When You Come to Serve the Lord, Prepare Yourselves for Trials
Living Lenten Be-Attitudes.
Do you ever feel that God sets you up? You know, to teach what needs to be taught, to make sure you grow in Wisdom and Grace?
Well for a person to live those Lenten Be-Attitudes, spoken of in the last blog: God literally set me up to make sure I did.
Due to changes in our world, like most empty nesters, we saw family move home again, at our urging! For me, this was God setting me up to reveal to me just how unlike Jesus I could be. (What Lord, I am still not getting it right?--Ouch!) Two became five, and three dogs swelled to six!
Oh my dear Lord, how many times a day was I not kind, understanding, forgiving, trusting, calm, critical, or non-judging! Lord, I did not realize just how controlling I was! 'Please clean up after you cook, eat, put things in the right place and oh do not waste any food!'
And as for that BE--hoping, be thankful, and steadfast in my faith, waiting upon the Lord, KNOWING He is ever present and in control of our life--well let us say LIVING those attitudes: is a daily carrying of the cross! How many times a day did I trip up and fall? Same as you, I am sure. Remember God can read your thoughts.
Thank God for the habits God led me to set up, years ago. Morning quiet time and prayers, Mass and the Sacraments, and reflection on daily Scriptures. Just however does anyone live each day in our world of this Pandemic time without FAITH in GOD?
"IF God is for us, who or what can be against?" When we fail to REMEMBER all that He has taught us and live in His Words, Walk in His Path and Light---however are we able to get through any day or what comes? 2 Corinthians 4 v8-12
We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed;
always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.
For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.
Lent is FOREVER EVERYDAY. Show up and be there for God, even after Easter! For God to work in your life, we must daily "return to Him with all our hearts."
Repentance means to be willing to change. To cooperate with the Holy Spirit and surrender to His Way of living! It is by this walk we arrive to PENTECOST and not just back to 'normal' but resurrected and rejoicing as we continue to Walk in HIS LIGHT, HIS TRUTH, and His WAY!!
Forget the noise of whatever is coming off the 'SCREEN' and perhaps begin to realize WHO is using that 'golden calf' to tempt, to confuse, and to lead you down into a depressed state of mind and life.
The most important Lenten Be-Attitude dear people of God: BE LOVE as I have loved you. Live in Love, so God can always live in you!!
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About the Author
Born the youngest of nine children, raised VERY Catholic across the street from Immaculate Heart of Mary church and school—Mom and Dad led by example and word their FAITH in God and saw to it that I was given 12 years of Catholic Education. (Mount St. Mary’s Academy/1965)
But, most importantly, because of my parents’ spiritual renewal after attending Cursillo Weekends, I too went on a retreat at our beloved Subiaco Abbey in Arkansas and there, at age 20, gave my life totally, surrendering all to my Lord and best Friend. This was my “Pentecostal” event that left me, like all the early Christians, on fire with God’s love and forever changed.
My husband Robert and I have been married for 52 this year in a marriage arranged by God. We have 8 children, two in heaven, 24 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. The story of our life together can be found in a book titled “My Journey, My Cross-As the Journals End,” published by Westbow Press . Our life together has been one awesome up and down roller coaster ride which enriched my heart with so many of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I have found that the only way, Wisdom, Understanding, Words of Knowledge, Discernment, and Healing can be received is first by experiencing in your life the hurts of others. (and you yourself a sword will pierce)* so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2 v 35.
God has blessed me also many other talents and skills--but sometimes, blessings/gifts can and have caused problems or conflict in my life, as I am human and all too quickly that part of me shows up. Thank You God that You also show up!
Because of the many ways that He has rescued me, and taught me through my trials and tribulations and continuous cries for “Help”--- a weekly podcast radio show called “It’s Me, God” can still be found on www.radiotitans.com
