Christmas Angel

 “God said, “I’ll send them without wings, so no one suspects they are angels." ~ Unknown

Jessica’s family was hosting Christmas again this year. She couldn’t remember how many years in a row the responsibility had fallen on her. Still, the stress of readying for “the most wonderful time of the year” was nearing her limits of tolerability.

This year the house was full of sadness and somber conversation. They didn’t know how long her 93-year-old father, Jason, had left. The family had gathered for probably their last Christmas with the aging Patriarch as his dementia entered its final stages.

He wanted to live to see one more New Year’s celebration. Jessica’s only wish for her Dad was that he go peacefully. Dementia had ravaged him cruelly for long enough.

Two days before Christmas, a black, collarless hound wandered onto the front porch and settled in as if he’d lived there all his life. He waited patiently until the front door opened. Then she trotted in uninvited and unafraid.

After sauntering through the house and taking in the Christmas decorations and spiced cookies, she relaxed at the foot of Jason’s recliner chair and nuzzled his blanket-covered feet.

Startled awake, Jason peered down at the dog. “Shadow,” he murmured, gesturing for the pup to sit on his lap. “I’ve missed you!”

Family members looked confused. None could recall Jason having a dog before. Perhaps he was remembering the love of a childhood pet.

The curious visitor became a welcome distraction. Whose dog was she? Did someone dump her along the road? Either way, it would be dark soon, and she would be cold. So, Jessica welcomed “Shadow” with food, water, and snacks. She placed a blanket next to her ailing Dad’s chair which “Shadow” occupied at once, validating her name as “Shadow.”

The two bonded quickly. She comforted him as his memory drained; Jason helped her make new memories. They shared things in common, like eating things they shouldn’t (pretzels), and long, spontaneous naps.

Jessica called the sheriff, radio station, animal shelter, and several neighboring farms. No one had reported a lost dog. The days leading up to New Year brought no news, and they were all grateful the furry companion stuck around.

Jason passed away on January 2^nd. That was also the day the Shadow left. The weather turned brutal; snow fell every day. The sun never seemed to shine for the rest of the winter.

Early the next spring they learned that the black dog was a runaway family pet named Blackie that lived several miles away. He returned to visit Jessica’s family the following summer. When her owners came to bring Blackie home, Jessica told them about her angelic Christmas visit, and how she had comforted their family with his cheerful companionship. She wanted them to know how much she’d brightened their holidays.

God of all seasons, as we move through Advent and Christmas, we pray for Your peace and joy to fill all hearts. Give us wisdom and the opportunity to give back to those needing love, kindness, and basic resources. Amen

Night Court

“Don’t just listen to God’s Word. Act on what you hear." ~ James 1:22

The bailiff belted “All rise!” as one of the most colorful mayors in NYC’s history entered the night courtroom. In those days, New York mayors were allowed to act as magistrates, a right Fiorello LaGuardia exercised frequently.

New Yorkers adored LaGuardia, nicknaming him the ‘Little Flower' because the three-term mayor always wore a carnation in his lapel. He rode with firefighters, raided speakeasies with the police, and took entire orphanages to baseball games. When the local newspapers went on strike, he even read the Sunday funnies live on the radio.

One bitterly wintry night in 1935, he chose the city's poorest ward for his jurisprudence. The first case brought a timid, disheveled, woman before him charged with stealing a loaf of bread. She wept while explaining that her son-in-law had abandoned his wife, and along with her daughter’s two young children, they hadn’t eaten in several days.

The grocer, from whom the bread was stolen, refused to drop the charges. "Your Honor," the man explained, she's got to be punished to teach others in the neighborhood a lesson."

Judge LaGuardia stroked his chin while pondering a decision. “Mam, the law allows no exception for theft,” he began empathetically. “Ten dollars or ten days in jail!” But even before hammering his gavel, the mayor reached into his pocket and dropped a $10 bill into the black felt hat he sported for collecting the night’s fines.

“Additionally,” LaGuardia ordered, “I’m charging everyone in this courtroom four bits ($0.50) for living in a city where a person has to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat.”

The bailiff, literally “passed the hat around” and handed the speechless woman $47.50. With $10, she dutifully paid her fine.

The desperate woman had arrived at the courtroom with a tight chest and gloomy outlook. She left that night with a genuine warmth of spirit, a heart filled with gratitude, and heaven’s light radiating from her appearance - not to mention $37.50 in cash.

Some seventy petty criminals, traffic violators, police officers, visitors, and one livid grocer each paid four bits for the privilege of doing what’s right.

For his part, Mayor LaGuardia received a standing ovation.

Sometimes we all get caught up in doing things right - following rules, policies, and norms. But doing the right things requires positioning with our moral compass. When the two viewpoints align, there’s no issue. But we’re often forced to choose when they clash.

Lucky for us, God’s Word is an instructional manual for having a great life. When we follow His instructions, our lives are blessed with harmony, joy, and satisfaction.

