When Life Gives You Lemons, Start Reading Your Bible

Coffee Talkers!

Well, my hopes of writing every day were thrown out the window and that's okay. It's one of those times where I realized that the Lent I had planned out and the Lent that God had in mind were a bit different, and that I can accept that God's ways are better than my ways. Also, accepting the built-in sacrifices and penances of daily life is better than insisting that I "do my Lenten things," regardless of the needs of the people and reality of the situations around me.

Some unexpected trials popped up in these past days, and thankfully everything has continued to progress in a pretty manageable way. However, it makes me think of those extremely dark and difficult moments of life, which every person encounters sooner or later (or both), that well-meaning people start throwing out sayings like, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!" or "God never gives us more than we can handle." The truth is, however, the lemons aren't always suitable for drinking and God frequently gives us more than we can handle on our own. That's why we have to rely on Him and on our brothers and sisters among our friends, family, and community of faith to help and sustain us!

So instead of making lemonade or being upset when a trite saying is not enough to help us through our trials, let's take a look at the Scriptures to see what God has to say about our need to rely on Him and on the community of faith. Click here for ten Bible verses to get us started in our reflections on reliance on God and community.

As always, thanks for stopping by, and be assured of my prayers.

Peace and all good,
Leslie

Not According to Plan...

Hello again, Coffee Talkers,

     Today was one of those days where things did not go quite as planned, and that always throws me off a bit. But it was also one of those days where, somehow, all of the "unplanned" moments ended up working out in an unexpected way and fitting together like a puzzle, as though someone else had a better plan than I did.
     Life is like that sometimes, isn't it? Both in the minutiae of day to day life, and in the big picture of our plans, we can ask God for the grace and presence to be aware of and to accept the ways that the Divine plan for our lives may be far different from what we imagined.

     This week, I will pray for an acceptance of God's will. At the beginning of each day, I will ask God for the grace to see situations and circumstances from the perspective of faith. At the end of each day, I will examine the ways that things that went differently than I had planned for and expected, and consider the ways that those unexpected or challenging moments opened up avenues of grace and mercy. What opportunities for spiritual growth did I embrace, and which ones did I miss? How will I do better tomorrow to accept God's will with joy in all circumstances?
     As always, thanks for stopping by, and be assured of my prayers.

Peace and all good,
Leslie

Don't Take It For Granted

Hello, Coffee Talkers,

     Today, I stopped off on my way to work to get some gift cards to help out a co-worker who is on medical leave for the rest of the school year. Over Christmas break they found a tumor, which they removed and discovered was cancerous. She's undergoing chemo treatments now. She's young and was in otherwise very good health. She has kids at home.
     This week, I will consider how helping others in a time of need develops my own sense of gratefulness for the things I have and my sense of empathy. I will make a list of at least ten things that I often take for granted, but that I now realize are a special grace and blessing from God that I have done nothing to deserve. I will give thanks to God for the good things in my life, and even thank Him for the trials and difficulties, knowing that the Paschal Mystery teaches me that out of the greatest suffering can be brought about mercy, redemption, and salvation.
     As always, thanks for stopping by and be assured of my prayers.

Peace and all good,
Leslie