Ten Ways to Love from the Bible
Recently I came across a helpful post on Facebook. Someone found ten specific ways to love in Scripture. As I pass them on to you, I offer a comment or two about each one…. 2. Trust without wavering (1 Corinthians 13:7). Love means your reliance on someone is constant, not fickle. You believe that you […]
Watch and Wait in Advent
One Black Friday I ventured out to find a new watch and immediately located the right one. However, it needed two links removed in order to fit. “Just a minute,” the clerk said as she tinkered with the links. She continued to say that for over an hour. At one point I volunteered to try […]
Putting up with Pet Peeves
The other day someone asked me a question. Before I had a chance to open my mouth, a person about three yards away called out the answer. Now that irritated me! Nevertheless, it did some good, because it suggested the topic for this week’s blog: pet peeves. I think every human being is irked by […]
Perseverance to Mars and Heaven During Lent
On February 18, 2021, the rover Perseverance is to land on Mars and collect samples. This achievement is the result of NASA’s perseverance. Perseverance, or persistence, is a virtue. Its partner patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Perseverance takes courage, a gift of the Holy Spirit. How is your New Year’s resolution going? […]
Detecting Grace in Life’s Messes
I can relate to the book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day because I just had an entire week of bad days! My phone was cancelled by mistake, and it took six days and talks with seven agents before it was restored. I lost the PBS station on TV (jeopardizing […]
Advent, Time for Patient Waiting
We’re in Advent, the season of waiting, waiting for God. We Americans don’t like to wait. We are frustrated by red lights, long lines at the checkout counter, and lengthy downloads. But as poet R.J. Thomas observed, “The meaning is in the waiting.” The Israelites waited centuries for salvation from Egypt and centuries for salvation […]
Patience, a Virtue
Perhaps you are familiar with the prayer “Lord, give me patience. Right now.” Recently when I complained about having to wait so long to hear whether or not a book was accepted by a publisher,* a friend commented, “All in God’s good time.” God’s time is really different from ours! We Americans like things fast: […]
Bearing Wrongs as a Work of Mercy
Every so often something you’ve heard a hundred times strikes you as never before. This happened to me last Sunday during a homily. The priest was naming the works of mercy. When, in listing the spiritual works, he said, “Bear wrongs patiently,” I took notice. “That’s an odd work of mercy,” I thought. On reflecting […]
Wait! It’s Advent.
Almost three years ago I sent a manuscript to a publisher. As months passed, I often wondered what was happening to the book. Then last week I was e-mailed the final copy before it goes to the printer. The book is outstanding. I e-mailed back that “it was worth the wait.” We’re in Advent, the […]
