Today is a Day the Lord Has Made

Living in Upstate New York, I have the blessing of seeing the change in seasons. Some may argue when winter comes ( about the blessing part!).... I am definitely a "spring/fall" person. Nonetheless, we prepare and tolerate and soon enough a new season is upon us.

Life is also compared to seasons.....I guess I would be considered to be in the autumn of my life. Thank goodness I like fall!
Looking back in my faith life I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. The ignorance of youth has passed and the knowledge that comes with age is truly a gift. They say " If I only knew then what I know now". Not me. I can look back and say I have had a timely journey. I have suffered, I have grieved, I have loved. I have been hurt, I have hurt, I have learned how to be a good parent, a good friend, a good daughter and a good sister. I have learned how to be a good Christian.
Learning takes time and I am not done yet. Every day is a learning experience. I have and will make mistakes But with my faith growing ever stronger, with time, I know I can forgive and be forgiven.
The peace that has come over me through the grace of God fills me with optimism. The strength of prayer is amazing!
So, as I prepare for winter (the season) and winter (my life path), I also prepare for the coming of my Savior. And, I know that after the winter has passed my life will start anew. See glory in this day... this season ...this life. Knowing that when your seasons have passed you will REALLY be alive in the presence of GOD !

God's Gifts, Great and Small

I'm the kind of person that notices things. At least, I am now....
There was a time when I wanted to be noticed. But, I am far beyond that perspective now. I have learned through my journey that it is far better to go un-noticed. 
But, you must realize how great a gift it is to be "small". You must realize you ARE small (in the scheme of things). I'm not saying you can't do great things! That is the purpose of life.....to take what you are given and use it in the name of God. The difficult part is learning not to brag or bring attention to yourself. That, to me, is being Christ-like.

With that said, I notice when I am driving to work and the traffic signals are all green....Or, when someone lets me into traffic, or when a friend needs a little bit more attention. 
I notice the squirrels in the tree across the street frolicing through the branches and the wonder of the Blue Jay that happens to glide from one tree to another. I notice the crispness of the air and the colors of the leaves. 

My prayer for you today is to notice God's gifts, no matter how small. And thank Him. For He is the Creator of all things. Every living thing is His, including and especially you. So thank Him for YOU....your life, your blessings, those who are in your life and the abundance of beauty that surrounds you in the little things. We all like (even expect) to be thanked when we give a gift....for a birthday, or a holiday. Why shouldn't we thank God? He gives us the very air that we breathe. Fill your lungs and give praise to Him!

In the Beginning

Born and raised in Buffalo New York, a Catholic child instilled with the fear of God. Going to mass, being told of God's wrath on sinners and believing I would never "make it to heaven".
Catholic education, no encouragement to read the Bible.....Just look at the priest as the closest thing to God Himself. And, fear.....lots of fear. 
This is how I "believed" for 48 years of my life. In fear.

This blog will journal my journey through faith. The way I have grown to know God. How I have learned and am learning about my Saviour, Jesus Christ. But mostly about the love and grace and forgiveness that my God extends out to me each and every day. 
His blessings and comfort, His never ending forgiveness and the unconditional love He gives me....

I no longer am a believer because of fear, I am a believer because of goodness, grace and love.

I hope you take this journey with me and share your inspiring stories.