Children Giving Thanks.

 Hi Women of Faith and Hope, as I was researching about what it means to give thanks and be grateful I found 4 mealtime prayers for Children to give thanks for the food we eat.

1. God is great, God is good let us thank him for our food by his hands we all are fed, give us, Lord, our daily bread. Amen.

2. Thank you, God for food and prayer, teach us how to love and share. Amen.

3. We thank you Lord for the food before us, the shelter around us, the family beside us and the love between us. Amen.

4. Thank you, God for our food so good. Help us do the things we should. Amen.

May God Bless Always,

Written and created by My Mother Rose.

Giving Thanks at Dinner Time.

 So, my family and I don't say grace instead we go around the kitchen table and say one thing we are grateful for. My children love doing this and it's a great way to be interactive and communicate with each other. Do you say grace? Or maybe you are like me and say what you are grateful for around the kitchen table with your family or friends.

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope.

Written and created by My Mother Rose

Unbreakable Love.

 “Love is too strong a word to say it too early, but it has too beautiful a meaning to say it too late.” Author Unknown

When I think about telling someone I love them I think back to an episode of Friends where Rachel tells Ross she loves him after he says her name in London and she realizes how stupid she sounds and ends up laughing and feeling embarrassed.

I was pulling up into the driveway on our way home from football training and my son said “Mum, do you know love is unbreakable?”  I was quite speechless, and I am sure like always I said, “ok.” Not really understanding his random knowledge about LOVE! Love, however, is discussed in the Gospel this week and we hear once again the famous commandments.

“This is the first: Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the one Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You must love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.

Mark 12:28-34

The first instructions Jesus gives seems easy, piece of cake unfortunately if you are like me when things get tough or things don’t go my way I turn against him, and I find it very difficult to love him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Now, the second set of instructions Jesus gives is way too difficult and seems very impossible not really, I guess sometimes I just don’t understand some people in the way they act or behave especially if they say, ‘I Love God,’ but can be so hurtful, rejectful and exclusive.  However, it’s clear in 1 John 4:20 Anyone who says, ‘I Love God,’ and hates his brother/sister, is a liar, since a man/woman who does not love their brother or sister that he/she can see cannot love God, whom he/she has never seen.

We all have a place in the Body of Christ, and no one can ever take that away because his love for us is unbreakable. I am done trying to fight for a place and to fit in the Body of Christ, I believe in God, and I try with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength to love God and to love others as myself and I say try because it’s not easy I think it’s one of the hardest things ever. A couple of weeks ago I mentioned how I see two bodies of Christ one belonging to God and the other which is manmade and the only Body of Christ fighting for me to belong, to feel welcomed and included is the Body of Christ where Jesus is the head of the whole Church. As we read through this week’s Gospel are we ready to return the same unbreakable love especially to our neighbors even when their actions, behavior and attitudes hurt and cause one to doubt their worthiness. 

1John 4:17-19

Love will come to its perfection in us when we can face the day of Judgement without fear; because even in this world we have become as he is. In love there can be no fear, but fear is driven out by perfect love; because to fear is to expect punishment, and anyone who is afraid is still imperfect in love. We are to love, then, because he loved us first. 

Knowing love is unbreakable, I thought, you know it’s true love when it’s not breakable, love can withstand all obstacles of bad things, it’s a feeling you can’t really describe well sometimes it feels like home. When I consider my relationship with God it can seem at times one sided and it’s God fighting for me, and I take that for granted every time I choose to turn my back and walk away. Here is the thing, over time I gradually gravitate back towards God because it’s meant to be, I used to think I walked this journey alone and what I go through I go it alone but that’s not the case God walks with me; he goes through everything with me, and nothing ever tears us apart and that’s what makes me stronger his love is unbreakable nothing ever can come between the love God has for me and for you.

“A strong relationship starts with two brave people who are ready to sacrifice anything for one another.” Author Unknown.

John 15:12

LOVE ONE ANOTHER,

AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.

 

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope

Written and created by My Mother Rose.

 

God's word on the birth of Jesus day 10

 May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope

Written and created by My Mother Rose.

God's word on the birth of Jesus day 9

 

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope

Written and created by My Mother Rose.

God's word on the birth of Jesus day 8

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope, Written and created by My Mother Rose. 

 

God's word on the birth of Jesus day 7

 May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope.

Written and created by My Mother Rose. 

God's word on the birth of Jesus day 6

 May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope.

