#laycontemplative

[catholicwritergirl]

I sit in my car outside a medical clinic truck, waiting for my appointment for a Covid rapid test. In June, we didn't have a rapid test option except prior to surgeries. I feel fine. The test is for our daughter's peace of mind before our visit. It's a small price to pay. A gift of love. Each person I see wearing a mask is also a gift of love. Every life is a gift of love from our Father above. Thank you for living yours well. For breathing peace into the world's air. If you look with a grateful heart, there is much to gladden it. And we need to look daily, for the principalities and powers of darkness would rather us not see the good, the beautiful. The Lord. I see you Lord. Everywhere. Thank you for eyes to see. . . . . #Christconsciousness #prayerlife #innerhealing #encouragingwords #speaklife #womenoftheword #dailyencouragement #wordsofinspiration #readingcommunity #writers #writingcommunity #layspirituality #laycontemplative #christianauthor #chrissautermanion #writersnetwork #creativeCatholic #Godspatientpursuitofmysoul #listenwithyourheart #prayingthepsalms https://www.instagram.com/p/CEorcLpF86r/?igshid=1rfy2j13fl01x

[catholicwritergirl]

"Each of us has been made for love and for great and beautiful things. There is no soul that God does not long to touch with this message of His love! And he wants to touch those souls through us. So let us make our lives something beautiful that we can offer to God. Let us do everything, even the littlest duties of our days, for love for Him and for the love of our brothers and sisters." Archbishop José Gomez . . . . #grandsofinstagram #homeschoolart #blogger #vocation #layspirituality #laycontemplative #christianauthor #chrissautermanion #writersnetwork #Christconsciousness #Godspatientpursuitofmysoul #listenwithyourheart #catholicculture #Catholiclife #discipleshipisarelationship #listeningisagift #paintingforjoy #beingcalled #attitudeoftheheart #faithwriters #womensministry #mindfulnesspractice #findingpeacewithin #helpyourbody #mentalhealthtips2020 #howtocopewithirritability #spiritualgrowth #centeringprayer #contemplativelaylife https://www.instagram.com/p/CBgMAzAFMqJ/?igshid=1k2moxy6yio96

[catholicwritergirl]

Set an example of faith. Of purity. Of hope. Of following the one who told us the greatest commandment is to love God. #WWJD. And the second is like the first. Love again. Love always. Love your neighbor. The one you struggle with. The one who irritates you. Why? Because when you can move your heart to a place of love for those unlike you, those who even hate you, you will have become holy. . . . . . #blogger #BLM #readingcommunity #writers #writingcommunity #vocation #layspirituality #laycontemplative #christianauthor #chrissautermanion #writersnetwork #Christconsciousness #Godspatientpursuitofmysoul #listenwithyourheart #catholicculture #Catholiclife #discipleshipisarelationship #listeningisagift #beingcalled #attitudeoftheheart #unshakeablefaith #mindfulnesspractice #findingpeacewithin #spiritualgrowth #centeringprayer #contemplativelaylife https://www.instagram.com/p/CBY-JC0lJn1/?igshid=i0qphsqhftti

[catholicwritergirl]

Happy June! Let us pray this prayer together each day to do what we can to change ourselves, to change the world. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. . . . . . #layspirituality #laycontemplative #christianauthor #chrissautermanion #writersnetwork #Christconsciousness #Godspatientpursuitofmysoul #listenwithyourheart #catholicculture #Catholiclife #discipleshipisarelationship #listeningisagift #5amwriters #beingcalled #attitudeoftheheart #faithwriters #womensministry #unshakeablefaith #whydoesgodallowsuffering #mindfulnesspractice #findingpeacewithin #helpyourbody #mentalhealthtips2020 #howtocopewithirritability #spiritualgrowth #centeringprayer #contemplativelaylife https://www.instagram.com/p/CA4-twVlpBt/?igshid=1irqyf0syqno7

[catholicwritergirl]

I heard these words from Sue Monk Kidd who was being interviewed by Brene Brown about her new book, The Book of Longings. It brought me up short because I kind of like to know where I'm going I like having goals. And yet creativity blossoms best when we give it space in which it can grow. I rest on Sundays. My sabbath time is like a sun on the fertile field of my creative mind helping it bloom a field of wild flowers for my readers to enjoy. . . . . . #blogger #booklovers #readingcommunity #writers #writingcommunity #layspirituality #laycontemplative #christianauthor #Godspatientpursuitofmysoul #listenwithyourheart #catholicculture #Catholiclife #discipleshipisarelationship #listeningisagift #5amwriters #beingcalled #attitudeoftheheart #faithwriters #womensministry #unshakeablefaith #suemonkkiddquotes #mindfulnesspractice #findingpeacewithin #helpyourbody #mentalhealthtips2020 #howtocopewithirritability #spiritualgrowth #centeringprayer #contemplativelaylife https://www.instagram.com/p/CA3lpykFEL3/?igshid=mxcfoj854369

