Author: italiana@writeme.com

My Catholic faith is a sweet assurance. A true gift from God. How the Lord has provided for me. I am in awe of his love for me and his mercy. How he loves each of us so uniquely, intimately, as if you were his only son or daughter. Yes we have a good God, a good father who loves. I know Love conquers all things, especially fear. I believe the greatest vocation in life is to Love. Simply, it is Love that will sustain us through dark times, through trials and if you have love you will be able to persevere. My prayer for you is that you Love in abundance in this life. God is love. Never forget he longs for your love and no one else can love you like him. How can you Love more? In what ways can you show Love to others and be a light in this dark world? Ask God to guide you and in the silence of your heart he will speak to you. He will lead you into the rich depths of his love and give you the grace to trust in him. He always provides so you have no need to fear. Remember Love conquers all. 

How often do you Worry? I heard a song today, called Sparrows by Jason Gray. How true the lyrics are: “you can’t add a single day by worrying…it’s just gonna close you in.” 

We can never be reminded enough,  that no matter what struggles we face or scars we have, things that we wish we could take back. If we worry, that keeps us from truly being fulfilled. Prevents us from being a witness to God’s glory to others. 

Next month on August 3rd, it will be one year since I fought the strongest battle in my mind and heart.  A war, within my mind of deep seeded worry and fear. A battle for Hope. One that submerged me into an emotional anguish. The heartache I experienced that day, engulfed me in a ferocity of distress and hopelessness . I was in complete despair, longing for the pain to cease. The emotional torment and heaviness of my heart was one I felt I could not bear. My soul was consumed.

 I didn’t think I could hang on one more moment, but I did. This approaching anniversary strikes me as a reminder of how far I’ve come. By Gods grace, somehow I kept focusing on him, as he was and is all I have. I know the prayers of those in my life certainly helped me. Especially the prayers of my dearly beloved adopted mother Madolyn. 

When I find myself with thoughts of  worry from time to time,  I now let those thoughts go as soon as they pop into my mind.  I remind myself how silly it is to worry. 

I still ponder and  reflect on that date from time to time. I realize there is much more life left to live. How much I can still do for others! I have a picture of myself that was taken that day or the day after. It’s a reminder that I keep visible to always remember the blessings in this life. I’ve lived, pursued goals, dreams and education over the last year. I appreciate how much has been given to me. I will remain grateful for the times I have been able to help others. I ponder at times how each of us has a role in this life. Imagine how different this world would be without you in it.  The world needs you! Your life and your courage impacts those around you.  I reflect on the moments that I’ve experienced this last year. 

Even if I have to walk this walk alone, this life. I find complete peace and solace knowing that I have no need to worry. 

What satisfies your mind and heart? What gives you the strength and courage to keep going, to keep trucking along? 
 Every time you feel worries start to creep into your thoughts give them to God. He’s always there to carry our burdens, to carry our fears, to give us strength and hope for a better life.  For a better future. Never cease to  continue to  trust in him. We have a good father in heaven. Your never alone, always remember that. Let him take that weight from your shoulders today. 

How would you define passion? Maybe it’s the way you desire to do  better, the attention to detail, the little things that may often go unnoticed when you do something you love, that extra effort, it’s definitely above average, you pour your heart out when you do something with passion. 

All I know is we are only given this one life, no second chances, no do-overs. 

I personally had to face fears and overcome them to start living a life that fulfilled me. Fulfilling the desires and passions of my heart, the desires God placed in my heart, the desires he knew would be my strengths. 

It’s amazing how I had to hit a breaking point to make me face my own mortality and ponder on what is truly important in this life. A dear soul recently stated to me in conversation on this topic.      

    “There is nothing more important in this life than Love and Union with God.” 

When you realize that, and how short our lives really are, I can’t help but think why wait? Why wait to do what you love, whether that be a career change or making time for a hobby. Why wait, to strive for more, to grow in your faith? Why wait to Love others as you desire to be loved? Even if that love is unreturned, you only have today, let your heart pour out and share your passions because they will more than likely be blessings to others. What are you passionate about? How can you develop and share your passions with the world? 

