Wandering on the 4th of July

Our country has come along way since, July 4^th 1776, even though we seem to be in constant political debate. I wonder how “we the people” have changed. Were the people of 1776 consumed with money, sex and power, and fueled by their self-will? Our forefathers had intended freedom for our nation, yet I imagine they also desired freedom for all people from their internal struggles.

Two days prior to the official signing of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams sent this note to his wife Abigail:

“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

Our family (much like other families across the nation) will spend our 4^th of July with our closest friends, enjoying a parade, fireworks and barbecue. Adams may approve of our celebration, but would he wish to temper our self-serving, ultra commercialized and materialistic nature? This line in his letter particularly struck me: “It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.” Are we aware of God’s presence in all of the moments and do we turn toward God in strife?

This summer I read Michelle Van Loon’s book, Born to Wander. At age 49, (having traveled nearly a half-century), I’ve often had the sense of being on a journey without a compass. Van Loon suggests that when we yearn for the next new gadget, phase of life, or relationship, we often experience an interior struggle, a natural longing for security, control and safety.   We feel unsettled or uprooted, as if we are pilgrims on a journey. Born to Wander explores the connection between our own journeys and how God’s people traveled the road of uncertainty for centuries.

I’ve had periods in my life when I’ve felt alone, distant from loved ones or my community, isolated from God. I imagine the people living in 1776 also faced many of the same internal struggles that people of today have: fear, resentment, self-pity, lust, envy and anger. Wading through our emotions can be so painful that we may choose to escape or avoid, and instead find ourselves searching aimlessly, looking for relief in the physical world instead of the spiritual. Van Loom reminds us of the biblical story of Ezra and our need for spiritual renewal: “Ezra believed the people needed a spiritual purgative so they could reboot their relationship to God, themselves, one another and the nations around them.”

One of my favorite points Van Loon makes is this:

“Can I trust Him even when I don’t understand why these things are happening? Will I follow Him even though it hurts? And do I have eyes to see His perfect care and abundant provision for me through it all?”

It’s sometimes hard to feel our loving God when we are in the midst of pain.

This summer I attended a lecture on the topic of grief (which is itself a journey). Most of us associate grief with losing a loved one; I had grieved the loss of my father, my older sister and my first child. In that lecture I learned that we experience grief for other kinds of losses as well, and if we work through the stages of grief, we can find a sense of freedom at the end.

Many of us have expectations throughout our life about our health, marriage, children, bank account and career. If we take an honest look at our expectations of those people, places and things, and the reality, we might find that there is a gap — our reality is not measuring up to what we had planned for life. When this happens, it’s okay to grieve that gap. If we’re unaware and don’t tend to our grief, we can be tangled in resentment, disappointment, sadness, anger or other emotions. I have found that when I accept the reality of the people, places and things in my life, I am freed and no longer chained to my unfulfilled expectations. And when I turn to God and ask for the courage and wisdom to accept my disappointments, and to change those things that I can, I am filled with His peace.

Our forefathers offer deep richness in their words, as I have found from John Adams. I believe the people of 1776 found personal freedom from their pain through devotion to God, and recognized His hand in their new country’s freedom. If you are looking for a summer read, pick up Van Loon’s book — I believe you will be inspired by her writings. Check the author’s site for a giveaway Book Giveaway She ends by reminding us that God knows the value in our journey, even when it is filled with pain. I love the scripture she quotes in her final chapter:

“We also glory in our sufferings (journey), because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character and character, hope” Romans 5:3-4

This is the writing and personal reflection and opinion of Peggy O’Flaherty, the Founder and President of Creating Space, LLC.  More information can be found on her website…. Click here to find ways to create more freedom in your life.

Evangelization, Lead with the Beautiful

Last summer at the Downers Grove Rotary Festival, St Mary of Gostyn hosted a lively booth to celebrate our 125 Anniversary with our local community.   The Crowe Family loved having their photo taken with our Pope Francis cut-out.   It’s our mission to go out into the world and share the good news.  We are called to invite people back home to participate in God’s love. Summertime is the perfect time to share that invitation!     

