Had a sudden thought today

[Lochias]

…I’ve been a bit down today, moping around and generally keeping myself depressed, and I think the Holy Spirit decided to give me a bit of a shot in the arm.

One of the main reasons I let myself become blue is due to the fact that I sometimes feel hopeless at “getting life right” (at least in terms of what appears to be most important to me). I don’t make friends as easily as I used to, I anguish sometimes over the lack of a significant other, past relationship break-ups often eat at me, and I generally get to feeling pretty worthless.

However…as I was sitting and thinking about all this, the words of St. Francis came to me: “I have been all things unholy.” Certainly, so have I! I struggle with a good many sins, and I think that does a lot to keep me feeling as though they’re the reason that I don’t have some of the relationships in life that I’d like.

I thought more about St. Francis, and I felt, rather suddenly and gently, a calm and peace descend over me like a warm cloak. I knew, at that point, that God loves me anyway, despite my own wretchedness, and I could see more clearly how it pleased Him to act through me…me, of all people. Little me, who have been all things wretched and unholy.

This, I think, is the beginning of humbleness and the love of God…God loves us, people, despite how bad we think (or know) we are. We can’t be good, loving people without Him, but we have only to realize who we really are without Him, and then embrace the love He chooses to give us anyway.

Nothing escapes God’s sight, and He chooses to love each and every one of us without reservation, without fail, without strings…it’s just up to us to respond, and say “I love you too, Father.” We can be more than we ever thought we would, by realizing that we are less than anyone will ever know, and realizing that God loves us anyway, especially, completely…

How freeing, how joyful is that? God is so good.

 

[Prague]

God Bless you, and feel better soon.

 

[Ophelia23]

How freeing, how joyful is that? God is so good.

:extrahappy: So very good indeed!!

 

[fred_conty]

Your having a “blue” Monday. Finding something worthwhile to do for someone else blows that cloud away. Say a rosary or divine mercy chaplet for someone headed for hell. St. James says that charity covers many a sin, and every angel in heaven is estatic when a prodical son returns home. There is just something about giving away goodness that returns.

Sometimes just going outside for a walk or sitting on the patio and looking around at God’s beauty in creation is uplifting. Look at all the majesty, shades of white, design, of a cloud against the sky can be fascinating. Then let your thoughts drift into praising and thanking him for his wonders. Counting all your blessings never hurts especially if you know a friend who is less fortunate.

There might be also something undone that needs tending to which has been postponed.

just a thought.

 

[Lochias]

God Bless you, and feel better soon.

Thank you very much, indeed.

:extrahappy: So very good indeed!!

:yyeess:

Your having a “blue” Monday. Finding something worthwhile to do for someone else blows that cloud away. Say a rosary or divine mercy chaplet for someone headed for hell. St. James says that charity covers many a sin, and every angel in heaven is estatic when a prodical son returns home. There is just something about giving away goodness that returns.

Sometimes just going outside for a walk or sitting on the patio and looking around at God’s beauty in creation is uplifting. Look at all the majesty, shades of white, design, of a cloud against the sky can be fascinating. Then let your thoughts drift into praising and thanking him for his wonders. Counting all your blessings never hurts especially if you know a friend who is less fortunate.

There might be also something undone that needs tending to which has been postponed.

just a thought.

Good advice indeed. I have often found solace in watching the clouds, and letting God’s majesty dwarf my doubts and insecurities. And, I have not been praying as much as I should; I do my best to remember the Holy Souls in Purgatory, and also those who are dying at the moment I pray.

And, what do you mean by the bolded? Chores, or the like?

 

[mozzarella]

…I’ve been a bit down today, moping around and generally keeping myself depressed, and I think the Holy Spirit decided to give me a bit of a shot in the arm.