Life presents us with daily opportunities to do the right thing. That’s why it’s healthy to occasionally ask, “Am I applying God’s Word to my life? Am I doing what it says to do?”

Holy Father, remind me that when You call me, You will equip me. Forgive me when I made excuses or questioned You. I want to experience Your power at work through me, Your humble servant. Amen

On Fatherhood

 “You shall name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." ~ Matthew 1:21

He’s an interesting character the Bible barely mentions. A craftsman near the bottom of the social scale appears in nativity scenes, yet we overlook his journey and the price he paid to fulfill his role as the chosen safeguard of our Savior.

Joseph doesn’t get much credit because he wasn’t Jesus’ biological father, but he was a good Dad and an obedient Christian. Though he lived over 2,000 years ago, fathers from all generations can learn much from him about fatherhood.

Joseph’s faith and spiritual maturity were tested repeatedly. When unsure about his future with Mary, an angel came to him in a dream revealing who the child was, what He should be named, and His role in fulfilling God’s prophecy. When King Herod threatened his family, Joseph took them to Egypt, an unfamiliar land, and obeyed again when God told him it was safe to return.

All fathers are called to have this same sense of responsibility and courage to protect those under their care. When his family was in danger, Joseph willingly led them on the long, arduous journey to Egypt. Another essential part of every father’s role is to protect and defend.

Another important thing Joseph can teach fathers is the value of humility. He worked diligently, teaching Jesus his trade and ensuring Mary had everything she needed to fulfill her calling. 

He seemed content remaining out of the spotlight. His presence may have been quieter, but he was always present.

Scripture’s last glimpse of Joseph occurred when Jesus accompanied His parents on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. On this visit, their 12-year-old Son went missing among the throngs of Jews who’d journeyed to the temple.

After searching for three days, Jesus’ parents found Him listening, learning, and amazing all the teachers at the temple. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Jesus replied.

Instead of chastising or threatening punishment, Joseph’s calm demeanor demonstrated that guidance in raising children will sometimes come from unexpected sources, that they’ll continue to surprise and delight us, and eventually, we’ll have to let them go, as they follow God’s plan.

Too many families lack the steady leadership and presence of a father. Too often, our culture suggests that fathers aren’t necessary; that families can get along without them. But the absence of a strong father figure can have a profound impact on a person’s self-esteem.

When families don’t have fathers, boys often look for the wrong kinds of role models. Without a virtuous father, many girls don’t have a good example of how women should be treated and may choose less-than-admirable dating partners. 

Joseph’s example proves that families not only need fathers, but they also need fathers who trust in the Lord, no matter life’s challenges.

St. Joseph, thank you for your quiet and unwavering commitment to God’s plan. Help us trust our Heavenly Father as we lead our families, not only during the Christmas season but throughout all the seasons of life. Amen

Tiny Village, Big Spirit

“May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him.” ~ Romans 15:13

In a quiet corner, where forgotten memories slept in dusty boxes, Brian helped his Dad clear out Grampa’s basement. Stored high on a rusted shelf sat a box  that simply read, “Plasticville.”

With his Dad’s help, they lowered the huge box and placed it on a nearby workbench. Tony’s eyes revealed a somber melancholy that touched Brian’s heart. He’d always seen his Dad as a strong man larger than life, a father who rarely showed emotion. This day exposed his Dad’s sensitive, vulnerable side.

Tony opened the box that contained dozens of smaller bundles carefully wrapped in yellowing newspaper from decades past. Each contained plastic parts to miniature buildings. Tony carefully unwrapped the first bundle – pieces of a basic tan house with a red roof and red shutters.

“In the beginning, we could only afford to add one building each year to our Plasticville village - a church, gas station, school, fire station, and more,” Tony began. “The parts came in brightly colored boxes. No glue needed; you had to assemble them by snapping pieces together.”

As Brian and his Dad assembled a dozen or more of the old homes and stores, stories began to unfold, weaving a narrative of their Plasticville community. “My Mom meticulously painted each structure with her own splash of personality,” Tony reflected. "Each building told a unique story."

He remembered a quaint little bakery, imagining the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting out. Tony even pictured a cheerful baker named "Crumbly," kneading the dough.

“Outside the church, a manger held the baby Jesus. We’d replay the story of His birth every year, painting the harsh reality of His humble beginning as a baby laid to sleep in a feeding trough.”

“The village barbershop had a jolly barber named "Snips" giving haircuts and sharing local gossip with customers. Dad built a tiny bench where an imaginary musician played holiday tunes for the townsfolk on his make-believe guitar.”

“As I grew, so did the collection. Plasticville became more than just a toy,” Tony continued. “It was a vibrant community where we explored the joys and challenges of everyday life. Each day, we created new scenarios for the characters, often adding sound effects that brought them to life.”

“Dad put this away after Mom died,” Tony said with quiet sadness in his eyes. “That’s the last time I ever looked at any of these little houses and stores; it's been idle for fifty years. It's time to bring the little village back to life.”