 

Jesus had 12 apostles. Ponder for a moment 12 people (or 12 families) you know. What if you could get even 3 of those individuals/families to take you up on an invitation into the richness of parish life? What if just 1 person or 1 family began to know Christ in a new way because of your efforts? What if they began participating in the life of your parish and in the sacraments with renewed vigor, and then they, too, invited others? Faith could grow exponentially!

Try a few of these ideas this summer and see who responds:

1. Start specifically praying for neighbors, people in the community and that the Holy Spirit will open their hearts.
2. Look at the parish calendar of events and consider which specific events may have the most appeal to a specific person or family.  Perhaps he or she is a golfer or the family would enjoy attending the parish picnic.
3. Bring home a parish bulletin, circle information about the event, and hand deliver it with a personal invitation to join you for the event.  
4. Invite someone to Mass on a Sunday morning and then back to your home for a pancake breakfast (This was my Dad’s favorite practice).
5. Invite someone to a Saturday or Sunday evening Mass followed by a BBQ at your home (or out for pizza at a favorite local spot).
6. Drop off donuts and coffee at someone’s home after you attend Mass on Sunday morning, and let them know you were thinking of them.
7. Share a copy of the parish bulletin electronically with a friend or neighbor via your smartphone.
8. Share a direct link to your favorite free Catholic app (OneParish is loaded on my phone), explain why you like it and how you use it, and encourage someone new to download it.
9. Share something inspiring that you read online. The OneParish Catholic app has easily  shareable content: With just a click you can share Pope Francis’ latest tweet or a video from Bishop Robert Barron.
10. Talk openly about what you love most about your parish: the music, the preaching, the charitable works done in the community, the way the youth group has supported your teens, and/or the friends you have made through ministry groups. Genuine enthusiasm is contagious!

My dear friend always reminds me that we are called to evangelize like a butterfly and not like a bee.  When Helen Keller couldn’t see and couldn’t speak, it was a loving teacher who gently taught her sign language that opened a door for her to to connect with the world around her.  We are called to be that loving guide for others and it can be as easy as a warm and authentic invitation.  

Educational benefits of travel for youth

This morning I sat down to begin my workday and found Grania’s final speech for her sophomore speech class, opened on the google drive.  She presented early this week on how she feels travel is a form of education.    With her approval, I thought I would share – this was her draft, her notes, subsequently added to notecards.   This wasn’t a final product/document turned in for grading, thus she nor I corrected the grammar.

Introduction

From a young age I have always loved to travel. Whether it’s going to my aunt’s lake house in Michigan for the weekend or flying across the world to China.  I love every type of travel. Traveling is such a great thing that everyone should experience. In the Bible in the book of Sirach chapter 34, verse 9-12  it says “A much-traveled person knows many things; and one with much experience speaks sense – an inexperienced person knows little, whereas with travel one adds to resourcefulness. I have seen much in my travels, and learned more than I could ever say.” Travel has always been an important thing to my family. In 1972 my grandparents moved my dad and his four other siblings to America.   After attending Notre Dame my dad and some friends backed-packed around Europe. A few years later he was lucky enough to get the opportunity to teach English in Japan for two years then in 1991 he went to Mongolia and backpacked around China. My parents both urge me to travel every opportunity I get.   This summer my mom and I will travel to Nicaragua on a mission trip to serve the poor.

 

The benefits of traveling at a young age rounds out your education, here are some supporting reasons:

1. Traveling brings an awareness of other other cultures and appreciate for what other people value.
   1. For example – when in Japan it is respectful to take off your shoes, when you walk into someone’s home.
   2. The knowledge you gain when meeting someone from a different country, forms a cultural awareness that can be used in business, politics and even in our schools.
   3. Learn to appreciate what others value, doesn’t happen by staying in the safety of your own town/home.  Once we gain this appreciation we are supposed to  help other people like friends and family become more aware, as well.

2. Traveling brings exposure to the economics, languages and arts of other countries.

1. Walking through Paddington Station, I heard multiple languages and learned new currency.  Who knew in some areas of the country you have to use money to use a public bathroom.  Or in other countries, they don’t use a toilet – the simply squat over a hole.
2. Traveling helps you expand your horizons and explore things you have never seen or eaten before, such as Peking Duck or the shaving of the duck’s feet.
3. Travel opens mind and opens your heart to cultures and their people and their views.

