"Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer." - Romans 12:11-12  

When our hearts are broken and we can’t find the words,  
Lord teach us to pray.  
When noise overpowers the stillness of silence,  
Lord teach us to pray.  
When destruction is rampant and peace can’t be found,  
Lord teach us to pray.  
When lies and confusion distort the truth,  
Lord teach us to pray.  
 
When the darkness of sin casts a shadow on the goodness of humanity,  
Lord teach us to pray.  
When despair blinds our eyes of faith,  
Lord teach us to pray.  
When doubt darkens our flame of hope,  
Lord teach us to pray.  
When hate hardens our hearts made for love,  
Lord teach us to pray.  
 
Teach us to pray with words,  
with silence,  
with action,  
with pondering.  

--Sr. Kara Davis  
SOURCE: https://www.thegodminute.org/wix-podcast-player/episode/7f82f5e2/prayer  

TAGS: Reflection

"...our inner self is being renewed day by day." - 2 Corinthians 4:16  

From a flat handle to a curvy handle with bristles on the back side of the head, even toothbrushes have evolved.  

How have I evolved spiritually?  

Am I closer to God today than I was a year ago? A month ago? A week ago? Yesterday?  

What can I do to draw closer to God?  

Learn more. Share more. Pray more.  

God, my Father, renew me each day so that I may evolve into Your image and likeness. Amen.  

​TAGS: Inspiration, Prayer

"Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: 'You shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall indeed look but never see.'" – Matthew 13:14  
 
The air returns in the ceiling were filthy. More than just needing to be cleaned, there was something intriguing about them. It looked like the alignment of the dirt created a cross. On each one, you could see the similar pattern of a cross.  
 
Wonder how many people noticed this. How many even looked at the ceiling tiles, let alone noticed the shape of a cross on them?  
 
Looking, but not seeing. How often do I do that?  

• Am I simply glancing out the windshield while driving, or am I truly attentive to the traffic around me?  
• Am I busy on my phone while riding the bus or train, or am I aware of the person sitting next to me?  
• Am I in a hurry to complete my task at the shopping mall, or am I enjoying all of the colorful displays?  
• Am I focused on the water spots on the window glass, or am I seeing the magnificent outdoors beyond it?  

 
Instead of being distracted, being caught up in your own thoughts, thinking about the next thing you have to do, or having your “head in your phone,” train yourself to be attentive to the sights and people around you.  

Otherwise, you may miss a message or a lesson from God. As in this case, is it really just dirty air causing stains on the ceiling? Or is God giving you a reminder that He sent His Son to die on a cross because of His love for you?  
 
Good and Gracious God, thank you for all the ways You send me holy reminders throughout the day. May I always be alert to Your presence in your many unexpected ways. Amen.  
 
TAGS: Inspiration, Prayer

The reinforced concrete sewer pipes were all lined up, ready to be buried in the ground. They are one of the first items that need to be placed during construction as they are part of the infrastructure of the project.  

While making an intriguing photo when stacked after delivery, their value and worth to the project are undeniable when their photogenic properties are converted to meaningful use as carriers of storm water or sewage.  
​

• Am I "photogenic" on the outside ("looking good" to others), but an unviable carrier of God's message to others?  
• Do I consider myself to be part of the "infrastructure" of God's plan?  
• Do I recognize my purpose and value in the life God has given me?  

Pray about it. Talk to God about it. And then go and lay the foundation. God needs you to build his kingdom.  

Heavenly Father, Master Builder, help me to see myself as a vital component of Your plan. Amen.  

​TAGS: Inspiration, Prayer

"Then the watchman cried, 'On the watchtower, my Lord, I stand constantly by day; And I stay at my post through all the watches of the night.'" - Isaiah 21:8  

The birds were all lined up as if standing at attention. Head held erect, looking straight ahead, immobile and silent. They looked like they were watchmen at their post, waiting and watching.  

Being attentive; standing at attention; waiting and watching; maintaining my post. Do I?  

Am I attentive to the workings of the Lord around me?  
Am I cognitive of His presence in each moment?  
Do I stay at my "post" and maintain my spiritual balance at all times?  

Here I am Lord, I watch and I wait for You. Amen.  

TAGS: Inspiration, Prayer

We've been knocking them down for ten years now. That's a strike in Our Blog! While "looking at little life moments with a spiritual eye," frame by frame, year by year, we've opened our eyes to see the world with a more keen awareness and perspective. Thanks for being on our team. Let's keep the ball rolling!  

The most viewed posts this year were:  

• BLOCK BY BLOCK  
• DADDY DUTY  
• IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE, IT'S ...  
• CLAY VESSELS  
• ROLE REVERSAL

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations ..." - Matthew 28:19  

It may be a small waterfall, but it makes a large ripple. You can make a large ripple, too, in the lives of those around you. Let your thoughts, words, and actions exude your Catholic beliefs, feelings, and emotions.  

• Do I express my longing for God to others?  
• Do I walk away from conversations that knock my beliefs?  
• Do I stand up for my faith when challenged by others?  
• ​Do I proudly tell others that I am a Catholic?  
• Do I pray in public when surrounded by a secular crowd?  
• Do I show that I am not embarrassed by my faith?  

Dear God, strengthen me so I may be a good disciple, enabling me to be a ripple in calm waters and representing You in all circumstances. Amen.  

​TAGS: Inspiration, Prayer

"As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ." - 1 Corinthians 12:12  

It's hard to believe that the skinny pillar on the corner is expected to hold up the whole side of the building. What an awesome responsibility! It seems like the weakest point needs to be the strongest point. But somehow it manages to do just that, and it works.  

​We often do the same. We rely on each other, as well we should, as the many make up the whole. Christ has graced the parts, that is, the people, with varied and unique gifts so that together they make up the body (the Church).  

Whereas the column may look insignificant and ineffective to hold up the building, without it, the building would surely collapse.  

O God, enable me to know that the gifts and talents you bestowed on me, though seemly so unsubstantial, help to hold up the body of the Church. Amen.  

TAGS: Prayer, Reflection

The plane contrails were dancing in the sky. One would fade away, and then another one or two would replace it. At times they were running parallel; at times they were crossing paths. It was fascinating to daydream as the show played out in the blue sky.  

Who were the people on the planes? Where were they heading? Going or returning? Business or vacation? So many stories were being written within those planes.  

So much goes into the formation of the contrails. Hot, moist air from the jet engines mixes with cold, humid air at high altitudes. In much the same way, the plans, aspirations, and lives of each passenger and employee in the plane mixed to form a unique trail through the sky.  

What will become of them?  

​TAGS: Reflection

"For in the image of God have human beings been made." - Genesis 9:6  

The building was being erected block by block. You could see this happening before your eyes. It seemed like one day they were working on the first floor, and the next day they were working on the second floor. Block by block.  

It's like our spiritual life. Each day we strive to be bigger and stronger than the previous day. In retrospect, it seems like it's day by day. But in reality, it takes a lifetime. Block by block.  

O God, construct me in your image and likeness. Build me block by block, day by day, until you call me home at the end of my life. Amen.  

TAGS: Prayer, Reflection