"... and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed." - Matthew 14:36 

Oh, how I wish I could touch the tassel on His cloak and be healed.  To feel the power released by Him and enter into me would be so warming. 

We all have issues and problems and worries and concerns.  Just let me touch You so I can be healed. 

Jesus, heal me.  Amen.

The words on the top of the notepad read: "Leave a trail of genius." 

Merriam-Webster defines "genius" as exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability. 

If I carve the trail, will others follow? 

Will my wisdom be a guiding light? 

Or am I merely leaving crumbs for others to clean up?

"The prophet went on and waited for the king on the road, disguising himself with a bandage over his eyes." - 1 Kings 20:38 

It seemed like a good idea.  In order to compensate for a sore toe, just ditch the tennis shoes and walk the treadmill in sandals.  Well, now there's band-aids decorating my blistered soles! 

Sometimes the choices we make aren't so smart.  How often do we place bandages on our "blistered souls"?  We try to cover up our mistakes, our hurtful actions, our transgressions, our ridicule.  We don't want to expose our scorn to others. 

Remove the bandage and free yourself in the Sacrament of Confession. 

Divine Physician, let my soles walk openly toward your mercy.  Unveil the goodness in my heart and heal my soul of all guilt and shame.  Amen.

OMG!  The butterfly landed on my hand in the backyard.  How cool is that!!  I could feel it tickling the back of my hand.  And, then, in the blink of an eye, it was gone. 

Do you have a moment when God was so close to you, you could touch him and feel His tickling deep in your soul? 

O God, come close to me.  Enable the Holy Spirit to come alive in my soul.  Amen.

"He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." - Matthew 3:12 

Some call them weeds; others call them flowers.  God says He will come and separate the wheat from the chaff. 

What if I'm "having a bad day" when He comes?  What side will I be on? 

Everlasting God, may You always see favor in me.  Amen.

Even a tree knows its source as it points its way to the Heavenly Kingdom.  Stretching to the sky with its "fingers" pointing heavenward, it is worthy of imitating. 

Show me, Heavenly Father, the way, the truth and the light.  Let my arms always stretch up to You.  Amen.

How many times have I yelled out, "What's wrong with me?".  As my outer self withers, fades and becomes disfiguring, my inner self begins to share this same ugliness. 

Where is my hope?  Where is my love?  Where is my nourishment? 

In you, Dear Lord, I find my Hope and my Love.  Leave me not, O Lord, for my soul rests in You.  Amen.

"The Lord said to her in reply, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.' " - Luke 10:41-42 

The squirrel was positioned on the tree.  Couldn't decide whether to pounce and attack, or to quietly shimmy down and go some place else. 

These are decisions we often face.  Do you attack and criticize?  Or do you keep to yourself and walk away? 

The squirrel made the better choice.  It came down without a fuss and scampered away. 

What choice would you make?

"Blessed are the poor in spirit ... Blessed are they who mourn ... Blessed are the meek ... Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness ... Blessed are the merciful ... Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven." - Matthew 5:3-12 

I heard an interview with a player reflecting on being named to play in the 2019 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.  "Blessed," he stated.  "I am blessed."  He must have used the word "blessed" to describe his feelings at least a dozen times in the short interview. 

We are all "blessed" in one way or another.  We live in a democratic society; we own homes and cars; we have employment and schooling options; we have access to good health.  We can practice our religion freely; we are forgiven of our sins and transgressions; we have a Savior that died for us; we have a relationship with a God that loves us. 

We ARE "blessed."  How many times do you acknowledge it? 

Loving Father, I am Blessed.  I am truly Blessed.  Thank you.  Amen.


Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash

Happy Birthday!  Our blog is three years old.  For three years now, we've been sharing stories, prayers, inspirations and reflections while "looking at little life moments with a spiritual eye". 

Our top five posts in these three years are: 

• PATHS 
  
• STONES 
  
• THE CHAIR 
  
• LENTEN PRAYERS 
  
• ADVENT PRAYERS 
  

What was your favorite post?  Is there one that made you think, made you cry, made you laugh, made you dream, or made you pray?  Share  your favorite post in the comments. 

So are you ready?  Let's start another year!  Thanks for joining us.