 

3. Americans can be very isolated on many world issues such as poverty and oppression.

1. Of course there is violence everywhere in the world. But there are other places like third world countries that have much more violence and poverty than we do in America.
2. We aren’t able to understand what other countries go though by looking at the T.V. every morning watching to the news.  We need to be up close and see it, we need to serve.

 

4. Travel is a form of education and adds value to our life.

1. Travel obviously is a form of leisure and yet it holds enormous educational value.
2. Travel develops a sense of confidence, freedom and independence.
3. Talking to strangers and meet new people is a great life skill.
4. Three of my cousins have studied abroad. My cousin Connor studied in Ireland for a semester and my cousin Molly did the same thing in Rome. My cousin Kaylee did a summer visit to the Orient.  Each of them had amazing experiences and they returned home with a new appreciation for other cultures.   Each of them have encouraged me to do it in the future.

 

Conclusion

Traveling at a young age has the ability to expand our minds and 1 mind, 1 person, 1 heart can change our world.  When we live in the same town our whole life and travel only inside the United States, it limits the lens for which we look at the world. The lens shapes how we see things in our everyday world.   By traveling across the seas and into different countries the lens expands, our views expand.   We start to have an open mind and start to think not just about the county we live in but the whole entire world. As Ibn Battuta once said “Traveling. It leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” This quote really stands out to me. My parents have stories from traveling that i can’t even picture happening in a million years. And I hope to have stories just like that after I travel the world.

A New Pair of Undies Can Change Your Day.

The top drawer of my bureau containing my undergarments is overflowing, as many women might relate to. Yes, my weight has fluctuated having had 5 children, but it was those same 5 kids who put shopping for personal undergarments very low on my priority list. I wore only the necessities and the criteria was comfort and versatility. Any need was  often filled during a quick run through at Target, with a grocery cart full of diapers, household cleaner and paper towels. I’d toss in a few average black, white or beige, full coverage and boring bottoms. My eyes were opened recently when one of my teenager daughters popped into the bathroom, as I was blow-drying my hair (which I have to do with minimal clothing, thanks to my premenopausal hot flashes).  She stopped abruptly and with a look of horror asked “Mom are you wearing Grandma’s underwear?”

This put me on a mission to rediscover my inner goddess. As women, we are often inclined to care for everyone before ourselves, and this includes our spending. With groceries for our family of seven, bills, college funds and other looming expenses, splurging on a special undergarment now and then seemed out of the question.  My motivation to wear pretty underthings was further diminished more recently when my fitness regimen didn’t transform my figure as I had anticipated, so I wasn’t feeling confident in front of the guy who shared my dressing room: my husband, even though I knew he loved me, no matter my shape or size.

Beyond those very logical excuses, over the years I had forgotten about the 20-year-old me who had a zest for life and a playful connection to her femininity. In my parenting frame of mind, I had subconsciously come to think of my body as a life-source for our children: pregnancy, birthing, nursing and endless piggyback rides, all of which I have treasured. And yet through all this, I have placed an inner part of myself, my light and the part that likes to dance, under a basket.

My ministry, in some ways, had also distorted my view of self — I failed to see some of the fundamental truths that St. John Paul II stated in his Theology of the Body.  “The human body, includes right from the beginning, the capacity of expressing love, that love in which the person becomes a gift – and by means of this gift – fulfills the meaning of this being and existence.”

Perhaps it’s the fact that my youngest child is fairly self-sufficient now, that this fundamental truth came back to me. Thus I had a quest, and recently ventured to the mall, without the kiddos, and I picked out a few undergarments for myself. Yes, I was even a bit shy, I must say, as I brought them to the 20-year-old girl at the register.  Delight now comes each morning, as I get a new selection of something beautiful that’s just for me to begin my day.   I’ve been further surprised at the new bit of confidence building within me, as a result of my morning choice of wardrobing.   A renewed confidence is lasting throughout the day in my interactions with others, at work, and surely as I reconnect with my husband. Something that initially started out as just for me, has tapped into the deeper meaning of the gift. Self love and self-care is something I believe God intends for us all, and when we tend to ourselves, we have more capacity to love others.

My Valentine’s Day challenge for you, young or young-at-heart, male or female: go out today and buy yourself a pretty pair of undies or a sporty pair of boxers!

