The Struggle

There are times in every life when one questions that which one has always known and that which has always been.

Today I took time to 'confess' my questions to a good friend. 

While my relationship with God, Jesus and Holy Spirit remain unfailingly strong, it is my connection, my belonging to the Catholic faith that I question.

As Catholics, can we pick a choose what we believe?  If I believe in the tenants of my faith, but not the man-made rules, am I wrong.  Should I continue in service, if I do not fully believe in those man-made rules?

Scripture for this week offers the story of Christ calling Jewish leaders hypocrites because they follow man-made rules, but not the rules of God.

I believe that God's rules live in me and through me. I love God, Jesus and Spirit and through love I try to find God in everyone. While I am human and thus imperfect, I know my God values my imperfections and these are the places for me to grow, with His guidance.

However, there are many rules made by men and maintained by men that cause me to struggle.
Can I remain Catholic and call myself faithful in light of this struggle? or is Christ calling me to leave and seek Him through another doctrine?

Farewell Dear Friend

And only Fare Well.  For tonight was not about good-bye.

Tonight I attended a farewell dinner for a friend. This was his evening, his chance to be recognized, appreciated and celebrated.

With over 230 people in attendance a fine feast was shared, speeches celebrating the inspiration that he has been to us were made and finally he had the opportunity to reflect upon his time with us.

I am most proud of the work of many hands who helped to prepared this evening. The ladies who organized the preparation and service of wonderful food. The team who decorated the hall. The men who poured the wine. The youth who monitored the door, poured water, distributed juice, served food, and cleaned up.  The people who spoke words of remembrance and words of praise. And the many behind the scenes who came together to create an evening to remember.

My Dear Friend, you will not be forgotten, you will be missed and always your gifts shared will be celebrated and shared again.

Thank You.

To Do or Not to Do

"A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable but more useful than a life spent doing nothing."

George Bernard Shaw
1856-1950, Playwright

These words bring me back to our relationship with our Lord. With each mistake the we make, we learn more about the infinite love that He offers to us.  God forgives and makes our path anew, so that we can continue, as we should.  This lesson is so much more wonderful than if we had done nothing.

Catch and Release

Having spent a lifetime believing that the saying, "He couldn't hurt a fly" was an exageration, I learned something today.

My daughter learn how to make a live trap for fruit-flies.  Attracted by the smell of fruit at the bottom of the jar, flies climb in, but, because the bottom of the role of paper is so small, flies become trapped.

When she has a number of flies trapped, she takes the jar outside and releases them.

No fruit flies were killed in this operation.

In Pink

This weekend, at our place on the lake, I was brushing herb-infused olive oil on naan bread, which I would then bake for a delicious treat. Marlee, my three year old friend came into the kitchen and asked what I was doing.  So I gave her the brush and asked her to 'paint' the bread for me. 

After carefully spreading the fragrant oil, she held up the brush to me and asked, "Do you have this in pink?"

Pose

This is an image of a very dear friend.

Now, I can say 'I've seen you naked!"

Sweet Treat

A colleague has departed our workplace for another career opportunity. His wife provided these caramel-filled chocolate cupcakes in little wineglasses on his last day.  Sweet!

First Attempt

My daughter does not like to eat meat.
One evening, when we needed to BBQ sausages for support, she took up the challenge.  These are the results of her first BBQ efforts.

Like many challenges in life our first attempt is the one during which we learn the most. 

Work of Love

Soil, sun, water and a little TLC have paid off with this beautiful little treats. What a gracious God to give us all that we need.

Message in the Grass

Some people find a message in a bottle. Today, I found this on the grass.

Thank you God:
    For this beautiful day,
    For the radiant sun,
    For the lush carpet of grass,
    For my love,
    For my life.

What a fantastic reminder to be grateful every day, in every way.

Relax

Found

Found in a hotel washroom. A little fun. A little colour. A little soap dish.