Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6-7



Friday, March 15, 2013

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.





11 comments:

  1. I'm glad to hear Gina's good news, but very sorry to hear your FIL's news. So sad. I will continue to pray for him and the family.

    I don't know how you're going to do all you have to do! By the grace of God, I guess. Can you recruit a partner for those pants?

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  2. If I knew how to sew you know I'd help you! Praying for your father-in-law. Call if you need anything (other than sewing!), you know where I am.

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  3. Many prayers for your father-in-law and continued prayers for Gina.

    47 pairs of pants??!!?? Do we suffer from the same disorder...."Biting Off More Than We Can Chew??"
    You know I would help you if I live closer!

    My babysitting of an 18 month old and a 6 week old has been rather interesting. :)

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  4. That is a lot of pants!

    Praying for your FIL.

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  5. I will be praying for your father-in-law and family.

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  6. Praying for your FIL and also in gratitude for Gina's good news. I know exactly what you mean about losing the signal. I'm kind of there myself.

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  7. Dear Barbara,
    My Easter prayers will be for you and your family and friends during these stressful and frustrating days, along with prayers of thanksgiving that you continue to inspire me and to be an excellent example to all your on-line "friends." You are a gift to us.
    --Linda

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  8. Thank you for taking all the time to share, even though you have so much on your plate. I'm very thankful for Gina's good news! Your father-in-law is now on my prayer list. I would consider giving up sleep as a penance, but I'm afraid my family would suffer if I did! Your postings after Holy Week and Easter will be a welcome treat. May you and your family have a blessed Holy Week and a joyous Easter. -- Rosemary

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  9. Happy Easter, Barbara! I am just imagining you sitting at that sewing machine stitching up pants leg seams! :)

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I appreciate your comments -- sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself!