Seasons of Change

Change is a constant of life. There are times we seek it and others when it “just happens,” like the cool wind of Fall sweeping over the summer haze. It can be a good thing and it certainly can be uncomfortable. Like the new skin that grows underneath a scab, change can push us outside our comfort zone making us want to scratch the itch of it not feeling totally right.

I’m a routine person. It’s a family thing – early to bed, early to rise. I’m nicer when I follow a schedule (What’s up, understatement!).  So when the schedule changes it’s slightly (eerrr…exponentially) frustrating waiting to find the new routine. As we glide into fall there are moments when it feels appropriate to be sipping coffee all cuddled up on the couch and there are other moments that have me running for the beach. In the midst of the change of seasons, it is an opportunity to see where we have come from and where we are going is only linked by where we are. Seasons of change bring up lots of “what should I be doing” moments. For me, the recent season of change has me asking the practical - when should I pray? How should I pray? When can I socialize? What’s my work schedule? And the ever-important questions: when can I play and when can I work out?

As these practical questions come to mind (and yes, they are important), I am encouraged first to answer “who am I to become?” From this flows what should I do, when should I do it, and how the daily “it’s” should be done? With peace, joy, and love I am called to be me - the best, unique and unrepeatable version of me. As God created me in His image and likeness I am called, by name, into His heart of mercy to be refined and strengthened by His love. I am called to more firmly hear His Truth: “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” I am called through the season of change to recognize we are constantly called to becoming more authentically ourselves. We are constantly called to greater freedom throughout life, which is itself a season of change from life to Life. Let us hold fast to what is unchanging in our lives, the inestimable and steadfast love of God, through any and all seasons of change.

Verso l’alto,

Kathryn Grace

“Laid down in grief/But woke with the keys/ To hell on that day/ First born of the slain/ The man Jesus Christ laid/ Death in his grave.” *This is what's on repeat these days*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNEruHID6-k#t=74

Whatever way our stories end, I know you have rewritten mine …

Who can say if I have been changed for the better? But because I knew You, I have been changed for Good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzrGFQysfYU

One thing remains

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_KXsMCJgBQ

“By day the Lord commands His steadfast love; and at night His song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.” Psalm 42:8

“It is what is unchanging in our lives that helps us make sense of change.” Matthew Kelly 

Dare You to Wonder

He peered over the rims of his glasses. It was an action unbecoming of his age as his raspy voice and mannerisms had me swear he was an old man in a little boy’s body. Then in an Irish whisper that could rival my grandmother’s he said, “I’ll tell you after Mass.” The smile unfolded upwards and met the twinkle in his eyes. He was flirting over the pew. His comment was laced with innocence and wonder. He awaited with baited breathe as the seven year old girl finally smiled her affirmation. It’s one of the many reasons why I love working with seven year olds: they wonder.

So often we are on the five year road map or climbing the proverbial ladder that we miss out on wonder. We miss the gift of today. Wonder illuminated our childhood like the fireflies that lit a summer night. In the midst of darkness, there was an unpredictable predictable spark. And yet, aren’t we called to still wonder? Aren’t we called with child like trust to see the hand of God in all circumstances? Aren’t we called to reverence with a spirit of aw and wonder?

We can sit in darkness and wonder when or how is God going to answer our prayers. We can sit in silence or anger or frustration wanting, hoping, waiting for the seemingly unfulfilled promises of the Lord. Maybe life’s been unfair. Maybe circumstances have happened that have you questioning the light. Darkness has become so familiar that you wonder if you should even wonder if there’s a breakthrough coming. Maybe God’s gifts are currently coming through trial. Don’t despair. The God who created you and loves you and holds you in existence longs to whisper His plans of goodness to you. He desires for your heart to be made anew and to light your path, even if it’s just one step at a time.

So often we think of wonder as anxious worrying, wondering what if it doesn’t work. Sometimes it’s easier to just put up another life plan for submission and to hop on the road with narrow vision and seemingly little road blocks because at least it affords us the feeling of control. But when compared with the unpredictable unfolding of God’s generous Providence, it pales in comparison. Intellectually it is one thing. To live this reality is another. It might be scary to wonder but it’s equally exciting. Let us let go of our tightly clinched fists and our plans and our ways and let us wonder with childlike trust.

I dare you to wonder.

Verso l’alto,

K. Grace

You are not alone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXIXmQadwXw

Are these just some words that I say aloud?
Is this just the sun breaking through the clouds?
Oh, I know it's more and I know somehow that
Heaven is breaking through

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN30iznc-Ww

And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2VCwBzGdPM

Like a diamond in the sky
How I wonder

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEGV9H0aZaQ

Built to Last

No this isn’t an advertisement for Ford!

When I think about Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, I talk a lot about climbing to the HeightS! I’m a dreamer and a fighter; it’s natural. It’s alluring and captivating to transcend and to climb onward and upward as our siblings in faith who have gone before us cast a view of the landscape. Those who have gone before us paint the image of a life well lived and naturally we too want join them to see the grandeur of God and to hear His voice in the intimate, personal whisper which the saints heard the Word speak. That being said, these thoughts are often based upon a rather large assumption, which bears some reflection.  

In order to ascend, we must be walking on Solid Rock. Now, saying Pier Giorgio’s foundation was solid does not mitigate or downplay the reality that there were times and circumstances in his life that were treacherous or rocky. Rather, it highlights that as he climbed the Alps as a mountaineer and spiritually as a pilgrim he did so by placing one foot in front of the other, by attending to each small ascent that came his way. He built virtue and character by his daily habits, his receptive disposition to prayer and the sacraments, and his filial devotion to Mary. He staked his footing on solid ground.

Life according to the Spirit, whose fruit is holiness (cf. Rom 6:22; Gal 5:22), stirs up every baptized person and requires each to follow and imitate Jesus Christ in embracing the beatitudes; in listening and meditating on the Word of God; in conscious and active participation in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church; in personal prayer; in family or in community; in hunger and thirst for justice; in the practice of the commandment of love in all circumstances of life and service to the brethren, especially the least, the poor and the suffering.

The Fathers of the Church use the word fillocalia- that is, love for divine beauty which radiates from divine love – to describe the spiritual journey toward purity under the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the hopes of daily becoming people who live “in the image of Christ”. Pier Giorgio was one of those who daily worked to become better conformed to the image of Christ.  (An Ordinary Christian, 64)

What’s your foundation? Where do you place your footing?  Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, pray that we may allow Christ to be our cornerstone, the bedrock and the foundation, which is built to last.

Verso l’alto,

Kathryn Grace

You are the solid rock we are built upon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjX7c4sx8Pg

I’ve been out there searching for a place where I belong and on my way I heard my song. Let it sing me home!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmj9xIMF9Pc

Love’s the Only House

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzM_lxnzi64