With shock I read about the death of Michael Dubriel Tuesday morning. I didn't know the man....in person nor through his books or articles.
I do "know" his wife, Amy Welborn. I've read her articles and blog for quite some time now.
It's amazing what comes over a person when you hear news like this. Grief for his family; shock at the suddenness of what happened. Thankgsiving for the life I have and those in my life. And realization that this could happen to ME at some point.
None of us know the hour when God will be calling us Home to Him. All we can do is live each day to it's fullest. Love those He places in our paths. And prepare to the best of our ability for that moment when He comes to wrap His arms around us and bring Him into His fullness.
This morning I came upon the last column that Michael Dubriel wrote on Monday evening less then 24 hours before he was called Home.
Please take some moments to read it and then some more moments to pray with his words.
It's unfortunate that I only came to know this man through his death. But I have every intention of ordering a few of his books and reading them.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Bit of an Ephiphany
I was reading Andrea's blog today where she posted her "25 Things About Me" list.
And I had an ephiphany when I read her #14.
I too am more of an introvert than extrovert. Very much so. I have no problem spending hours alone by myself praying; knitting; reading. After spending hours out "in public" whether it be working or shopping or whatever I NEED time alone to recharge my batteries so to say.
It isn't something that I've consciously chosen but it's part of me and I never really realized that that is one of my "legitimate needs" (according to the book The Seven Levels of Intimacy).
Some people I'm sure may think I'm being "rude" or "snobbish" but I'm not. Not at all. I like people. I like talking and being around people I know and love. But after awhile it drains me completly and I need solitude....to do something quiet in order to build back up.
This causes many times of unbelievable guilt inside of me. When I say "no" to doing something because I KNOW that if I say yes to another thing it will be "harmful" in a way to my mental state. I'm not saying crazy mental illness coming along but it would cause me to burn out.
And it makes it worse when people try to talk me into things or can't understand. I didn't make me this way. But that's the way I'm made. Some people thrive on being consantly busy on being with people all the time. That's wonderful. I don't to a point.
And it's time I stop feeling guilty. And stop allowing others to make me feel guilty. I'm not anyone else I'm Jen and Jen should know and DO what she knows is best for her.
And I had an ephiphany when I read her #14.
I too am more of an introvert than extrovert. Very much so. I have no problem spending hours alone by myself praying; knitting; reading. After spending hours out "in public" whether it be working or shopping or whatever I NEED time alone to recharge my batteries so to say.
It isn't something that I've consciously chosen but it's part of me and I never really realized that that is one of my "legitimate needs" (according to the book The Seven Levels of Intimacy).
Some people I'm sure may think I'm being "rude" or "snobbish" but I'm not. Not at all. I like people. I like talking and being around people I know and love. But after awhile it drains me completly and I need solitude....to do something quiet in order to build back up.
This causes many times of unbelievable guilt inside of me. When I say "no" to doing something because I KNOW that if I say yes to another thing it will be "harmful" in a way to my mental state. I'm not saying crazy mental illness coming along but it would cause me to burn out.
And it makes it worse when people try to talk me into things or can't understand. I didn't make me this way. But that's the way I'm made. Some people thrive on being consantly busy on being with people all the time. That's wonderful. I don't to a point.
And it's time I stop feeling guilty. And stop allowing others to make me feel guilty. I'm not anyone else I'm Jen and Jen should know and DO what she knows is best for her.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Feast of the Presentation
It was three years ago that I came to truly appreciate the beauty of the special Feast day that the Church celebrates today.
Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Baby Jesus in the Temple. When Our Lady and Saint Joseph brought the 40 day old Baby to the Temple to "present Him to the Lord".
Two years ago I wrote about what that aspect of today's Feast Day brought to my own prayer.
Today's Feast also goes by the name of Candlemas. And that is the aspect of the Feast that I am meditating on today.
Isn't it beautiful that our Faith is soooo rich that each feast day has so many details to meditate upon?
Today I've found myself meditating upon the Light. The Light of Christ. The Light that that beautiful Baby brought to the world. The Light that the Real Presence of Christ brings in the Eucharist. The Light of the candles that are lit.
I've been focused a lot on candles today. I love them! I love the flickering. The soothing calm that comes when I focus on the small flame.
I light my blessed candles when those I love are traveling in bad weather. I light them when I'm depressed or lonely. When I'm praying. When I need peace. When I feel joy.
The candle-light lifts my heart and mind to the true Light of the world, Christ Himself.
And for today's Feast that is what I am pondering. What it means that the Light of the world was brought as a small Baby to the Temple for all of us.
Deo Gratias!
Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Baby Jesus in the Temple. When Our Lady and Saint Joseph brought the 40 day old Baby to the Temple to "present Him to the Lord".
Two years ago I wrote about what that aspect of today's Feast Day brought to my own prayer.
Today's Feast also goes by the name of Candlemas. And that is the aspect of the Feast that I am meditating on today.
Isn't it beautiful that our Faith is soooo rich that each feast day has so many details to meditate upon?
Today I've found myself meditating upon the Light. The Light of Christ. The Light that that beautiful Baby brought to the world. The Light that the Real Presence of Christ brings in the Eucharist. The Light of the candles that are lit.
I've been focused a lot on candles today. I love them! I love the flickering. The soothing calm that comes when I focus on the small flame.
I light my blessed candles when those I love are traveling in bad weather. I light them when I'm depressed or lonely. When I'm praying. When I need peace. When I feel joy.
The candle-light lifts my heart and mind to the true Light of the world, Christ Himself.
And for today's Feast that is what I am pondering. What it means that the Light of the world was brought as a small Baby to the Temple for all of us.
Deo Gratias!
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