Blessings

Good Friends

I have been wading through many tough decisions lately and if I did not have a strong support system in place, I would be sinking instead of treading water right now. As I’ve slowly been whittling down my options as to what our life will look like next year, I’ve come to realize that change is brutal for me. I’m not talking about just quitting a few things here and there (I am a fantastic quitter!) I mean looking at myself and seeing where pride is holding me back from happiness. The pride of living a certain lifestyle or being branded a certain kind of parent often collides with what is best for my family and myself. I am very thankful for dedicated friends. The kinds that say, “Hey no worries! We will just find a new way to hang out” or the kind that just exudes positivity without judgement of any kind. I have to remember that I am more than any label and that change is not always a bad thing sometimes it is just what you need to thrive.

St. Michael the Archangel Prayer

I might have mentioned I am Catholic (LOL…an understatement!) but the single most important thing I have stumbled upon this past year is the St. Michael the Archangel Prayer. As a Christian I know that the Devil is constantly on the prowl trying to make a mess of human lives. He does this by putting intrusive thoughts in your mind and attacking you at your weakest moments through pride, jealousy, and self-loathing. But luckily, we have a warrior saint who can nip this in the bud through the power of God. The moment I start to feel reluctant to do something I know is good, that is when I know I am being attacked. Or after I just accomplished something that would make God smile, I start to feel self-doubts creeping in trying to steal my joy, I instantly know who is at fault. Now that I know what’s going on, I simply recite this beautiful prayer and I kid you not, all the attacks stop instantly (like I feel a release in my soul and heart). So, if you believe in Angels and are the praying kind of person, give this a whirl the next time you feel intrusive thoughts. **Prayers are not a series of magical words. They have to be heartfelt and truly believed in to work. So, if you are just spouting these words off, they will not work for you! Picture St. Michael behind you defending you, truly believe in the power of God, and boom….success!

St. Michael the Archangel, 
defend us in battle. 
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. 
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, 
and do thou, 
O Prince of the heavenly hosts, 
by the power of God, 
thrust into hell Satan, 
and all the evil spirits, 
who prowl about the world, 
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. 

Generous parents

My husband and I are truly blessed with our parents. My parents will happily give the clothing off of their backs to help anyone and frequently bless us with gifts and acts of service on a regular basis. My in-laws live over 12 hours away from us and do not even blink an eye to drop everything and travel down (in a car!) to see my kids in plays, performances, or pitch in if we need help of any kind. I hope that I can be as wonderful to my kids as their grandparents are to us. A cycle of love truly is miraculous! Invest in your families and reap the rewards.

Community Theatre

My kids are homeschoolers and are not really into sports, but they stumbled into theatre many years ago and have loved it ever since. Community theatre is a wonderful blessing to our community. It is inclusive (there is a role for almost any age and experience level), it is affordable, and it gives children a sense of pride in themselves that I have rarely seen elsewhere. I shudder to think of my kids’ life without theatre in it and we are truly blessed to have so many people volunteer their time and pour themselves into our kids and their chosen art. **We just wrapped up Moana and it was a blast! Now onto Cinderella.

How have you been blessed lately??