Losing the Signal

You know how it is. You are driving along listening to music on the radio (or Catholic Answers Live) and suddenly you get a little static. You can still hear the program or song, but you have to listen more carefully. Then you are missing every other word, and then it's just gone. No signal at all. Just static. Sometimes you might even start to get a different signal in place of the one you wanted.

This evening, at Stations, I realized I was losing the signal...past missing every other word, but not quite all static, and not another signal, but definitely not getting the message needed or wanted.


I have said many times, it's really rather pointless to plan Lenten penance because God usually has something else in mind for us, something unexpected and out of the comfort zone.


In October, the director of the dance company where Faith takes lessons asked if I would help sew pants for the hip hop kids for the spring recital. Faith doesn't take hip hop, but the pants needed to be made. I didn't ask when or how many. I just said "yes." If it was not for the dance company, where my daughter can learn to be graceful, follow direction, and make friends, as well as pray, learn modesty in movement and dress, and worship God in song and choreography, she would not dance. There is no other dance company in line with our personal values, at least not around here. On Monday, I brought home fabric and patterns for 47 pairs of hip hop pants. Picture day is April 8. I am committed.

I also, recently (but long before the dance fabric "arrived"), made commitments to several faithful Catholic women to sew scapulars for their families. They want them for their children's Easter baskets. (If you are one of those women, you will get your scapulars.)

And there is Holy Week and Easter preparation, and I have honestly thought about giving up sleep for Lent, because my family still needs clean clothes and a relatively clean home, and meals. My daughter still needs to be taught her lessons every day. And for other, more serious reasons, my family just needs more of my undivided attention.

Something has to give, right?

Well, the blog will not be broadcasting for a couple weeks. My mind is constantly whirling..."I would like to write about that, or this, or that." I have to turn it off so I can start receiving the right signal again.

This signal:

The Fourth Station

 Jesus Meets His Mother

 My most loving Jesus, by the pain You suffered in this meeting grant me the grace of being truly devoted to Your most holy Mother. And You, my Queen, who was overwhelmed with sorrow, obtain for me by Your prayers a tender and a lasting remembrance of the passion of Your divine Son. I love You, Jesus, my Love, above all things. I repent of ever having offended You. Never allow me to offend You again. Grant that I may love You always; and then do with me as You will.

Alphonsis Liguori's Stations of the Cross

which I can do in the quiet of my service to others, but not online.



Stay blessed, and stay tuned...





PS My friend Gina had her last radiation treatment this week, and a clean CT scan today. Yeah, Gina!

PSS I mentioned my father-in-law was diagnosed with cancer. It is lung cancer, mutated and metastasized. A drug trial is his only chance for treatment, if he qualifies for one. Please keep him in prayer, if you would, as well as the entire family.