Miracle Moments

A young woman I know is heading to Rwanda today. She's pulling herself out of the hustle and bustle and drama of this world and putting herself in service to God and to children and to the direction of the Holy Spirit. We talked about her surrender to the call and her fears of the unknown...and we marveled at the roadblocks we erect when God is trying to remove all the obstacles. We journeyed together down memory lane and ran through the field of dreams...the desires of the heart that inspire us to keep on moving forward...one day at a time. I am always in awe when a young person sees through the eyes of faith and longs for the will of God to be manifested in their life. Being open is half the battle...being willing requires incredible character. You see the world is always offering us tantalizing gifts of fame and fortune, power and prestige...always luring us with a false sense of security, that suddenly sends us into downright insanity. The world is a gift of many glorious and g

Twenty eight years ago today, the Blessed Virgin Mary, began speaking daily with six Yugoslavian children. She came to them in the tiny hamlet of Medjugorje. She called herself the Queen of Peace and she delivered a monthly message for the world- calling for peace-through prayer, Holy Mass, the rosary and fasting. Today, the Queen of Peace told the world- "Dear children! Rejoice with me, convert in joy and give thanks to God for the gift of my presence among you. Pray that, in your hearts, God may be in the center of your life and with your life witness, little children, so that every creature may feel God's love. Be my extended hands for every creature, so that it may draw closer to the God of love. I bless you with my motherly blessing. Thank you for having responded to my call." Our Lady always thanks us ahead of time...in optimistic anticipation that we will respond positively to her motherly Love. If you're having trouble believing-simply surrender your unbelief,

I heard in Mass this morning that one in ten people used to be Catholic. That's quite a figure...and something serious to think about. Why do people lose their religion? Probably for the same reasons they leave their spouses or their jobs or even their exercise program. They get mad, lose interest, and just stop thinking it's important to their salvation. It's too bad. Because over the years I have learned through the school of hard Knox, as my dad used to say, that the best things in life are the things we really work hard at...the commitments we never let go of and the activities that always renew us even when they seem mundane and boring. But humans are a funny lot-especially Catholics. We want divine help, but we help ourselves to Catholic lite...We want God to get more involved in our lives, but we barely give him our precious time, one Sunday a week...and when we don't like what the church teaches, we tell ourselves that we're exempt from the teaching. Go

At dinner last night, I suggested to my 20 year old son Mackie that he might want to take a road trip with his younger brothers and his grandfather. "It's a long drive," he said..."Can I fly?" Of course I said that's not the point, while describing the joy of quality time in the car with an aging grandfather and his younger siblings...I also threw in ...."You never know how much time the two of you have left on this earth." 10 year old Zachary muttered..."She always says that." Mac snapped, "Aren't we going to see each other in heaven...isn't that what you tell us...we'll see everyone-your parents, your sister-you someday?" Zachary jumps in, "Yeah-but Pappy will be in the old folks section." To which I replied, "No we'll all be about the same age...in our thirties." To which Jacob and Ben argued-"How do you know?" The meal lasted ten minutes---just in time for baseball...but long bef

Zachary's baseball team lost tonight..."It's all my fault," he exclaimed. I must have missed something...Zack pitched and hit and ran and played as hard as I have ever seen him play-but the other kids caught and ran and played a little better than we did...and so they won-this time. We beat them last time...but somehow we tend to forget the victories when the failures are front and center. As we walked home-I tried to console...carefully offering my sage words of wisdom..."The incredible highs and the incredible lows...the waves of life...up and down." Well-that really impressed him...cheered him right up. In fact he was speechless. He probably thought I was nuts...or just being me-trying to make universal sense, of a very simple and sad situation. But just like baseball, we win some and we lose some. Sometimes we are at the top of our game and sometimes we fumble the ball..There are days when everything sails smoothly and others when nothing turns out ri

God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. A father's role has been defined in the man of Jesus...the God man. No mere mortal, he manifested our humanity in the service of his divinity. He is perfectly suited to provide the litmus test for dads everywhere...by his example of firm, yet Loving leadership and the integrity that is exemplified in the dignity of his actions. Jesus passed through his mothers womb into a life of Love in action...where he gave all of his heavenly wisdom--for the benefit of all of humankind. He walked the world, teaching faith, hope and Love-and promising peace, freedom and eternity. He gave everything away...expecting nothing in return...except maybe-our Love. Jesus believed in us enough-to give us new life...while sacrificing his own. He let us know-we are worth saving even when we keep letting go. Rock solid, grounded in God, and good to the core-he gave us good reason to hang on for dear life...because his life made ours worth living. To be a fathe

