Advent Challenge, Day 21

Let it Go

We hang onto to things, hurts, even sometimes people long after we should let them go.

I recently received a mean letter from someone who no longer wanted me in their life. Sad thing was, I had tried to stay connected as a form of respect. The other sad thing was... The letter was from my father.

In a way, he has given me a gift. The letter helped me realize that I no longer had to try to make a bad situation better. It gave me permission to finally just let it go.

Today's challenge is to let something go. Move forward and don't let a toxic person, situation or excess things keep you stuck. Pray and release. God bless.

Advent Challenge, Day 20

Let the Holy Spirit Prompt You

I was making a big pot of chili today and, for some reason, an elderly priest friend of ours popped into my head. I learned a long time ago that those sudden random thoughts are usually the Holy Spirit urging me to do something.

Our schedule was packed, but I found a container and placed some chili into it. Then I considered the piles of cookies I had been baking all week and made a plate of those too.

It was worth the effort when our friend answered his door and upon hearing what we brought, exclaimed, "I love chili!"

Today's challenge is to listen to those little nudgings of the Holy Spirit and act on them. God bless.

Advent Challenge, Day 19

Actions (sometimes) Speak Louder than Words

We are a prayerful people. I know, that Daily Mass is like salve to my soul. I can pour out my heart to my God, be still and listen to Him. When I hear something tragic or difficult my frequent response is, "I'll pray for you!"

There are times, however, that prayer is not enough. Sometimes our prayers must include actions. For example, my adult daughter had a doctor's appointment this morning. Nothing serious, but she was a little nervous and she asked if I was able to go with her. She didn't really need me there, but she wanted me there. The appointment was at the time I would normally go to Mass, but I chose to show my daughter Christ's love by going with her.

A friend has been suffering with her husband's illness. I pray for her daily, but the occasional meal prepared for her is a more tangible way to pray through action.

Today's challenge is to, through your actions, BE the Gospel someone will read. God bless.

Advent Challenge, Day 18

Make a Sacrifice

My daughter was stressed! She has dance class tonight and they are having a party, but her younger brother is singing in a concert tonight. This has created a huge conflict for her.

She just stopped in my room to tell me that she will go to dance late (after the concert) or not at all. She is making the sacrifice to support her brother! What a wonderful gift she is giving him. She is replacing her interests and sacrificing for her brother's.

Today's challenge is to make a sacrifice for another. Give it as a gift to God and the other person. God bless.

Advent Challenge, Day 17

Give the Gift of Prayer

Tomorrow is my best friend's birthday. Every year I struggle with what gift to give her to show her how very much she means to me.

This year, I took her to a Magnificat Women's Breakfast. We ate, sang, worshipped and listened to a wonderful conversion story. Best of all, we did it together!

Tomorrow I will offer my Rosary, Mass, prayers, sacrifices and time in Adoration for her. What better way could I honor our friendship on her special day. I will make sure she knows what a blessing she is in my life.

Today's challenge is to give someone a spiritual gift of prayer! God bless.

Advent Challenge, Day 16

Come Let Us Adore Him

We are so busy getting ready for Christmas! We are wrapping gifts, making cookies, buying more gifts. An important question to ask ourselves is, "How have I prepared my heart for Christ?"

Today's challenge is to spend some time in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Imagine you are in the manager gazing upon the beautiful Christ child, because, well, you are! It is easy to forget that we have the opportunity to 'see' our Lord anytime we want to. So come and let us adore Him! God bless.

Advent Challenge, Day 15

Rediscover Childhood

One of my favorite things about Christmastime is that I feel like a kid again. Truth be told, I actually feel giddy when I spy Santa at the mall, see the lights everywhere or hear carols on my car radio.

Today's challenge is stop and smell the Christmas cookies! Slow down and rediscover something about the holidays you loved as a child. If possible, share that joy with someone else. Take a break from all the preparation of the season...enjoy!

Advent Challenge, Day 15

Rediscover Childhood

One of my favorite things about Christmastime is that I feel like a kid again. Truth be told, I actually feel giddy when I spy Santa at the mall, see the lights everywhere or hear carols on my car radio.

Today's challenge is stop and smell the Christmas cookies! Slow down and rediscover something about the holidays you loved as a child. If possible, share that joy with someone else. Take a break from all the preparation of the season...enjoy!

Advent Challenge, Day 15

Rediscover Childhood

One of my favorite things about Christmastime is that I feel like a kid again. Truth be told, I actually feel giddy when I spy Santa at the mall, see the lights everywhere or hear carols on my car radio.

Today's challenge is stop and smell the Christmas cookies! Slow down and rediscover something about the holidays you loved as a child. If possible, share that joy with someone else. Take a break from all the preparation of the season...enjoy!

Advent Challenge, Day 14

Go Outside your Comfort Zone

Today's challenge is to try something new. Do something you wouldn't normally do. Plan to take a cooking class, jump out of a plane, take a train to a new city! Something, anything!

New experiences open our hearts, minds and imaginations to new possibilities! Today's challenge is to grow. God bless!

Advent Challenge, Day 13

Are you Projecting?

Ever notice that we often attribute our own negative characteristics and attributes to others? If we gossip or judge others, we think others gossip or judge us. If we worry too much about money we think everyone does the same, and so on...

Unfortunately, this habit of projecting can keep us from seeing people for who they really are. Today's challenge is to take a step back and try to see our friends, family members and acquaintances for who they really are and not who we expect them to be. God bless.

Advent Challenge, Day 12

Bring Someone to the Manger

A few Christmasses ago, my daughter invited her (then) roommate to go to midnight Mass with her. As a result, a year later, her friend was confirmed in the Catholic Church!

Consider inviting someone to Mass for Christmas. You can be the person that brings them to the manger so that Jesus can be born in their heart! Sometimes all it takes is an invitation. God bless.