The human body includes right from the beginning… the capacity of expressing love, that love in which the person becomes a gift – and by means of this gift – fulfills the meaning of his being and existence.”    St. John Paul II

 

7 Ways to Make Serious Money From Home

The November issue of Redbook Magazine featured my business with Dr. Rodan and Dr. Fields.   I run my own skincare company that leverages social commerce and lifestyle marketing as the vehicle for success.  The integrity of the products, the business model, which allows me to run a business from my phone, the leadership and training were all appealing to me when I started in January.   My initial goal was simply to help pay for the groceries, which is no small bill when feeding 7 people and a dog.   When I met that goal, I decided to dream bigger.   So what are you dreaming about?    Maybe it’s building up your retirement account or savings into a college fund, maybe its a vacation next year for your family or a plan B for a raining day.   Or maybe you have always wanted to build something of your own but didn’t know if you could do it.

Several of my partners made this youtube video of this business and it reminded me of the reason I said “yes” to something totally outside my comfort zone.    I remember telling my friend and now partner….. “I can’t sell skincare, I sell God.”  She reminded me in this business we don’t sell anything.   We simply wash our face and share our great results.    Please take a few moments to watch this video and then lets talk about how this business could be the vehicle for you to achieve your dreams.    I would love to help you dream big.

Selling Skincare is a Vehicle for Love?

Christian Women Entrepreneurs

Why in the heck would God call invite me into a business of selling skincare?   Tune in today with my interview by Christina M. Webber, MS, Speaker, Christian Women Entrepreneurs Coach, and Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist.  Christina coaches Christian Women Entrepreneurs how to confidently do God’s will by changing messages and patterns that block them from earning more money in less time while embracing their many roles in life.

Please contact me directly with any questions or to explore God’s call in your life.

Blessings,

Peggy

630-327-2213

Lasting Impact of Childhood Abuse

Have you had a chance to see the movie Tomorrowland?  In it, the main character, a young heroine, repeats a story back to her father, in his moment of defeat, a story he told her during her childhood.  In the story there are two wolves: one is darkness and one is light. “Which one wins?” she questions him. After a pause she continues, “The one you feed the most.”

Since I was in 3^rd grade, I’ve been haunted by a ghost of my past, bound up by the shackles of abuse, feeling a prisoner of the violence that was inflicted upon me.   I’ve lived bent over by the voice of shame that was whispered to me when I was only 8.  Fast forward ten years; as I was preparing for college, I sat with an administrator who was reviewing my ACT scores, and he said with a smirk on his face, “Girl, I think a monkey would score higher on this exam than you did.”   Somehow, one negative voice triggered other angry voices that had been repeated in my head — feelings of fear and having no value. Those voices were drummed up again and again over the next 30 years, by decisions I made that led to mistakes, or missteps on roads that were winding and unclear. It felt natural for me to focus on those voices of pain that led to self-doubt.  And to quiet those voices, I felt driven to strive for many things, some of which weren’t healthy.  Yet I also felt drawn toward joy, a lifeline that always seemed out of reach.  Now, however, at almost 48, I’m finally starting to shake myself of those heavy chains.  Inner strength is beginning to emerge. Feelings of finally being redeemed, and growing into the person that God intended me to be, are being fostered.

My life circumstances over the last year and my circle of influences have caused me to look at why and how I’m choosing to live my life.  In scripture Luke chapter 10 verse 27 we hear, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  This year I’ve come to realize that loving neighbor and others is tricky when you don’t love yourself.  Now I’m settling into love of self, and accepting God as the power that frees me from those heavy chains.  It’s taken many years to discover and foster that self-love and look at my authentic self.  (I’ll save those details for another blog.)

As I was pondering the sensitive nature of this entry, I heard the fear creeping up in me: “What might people may say or think of me?”   For me, confidence and self-love starts with acknowledging my feelings and I do that best through prayer while taking a run.   My run took me down a tree-lined street, where suddenly, an enormous black crow landed directly in front of me on a low-hanging branch.  He appeared to look right at me, and did his “caaahaaa” as if he was laughing at me.  That crow reminded me that we live in a world where good and evil are both present on every road I take.   I decided I wouldn’t let that crow intimidate me — I picked up my pace and popped in my earbuds.  The first song I heard was by the group Mercy Me.   The lyrics of “Greater” clearly state the voice that I now hear inside of me.  God’s voice in my heart is far “Greater” than those voices of my past, the naysayers in my world, and those who try to intimidate me.  Like the heroine from the movie Tomorrowland, I am choosing to feed the voice of light.