[catholicwritergirl]

Choosing to believe we are alone is #misspeakingthetruth. Or it's a refusal to accept or know the truth. Or a temporary pity party. We're all waffling these days. All in various stages of trauma or stress. But- We are never alone, Jesus assures us. "I am with you always until the end of the age." Do you believe this? If no, I'm happy to listen if you need a listening ear or a soulfriend. If yes, you already know some of the peace of Christ our hearts look for. Crave. #Faith knows. #Love knows. Our hearts know even if we have no words. . . . . . #blogger #writers #writingcommunity #layspirituality #laycontemplative #christianauthor #chrissautermanion #writersnetwork #Christconsciousness #Godspatientpursuitofmysoul #listenwithyourheart #catholicculture #Catholiclife #discipleshipisarelationship #listeningisagift #attitudeoftheheart #faithwriters #womensministry #unshakeablefaith #whydoesgodallowsuffering #hopewriterscommunity #mindfulnessireland #Godlovesyou🍵 #findingpeacewithin #spiritualgrowthanddevelopment #contemplativelaylife #catholicsofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CA0-JTNlCvd/?igshid=9o43f4hyc9qx

[catholicwritergirl]

How you do one thing is how you do everything. How you treat one of us is how you treat all of us. "A Christian is another Christ, and so our prayers ought to follow the lines of his prayer." John Bartunek, LC, ThD, The Better Part, p. 966. HOW does Jesus pray? Assured He is heard by God. Knowing God is listening always, loving always. WHAT does Jesus pray for? That we may be united with each other and in Him (John 17:20-26). He prays that we all know Him. So that through Him, we may enter into glory and joy and everlasting life as well. To know Him is to know Love. To know Love makes you want to please Him. We please Him by loving others as He loved us, as His Father loved Him. Not by kneeling on each other's necks, not by separating children from their migrant parents, not by paying unjust wages, not by refusing to wear masks that help protect others, not by taking life, but giving life by self-sacrifice and servant attitude. We know Him by spending time with Him - more than two minutes - and working side by side with Him. We are wired to work together with one another. It is Jesus' final words before His passion: "May they all be one as you are in Me and I am in You, Father." Do something with someone else today - somehow, someway. Do it with Love and in Love. Something small, doable. In memory of Him. . . . . . #mindfulness #Godlovesyou #contemplativeoutreach #findingpeacewithin #howtocopewithirritability #howtocopewithstress #spiritualgrowth #centeringprayer #contemplativelaylife #blogger #writers #writingcommunity #layspirituality #laycontemplative #christianauthor #chrissautermanion #writersnetwork #Christconsciousness #Godspatientpursuitofmysoul #listenwithyourheart #catholicculture #Catholiclife #discipleshipisarelationship #listeningisagift #beingcalled #attitudeoftheheart #faithwriters #womensministry #unshakeablefaith #Christianwritingcommunity https://www.instagram.com/p/CAvVzIbFfNR/?igshid=17lof5u3pw8k7

[catholicwritergirl]

I'm still thinking about the jalapeno I didn't share. I'm at the grocery store looking for a jalapeno for some sweet-and-sour sauce I'm making for dinner. The jalapeno basket in the produce department looks empty. I tip it and find one lone jalapeno. I grab it. It's all I need. A woman waiting with her cart sees me looking at the jalapeno basket and says, "They're all out. I'm waiting to see if any more came in." I showed her mine like a kid who found a sea shell. I felt my face flush as the clerk showed up to say they're all out of jalapenos. "I just wanted it for my chili," she told him, then shrugged her shoulders ever so slightly. Right then, I knew the generous thing to do. I should have given her my jalapeno, but I didn't. I didn't share. We cling to the silliest things sometimes, like an eighteen cent jalapeno. It's moments when we see our tight-fisted selves that provide some of our best lessons. Teachable moments of regret. Giving is always the deeper reward than receiving. An image leaps into my mind. I don't remember most sports victories, but the image is the moment during a race - it may have been special olympics - when the children leading the race noticed one straggler. They stopped running, went and linked arms, and crossed the finish line together. Now that's the kind of sharing person I am working on becoming. . . . . . #sharewhatyoulove #podcasts #blogger #readingcommunity #writers #writingcommunity #layspirituality #laycontemplative #christianauthor #chrissautermanion #writersnetwork #Christconsciousness #Godspatientpursuitofmysoul #listenwithyourheart #catholicculture #Catholiclife #discipleshipisarelationship #listeningisagift #5amwriters #beingcalled #attitudeoftheheart #faithwriters #womensministry #unshakeablefaith #jalapenolesson https://www.instagram.com/p/CAbdevBlffy/?igshid=20v4hxqavvnj

[catholicwritergirl]