Written and created by My Mother Rose. 

God's word on the birth of Jesus day 5

 May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope

Written and created by My Mother Rose.

God's word on the birth of Jesus day 4

 May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope.

Written and created by My Mother Rose. 

God's word on the birth of Jesus day 3

 May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope. 

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God's word on the birth of Jesus Day 2

 

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope. 

Written and created by My Mother Rose. 

Laura Giving Thanks

 

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope

Written and created by My Mother Rose, Laura Farquhar 

God's word on the birth of Jesus day 1.

 May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope.

Written and created by My Mother Rose. 

Faith & Hope.

 

Last week we heard Jesus say to James and John, “what is it you want me to do for you?” This week we hear Jesus say to Bartimaeus a blind beggar and the son of Timaeus, “what do you want me to do for you?” I was torn between that question and the following of what Jesus says after, “Go, your faith has saved you.”

Mark 10:46-52

Imagine you are called over to Jesus after he has heard you shouting out “Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me.” Remember this is something you have hoped for, and he asks you, “what do you want me to do for you?” What are you thinking about? What is going through your mind? How are you going to respond?

Somehow through our trials and tribulations, sufferings, and persecutions we lose hope and our confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ, well I know I do and that’s ok I am human my faith and hope aren’t always perfect or strong and it’s not until we encounter or reach out that we are reminded of that same joy Bartimaeus experienced, finally the Lord had done great things for him, and his faith saved him.

I wanted to share something that has helped my faith and hope recently, so, I have felt quite distant and far from God especially when attending mass. I have a beautiful friend who shared two reflections and on the top of the pages I saw verses from the bible on each, so I looked them both up and I wanted to share one with you all.

Psalm 138:7-10

O where can I go from your spirit, or where can I flee from your face? If I climb the heavens, you are there. If I lie in the grave, you are there. If I take the wings of the dawn and dwell at the sea’s furthest end, even there your hand would lead me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “let the darkness hide me and the light around me be night,” even darkness is not dark for you and night is as clear as the day.

I must admit when things get hard, I want to run, I want to take off move somewhere no one knows me, start over, and create new beginnings. You see I am very flighty; I am easily excited but then I am scared and frightened I ask you though not to hold that against me because when I choose to stay it takes a lot of strength and patience to be honest, I don’t like being tied down and when I decide I am ready to do so I will get anxious. I know where I go God will be there, if I hide God hides with me so, all I wanted to say is thank you God.

Sometimes I feel as though God answers when the time is right, I was watching The Song of Bernadette and her story reminded me of Bartimaeus. Last week when James and John asked to sit one at the right hand and one on the left in his glory, we heard Jesus explain how that could be possible if we were willing to serve and give our lives as ransom for many meaning with joy and faith in our hearts are we able to suffer greatly for Christ and for the conversion of sinners. Many saints such as Bernadette suffered greatly, and the key ingredient is to accept suffering with hope, faith, and shouts of joy!

St. Vincent de Paul said, “If we only knew the precious treasure hidden in infirmities, we would receive them with the same joy with which we receive the greatest benefits, and we would bear them without ever complaining or showing signs of weariness.”

St. Faustina in her diary wrote, “Oh, if only the suffering soul knew how much God loves it, it would die of joy and excess of happiness! Someday, we will know the value of suffering, but then we will no longer be able to suffer. The present moment is ours.”

Reading the Gospel story about Bartimaeus and getting to know a little about St. Bernadette it seems to me that knowledge and intellect are not so important, what is important is our understanding, our faith, and how opened the eyes of our heart are to see God in all his glory. Many who are sick still go to Lourdes some come back cured and some don’t, through grace we must accept our sufferings offer them lovingly up to the Lord asking with faith and then true healing can take place.

When Jesus asked Bartimaeus “what do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus, answering with faith “Master, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has saved you.” And immediately his sight returned. Now, are we able to answer the same question with faith, hope and joy? When our healing takes place will we thank the Lord, or will we give the credit to our faith? Remember our faith is a gift, and if we choose to follow in the footsteps of Jesus like Bernadette be prepared to accept all your sufferings that come from the hand of God.

Mark 10:46-52

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope

Written and created by My Mother Rose. 

Giving Thanks Day 9.

 May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope.

Written and created by My Mother Rose.

Giving Thanks Day 8.

 May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope.

Written and created by My Mother Rose.

Giving Thanks Day 7

 May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope.

