8 little arms

 Eight little arms🌻you're drawing me in🌻to your magic of yellow and glow. I've waited so long for you🌻weeks turned to months🌻💛when I buried your seed and had hope. How can you stand there so strong and proud?🌻while your stem is so thin - then the prize🌻A late little sunflower, drawing me in to your center of darkness, your head 🌻

See What I See

 

Andalusia

 The grounds where once cows gave their milk, stands a home and memoirs of a lady of silk. Flannery was a lady who showed how she felt, and spun a life I marvel, taking all she was dealt. I hope I can live as she did in some ways, to be more intentional and productive with days. What a treat it was to visit her home, as I crave inspiration on adventures I roam. I could feel her intention and eye for the good and even the fearful in her mind where I stood.

 

I am a Strong Tree

 

Reach

 I need to write

So I visit the beach 

To let my cares go 

And my spirits to reach 

I need to dream  

So I watch the sun set 

Reality meets hope 

In the wonder I get. 

I need to soar 

So I rock with the waves 

Till the wind takes me higher 

In the heavens I bathe 

It never disappoints 

As the years bring me here 

Always new horizons 

I hold each of them dear 

So I reach like the monuments 

Shining at Saint Joe 

And await my surprises 

Every year I still go 

So if you need a lift  

Or a promise to hold 

Join me at the sand 

We'll live a tale to be told. 

~Sharon Cecil

A Little Bird Told Me...continued

 Go out on a line- with a large group or alone...look up, down, all around

Fly in freedom, no destination required

Sing when you arise, just because.  Someone may be listening and be joyful with you      

Nature provides ~ God is the author

There's plenty of room for us all, same or very different 

Being small is relative 

Feathers are light

Food is from the ground

Nests come and go after their purpose.   💛 Life is fragile but beautiful

64

 I’ve had the joy of 64 Christmases.  That’s a lot of great memories, many years of celebrating baby Jesus’ birth, love, lights, gifts, and family happiness.  Being part of this family is something I’m so grateful to God for. My family is alive, it grows in number and memories.  64 birthdays, Easters, winters, springs, summers and autumns experienced.  64 cycles of time that I know follow each other.  This predictability gives a sense of safeness and peace.  God thought of everything when He created us and this beautiful world.  As this Christmas approaches, I realize this will be my 65th.  Time marches on.  Let’s cherish each moment, hour, day, and year ~ thanking God for all of the beautiful memories. I thank Him for all of the people in my life throughout the years, all orchestrated by Him especially for me.  64 is really the 65th chance I get at it all again. Death is really life of the soul for eternity, Jesus’ death was really eternal life for us all and a chance to be with Him, our Father, and the Holy Spirit forever.  Things aren’t only what they seem.  This darkness that we are in right now will be brightened by the Christ Child and beyond.  Count it all good. 

The Train Whistle

Just a couple of days after Christmas in 2000, my 3 children and I moved into our new home in the country.  The city we had been living in was changing from a quaint Catholic German neighborhood, to a place where gangs were coming in as older homeowners passed away and the homes became for profit rentals.  My children were getting older and problems were arising.  I longed for a country atmosphere.  I had been so active in my parish and community so this process probably took longer than it should have.  There were so many obstacles to overcome and we moved temporarily a couple of times awaiting our final move.  It was horrible and I cried every time I drove toward the country looking for a place I could afford. It seemed like it rained every time I went searching.  I was very despondent wondering why God led me to look around Walton, KY but everything was falling through for a couple of years.  Finally one day I drove through a very small subdivision being built which I had applied for a down payment subsidy but fell through the cracks.  We stopped in front of one of the houses and a man was out front of his house next door.  As it turned out, his daughter was the realtor and they were kind of scrambling to get the remaining homes sold to complete their grant - the same one I had applied for and couldn’t get  worked out.  We exchanged information and within weeks, everything was approved for my loan on the house next door to this man.  I actually got to choose which property I wanted!  I chose the biggest yard even though it was a hill.  It was an absolute miracle.  I had a dream previously, kind of envisioned rolling hills.  The view from my new home was those rolling hills.  One of my sweetest memories and what I hold dear as an analogy for our family happened the night we moved in.  The day I got the keys I anxiously awaited because the electric couldn’t be turned on until the next day.  We had a big snow storm that night but I still couldn’t wait another day for the electric.  We drove those snowy county roads and made it inside the dark house.  We huddled up in lots of blankets, my two teen sons and daughter along with our golden mix dog Cuddles.  I heard the train whistles all night long.  It wasn’t an annoyance but rather a joy because there were no distractions, just us together ~ nothing else, with all the hope and dreams ahead.   I always loved to hear the trains because it reminded me of that night and all it represented.  God miraculously provided that small but brand new home for us.  This was particularly miraculous that I was approved for the loan on a part time job salary as I was still homeschooling the children.  We lived there for 18 years.  I sold the house and retired in October of 2018.  The kids were grown and the home had served it’s purpose.   I downsized to an apartment so I wouldn’t have repairs.  As it turned out, the builders had seriously cut corners causing me lots of repairs and expenses.  So I’m so enjoying this place with all new “everything” - some of the things I had actually picked out when I was considering staying in the home and taking a loan for repairs.  God specifically provided only to show me He is in control and is taking care of me.  It’s nothing fancy but a great neighborhood, lots of deer and wildlife in the yard and a balcony with a lake view.  The other night when I laid their quietly and couldn’t sleep, I heard a train whistle.  I’ve been here two years now but never heard the train before.  It made me smile and remember that loving feeling of our first night in our home.  God is so good ~ especially in the darkest nights. 