My kids never cease to amaze me. My 20 year old Mackie took his 15 year old brother, Ben, to lunch this week. They rode bikes to their favorite hamburger joint, Bud's Broiler...and talked about life...and luck and our evolving family. Mackie shared much of their conversation and I was touched with their honest, openness and frank follow-up to all the soap opera scenarios they've seen. Then, later Ben and his 10 year old brother Zack walked to the store to buy their dad's fathers day card...I gathered from Zack that his older brother gave him strong words of wisdom about the merits of bagels, peanut butter and muscles...and more important--of being a "man." I.E.-not falling asleep in your mom's bedroom...I was stunned the first time Zack announced..."I have to stop being a mama's boy!" It may not seem like much to others...but to me, the brotherly camaraderie means the top males in my life are learning to put their Love in action...Spending time w

My girlfriend today, got exactly what she wanted, because she had the courage to give up everything that was holding her back. Monica listened to that voice within and walked away from the same old tapes that kept telling her "this is as good as it gets." Her voice within told her it's going to get better, but only when she believed in herself enough to make it happen. With courage and conviction she took the plunge and soared straight to where she wanted to go...riding on the wings of faith in a power greater than all the earthly pleasures that always lose their luster. As soon as she turned her back on the past, it came rushing up to meet her-but this time-on her terms...because this time she made it HER time. It is a lesson some of us take a lifetime to learn, because our lives are bustling with busy work and bad decisions that keep us from breaking free. It takes great faith, willpower and self esteem to turn and walk away from a sure thing because you believe you

My youngest son Zachary kissed my forehead, my chin, my left cheek, then my right cheek and finally-announced, "That was a Cross...Now it's sacred." "What's sacred-my face?" I asked, amused. "Yes," he replied, with a grin and then walked away. "That's pretty awesome," I exclaimed. How about that! I've lost face, saved face and fell on my face...and now my face is "sacred"...That's pretty deep and redeeming and really amazing coming from a ten year old. In one bold gesture, Zack let me-his mom-know-that I'm high priority, high on his list of the world's greatest wonders...and wonderful enough to seal his Love with a kiss and the greatest symbol of Love-the Cross. Where do they come up with these ideas?! I'll tell you where-probably from me. Our home is a virtual Basilica, adorned with everything spiritual...from authentic church kneelers to four foot high iron Crosses hung high above the winding Cross stai

Walk in My Way and trust Me. No evil can touch you. I am yours as truly as you are Mine. Rest in that truth. Rest, that is, cease all struggle. Gain a calm, strong confidence in that certainty. Do not only rest in Me when the world's struggles prove too much and too many for you to bear or face alone. Rest in Me when you need perfect understanding, when you need the consciousness of tender, loving friendship and intercourse. The world, my poor world, flies to Me when its difficulties are too great to be surmounted any other way, forgetting , or never realizing, that if, with the same eagerness, those hearts sought Me merely for companionship and loving intercourse, many of the difficulties would not arise. The circumstances, the life, the character would be so altered-so purified, that those same difficulties would not exist. Seek Me early, that is the way to find Me. Early, before I get crowded out by life's troubles and difficulties and pleasures. GOD CALLING JUNE 16

If you hear God calling, answer him If you feel inspired-act on it... If you feel blessed-give it away... Because- If you close your mind, If you seal your heart, If you hold on to the gifts- You will lose the grace- You will die inside- and you will feel the pain of being alone... Because-nothing separates you more from God- than your unwillingness to follow his lead... And-nothing brings you closer to God- than your willingness to surrender-completely.

How lucky can a girl get?! I just attended my second concert in one week. Mary Elizabeth and Annie rockin away in the hot pink boudoir. It's an exclusive girls getaway, gilded with fury boas and lots of cutie pie posters of today's hottest male singers smiling their way into our happy hearts. Of course the hottie backup band, Zack and Jack, slung those guitars wildly...like every good male- thrusting their egos front and center hoping to steal the show...from the elusive femme fatales. But the rising stars brought down the house with their big brown eyes, creamy cherub cheeks and soul inspiring serenades that sent me away with a smile of wonder at the joy of being young, of being a girl and of being bold enough to put on a show stopping songfest that certainly rivals any of the American Idol contestants I've ever witnessed. You Go Girls-you've got talent and one big fan!

"There are certain things a man has to do, before he gets stuck with a wife." Sage words of wisdom, confidently proclaimed by my son's friend, Tanner. At 12, the boys appear to have it all figured out. "What are those things?" I gasped...as I wrinkled my forehead in wonder...and disbelief. I couldn't believe a child had already thought of what he would accomplish long before he met the girl of his dreams and wandered down that aisle of heavenly bliss into matrimonial exile. But here he was zealously zoned in on the four little line items that are sure to make any man happy...before he gets married. In order- A motorcycle-but a good one... A boat-a fast one.... A car--a fancy one... A house--a big one... Now-the real question is-how does a kid come up with these ideas? And who has excelled at convincing him that this list is his rite of passage-as a single man?...Obviously an adult...an adult male...and to be more specific...a male babysitter's brothe