Written and created by My Mother Rose. 

Giving Thanks Day 6

 May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope.

Written and created by My Mother Rose.

Giving Thanks Day 4

 May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope.

Written and created by My Mother Rose.

Giving Thanks Day 5

 May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope.

Written and created by My Mother Rose.

Giving Thanks Day 3

 May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope.

Written and created by My Mother Rose.

Giving Thanks Day 2

 

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope.

Written and created by My Mother Rose.

Giving Thanks Day 1

 May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope.

Written and created by My Mother Rose. 

Giving Thanks.

 

Psalm 135:1-3

Alleluia! O give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his great love is without end. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his great love is without end. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his great love is without end.

Pray with me, mediate with me and give thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ for the month of November let us be thankful and grateful for the many blessings, lessons, experiences and our journey through faith and hope. At the start of the year, I mentioned painting a blank canvas of beautiful colors and I can honestly say this year Women of Faith and Hope we have filled our canvas with extraordinary colors that have helped us to love one another, love ourselves and to love God with all heart, with all soul and with all our strength for his great love is without end. Please feel free to share your own reflection discussing how you are thankful and grateful, maybe you might like to share a video, a quote, or a verse but you don’t have to and that is ok so whatever you choose to do know that I am thankful for your constant support and encouragement.

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope.

Written and created by My Mother 

Atonement!

 

Isaiah 53:10-11

The Lord has been pleased to crush his servant with suffering if he offers his life in atonement.

 This week Women of Faith and Hope I want to nudge you a little to find confidence in approaching the cross and I wanted to share a little experience with you all. Yesterday, I went to mass and after I went into adoration as I was sitting there, I could hear some women praying the Rosary in front of the statue Mary it was very loud so I couldn’t really consecrate. So, I got up and walked out to visit the statue for a minute or so than I moved on and stood in front of the cross as I gazed upon the cross, I realized I just approached the throne of grace here on earth and that we all shall have mercy from him and that the cross is  where we will find grace when we need it the most. Through Alpha the Church did help open my eyes, ears, and heart to God, and I finally know what God’s love is and I am very thankful however I need to remind myself of my commitment to God and to never let go of that belief I have in the faith I profess. Now, I was three weeks old when I was baptized so my parents stood there and said, “I do,” when the priest says, “do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?”  As an adult and mother, myself do I really understand who and what I am saying yes to and committing to?

Mark 10:35-45

“You do not know what you are asking’ Jesus said to them. ‘Can you drink the cup that I must drink, or be baptized with the baptism with which I must be baptized?”

Of course, I want to say, “I do God, I know what I am saying yes to and asking of you.” But that doesn’t necessarily mean I am up to the task or unceasingly willing to carry on his mission here on earth after all I am a mother I am bound to be exhausted scratch that I am tired and my soul needs rest, so please don’t get me wrong if you know me, I am very passionate, I am always ready to give back also willing to help anyone who is in need and this is why I am going to UNI this year so I can have the skills and knowledge to be able to help someone appropriately and sufficiently.  So, while I was at mass, I heard in the first reading from the letter of St. Paul to the

Romans 2:1-11

 “He will repay each one as his works deserve.”

When I heard that, again I imagined the lives of the many saints we have read about and their sacrifices and their commitment to putting the needs of others before themselves. I am sure the many saints we have encountered throughout our journey never complained, never judged, or compared why do we do it? It’s not like a drinking competition of who can drink from the same cup and get to those rewards fast enough, no, it’s about giving your whole life as a ransom for all in atonement which means we are to take away the sins of the world and reconcile it to become one with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and this is where our discipleship is put into action and we bring people back to the throne of grace, we lead them to the true servant leader who loves and cares for us. Some people know how to lead and follow but some people lead and never really know how to follow.  “You cannot be a leader, and ask other people to follow you, unless you know how to follow, too.” Author Sam Rayburn.

I would like to say I follow but when I follow, I complain and get upset because it feels as I am left behind,  forgotten about I am never invited or approached and who is going to remember me? It takes courage to step forward and say yes to God but its gut wrenching when your faith becomes personalized and you are ready to take the next step but you’re not what the Church really needs, you are shoved aside and left to fend for yourself as though you are not worthy or good enough. I guess we must ask ourselves whose life are we trying to follow and imitate? Or whose cup are we drinking from?

‘Follow the life of Christ.’

May God Bless Always

Written and created by My Mother Rose