Living Lent All Year!

I experienced a grief moment this morning. That's not uncommon during my prayer and meditation time. When you're almost 79 you've had plenty of sorrows over the years: deaths, estrangements, betrayals, unkindness, accusations. They turn into the muck that makes up the slough of despond. Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for me.

Sunday Meditation from St. Francis de Sales - Your Cross is a Gift from Almighty God; Embrace It!

Our crosses are a lot smaller and lighter than Christ's.
May we carry our crosses with courage and even joy.

 YOUR CROSS

The Everlasting God has in His Wisdom foreseen from eternity the cross that He now presents to you as a gift from his inmost Heart. This cross that He now sends you He has considered with His all-knowing eyes, understood with His divine mind, tested with His wise justice, warmed with loving arms and weighed with His own hands to see that it be not one inch too large and not one ounce too heavy for you. He has blessed it with His holy name, anointed it with His consolation, taken one last glance at you and your courage, and then sent it to you from Heaven, a special greeting from God to you, an alms of the all-merciful love of God.

                                                                                            St. Francis de Sales

What's Your Cross?

It's been a rough week. My husband had knee replacement surgery on Monday and has been dealing with the the pain and swelling associated with it. Hospital stays are always uncomfortable and exhausting with nurses and techs coming in round the clock to check vitals, give medicine, etc. Neither of us got much sleep and came home yesterday pretty exhausted.

Our oldest came to help out, along with four of her five daughters. Besides offering practical help and a third set of ears at the hospital, her cheerful disposition and the chirpy conversations of her girls was a delightful distraction.

Another daughter came over with goodies yesterday and greeted us as we returned from the hospital bearing Whoppers for Dad and Almond Joys for Mom. Dad is well stocked in Whoppers now since the oldest also brought his favorite candy. Plenty to share. We expect our next medical crisis to be an astronomical sugar high.

It's worth it! What a gift to have loved ones to help carry a cross!

In fact, our experience this week got me thinking about crosses.