Lilacs, Rwanda, Immaculee and Women’s Inner Strength

Have you noticed the lilac bushes are in bloom?   In the Midwest every spring in early May the streets and yards are lined with beautiful purple fragrant lilacs.   Perhaps you grew up with a Common lilac, Persian lilac, Dwarf Korean variety, Himalayan, Chinese lilac or even a lilac tree.    My sister Linda Kay Doyle had a beautiful white lilac bush that she cherished.  It was an exceptionally fragrant lilac in her yard, just off her deck.    My sister Linda died 10 years ago today, May 5 2005.   She was an avid gardener and whenever I would visit her home, we would walk arm and arm around her yard to explore what was currently in bloom.

Linda was an educator who was very compassionate and cognizant about the surrounding world.   She was always giving me fiction and non-fiction books that would get me thinking.   We had long conversations about the underlying theme of books such as the Kite Runner and The Red Tent.   The week before she passed she urged me to watch the movie Hotel Rwanda with Don Cheadle.

Hotel Rwanda is the story of the 1994 horrific genocide that took the lives of one million people who were brutally murdered in Rwanda, Africa.   In an era of high-speed communication and round the clock news, the events went almost unnoticed by the rest of the world.   In three months, one million Tutsis; men, women and children were massacred by the hands of the Hutu marauders.   The movie shared the courage of one man who in the face of unspeakable dangers granted shelter to thousands of helpless refugees in the hotel that he managed.

I never had the chance to chat with Linda about her thoughts on the Rwanda genocide.  And yet, two years after she passed, I learned about a woman who survived that genocide and knew that I had to hear her story.  Immaculee llibagiza was a Tutsis college student, who was urged to go into hiding by her father.   Immaculee found shelter at a pastor’s home, where she and seven other women hid from the deadly rebel mob in a 3-by-4 foot bathroom for 91 days.    During those 91 days of unimaginable suffering, Immaculee found her faith, taught herself English and most incredibly, committed herself to a life of peace, hope and forgiveness.  Even for those who had murdered her family.

Last week, I was privileged to attend a luncheon entitled “Aid for Women” and the keynote speaker was again Immaculee.  She again shared her powerful life lessons from her Rwanda experience of love, forgiveness and world peace.    The organization she spoke was in support of Aid for Women, which has been instrumental in providing support for women and especially empowering women to choose life.  They provide funding to Heather’s House, a home for unwed mothers providing education, medical assistance, spiritual and housing support.  You can read more about their organization at www.helpaidforwomen.org.   You can read one of Immaculee’s several books or watch this short video about her story.

Linda placed an enormous value on the inner strength within a women and the bond of friendship between women.   Considering Linda’s own health limitations, nothing held her back and I knew she drew strength from faith, friendship and family.   Where do you draw strength to be the women God intended you to be?  How do you age gracefully and rest within the challenges of your life, the body we have been given and live within our unique giftedness?  How do the relationships in your life help you to fly?  Helping women explore these questions have become my life work.   Thank you, Linda!!!!

Creative Ways to Manage Household Finances and Rely on Faith

Each month as the household bills come rolling in and we watch the scale tip; too much money going out and not enough coming in – it can be a hard pill to swallow.  It is emotionally draining, pounding on the ego, frustrating and very easy to become envious of what others have and doubting of decisions that brought us to this point.  This has happened to us before, as when we were first married we purchased our first home and had to settle into a mortgage payment that was a stretch.   Then several years ago we felt the pinch, being in our third home and managing the growth of expenses with a family of 7.  Now married 20 years this summer and 18 months into owning our own companies and again we have to make some major shifts in our spending and our income.  In times like these I hear my dad’s voice “you need to make sacrifices, what can you live without.”   Then my inner mom voice chimes in and says “roll up your sleeves and find a way to fix the situation”.