VIVA LA VIDA! LONG LIVE LIFE! The words are still ringing in my ears and now the CD is booming in my car. Brilliantly inspiring, this song lifts and glides the spirit up, up and away... At least that's what it does for me...every time I hear it. Coldplay came to town last night and cradled the crowd with their soothing melodies and deeply introspective lyrics. I'm fascinated with rock bands that dare to be different...Those who dare to desire a deeper intimacy between their music and their message. Coldplay digs deep into the very core of the human experience and with sweet intensity, caresses the spirit into a soothing, yet sensual submission. A humbling eroticism that is both self sacrificing and surreal-because it takes us beyond our own subjectivity and humanity. Somewhere across the miles that separate us from the divine, this band has been able to connect time and space and their own sense of reality-creating music that will massage and motivate our minds indefinitely. My

"Divorce is not an option." Those words from one of my favorite actors, Will Smith. He told an interviewer that this time round...the "D" word is not in his vocabulary...and that attitude has worked well with his second wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. I Love that attitude of gratitude...and I Love hearing it from a man. Because apparently the guys are going to need some help. The stats I'm looking at show more and more women consider divorce an option. According to one study commissioned by the AARP 66% of women in their 40's, 50's and beyond are hitting mid life and maneuvering themselves into a new way of life that no longer includes their men. Boredom, issues with sex and emotional distance are key factors...But long term abuse, infidelity and their husband's unresolved addiction problems still drive the women to court. These days lots of women don't depend on their spouse for support like their peers in the "olden days"...So it's e

Divorce may be the single most destructive force fueling the demise of a generous and Loving human family. The example, set by adults, is teaching generations of children that self will-wins out-every time. As I see it, God's specific design for the matrimonial bond which forms the foundation for the procreation of families far into the future-is severely assaulted every single time a man or woman decides to dump their spouse. But for life threatening violence, there is rarely good reason for breaching the intimate bond of trust between a married couple. Selfish shortsightedness sums up all the sad excuses people use to claim their right to exit the vows that keep couples together- through the good times and the bad. Betrayal, rejection and deep seeded pain eat like acid through the hopeful heart, scarring the soul and searing the scorned with a numbing, almost robotic will to live. The emotional wreckage is almost unbearable to behold...especially among the most innocent, the

I Love Dolly Parton. She won me over as I watched an interview she gave to Charlie Rose. Funny, endearing, bright and articulate...with soul inspiring wisdom...she's one middle child who made it big because of her honest integrity and down home upbringing. Her grounded confidence in who she is impressed me to no end...So did the Love she learned amid a family of 11 siblings. When asked if there was anything about her life that she would change...she didn't miss a beat-"If you change anything, you change everything." That's profoundly it in a nutshell. If you change anything you change everything! How right she is--and I know my High School Physics teacher would agree. Dolly says there's nothing she'd change...except maybe listening to that voice within...The warning voice she ignored countless times. But nonetheless-she's happy with her past and positive about her future...because things simply turned out terrific for a small town country girl with big

It takes a lot of courage to fight a drug addiction...Courage and willpower and faith in a higher power...And it takes time and loving support...and a foundation of family and friends who never give up-on the hope that healing is possible. Oprah Winfrey-gave our nation hope today-that the war against addiction can be won...one person at a time...one family at a time...one community at a time. The harrowing stories were enough to make a lot of people change the channel-to turn their backs on the feelings of hopelessness inflicted by this very cunning, baffling and powerful disease. But Oprah put it out there-raw and revolting...yet suggestively inspiring...Letting us all participate in the forbidden fruit that has destroyed so many lives-while witnessing the fruits of recovery-one day at a time. It is a story of shame and humiliation...fear and futility...the loss of the mind, body and spirit to the seductively sinister sequence of events that slither into the lives of the addict and th

God is really good. I walked into a meeting tonight and screamed with joy. My friend Mary Jo is alive and well and looking gorgeous. Back from 90 days of hell, she is living proof that heaven is listening. Mary Jo just returned from the much feared war zone of Iraq. She and the other Army doctors were stationed in the middle of nowhere saving lives while endangering their own. She made the ultimate sacrifice by being of service to others in a profoundly heroic way...but she said, "It was awful...I wouldn't want anyone to have to experience it." Awful means battered and bloody bodies...rocket fire and near death...pain and suffering that has no beginning and no end...no rhyme and no reason. When you're on the ground, eye to eye with the horror of war...there is nothing anyone can say to convince you that this human drama will ever be a winner. But tonight, I am grateful for the big blessings amid the madness of war...and Mary Jo's safe return ranks number one. As I

I read somewhere recently-that praise is the Devil's death knell. The joyful heart is the best weapon against all evil.... Even if you don't believe in the dark side...praise always wins over dark feelings... It always lightens the load-lifting the lonely and letting others know-that they are special. Sometimes that's all it takes to change bad to good, sad to happy...sometimes one little word of praise puts the oomph back into someones life. And if that's all it takes...then it's time for all of us to take a moment...look around-and let someone you know-that praise be to God-they're pretty darn special...and especially blessed to know them!