God Will Provide...

I have been dreading this week literally the whole semester. It is the week before finals, and, coincidentally, the week in which two of my professors graciously assigned due dates for our final papers, as opposed to next week. Needless to say, I've got at least 4 papers due (and that's not counting the few that I can rewrite if I get the time. Right.)

However, this day (a Monday, of all days!) has been so full of God's presence that I can't help but be at peace. I'll share three of these "sightings" with you.

1. Toilet paper. This may seem strange. But believe you me, I have legitimately seen God in it. See, I ran out a few weeks ago (other than a sneaky roll hiding in my closet, but that's a different story...) and I failed to follow the proper procedure in order to procure more paper. (i.e., tell my mother). My suitemates also faced this same dilemma, and so we were left paperless. I don't need to go in to detail, but let's just say we had to resort to some unconventional methods. But today, I got toilet paper. Never have I appreciated it more, and it has put me in such a good mood! Thanks, Mom!

2. Thrift. I like to get things, but even more, I like saving money when I buy them. I have been searching for curtains for my dorm window this whole semester. With the recent removal of the one wall that had any color (don't ask) my sanity demanded the immediate purchase of curtains. So I went to Target today to look. Who knew curtains could be so expensive? And what really got me was they sold them as single panels. I don't know why, but I do know that spending $50+ was not an option. I got frustrated. They were all overpriced, and frankly, not so attractive. And then I happened upon a cloth shower curtain. It was perfect! $15 for a curtain that could be cut and sewn in to two panels, with the perfect pattern! My mom sewed them for me, and I am in love with them.

Here they are, in all their glory. See my mini-tree I got from the dollar section at Target? :)

3. A paper grade: A. (That's new!) It's a long story, that I actually typed out until I decided it was too much, but simply, I got an A on a paper that I thought I did horribly on. I had offered it up to God before writing it (at 5 am on the day it was due...) and He really and truly came through for me. Not only is this good for my grade, but it has also reassured me about all the papers I have to write this week.

God will provide. I asked, and he answered. He never fails to answer; never fails to provide.

Thank You, God!

Joyful Anticipation...

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Yes, we all know what this season means-- Christmas is coming, and with it, the decorations, presents, baking, and all-around holiday cheer. And while none of these things are necessarily bad, I think it's important to realize that we are waiting. But for what?

We are waiting for Jesus. And not only tiny baby Jesus in the manger, but glorious, powerful, and mighty Jesus in the second coming.

It's really easy to get caught up in the commercialized holiday spirit that we forget what we are celebrating. It's not Christmastime yet, but a preparation period, albeit filled with hope, joy, anticipation, and peace. It's a time to remember the last part of the memorial acclamation that we've been singing in mass-- Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.

Jesus was here, and walked this earth. We are left with the account in the four gospels. But to truly be Christians, Christ must be more to us than a historical figure. He is coming again, and you need to prepare yourself.

And that is why we have Advent. Yes, celebrate the the birth of Christ; drink your hot chocolate, trim your tree, play some Christmas music, spend time with your family. But during this Advent season, don't forget to prepare yourself in spiritual ways, through prayer and reflection.

I think it is a wonderful paradox that we are expected to peacefully and joyfully anticipate. I don't know about you, but I am an impatient person, and anticipation is anything but peaceful for me. Usually, I get really nervous when I am waiting for something. But in Advent, I must find peace in the promises of Christ. Be excited about Jesus' coming. Realize the deep and passionate love He has for you personally, and grow joyously in Him. And if you're like me, ask Him to give you the peace in waiting.

The past few years, Advent has passed by relatively unnoticed for me. I was too caught up in Nutcracker rehearsals and performances, and final exams and projects, that I never really focused on preparing myself and finding joy in the coming of Christ. I want this year to be different.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!

Note: last Sunday, I spent the day with my mom, grandma, one of my sisters, and the Respect Life Committee at my church making Advent wreaths. This is ours, which was made by my sister, Amanda.

Full...