Getting organized is usually my first defense and that starts by reevaluating our expenses via a color coded spreadsheet.  As a stay home mom, through trials we learn how to be creative for example; on where to shop to find the best values for groceries (Aldi), how the majority of household providers (cable TV, security systems, phone companies) are willing to drop your monthly expense by simply asking and cooking at home on a budget versus eating out is an enormous savings.    Once those options are exhausted more difficult choices may be necessary.   When I had four small children under the age of 5, I shared with my husband if I didn’t get some help around the house or with laundry I may never make it to see them graduate high school.   Over the last 10 years, I was blessed each Tuesday from 9:00 – 2:00 with my own personal Mary Poppins.  She arrived each week and magically created order in our house, especially the laundry room.   I was spoiled and saying goodbye to that luxury was extremely difficult.   She helped me care for my newborns and she will be missed.  That sadness was lifted when I watched the kids’ expressions, as I showed them their new job charts.  I kind of chuckled when I heard one of them say “clean the bathroom sinks, are you serious?”    My oldest sister has the motto “a family that cleans together and prays together will stay together.”    In our fast past society, busy with sports and activities on the weekend, I believe we lost sight of this fundamental life lesson on working together to care for our home.

We have many harder choices in front of us, that other families have faced and with perhaps less options than our family.   A few things that I have noticed in this chapter of our life; the idea of walking in faith when we have so many unknown pieces is challenging, rising to be the person I believe God intended me to be is much harder than I thought when under stress and giving into despair is easy.   On the flipside I am noticing blessings in the very small things of life; such as the joy of teaching my child how to wash the baseboards or asking one of the children to help me with calculating the groceries so we stay within a budget.  Or staying home and having a family game night versus going out to the movies.

We have found ways to supplement our monthly income by selling some toys and items around the house via an on-line garage sale site.  I have opened up my schedule for a few more speaking engagements; one at a Christian book store opening in the spring and a morning retreat for the Joliet Diocese Deaconate Wives.  This is my real passion, so please pass along my name if your parish, community or network is in need of speakers.  I also am working as a consultant for my favorite skincare solution and feeling so good about helping individuals address basic and everyday skincare needs; such as sun damaged skin, wrinkles, dull and sensitive skin, acne and eczema.  Having balance in my life for healthy eating, fitness, skin care, nurturing relationship and faith formation all help my confidence and relieve stress.

Last year I spoke at Illinois Benedict College to a group of students about “Using Your Strengths and Gifts to Follow Your Dreams.”    I shared with them wisdom from Saint Catherine of Siena “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on Fire.”  It is easy to doubt who God intended for me to be when life is at a crossroads.   When following your dreams isn’t quite financially sustaining the family then prayer and patience is necessary.  In scripture we hear that God doesn’t want us to worry and he wants us to trust in Him.  I also believe that God gave us a heart and a mind for a reason.   I believe he asks us to be creative, think outside the box, wear many hats, look at all your options, reevaluate what is important and how do the choices we make impact our not only ourselves but our children as well.

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream….”  C.S. Lewis

Find Light In Darkness

Last night our oldest daughter received her fourth sacrament, Confirmation.  The Mass was celebrated by Abbot Austin Murphy and he reminded us that we have already received the gift of the Holy Spirit during our Baptism.  The Confirmation is another level of accepting the love that Christ gives to us.  God’s love come to us in the form of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which we have been given to be shared out into the world.  During the Liturgy the choir did an outstanding job singing “Go Light Your Candle” by Chris Rice.  I shared this song via the youtube video, as perhaps a reminder or for inspiration.  The opening lyrics begin……”There is a candle in every soul, some brightly burning, some dark and cold. There is a Spirit who brings a fire – ignites a candle and makes His Home.” and then the song goes on “So carry your candle, run to the darkness, seek out the hopeless, confused and torn……”

This year I have been pondering the scripture from Jeremiah chapter 29:11 “I alone know the plans I have made for you, plans to bring about the future you hope for.”  Considering my own candle has been feeling dark and cold, this scripture is frustrating for me.  It is great that God has plans for me, I wish I knew the full details of those plans.   Yet when I heard this song it provided me a bit of comfort, knowing Christ has His Home in my heart.  I find comfort in being thankful to see the candle burning brightly in others, especially my newly confirmed daughter.

Perhaps I know God’s plan for me, at least for now, go and pick my kiddos up from the bus stop, help with homework and make dinner.   Amen.