Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Chasing Rainbows.

Two of my adult grandchildren are off to see 'the world' in a way that Kiwi kids seem to need to do (we are such a small country). My granddaugher asked me if I had never felt the need to travel and see strange and exotic places like India or Africa. Well, I had moved from England to New Zealand which was a particularly long and exotic move but no, I explained how feel no urge to travel and that I actually enjoy ordinary, mundane life. She thought that was strange, she has spent several months in China, teaching English and loved the different culture, and was keen to experience many more.
I find it hard to explain how the wonder of ordinary everyday living leaves me feeling happy and fulfilled, especially when one is serving Almighty God to the best of one's ability.
I also didn't say that I was married with 2 children at her age, and that the joy and awe of giving birth, and raising my children was far more challenging and infinitely more rewarding than looking at how and where other people live.
I wish them well in their travels but in my heart of hearts I think they are searching for rainbows, and the rainbow is probably nearer than they know!

Monday, March 26, 2012

The Annunciation

At Mass this morning we celebrated the Annunciation. I love this first joyful mystery, and think about it often. I wonder what Mary was doing when the Angel appeared, was she asleep or out walking or what. What amazing trust she must have to accept God's will that she, an unmarried woman, should bear a child, knowing that the penalty for it in her culture was death by stoning!

As far as we know she only asked one question and it wasn't the one most women would ask like "Who's going to protect me?" or "What shall I tell my Mum and Dad?" She just trusted God totally.

One of the prayers I like to say in the morning is "Most Sacred Heart of Jesus I place all my trust in you." and as I lit the white candle this morning and said it I thought of our Blessed Mother and prayed that I will trust Him utterly as she did.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

St Joseph

St Joseph has always been special to me because I've been praying to him for my husband's conversion for over 50 years! I still pray to him and trust him to answer my prayers...one day.

When I was teaching I always taught the children this song about St Joseph which I found in an old hymn book. I can only remember the first verse and chorus and I can't even find the rest on google!

St Joseph was a happy man and he worked hard and well,
With saw and plane and nails and wood he made good things to sell.

You'd hear him singing
And his hammer ringing
For St Joseph was a happy man!

It has a happy tune as well.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

For the glory of God..

When I sat down to write this blog post I was going to write an amusing story about what Alex and I were doing this morning. But as I began I felt a certain uneasiness about it. I didn't take much notice of this nebulous feeling because the story was actually funny and quite innocuous but I had just written a couple of sentences when the computer closed itself down! Irritated (it's an old computer) I started again but this time the feeling got stronger! I paused, puzzled and this thought came into my head "Is this post for the Glory of God?" And I remembered that my aim, when I started this blog, was "For the Glory of God." And the post I'd planned was just a bit of fluff, not bad, not good, just words.

Strange and awe-inspiring to think He takes us at our word!