I am full. This is more than just a reference to the unfailingly delicious meal that I, along with family and friends, have stuffed myself with. I am full. Full of food, but more importantly, full of thanksgiving for the abundance of blessings in my life.

God gives so much. He give, and gives, and gives. And while I strive to thank him for his gifts each day, I think that today in particular merits some intensive contemplation of what those gifts are, and their quintessence in our lives.

Don't get scared. I'm not going to catalogue each thing that I am thankful for, tempted though I am. I'll spare you, 1.) because I'm rather long-winded, and 2.) I would literally be writing for the rest of the night, and I'll be honest-- I don't want to miss the pumpkin pie!

I encourage you to go beyond the formulaic food-family-friends when thanking God for your blessings today (though I don't endorse or condone going much beyond that during any pre-meal blessings-sharing with your salivating table-mates). Think about everything God has given you, and understand the implications that gift has in your life. Consider life without it, and cherish it not just in thought, but in word and deed.

Recognize your fullness, and realize that while you certainly can eat your fill of Turkey and stuffing, the blessings God can fill you with have no capacity.

So eat, drink, and be merry, but don't forget to gorge yourself on the blessings of Christ!

Happy Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for YOU!

Family...

There is nothing like a semester living out of the house to make you appreciate your family (even if it's just an eensy bit more).

Tonight, I had spaghetti for dinner, sitting at the table with four other people, and afterwards, lounged about the living room in front of a fire, snuggled with my dog, and bantered back and forth with the other people in the room.

And it felt like absolute bliss.

It feels so great to be constantly surrounded by people again, despite any outrageous behavior. That's what really makes a home... the constant talking and moving and laughing and fighting.

I love it.

Disclaimer: there was a hole in my heart because a certain sister wasn't there. :(

World Wide Worship, Round Two...

I have blogged before on the amazing opportunities and resources for spiritual growth that the internet offers, but let me reiterate-- there are so many out there, and you need to take advantage of them!

In my searching about Ignatian prayer, I came across a couple of things, and I would like to share them with you:

1.) 3-Minute Retreats: these are small multi-media daily devotions. They focus on a different topic each day, and prompt you to explore certain aspects of your inner spirituality as well as your outward actions. For anyone who has trouble getting in to the right mindset for prayer, I would recommend them as an appetizer, if you will, to your regular daily prayer. The mix of peaceful graphics, calming music, and gentle words brings restfulness to any day. I installed a button on my page to the site for your perusal.

and,

2.) Daily Inspirations: from the same site as the 3-minute retreats (LoyolaPress), these integrate the Saint of the day, the daily scripture readings, and a small meditation. I feel like I don't need to say much about the benefits of having these in your day.

All of these new findings have prompted a little redecorating of my site. I've linked you up with the 3-minute prayers, daily inspirations, as well as links directly to both the scripture readings and the day's saint. These will all be automatically updated via the ever-fabulous RSS feed!

I have these all here not just as a resource to me, but to you, the reader (whoever you are...). So check them out, and please, let me know what you think of them. I also feel I should take this time to point out the addition of the list of blogs that I read. I recommend any and all of them to you!

It amazes me how God works through anything, and everything (and anybody, and everybody!). So allow God to take over every aspect of your life; to infuse both the large, and the small. You won't regret it.

"Your Glory goes beyond all fame..."

Above. Beyond. Everlasting.

These all describe God. His Glory goes beyond all fame.

This means that God's greatness is so GREAT that it is not humanly possible for us to recognize just how awesome He is.

1 Corinthians 2:9: "But as it is written: "What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, is what God has prepared for those who love him."

So, not only can we not fathom how awesome He is, we also cannot begin to imagine what He was prepared for us!! It has not entered the human heart. I mean, that's intense, and I don't know about you, but it sure makes me excited and ready to live my life for God!

God transcends everything and anything.

Hillsong United lyrics - From The Inside Out

The good that comes from narcissism...

