Gratitude
If you do not appreciate the people in your life, then you cannot receive their amazing value — only their cost. If you do not say, “Thank you” when you … Continue Reading Gratitude
A Prayer before Eating
This is the famous 1918 photograph by Eric Enstrom called “Grace”. It has hung in the dining room of my parents’ house since before I was born. Interestingly, although … Continue Reading A Prayer before Eating
Favorite Things: Quotes from Saint Therese
It’s a human inclination to want to be famous, wealthy, or influential in some grand way. I want to be a successful author, with big dreams of making bestseller lists and overcoming my … Continue Reading Favorite Things: Quotes from Saint Therese
Inside Out
I would like to have grown from the inside out. To know myself, with my eyes closed, before I explore the external world of color, shape, and sound. To learn, … Continue Reading Inside Out
Where Is God in the Midst of My Misery?
There are times when I suffer real physical pain. Given the already extremely weak and crumpled state of my body every day and, then, adding another physical ailment (which I … Continue Reading Where Is God in the Midst of My Misery?
Joy: Why Are You so Happy?
People often tell me that I am a happy person, saying it with surprise and wonder as they look at my crumpled up body in a wheelchair. I’m no longer … Continue Reading Joy: Why Are You so Happy?
The God of Silence
What does God’s love feel like? Is it warm and fuzzy? In opening our hearts to let God love us, do we experience pleasant sensations, like an encouraging embrace? I … Continue Reading The God of Silence
One Year of Blogging – and Still Thankful
We pass many life milestones through the years and, at each one, we tend to not only measure our progress, but also measure ourselves against them. Like me, now, with … Continue Reading One Year of Blogging – and Still Thankful
Childlike Joy
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. How immature am I? I went up the driveway for the sole purpose of coming down through the fallen leaves, which the wind had furrowed at the … Continue Reading Childlike Joy
Pregnant
Joy is a thing with wings that flies ever to its source; and if that source is love, how beautiful its course. Like a bird cupped gently in the hands, … Continue Reading Pregnant
Mercy Is Joy or It Is Nothing
What is a joyful Catholic? What is a joyful Christian? Let the answer not be: “a rarity”. A joyful Christian is not someone who dwells in fear, mistrust, and misgivings. … Continue Reading Mercy Is Joy or It Is Nothing
When I Die
This is a message that I plan to leave behind for my loved ones… and so… for everyone. Yesterday, April 6th, I celebrated a milestone birthday – but, really, every … Continue Reading When I Die
First Friday and Knowing Love
Margaret, a blind, crippled, deformed dwarf[i] is my choice of facilitator for the First Friday of this month.[ii] One thing that I have always known is that I am loved. … Continue Reading First Friday and Knowing Love
Child of the Poor
–Lyrics by Scott Soper, 1994 Helpless and hungry, lowly, afraid, wrapped in the chill of midwinter, comes now among us, born into poverty’s embrace: new life for the world. Who … Continue Reading Child of the Poor
Christina Chase 