Your heart is a window to your soul. Have you ever met someone and just been blown away as you get to know them by how beautiful their heart is. It may be in their compassion shown towards you, or maybe they are a really good listener. But a person with a beautiful heart cannot hide it, it shines like the sun in how they speak, their thoughts and how they treat others. Kindness is one of the great traits of a beautiful heart.

Your soul is like is like a prism it is designed by God to reflect him. Yet sin dulls this prism and it no longer shines as God intended…however prayer is a continual renewal and restores the beauty and purifies your soul. Only through prayer can one reflect the presence of God.  

Through prayer God calls each of us to a personal conversion involving our heart and soul. Prayer allows God to work in us and through us. Who comes to your mind when you think of someone you’ve met or know that has a beautiful heart? I believe in this life the true and lasting beauty  of such a heart can never be forgotten.

All you do in life, all you do today depends on a choice. That’s why I love our God of Surprises so much, he is so generous to us that he gives us the power to choose.

To choose to follow his law, to choose not to sin, to choose for example to leave the radio on a Christian station and allow yourself to feel convicted in your heart from the message of a song.  Maybe in a moment such as this he is reaching out gently through a song, a gentle reminder that he is there, thirsting for your love. Longing for you to choose him over your thoughts, over your temptations, reminding you, You are strong in his grace.

Oh yes, you have the power to choose. Unfortunately I have seen a growing complacency among many of my fellow Catholics. A type of “sheep” mentality in regards to following the culture and standards of this world. 

It’s a sad day when pop culture and social media so greatly influence, tempt and absorb our fellow brethen often into things or thoughts that do nothing to bring them closer to God. 
Many seek to grow in prayer but how can a person do this when they have the sum of hours in a day of their time and attention so focused on their phones…

How can you grow in prayer today? How will you choose to direct your thoughts…your time? 

I love birthdays!

I love any  reason to celebrate life! It’s too bad we wait for Birthdays, holidays or anniversaries to do something special for the people that mean a lot to us or have inspired us. Those rare people who are just a joy to have in our lives.

One of my favorite quotes is a quote by Mother Theresa:

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”

I hope your day is filled with joy and gratitude for the gifts in your life, for the people who are a blessing to you!  Always hope for tomorrow but remember you only have today to give your  time and attention to those you care about.

Live with intention and purpose and always surprise someone with a smile! You may be the only one who does today.

I am Thankful for the people who make my heart smile…who can you celebrate today?

It amazes me how many people in our world are afraid to give. There are so many ways an individual may be able to give. 

I believe you will be blessed abundantly if you give of yourself, whether that be your time or your talents. In some way, shape or form there is always an opportunity to give.

I was recently asked to help sponsor a missionary in her mission to evangelize the youth. At times I have had family members tell me you shouldn’t give to that cause for this reason or that…but I always respond no one was ever left distraught by giving. On the contrary, the more you give, the more you receive. As cliche as that may sound it’s true! You are blessed to help others, so do so! Be a blessing give what you can, and always give from your heart. There is no other way. God sees all things and he will bless you with many surprises! We have a God that has been so generous to each one of us, if you think about your blessings instead of the obstacles you may be facing in life, it’s easy to see we should be generous and lift others up. 

Yet, I see in the hearts of man a type of poverty in this area especially when it comes to giving without a motive or agendas. Let’s give with sincerity. 

I pray you are blessed to know the unique and deep blessing it is to give to others, especially those in most need. And if you ever come across a truly beautiful and unique soul I hope you aren’t afraid to give the greatest gift… The gift of your heart and your friendship. Who inspires you to give? 

The most important thing I’ve come to learn in this life is this… Go where the peace is. Peace, is found in Jesus Christ. He really made it simple for us. He made the ultimate sacrifice and died for our sins. We are healed by his wounds and saved by his death on a cross.

