So good to me

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. John 3:16

It's amazing how my prayer life has increased my awareness of  God's presence and work in my everyday life. I am often surprised at how good He really is to me. From the smallest to the largest things, He never fails to show up and it's only now that I am starting to consistently recognize this fact. But isn't that how relationships are supposed to work? I often fall into the trap that my prayer life consists only of my investment but the Good Lord invests way more in me than I can ever hope to invest back in Him. And that's exactly the way He wants it.

Let's look at an example shall we?

Last week I was researching Camerino, the Medieval Italian town that will be my June home. Here is just a few things I found out: It is the seat of an Archdiocese, the Cathedral is a 3 minute walk away from my University according to google maps and in the same Piazza according to google maps street view (there are countless other churches and monasteries in the area too), the one saint from the town is a Poor Clare and lived during the Renaissance. Now, let me explain more. One of my main concerns about studying abroad was being able to continue my daily mass and prayer routine. Okay...I know what you're thinking: I'm going to Italy - there are literally churches everywhere. I know but my stubbornly anxious heart still worried about it. So, to take care of me, Jesus arranged for me to study next door to the Bishop where mass is held almost hourly. Thank you Jesus. Also, I took a Renaissance and Reformation Europe class as my last History class for my minor this semester. For that class, I did a semester long project on Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi, the founders of the Franciscans and Poor Clares. Upon reading further about St. Camilla Battista da Varana, of Camerino, I recognized many names from my class and realized quite delightedly that all semester, the Lord had been preparing my heart (and my head) for this very place that He had guided me to choose for my study abroad experience. How kind of You Lord.

There are so many other encounters of this nature, some smaller, some larger and many that certainly go unnoticed. It's such a beautiful thing to run into one of these during the day. No matter what, He is the ultimate, unwavering cause of my joy and when things seem to be getting rough or going in an unfavorable direction, I have only to trust in His promise to be with me always. This alone is enough to bring a smile to my face and peace to my heart but just to prove that He really is the Perfect Man, He likes to go over the top and lavish me with wonderful signs throughout the day that spell "I love you." (Hint: He does this for you too). And guess what Jesus, despite my frequent inability to properly express myself, I love You too. Increase my love for You and awareness of Yours for me.

Which brings me to another one of my goals/challenges: recognize the workings of the Lord more. He always shows up. We just have to pay attention.

But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God. John 3:21 

Step into the light. Acknowledge God's workings in your life. Thank Him for it. And give Him the Glory. 

Appropriately so, I've found this song on the tip of my tongue often these days, and I am happy to share it with you.

All Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit

 as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be

 world without end. 

Amen.

Why this? Why now?

Why This?

Why are you anxious...Learn from the way the wildflowers grow. Mt. 6:28

Smelling bluebonnets in my beloved "Back 40" (2012)

This little verse of scripture has been following me for a couple of months now so when I decided to start a blog, this title was the obvious choice. However, those of you who know me, know it was not an easy one. I had to try out a few different phrases and look at examples from some of my friends' blogs to finally commit to this particular arrangement of words: "Learning from wild flowers." 

When I was doing Lectio Divina on Mt. 6:25-34 with a beautiful group of girls here in Aggieland my meditation kept bringing me back to this one verse. Why was God asking me to learn from a wild plant (a weed by some's standards) whose lifespan lasted but a season at best if not trampled, mowed over, or poisoned before the season's end. Why was He emphasizing the wildflower's growth? And how was I supposed to follow suit?

One of the things I've learned from my years of formation here at St. Mary's Catholic Center, is to always consult the context of Scripture when practicing mental prayer (also called Meditation of which Lectio Divina is one method). The section of Matthew's Gospel that I was meditating over is adequately called Dependence on God. It is from this passage that spring some of Matthew's most famous words:

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life...But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. 

These words have often been salve for my anxious heart. However, Jesus wanted me to see a different part of the passage this time.

Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?

How applicable these words are to my life. They are all about trust and contentment. The way I see it, wild flowers have three main actions in their growth: (1) they accept where they're at (2) they depend on and cooperate with the sustenance given them by the Creator and (3) they grow into beautiful blooms that bring joy and smiles to all who see them. Are we not called to do the same? God planted us here in this specific place and time for a reason - not by chance or randomly - but to carry out a unique and important mission right where we're at. And the best part is that all we have to do is cooperate with God's grace and trust that He'll take care of the rest. And when this happens, when we let go and let God, our lives don't only bless us but bring joy and smiles to all others who cross our paths. So this is my challenge to you:

Be a Wild Flower.

Why Now?

In little over a month, I will be embarking on my second grandest adventure yet (the first being my relationship with our Beloved Lord). I am going to Italy! This blog is my opportunity to chronicle my journey and bring y'all along with me. I'm hoping to provide entertaining stories and fruits of my travels on a relatively regular basis. My desire is to be a wild flower as I embrace this opportunity the Lord has given me by cooperating with His many blessings and graces so to glorify Him in all that I do this summer and the rest of my life. What I look forward to most in my travels is being surprised by the many ways He is sure to make Himself present to me and for His revelation of how I am to bring others to this same encounter. 

I hope that I can count on your prayers since I will be needing them so desperately. Almost three months away from home and speaking a new language alone warrants the need in my book! Also, please be assured of my prayers for you. I am always ready to take your prayer requests so don't be shy about sending them my way. Being in Italy, it will be hard not to pleasantly stumble upon a saint's relic or a site rich in Church history so I would love to take your prayer requests there with me. No intention is too small. He Who already knows our needs just wants us to voice them to prove that we know that He is the only One who can meet them so let me help you do that. 

Oh and also, to end on a practical note: yes, I am definitely nervous about this summer but that's merely because I am still learning from the way the wild flowers grow...

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