Game On

Two of my daughters figure skate.  This weekend, the younger one reached the same level as her older sister. The older sister has not been allowed to jump due to a back injury, but today was given the okay by her therapist to begin to jump again.

The next competition the girls will compete against each other.  As my younger daughter declared, "Game On!".

The Family of a King

Today is the feast of Christ the King.

God is our Father, Christ is our Brother.  Christ is King, making us also divine Royalty.

You and I are princess and princes in God's Kingdom.   We are worthy of all of the greatness that His Kingdom has to offer.  This worthiness is not because of what we do, but because of who we are.

We are members of God's family. We are members of the Heavenly Royal Family.

Would that we all recognize this royalty in others.  How wonderful this world would be if we treat each other as Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses everyday?

Pain in a Picture

Earlier I wrote of an early walk on the beach in Taormina.

Today, I was given this image, along with a few others from that adventure.
Little did the photographer know that some of the images (not shown) were of the argument that brought me to this walk. Little did the photographer know the turmoil in my heart at this time.

I find solace in my relationship with God. I find God when I am near water. 

These moments of pain and this time of deep prayer captured.

And yet, to the photographer, this is just a memory of a moment on the beach.

This image carries many layers of  reflection for me.  Reminding me of the many layers that most people carry with them each day.  It is only when we take the time to get to know another person, do we find a glimpse of those layers.

Happily, my God knows those layers and accepts me and my layers - the bright and the dark - with the love that only a caring parent can share.

Fame

Today I was interviewed by a local Christian radio station.

No, not for my belief system - but for the everyday work that I do.  Because I was being interviewed representing my workplace, I could not mention my wonderful relationship with God the Father.

Would that I be afforded a few minutes of air time to broadcast to the world my deep and undying love for my Creator.

Last Moments

Touring Pompeii brought back memories of high school Latin classes.As we learned the language we also read texts that spoke of the people and the culture in Pompeii.

The lives we learned about, the culture that we explored came to an end one day in 79 A.D.

It is hard to imagine what those last days must have been like. Imagine first watching smoke rise from mountain that usually cast calm shadows over your morning.  Picture the surprise of townspeople when this mountain exploded throwing pumas over the rooftops and ancient streets. As you look at the casts of well preserved bodies (and the revelation of real bone) you can almost feel the painful last breaths after inhaling noxious gases. 

Pompeii now holds new memories.  No longer just a town in a story told to enhance the learning of a new language.  Pompeii, for me, is a real place where real people lived and left this world.

Vesuvius at Sunrise

What a view to start the day!

St. Nicholas

The right light, the right timing, the right place...

God awaits.

Crashing

The waves crashing against jagged rocks serve to mirror the crashing of emotions in my soul. After a long night of tears, following an argument with the one I love, this morning walk along a Taormina beach, brought me closer to the God I love.

Acknowledging the consistency of His love for us all, I found consolation on the beach.

Surprise

Imagine standing at the highest point on the Isle of Capri, thinking that the only person you know is the one you are traveling with. Then, someone says words that make your head turn.

The stranger was talking about an artist whose work I have come to admire. The stranger was the artist's son!

Yes, believe that God puts us where He needs us to be, when we need to be there.  The fun is in learning about why we are here.

What Heaven Might Feel Like

Today I was privileged to drive two brilliant men to a local event.  The trip was all too short, but so rewarding.

These two men quickly sparked a conversation about an author that they both had read.  They willingly to shared their insights encouraging me to want to learn more about their subject - Thomas Merton, American Catholic writer.

Of course I hope to find time soon to learn more about Merton and his work, but more over I am grateful to my God who give me the gift of this glimpse of heaven.