Take Courage

 Jesus said to the disciples, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!" Mark 6:50

When I was young, my father had a boat and once he took our family out to sea. Unfortunately although the day started out fine, when we were way out, the wind became strong and I thought we were going to die! I started to panic and pray. But I looked at my father and he was so calm as if there was nothing to worry about. He was enjoying himself. 

So I felt better, and my panic dissipated. When we are in the midst of any terrifying storm, if we look at the circumstances, we can panic and feel afraid. But if we look at Jesus knowing He can calm any storm, we will be at peace, the "peace beyond understanding".

Right now, I am in the midst of a storm. I have pulmonary hypertension and my doctor keeps telling me it is a progressive disease. Sometimes I feel so weak and helpless like yesterday when I couldn’t even go to mass from my breathlessness. I can panic and be terrified at what the future can bring, realizing no doctor can cure me. But I choose to look to God who created me and loves me. He took care of me my whole life, and I know that being at the center of His will is the very best for me!

Nothing Can Separate Us

 "For I am convinced, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

Saint Paul, who had a direct line to heaven was convinced, believed to his very core, persuaded that nothing, absolutely nothing could separate us, sever us, isolate us, block us off from, divide us, disconnect us from the unfailing, merciful, faithful, encompassing, forgiving love of God.

Certainly not death, no principalities or powers, no enemies that want to destroy us, no evil spirits or lying men.

Nothing present in our life now, our mental state, our physical condition, the company we keep, our finances, the way we think or feel, our unworthiness, even if we are convinced we do not deserve God's love! All these cannot separate us from His love!

Nothing in our future- our anxieties, uncertainties, doubt!No height of absurdity, depth of despair. Nothing in our past, no creature in our past or present or future who left us, who destroyed us, shackled us, will be able to divide us from the love our Father has for us.

Help me to see that You are always by my side! Help me to be convinced as Saint Paul was convinced and sure of, that You love me!

Do not allow anyone or anything to steal this conviction from me!!!

Faith Like a Muscle

 “And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.” Matthew 13:58

Whenever I give an art workshop, I always say that creativity is like a muscle. We all have it, but if we don’t exercise it, it will be limp, and useless. Use it all the time, and it will bloom and grow. There are many exercises and challenges available online to increase creativity. Creativity is not just for artists. Business people, teachers, mothers and fathers, every one on the planet  needs it all the time to be more effective, and successful in their jobs, roles and relationships. 

In Matthew 13:58, we read that Jesus did not do many miracles in His hometown because of the people’s lack of faith. Is faith like a muscle as well? Can we grow in faith just as we can grow in creativity? No doubt about it! Like the gift of creativity, God has also given each one of us, a seed of faith. “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ”, St. Paul writes in Romans 10:17.

We can go to God’s gym to develop our spiritual muscles by exercising our faith everyday, by believing in God’s promises, by rebuking the enemy’s whispers of hopelessness and deception. If someone is sick, we should pray for him and not be shy or insecure that our prayers will not work. Whatever challenge comes our way, let us use our faith muscles and one day we will be spiritual Schwarzeneggers!!! 

Let us become so strong in the faith that the devil trembles when we get up in the morning!!!