LIGHT

 Today I’m greeted with intense light 

So supernaturally bright 

Ushering a new day, perhaps a new way

Blinding, warm, inviting 

Brightening my world 

Twinkling on the lake scene

Opening my eyes wider to what is and what can be...

HUGS

 Every morning before I get out of bed, I greet my guardian angel and thank him.  I ask him to go to God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and give them a big hug from me.  I spend some time taking to God, thanking Him and worshipping Him ~ listening, laying my head on His shoulder, sharing my thoughts of His infinite love.  Then I say a little morning offering and a few other prayers.  Then I ask my guardian angel to give hugs from me to everyone (I’ll list) and tell them of my love and God’s great love and value of them.  Asking my angel to enlist angels and saints to pray for them with us, their family, friends, loved ones for salvation, conversion, healing and our unity.  I even ask for prayers for all our pets.  I start with my children’s names, grandchildren, their other parent, my parents and grandparents, siblings, ancestors and lineage, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, Godchildren, Godparents and those of my family/friends.  Then, Mary and Joseph, all the angels and saints, souls in purgatory, all creatures, the homeless, sick and suffering, those in mortal sins, in jail, at war, separated from loved ones, those involved in  or victimized by abortion, abuse and addiction.  Continuing with all past, present and future neighbors, coworkers, fellow parishioners and classmates, then naming my friends and add all who pray for me, priests (many named) our Church and leaders, many others and they come to mind. I send hugs to my beloved pets who have passed away and very much missed and those still here.  Then thanking  and sending my love and hugs to my busy guardian angel. I raise up my arms and say NEW DAY as my 7 year old  grandson Nicolas showed me he does when I told him I was tired one morning. 

Twitter

 Catholic evangelization and prayer collaboration sharrose@benjmave.  Please go to twitter and look for my account.  I post every day.  It’s so wonderful to interact in real time with fellow Catholics especially.  We post prayer needs and offer prayers and the rosary for others around the world.  This has also been a great way for me to promote my rosary apostolate and send rosary/prayer packets around the world as they request them.  International shipping is super limited since the  pandemic but I try to provide them as needed.  Consider joining me on this platform, it’s great Catholic encouragement for me and can be for you. Follow Sharrose@benjmave. 

The Story Of A Soul, Saint Thérèse Of Lisieux, Full Catholic Audiobook

Suffering increases Love ~ St Rose of Lima

From 1 to 5

Are you feeling alone?

 As we self-isolate to protect ourselves from the corona virus, we may start to feel very alone.  It is a way to protect yourself from the virus and as a society, this isolation will limit it’s spread.

We spend our lives creating a home with every creature comfort, so let’s truly enjoy the fruits of our labor.  I personally have always enjoyed being home. Adventure and enjoying the world is also a big part of my life too but in a way of simple pleasures.  The Bible tells us there is a time for everything.  This new normal can be a time of great personal and spiritual growth.  We can do so many things we couldn’t find the time for:  reading that book, writing that letter, deep cleaning our home and souls.
Google the examination of conscience and let’s make sure we are being obedient children of our loving Father.

You are never alone ~ God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are in the room with you this very moment   ~ along with your loving guardian angel.  So what feels like one is actually five!!!!!  Truth is beautiful and God would never want us to be alone.  Your presence is like a little family and there is strength  in numbers.  Isn’t it exciting to see what God will be leading us to in this new normal?

Baby Jesus Cried

It’s two days until Christmas.  The focus is on the joy of God sending a Savior and heaven meeting earth.  Joy abounds with lights, celebrating, gifts, and laughter.  But in the quiet of that holy night and in the quiet of your soul, listen to the small voice.  You may have to listen for a while before you hear it.  It’s a very sad, heart wrenching sound.  Baby Jesus was crying.  He was thrust into this world through a birth process we are not sure of but babies cry being born.  He was cold, so cold.  He was crying from His first emotions.  We think of the hope in a new baby being born but they don’t feel that.  They’re only reacting physically and emotionally to the trauma of the transition.  So baby Jesus entered the world like He left it ~ painfully to give us hope.  Comfort Him and hear Him this Christmas. Be present with His mother, father, and even the animals.  Take a little extra quiet time to listen, you might hear...baby Jesus crying out for you.

