When we think we know

"The plans of men tend to be exclusive and close-minded. The plans of God, instead, ask us to risk and try an adventure.

All of us, when we start on a new path, have human plans, natural ones, and even beautiful ones. But we are witnesses that, in carrying out our own plans, we fail. God is enlarging our horizens. What we are experiencing now is not a human plan, but rather we are abandoning ourselves to the plans of God.

Let us not make the mistake of remaining alone, convinced only of our own plans, of only what we want, because God tells us, 'With me you can work miracles...'

For sure, if you want to love, you have to renounce your immediate plans because without the cross, you cannot love. True love always comes with a sacrifice, and then that sacrifice becomes concrete love."

Thanks to Jeremiah 29:11

Faith and love

The goal of all our undertakings should be not so much a task perfectly completed as the accomplishment of the will of God.
St Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face

For one pain endured with joy, we shall love the good God more forever. - St. Therese of Lisieux

When we yield to discouragement it is usually because we give too much thought to the past and to the future. - St. Therese of Lisieux

Courage is not freedom from fear. It’s being afraid and going on anyway -- Anonymous

If you believe what you like in the gospel, and reject what you don’t like, it’s not the gospel you believe, but yourself -- Augustine of Hippo

Know what you are doing, and imitate the mystery you celebrate: Model your life on the mystery of the Lord's cross --- From the rite of Ordination of a Priest

Let nothing disturb you;
Let nothing make you afraid;
All things pass;
But God is unchanging,
Patience is enough for everything.
You who have God lack nothing.
God alone is sufficient -- Teresa of Avila

The Big Day

We made it through. I have learned an important lesson. God in His mercy is able to overcome even the bleakest of situations to bring about miracles. Regardless of what happened yesterday at Mass(I will get into that later), my beautiful son received a joy like I have never seen in this most precious sacrament. I am sharing this photo so you can see this is why I do the things I do. This child who no one thought would be able to get through school, much less a Catholic school, is on honor roll and just made his First Holy Communion. And all this happened because of God's goodness and mercy. Do not for a minute think the evil one did not "try" to ruin our day. My husband had 4 prank phone calls during Mass even though he had his phone on vibrate, for example. Regardless of all this "stuff"(I will post separately on that) I prayed for the aid of St. Joseph, St. Michael and our Blessed Mother throughout and didn't let this "stuff" ruin the day.
The weather was gorgeous, the dinner was excellent, beautiful cake, lots of family and friends and my dear son was a changed man. I have never seen him so happy and full of excitement. His autism usually masks these things. He made rounds after opening gifts to give hugs and thanks. This from an autistic boy. I hope by his example people can see why God allows conditions such as autism into the world. He is an example of unconditional love and of total dependence on us, his parents for almost all things in life. Isn't that what God calls us to? To trust in him only and to love unconditionally? Not even Satan could stop that boy yesterday, although he tried hard. That sacrament meant so much to him, he waited for so long, he understands love and he "gets it". If he never becomes a priest, a doctor or a fireman, he will have done all and possibly more than these. He has been given the gift to know, love and serve God. That is success in my eyes. The world will judge differently and that's to be expected.