I almost skipped Mass today. I had so much to do. I sensed the devil's delight in distracting me up to that point. I've learned to expect his distractions when I'm about to go some good somehow. Grabbing a handful of dry cereal and a scarf to cover my mouth, I bolted out the door before he could put another pit before my easily distracted mind and push me in it. Father stood at the ambo about to read the gospel when I walked in. I inhaled peace while standing before the Word of God. Closing my eyes, I bowed my head to take in the homily and Holy Communion with maybe twenty others, sitting masked, six or more feet apart. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament occurs every Friday. I'd forgotten that. It's been so long since we could attend daily Mass. Father filled the monstrance - the vessel used in Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican churches to exhibit the consecrated Eucharistic host - and centered it on the altar, a trio of lit candles on either side. My first instinct was to leave. I hadn't planned on this extra prayer time. There were things to do. Nothing urgent though. O salutaris hostia... Father Angelo started singing the hymn of adoration written by St. Thomas Aquinas. So I stayed. And prayed, putting myself in God's heart, lifting up those who asked for prayers. And He was happy. He made me aware of His pleasure during our time together. I proceeded with my day. It was a good day. I won an important battle. I'm praying for you as you battle yours. . . . . . #prayer #walkingwithJesus #writingwithJesus #podcasts #blogger #booklovers #readingcommunity #writers #writingcommunity #layspirituality #laycontemplative #christianauthor #chrissautermanion #Christconsciousness #Godspatientpursuitofmysoul #listenwithyourheart #catholicculture #Catholiclife #discipleshipisarelationship #listeningisagift #christianwriters #hopeweiters #spiritualbattle #attitudeoftheheart #faithwriters #womensministry #giveGodtime #spendtimewithGod #osalutarishostia https://www.instagram.com/p/CAOw1rilWBN/?igshid=y1ifpi0lz4mp

[catholicwritergirl]

Who are you becoming? What do you care about? Who do you love? Not love? Identity is the topic of today's First Fruits on my author page @ httos://www.facebook.com/authorchrismanion . . . . . #podcasts #blogger #readingcommunity #writers #writingcommunity #vocation #layspirituality #laycontemplative #christianauthor #chrissautermanion #writersnetwork #Christconsciousness #Godspatientpursuitofmysoul #listenwithyourheart #catholicculture #Catholiclife #discipleshipisarelationship #listeningisagift #5amwriters #beingcalled #attitudeoftheheart #faithwriters #womensministry #whoareyou #pivoting #lovetransforming #childofgod🙏 #growingupChristian #courageworks #eecummingsquote https://www.instagram.com/p/B_5LOd2FmtH/?igshid=1s77tew8s9xh2

[catholicwritergirl]

Pay attention but don't worry if you are ignoring what may be a #calling from your Lord to a new work or book or season. Www.tinyurl.com/Godispatient He'll gently bring it to you again. . . . . . #podcasts #blogger #booklovers #readingcommunity #writers #writingcommunity #vocation #layspirituality #laycontemplative #christianauthor #chrissautermanion #writersnetwork #Christconsciousness #Godspatientpursuitofmysoul #listenwithyourheart #catholicculture #Catholiclife #discipleshipisarelationship #listeningisagift #5amwriters #beingcalled #attitudeoftheheart https://www.instagram.com/p/B_i41xuFlB8/?igshid=1u6bbkojy8rrg

[catholicwritergirl]

Our souls hunger to graze upon the beauty God feeds us. What draws us to butterflies? Is it their beauty? The lovely lightness of their flittery flights? Or is it the flirty way we catch only glimpses of the beauty that lies within their wings? Draw us in, they do. Just like God Who gives us glimpses all day long of His beauty and love for us which lies within His kingdom. Within us. I could not walk away from the delicacy of the white-crowned purple flowers of this Duranta bush. It mesmerizes me. Put a butterfly with them and I'm lost in the goodness and kindness of a Creator Who is pleased by my pleasure. This is the penultimate moment of divine communion: when creation represented by the butterfly and Duranta flowers reflect the Creator in their very existence and obedience; when God sees that what He created pleases us, and while He holds His breath, we drink in His beauty and know somewhere deep within, that He made it just for us. And we all sigh together. . . . . . #spiritualgrowth #spiritualguidance #spirituallife #spiritualpractice #spiritualjourney #spiritualhealth #Christianspirituality #creativeleadership #radicalfaith #mystic #Christconsciousness #prayerlife #innerhealing #encouragingwords #speaklife #womenoftheword #dailyencouragement #wordsofinspiration #positivethoughts #layspirituality #laycontemplative #christianauthor #chrissautermanion #Christconsciousness #Godspatientpursuitofmysoul #listenwithyourheart #catholicculture #Catholiclife #discipleshipisarelationship #beingcalled #faithwriters https://www.instagram.com/p/CGf7n_6lvw8/?igshid=1wpbwcw1aemgh