Poppy

I went to a fun writers group today.  I’m trying to find my way to working on and completing my book.  One of the prompts was a combination of a character feeling envious of other characters and wanting to create distance with those other characters.  Here is what flowed out of that ~ the moderator said it would be a cute children’s book so I decided to share.
The new puppy “Poppy” was so excited being welcomed into his new home.  The man kept smiling and talking sweetly to him.  He thought this must be my lucky day! 🍀 The man gave him a soft little bed, treats and toys.  He took him for walks and cuddled him a lot.  The other two dogs in the house were really big.  They looked alike and acted alike.  When Poppy got all of the attention, the two big dogs made a lot of noise, blocked off in another room.  Poppy wondered what they were saying.  Most days, the man was gone for a long time.  Poppy felt alone, especially as he watched the two dogs in the other room.  They tugged at toys together and laid close to each other for naps. He wondered, why can’t I be in there with them?  He kept going to the gate to try to smell them but they didn’t bother.  Maybe they would jump on me because they’re so big he thought, but I kind of want to play with them.  Day after long day, Poppy stopped going to the gate.  He just waited, knowing the man would come back and all would be well again!  One day, the man took all three 🐕 🐕 🐶 dogs for a walk together.  Poppy was so happy but he kind of kept getting stepped on by the two.  One even peed on him!!!  (That’s from real life ~ our dog Maverick always peed on Benjamin on walks). That’s it, he thought.  They might be bigger than me, older than me, and even might like each other more than me, but I just want to be with the 👨🏻 man.  If they get in my way, I’ll just move over.  One day, I might even bite one of them.

His mother, my mother

On this feast day we remember the birth of Mary.  She was chosen beyond time to bear and nurture Jesus our Savior.  Like every moment every day, she had a choice to participate in God's will like we do.  In holy humility, she said yes.  What a beautiful mother she must have been to Jesus as a child and beyond.  I love to imagine their moments and join in them in my heart. God gave us her tender heart full of love.  Can you feel it?  Open your heart and embrace your place in this holy family.

Ups & Downs

Today has been an emotional roller coaster.  Anxiety leading up to an event, great outpouring of my heart and soul in answer to God's call, then disappointment due to technical difficulties.  It is just another opportunity to make reparation for my sins and pray for others in so much need.  Would you like to comment and share a similar experience?  Every single thought or action can be turned over to God for His purpose.  In our human weakness it can feel like an unpleasant tugging in our hearts but maybe it's just the rhythm of life we fight against.  I'm letting go of this today and remembering the message from a canvas a friend gave me last year.  Let go, Let God

Overview of initial apostolate goals

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Save Babies - Save Souls

Below is my initial blog outlining the mission of this apostolate. Please check out the "older posts" for additional prolife resources.
Save babies - Save souls
I have an apostolate called St. Gerard Majella Prolife Prayer Project. It has many components, but it starts with prayer. I have found the rosary to be such a powerful prayer tool and want to share it's benefits with others. It has a calming psyiological affect because of the rhytmn and because you are meditating on the mysteries of Jesus' life and praying for specific virtues on each decade, the prayer is focused. This focus allows God to put different people in mind for intentions based on what they might be going through, or show me a reflection of Jesus' life I did not have before. The beauty and power of these mysteries is infinite. Here is just one example, when I am praying the sorrowful mysteries and get to the third decade of the crowning of thorns (virtue focus is courage), I might think of Jesus' head with the crown of thorns and pray for all those suffering from mental anquish, depression, brain cancer, eye problems, etc) These prayers bring me so much peace and take my mind off of my own problems, giving God the control to work miracles in people's lives and give them strength to carry their own crosses as well as me carry my own. People of all ages need something to hold on to during difficult and joyous times in their lives and I want to give them the rosary. My original work included providing rosary packets to parishes that included the prayer sheet I made up regarding how to pray the rosary (some people do not remember exactly how to do it or noncatholics can learn) - it included the virtue prayed for during each decade which really helps to focus. I always feel that even if God's will is not the specific thing we are asking for, it is definitely His will to help me grow in these virtues. IT IS VERY EMPOWERING! My goal is for the priests to announce this distribution but more importantly, to share with the parishoners of all ages, about the power and benefits of the rosary in reaching personal potential to feel God's love fully and sharing this with the world. This will strengthen the parish over time and I feel, could save a life. There might be a young person contemplating suicide sitting in the pew and this could be just the small piece of hope they need to hear. It could benefit the sick or lonely - any trial is lightened with prayer and hope, especially knowing that you have a faith family that really believes in God's power!
The next step in this project is for the parish to enlist the patron saint of the parish for intercession and introduce or reintroduce the parishoners to the saint, their gifts and mission. The churches are named after a particular saint for a reason. That saint can come alive and produce those same virtuous results in their parish today. Book/discusssion groups about the saint is a great way to involve people in the parish life, especially teens. I like to put a quote from that saint in the bulletin every week just to pique the interest in them. Blessed medals of the saint can be distributed, novenas started, and celebrations of their feast days honored.
This is just the first couple of steps in my apostolate - I will write more each day. You will see, the prolife aspects unfold as well as personal sanctity strived for. We can change our world - give people hope - love and respect everyone from conception until natural death - and defeat the evil forces in our world with hope and trust in God.