But we are stubborn creatures so set on controlling our lives and often use prayer as a wish list instead of a conversation with Jesus, he who thirsts for your love. To find peace, you must let go and let God. You must be an open palette to allow him to run wild with the amazing gifts and blessings he has in store for you! So often, we think we know what we want in this life but God knows our hearts, he knows your heart better than anyone else. Trust him. I say that again, trust him.

Men and women are so wounded in this world. Too often we acknowledge how wounded women may be but overlook our men. Our men, are wounded. So badly wounded that at times it may feel like they are beyond repair.

I hope Men, especially single men never forget their God given dignity. That they are called to lead and protect and deserve respect. As a woman if you have a man you care about in your life, never forget how important it is to support and affirm the man you love. As women we have many qualities such as generosity and a nurturing nature. It is just the way God made man and woman uniquely different. As women we must hold men to a higher standard than what is expected from this world. The world tells Men its okay to lust and chastity is for the holy rollers, the world tells men it is okay to be weak.

But God has called man to be strong and as a woman I understand more than ever how much we need his strength to inspire us, to show us how much we are valued and to know we are worthy of a virtuous love.

On Catholic radio several months ago I heard a radio show host utter these words and the statement was profound in its simplicity and truth. She said: “He who governs his passions is master of the world.”

Think about this statement for a moment and reflect on your past relationships and if you are currently in a relationship now. What relationships have taken you away from God’s path in your life? Notice how when you succumb to the temptations of the world and culture you don’t have peace. Have you ever thought for a moment maybe your were called to lead the person in your life closer to Christ. To show them that true love waits.

There is strength in peace, and through Christ we are strong. It is in his peace that we can master strength, it is a daily battle and only through Jesus can we do this. He is with you every day, never let your wounds make you weak. Be strong in him and refreshed by his peace.

April is a special month for me and today I have come full circle. You see, one year ago today, my life changed it’s course. I had no idea about the journey I was about to begin. I often refer to this day as “The day that changed my life”…

It all goes back to the choices we make in this life and I can only speak for myself, as there were choices made by others beyond my control that set  me on the path that brought me to this very moment.  I pause in  a moment of reflection of the surprises our God has bestowed on me.

I followed my heart one year ago today and gave gifts to those dear to me. As I have mentioned before that is my calling, to give of myself to others. Whether it be a simple gesture or a thought out gift, giving is what brings me fulfillment in this life.  What a grand feeling it is to make others happy! I have never understood people who don’t have that desire.

A year ago events transpired that made me realize that I am worthy of Love. It is hard to face a reality, that you have been accepting a life that is not in line with God’s priorities for you. That moment when your heart tells you that you have been tolerating a  way of life that is way less than you deserve. It is far too easy to fall into complacency and never expect more. To get used to being ignored, overlooked, to get used to being alone, even within a relationship.

A year ago, only by God’s grace I stepped on a path back towards God’s will for my life. It took great courage and the heaven sent Angels he placed on my path are the crutch I clung to at times. In moments when I didn’t know what to do, when fear overwhelmed me to a point of uncertainty. It was these beautiful souls who brought me a great comfort that went beyond the depths of my heart and poured into my soul.  As you can imagine, they gave me a taste of what it feels like to be loved sincerely, to be remembered and reminded me of my worth.

The beauty of it all is I can stand strong all on my own now, but I don’t want to. I could never imagine my life without these heaven sent people that the God of Surprises placed on my path years ago. He knew I would need them so desperately and he always provides, in ways we can never imagine or predict.  Words will never satisfy the thanksgiving and Love that I have in my heart for these souls.

Today, ponder about your life? If you are in a relationship is God first? Does your relationship bring you closer to Christ? To the men reading this, are you being the spiritual leader your wife needs, lovingly guiding, nurturing and building up your spouse in the ways of the Lord?

Wherever you are in this life, whatever you do in this life, do all things in love… Love never fails.