a "don't have time" day.  I get up early so I can have time for God and I... and it is all my fault if I don't take it.

But during Karate, I did read today's devotion and there, sitting in the midst of the other mothers talking about tummy tucks and weight loss surgeries and getting their hair dyed magenta (seriously), it was just GOD and I and he was speaking to me!  Here is the Scripture...

Read Luke 4: 24 - 30 This version is from EWTN Daily Scripture Reading

Luke 4: 24 - 30
24	And he said, "Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his own country.
25	But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Eli'jah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there came a great famine over all the land;
26	and Eli'jah was sent to none of them but only to Zar'ephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.
27	And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Eli'sha; and none of them was cleansed, but only Na'aman the Syrian."
28	When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath.
29	And they rose up and put him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw him down headlong.
30	But passing through the midst of them he went away.

And here is what the author said in the Daily Reading (It's in a book called Five Minutes With The Word - Lent 2013):

Sometimes our response to Jesus can resemble this crowd's response (speaking of the crowd at the Synagogue in Nazareth, where he was raised). We're swept off our feet when we first experience his mercy and compassion. Then as we get closer to God, the Holy Spirit shows us areas of our lives that aren't under his control. This may be hard to hear. Like the Nazarenes, we may be tempted to resist Jesus and push him away. But becoming like Christ means humbling ourselves and letting the Lord smooth out our rough edges.

OUCH! It goes on to say that God wants what is best for us. He wants us to be free of all that binds us, free to be united with Him and to know the joy and peace He intends for us.

So I told you I was behind, right? Well today's reading was from Matthew 18: 21-35

Matthew 18: 21 - 35
21	Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?"
22	Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
23	"Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.
24	When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents;
25	and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26	So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, `Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.'
27	And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.
28	But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, `Pay what you owe.'
29	So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, `Have patience with me, and I will pay you.'
30	He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt.
31	When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place.
32	Then his lord summoned him and said to him, `You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me;
33	and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?'
34	And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt.
35	So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

I read: Sin can make humans do illogical things. And that is nowhere more clear than the parable Jesus tells in today's Gospel reading. How many times have you seen this in your life or God-forbid been a part of this. Your debt is forgiven, yet you don't forgive others? WOW! Who do you think you are? Who do I think I am? Emily is a sinner... and sometimes she is unforgiving. Who does she think she is? Put your name in there. It is about YOU too!

God is smoothing my rough edges. It is not always comfortable. Oh no - it is truly not. It is eye-opening and humbling and sometimes sad to me that I am still so HUMAN and full of mistakes when I try to hard to do the right things.

Put your name in EVERY story of the Bible. It is about YOU! Truly YOU. Thank you Father Hector Medina for telling me so! This man is such a great speaker (St. Matthews Catholic Church - Arlington). He brings everything to such a personal level. He was telling stories about Saint Peter. He was a hater of Christians. He had them put to death. Then God appeared to him and said "change your ways and follow me"! He said "who is this about?" and we said "Peter" and he said "no - it is about you!" Put your name in it. Make it personal! - GULP.

People God wants YOU! There is no sin he hasn't forgiven. It is just a shame we don't grant one another forgiveness more freely. Sadly... shamefully!

I read: In the end, it doesn't matter. God's mercy is always selfless. He always meets the illogic of our sins with the logic of His love. Scripture reminds us that his mercies are "renewed each morning." (Lamentations 3:23) and I feel elated. God is constantly forgiving us and extending his mercy to us. So ask for His help, trust in His love and know that your heart can be changed.  Our Lord is extraordinary. We are so blessed.

Anyway - I managed to think about all of that as I sat there today, reading. The importance of my meditation time. Sitting and listening to God's words.  I need that. In order to be a great wife, mom, community member --  I need that. I need MY personal time with God. Meditation IS close to my heart and I need to start, middle and end my day with it!

I even got a few pages of That's My Son read. A very important book about raising up Men. Not political correct, nicey nice men. But men who are strong and lead households, hold jobs and lead Nations!  And boy do we need to raise up strong men.

Funny enough, my son's Devotion last night was about forgiving and being the right kind of friend.  Forgiveness and selflessness is calling me. I don't think I've left anyone unforgiven. But forgiving to me, is also about judging. Putting yourself into other's shoes. Being more compassionate.

I am so blessed.
Thank you for reading if you got this far.
Have a great rest of your week!

Love and hugs,
Em