One of the main reasons I let myself become blue is due to the fact that I sometimes feel hopeless at “getting life right” (at least in terms of what appears to be most important to me). I don’t make friends as easily as I used to, I anguish sometimes over the lack of a significant other, past relationship break-ups often eat at me, and I generally get to feeling pretty worthless.

However…as I was sitting and thinking about all this, the words of St. Francis came to me: “I have been all things unholy.” Certainly, so have I! I struggle with a good many sins, and I think that does a lot to keep me feeling as though they’re the reason that I don’t have some of the relationships in life that I’d like.

I thought more about St. Francis, and I felt, rather suddenly and gently, a calm and peace descend over me like a warm cloak. I knew, at that point, that God loves me anyway, despite my own wretchedness, and I could see more clearly how it pleased Him to act through me…me, of all people. Little me, who have been all things wretched and unholy.

This, I think, is the beginning of humbleness and the love of God…God loves us, people, despite how bad we think (or know) we are. We can’t be good, loving people without Him, but we have only to realize who we really are without Him, and then embrace the love He chooses to give us anyway.

Nothing escapes God’s sight, and He chooses to love each and every one of us without reservation, without fail, without strings…it’s just up to us to respond, and say “I love you too, Father.” We can be more than we ever thought we would, by realizing that we are less than anyone will ever know, and realizing that God loves us anyway, especially, completely…

How freeing, how joyful is that? God is so good.

The best way (for me) that I’ve found to get rid of the blues – visit a lonely elderly person. They are SO genuinely happy to see you, and by helping make their day brighter it ALWAYS made me feel 110% better. Win-Win!

Plus, some of the best conversations I’ve ever had in my life have been with some of these people!

 

[Bartolome_Casas]

One of the main reasons I let myself become blue is due to the fact that I sometimes feel hopeless at “getting life right”

If by “getting life right” you mean “getting life perfect,” then, my friend, I believe you are doomed to lots and lots of frustration and depression.

We pitiful little creatures are not well suited for perfection in anything.

But perhaps you will object, saying,…

YOU: Pardon me, my friend, but what about Matthew 5:48 (Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition), “Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect.”

ME: Yes, yes, that is true and undeniable.

YOU: Then why do you deny it?

ME: Ah, my friend, I don’t deny it. I just have in mind the Evangelical Counsels. Do you know about those?

YOU: Why do you always assume I am ignorant? Of course I know about those.

ME: Then I guess you don’t need to see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelical_counsels

YOU: Not hardly. Wikipedia isn’t reliable anyway. I’d prefer to read newadvent.org/cathen/04435a.htm

ME: Well, that’s fine. I just think we lay people need to remember that we aren’t meant or expected to be as perfect as monks, nuns, and priests.

YOU: Ah, now you are really showing YOUR ignorance. Have you never heard about the Universal Call to Holiness? Some say that was what the Vatican II Council was all or mainly about!

ME: Well, I have heard of it.

YOU: Perhaps you should read en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_call_to_holiness or maybe vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html

ME: Well, I have read those, my friend.

YOU: Okay. So, what’s your point then?

ME: Well, take this with a grain of salt. But I think we lay people in this Vatican II Renewal Era have gotten the idea that it is really pretty easy and simple to be holy and perfect. Yet, in all of Church history, except for maybe in some circles in the last 50 years, in has been understood that it is really VERY HARD to be perfect and holy. In the old days, any man or woman who wanted to be holy IMMEDIATELY made their way to the monastery, convent or seminary. It was just understood that a Catholic “living in the world” could not be holy in a really high or perfect way, even though they could get into heaven by the Grace of God if they did their best. Do you see what I mean?

YOU: Ah, you know, when you launch into one of your little mini-lectures, I always tune out. I think you are against holiness or something like that. I think you are confused. I listen to “Catholic Answers Live” on the radio five days a week, and I never hear them saying stuff like you are saying.

ME: You should keep listening to them. What do I know? I’m just a ordinary Catholic lay person like you.

THAT’S ALL FOLKS!