Ever since I’ve been back from Germany Neal has not held back on how he has missed me or how much he loves me and I have to say it’s quite nice. 😉 Sometimes it’s good to hear how you are loved by those who love us. Just as important is to tell those you love that you love them.
This morning I headed out to Rosenberg, Tx to keynote for a Generations of Faith program. The theme was ‘New Life in Christ’ and I focused on the fears we have in letting go of that control to obtain the ‘new life’ Christ has to offer. I had the participants think about their dreams and goals and how they have evolved with time then I discussed my own earlier dreams and goals and how depressed I became when it felt as if none of them would come true. It wasn’t until I fully surrendered my life to Christ, gave Him all control, that I began to achieve dreams that I never knew to hope for. And what is most amusing is that all that I have accomplished in the past 10 years still encompasses the original dreams I had as a young woman, except even more detailed and productive because it is what GOD had in mind. Once I let go of that control He could finally move.
There was more I focused on but I did a lot to get the groups discussing among themselves. It was a gift for me to see them working together and learning from one another. At the end of the program they thanked me for getting them to work together so they could learn more about their fellow parishioners and recognize that the key is letting go of the control and trusting in God’s plan for their life.
I was back in town by 1:30pm only to leave for another meeting at 3pm for the ‘Responsible Couples’ of the Teams of Our Lady group. Within this meeting the leader read a passage from the Magnificat Lenten Companion that struck me deep:
“We are to unite our sufferings to the cross of Christ for the salvation of souls. This is our calling to bear fruit that will last.” (John 15:16) Reflection by Father Emmerich Vogt, O.P.
An hour later I was back home only to get ready for our actual Teams of Our Lady group meeting at 5pm. I had just enough time to check emails and was greeted by this wonderful email of encouragement by a woman who is on the Maria Goretti Network Board with me. She added to the emails of prayer offerings and told me that she, too, had a similar ‘abnormal’ mammogram that needed further investigation. She included a prayer she was saying for me and that she said during her few days of uncertainty until they gave her the good news that her abnormality was benign. I want to share what she wrote because I think it can and will encourage others. (I have her permission):
I decided to place myself in the care of our loving Mother Mary and ask for her intercession on my behalf. It was very comforting to know that as a woman, she would understand perfectly my apprehensions and concerns. The Blessed Mother is known in many ways, but I chose to see her as Our Lady of Mental Peace. Here’s the prayer I prayed and am praying for you:
[box] Oh Lady of Mental Peace Mother of Tranquility and Mother of Hope, Look upon me in my time of weakness and unrest. Teach my searching heart to know that God’s love for me Is unchanging and unchangeable, and That true human love can only begin and grow By touching His love. Let your gentle peace, which this world cannot give, Be always with me, And help me to bring that same peace Into the lives of others. Our Lady of Mental Peace, Pray for me. [/box]
Beautiful.
Hers was the second email of someone telling me about their experience that turned out to be nothing and benign so I’m encouraged and grateful! I’ve received so many emails, messages and comments offering your prayers and I am blessed to have them and to be surrounded by Christ’s light in all of you.
It’s a small taste of heaven. 😉
Blessings
Shannon