In a random bout of curiosity (and yes, some degree of narcissism!), I googled my blogger URL, "amdgdaily." The second web address that came up was a link to a PDF of The Ignatian Examen, or prayer of daily awareness.

It was St. Ignatius of Loyola who coined the phrase, "Ad majorem Dei gloriam," (translating to 'All for the greater glory of God') As is evident from the theme of my blog, this phrase has long been close to my heart, and I (try to) live my life by it.

And so I was very interested in this prayer. In Confirmation class, we were taught the standard "formula" of a good prayer-- Glorify, Thank, and Supplicate. However, for someone like me who is easily distracted, more depth is required to keep my focus on the prayer, and long have I wished for something to help me go a little deeper.

This mediation provides just that, and I am thrilled. It takes you on a peaceful journey through your day, and focuses on giving everything over to God.

That said, I know that the ideal method of prayer varies from individual to individual, but I encourage any one who struggles with prayers that seem superficial to try this method. I am definitely looking in to Ignatian prayer further, and I will share any significant findings accordingly.

In retrospect...

God puts many things and people in our lives at specific times to help us handle certain issues at hand.

Today, God put something in my life just when I needed it, and strangely enough, it was yesterday's blog post.

I was upset about something, and I was (quite emotionally) questioning God about certain things that had happened, not understanding His will for me. I was very near the depths of self pity, when, in my (futile) attempt to distract myself, I opened my computer. My internet connection was nonexistent, so my attempts to Facebook the night away were thwarted. In frustration, I clicked on the tab where I had left my blog up. And there it hit me:

Give thanks to the Lord for all things.

Whoa. I mean, when I wrote that, I had little going on to complain about, and had contemplated the whole idea at length. It is a nice, neat idea, with convenient biblical references. But there I was in the throes of frustration, anger, and sadness; life was not at all what I hoped it would be... the exact moment that the test of giving thanks was most applicable.

My own words challenged me. Would I continue as I was, or would I step up and put in to practice something that is much easier blogged about then actually done?

As I thought about it, I realized that despite the crappiness of the situation, there was so much to thank God for. And as I sat there in prayer listing all the good that I saw in the situation, and thanking God for it, my perspective transformed. I no longer felt hopeless or desperate, but instead filled with JOY that the Lord is acting in my life, and that I have before me a wonderful opportunity to grow deeply in His love!

God also foreshadowed this test when I was journeying through the bible in Eucharistic Adoration today. One of the verses I wrote down was Psalm 26:2:

"Probe me, Yaweh, examine me, test my heart and my mind in the fire. For your faithful love is before my eyes, and I live my life by your truth."

I feel like I passed the test, and that I am beginning to truly live by God's truth. Thank God!

Here I am, Lord...

When things are going well, enjoy yourself, and when they are going badly, consider this: God has designed the one no less than the other so that we should take nothing for granted. Ecclesiastes 7:14

There are going to be bad times in life. Sometimes the bad seems to outnumber the good. But God has his hand in everything, and that means the bad things too. (Imagine that there was no bad in the world. How could you ever appreciate anything?) God challenges our faith when he puts difficult things in our lives. It is one thing to be right as rain with God when life is nothing but sunshine and rainbows, but another to continue to revel in God's glory when things get ugly and life isn't going how you had hoped.

But not only are we called to push through these rough times, we are called to find joy and thank God for the situations he's given us.

And for all things give thanks; this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

ALL THINGS. This means you can't say, "Oh, thank you Jesus for the A on my exam!!" and then not acknowledge the bad, like, say, that accursed car wreck that totaled your car.

God gives us these situations because he knows we can deal with them, and he knows that we will grow from them. Give thanks to the Lord, for all things.

So thank you, God, for the mold on my ceiling, even though I have no idea yet what good will come of it. Thank you for challenging me by taking away my plans, and for the time alone that allows me to spend more time with you. Thank you for the things that you have set in motion in my life that I am still blind to. Thank you for always providing, even when I am ungrateful, and rage against the plans you have for me.

Here I am, Lord, to do Your will.