In the Quiet

In this liturgical season of Advent, I pause and reflect on the meaning of waiting. We are waiting for the celebration of the birth of Christ. As I wait for Jesus, I realize that He is the only One who can fulfill me. I am about to get married. December 29th of this year is the big day! Though I am so excited to start this new journey, I also know that my future husband cannot totally fulfill me. No matter how wonderful he is, he isn't God. Only God can fill the God-shaped hole in my heart. We wait our whole lives for the next thing, and then the next thing. We want to be done with school. Get a job. Meet someone special. Get married. Have kids. Buy a house. It goes on! We are always chasing something. And yet, we aren't fully satisfied by just that. Are we? That's because only God can fulfill you! Spend time with Him, and you will be rewarded by just knowing that no matter what, He is there for you. Here's to hoping that you can wait with joyful anticipation...

J.M.J. I have relocated, and as such I don't have the job I used to. I have been struggling mightily with the concept that my worth is based in my productivity. Recently, I realized that this very lie is what promulgates great evils present today. Babies aren't productive; indeed, they are viewed as stifling interference in a woman's productivity. Their solution? Abortion. The elderly are undervalued and aren't able to work anymore, so they are looked on as valueless. The result? Assisted suicide. Now, these evils sometimes have other causes than the ones I just stated. I fell prey to this lie. It crept in without me even realizing that something was wrong with this thought. I just knew that it made me feel miserable about my self-worth.  You are loved by God for who you are, not for what you accomplish. Certainly, you must do His will, but if He is not currently calling you to a lot of busyness, thank Him for this season. You must need it.

For me, it is difficult to not have a full-time job. I got so used to working that now it is hard for me not to work. I know I should be using this time to be thankful for extra time to pray and relax, but this whole relaxing thing goes against my nature. Or does it really? I used to really enjoy relaxing. Then, somewhere along the line, I became addicted to work. Now I am trying to recover. Truly, I have much to keep me busy even without a job. Still, it is not the customary many hours spent sitting at a desk each day. I find myself loving the fact that I can grocery shop in the middle of the day on a weekday and there are way fewer people crowding the aisles. I love that it's easy for me to find the time to attend daily Mass. And yet, I'm restless. I'm hungry for something more. I am filling the void where my job used to be without tasks that need to be done. It is still not what I was used to doing. My job was a ministry. It is something I'm very passion...

Just because someone says they want to marry you does not mean that they are capable of a lifelong commitment. Love isn't supposed to feel like an additional full-time job. Actions speak louder than words. Every. Time. Getting angry with God led me to healing.  Life is hard. Trust is everything. If you can't trust someone, it's really hard to love them unconditionally. Cowardice is a despicable trait. Uber is safe. I wish they didn't have my phone number though. Trusting God is everything. Mother Mary WILL take care of you. This world is not overpopulated. Taking care of yourself is imperative. As in, you do not have a choice. Sooner or later, your non-stop go mode will stop you in your tracks. Spiritual direction is not the same thing as talking to a professional mental health professional. Take care of yourself spiritually AND mentally! Carmelite spirituality is unique and beautiful. I still enjoy building Legos, coloring, and making sticker colla...

To my sisters in Christ: It is time to respect yourself. Do you know who you are? You are a beloved daughter of the most high God. You are worthy. Do you believe that? Do you respect yourself enough to not be dating someone just for the sake of having a boyfriend? Do you respect yourself enough to not wear skin-tight clothing for attention? Do you respect yourself enough to not tolerate abuse, be it sexual, emotional, verbal, mental, or physical? Do you respect yourself enough to take care of yourself spiritually? Do you respect yourself enough to be mindful of the content that you expose yourself to every day, through media of all kinds? Do you respect yourself enough to take care of yourself? Do you respect yourself enough to distance yourself from people who are ruining your relationship with Christ? Do you respect yourself enough to surrender all your worries to Jesus? Do you respect yourself enough to listen to the opinions of others, but ultimately decide with G...

Dear Friends, Joy is a tricky virtue. It is one that you must have despite all circumstances. It is harder than it looks. It is different than just happiness. It is more than just a feeling. It is a way of life. To live joy is to live the life of Christ, which is vibrant, rich, and full of strength from Him. When you practice joy, many trials come. To grin and bear it is kind of missing the point. You know deep down that Jesus is still there. He is still watching you. He wants to be so close to you. Will you let Him? Jesus longs for you. Did you know that? He thirsts for you. "I thirst," He said on the cross with parched lips and a dying body. Happy Easter to all of you. Peace, Stephanie

PASSIONATE RAIN By Stephanie Schell Jesus sweats blood It comes down like rain He feels such pain As He carries the cross More rain pours down Almost makes Him drown When Jesus was arrested His captors came Their shame was his shame Peter denied Jesus Rain fell on the man Who just ran The High Priests stoned the King His blood poured out Like rain from a spout He did not complain His grace always came; It fell down like rain Simon comes and goes He helps Jesus then he knows His sins are washed away white as snow Darkness comes over the land, The rain pours down; Is God still around? Mary weeps and weeps for Him Her tears like rain His presence brings a holy peace He’s dying for all so they can see What can truly be! His crucifixion Cruel and cold His love is gold The cross is raised He shouts in pain His blood like rain His last breath goes His life is gone Just like a song Je...