Letting Go... The Franciscan Challenge

Change is Coming: How Will We Respond?

main image

The month of October should be called Super October. Why do you ask? Because first, there are many powerful saints that we celebrate throughout the month:

St. Therese of Lisieux- October 1
The Holy Guardian Angels– October 2
St. Francis of Assisi- October 4
Respect Life Sunday- October 6
Our Lady of the Rosary– October 7
St. Teresa of Avila– October 15
St. Margaret Mary– October 16
St. Luke- October 18
St. John Paul II– October 22
St. Simon and Jude– October 28

In fact, the entire month is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, and it is a month of transformations! It gets darker earlier in the evening and stays dark longer in the morning. It will go from sweater weather to jacket weather quickly. The leaves change color and lose their leaves. What an example Mother Nature is to us! Its environment changes drastically! Just how often, when we must change our way of doing something, do we moan and groan and drag our feet? Do you hear nature complaining? As the leaves change colors and drop off the trees, they swirl and dance and celebrate what is theirs to do. They believe in the Resurrection, for they will come alive again in spring with new life. How do we react to change or to what God may be asking us to do? Yes, it is that old “letting go” thing. We can let go and let God gently guide our life or hang on and often be miserable! Remember that God does not make us miserable, we do it to ourselves. Our God is a loving God who showers us with the blessings and graces that we need to change into who God wants us to be. We, like Mary, our mother must say “Yes, your will be done, in and through me.” Enjoy this formidable and inspiring month!                                                                                 

Fortune Cookie

main image

Some time ago while breaking open a fortune cookie, I received a “fortune” that was rather surprising. The words on the paper read: “God looks after you in a special way.” Never had I seen a fortune that referred to God or to any aspect of Christianity. Yet, there it was. Was that “fortune” a coincidence, or was that truly a message from the Lord? I believe it was the latter. God was trying to get my attention, and God succeeded. That is one “fortune” I have kept in my scripture book, and one that continues to make a difference in my life!

At times when fear tries to slither its way into my mind, or anxiety attempts to throw me into a tizzy or worry about a problem, thinking about the words, “God looks after you in a special way,” has a way of quieting me down and bringing a sense of calmness that nothing else can. After all, God has looked after me in the past and is certainly taking care of me now. Why could I possibly worry that God will drop me like a hot potato as the future continues to unfold? It is just not going to happen! 

So, I invite you to share in my special “fortune.”  When the future looms at its darkest, and it’s almost impossible to see even a glimmer of light, always remember: “God looks after you in a special way!”

Photo by Elena Koycheva on Unsplash
 

Letting Go of "Stressing Out"

main image

Every six months when I see my oncologist, she always asks me if I allow myself to get stressed out. She reminds that stress is a risk factor for cancer. I can say my Franciscan Challenge is letting go of “stressing out.”  I jumpstart my day with praying, “O Jesus, I surrender myself totally to you. I ask you to please take care of everything” Surrender Prayer. I give all my concerns to Jesus, and I don’t take them back. I know He has my back. In Matthew 6: 25-27, Jesus addresses the uselessness of worry and reminds us how valuable we are to our heavenly Father. My mantra throughout the day is the closing of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, “Jesus, I trust in you.”