Outside the snow covered the basement windows. Tony decided that instead of putting up the display annually as a Christmas tradition, he’d keep it up year-round for his grandchildren to create new stories and for adults to feel like kids again.

Holy Father, this holiday season, fill our hearts with the reason for the season. Give us faith to recognize the presence and power of Jesus, and experience the peace that He came into this world to bring. Amen

The Next Hurrah

 “Whoever who lives and puts trust in Me will never die." ~ John 11:26

As a hospice nurse for nearly a dozen years, Laini remained confused by the concept of death. Is there life after death? Are heaven and hell real? If there is a God, what happens to nonbelievers after taking their last breath?

Death, in many ways, is a moment of truth.

Today, she sat for a few moments with Mona who, at age 54, was actively dying from inoperable cancer and drifting in and out of consciousness. She knew all too well the effects of medication and fatigue on a dying brain.

Her patient nuzzled comfortably in a bed encircled by vibrant, fragrant flowers while her family gathered back at Mona’s home. Laini considered it an honor to share this space alone at her bedside. Years of working with people nearing their final goodbye had given her a more hopeful understanding of death. She knew this woman was seeing more, not less than she was.

Suddenly, Mona shot straight up in her bed and addressed Laini sternly. Medical experts call it "terminal lucidity" or “rally.”

“Mona?” she said, pointing to an empty chair in the corner of the room. “That’s my son, Aaron. Do you see him?”

Laini nodded reassuringly, staying in the background and following Mona’s lead. The phantom guest held his Mom’s complete attention. Mona listened with a warm heart as tears ran down both cheeks.

The closer her patients came to dying, the more their eyes and spirits seemed open to a reality Laini could only discern weakly. Something he said must have touched her deeply.

“I loved you then, I love you now, and I will love you for all eternity,” she told her son tenderly. Mona bowed for a short prayer before turning to her hospice nurse. “He needed forgiveness and needed to know that I’ll love him forever,” she said with perfect lucidity.

From previous conversations, Laini knew that Aaron was in prison and could not have visited her in person. But Mona remained adamant about his presence before falling back asleep. It reminded Laini of words a colleague once shared: "A candle burns brightest just before it goes out.”

Mona passed away peacefully a few days later, comforted by the family that gathered around her.

Upon reflection, Laini saw a recurring pattern in her work. Patients near death often described not just visits from absent loved ones but an extraordinary awareness of God’s presence. She realized just how thoroughly she misunderstood death and came to understand the joy God has prepared for his children.

For Christians, death is a strange and wonderful beginning, a threshold to some new and more beautiful world. There can be no greater hope than that.

Almighty God, have compassion on the anxious sighs of those nearing death and shroud them with the peace and comfort only You can provide. Receive them into the Kingdom You’ve so graciously prepared for those who believe and trust You. Amen

Treasure the Family Crest

 “Consider earlier generations, study the past, understand your roots." ~ Deuteronomy 32:7

With both parents deceased and her oldest sibling’s recent passing, Naomi became the family’s matriarch. So, as the holidays approached, she sensed a burdening responsibility to roast a delicious turkey and bake the family’s secret apple pie recipe to perfection.

More importantly, she felt an even greater obligation to ensure that her children, nieces/nephews, and grandchildren (who never had the chance to meet their grandparents), learn the memorable points of the family’s history.

Years earlier, her parents had invited Naomi and her siblings, their kids, and two dozen older relatives for Thanksgiving dinner in the small town where they all grew up. As elders reminisced in the living room, she heard stories, examined old photographs, and enjoyed the laughter she’d heard countless times before.

It reminded Naomi of her family's influence; and how much her life had been shaped by the life, love, and faith lessons taught when they gathered. What appeared to be favorite songs, funny jokes, and amusing (sometimes tall) tales came with priceless lessons of tolerance, adventure, persistence, and self-confidence.

She watched how others worked together in the kitchen preparing the holiday meal. They practiced sharing around the table. Prayers revealed an understanding of humility and thankfulness. Engaging in conversations deepened their relationships. Laughter and sorrow exposed the woven fabric of their lives.

Old stories reconnected generations. They were as much a part of the holidays as a Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas tree.

When someone started to tell a story, most already knew its ending. But everyone listened, always laughing at the right time as heartily as they’d heard it for the first time.

Family folklore arouses our sense of belonging. These stories are “treasures” of the family crest, a family’s unique inheritance. Those who reminisce together build stronger bonds.

That’s why family gatherings are essential! They create a foundation of support, love, and shared experiences that contribute to a resilient family unit.

The elderly especially need this sense of family and togetherness. They often feel neglected, isolated, and alone. It’s so important for them to spend time with loved ones over the holidays. It can be a life-saving experience!

With that in mind, try not to leave anyone home alone this holiday season Consider making written copies of recipes passed down from elders for your guests to take home. Maybe even include a short write-up about each author. Ask the younger guests what they’d like to know more about. Inviting new stories could be fun and make youngsters more active participants.

Finally, resist any temptation to shut elders out of the conversation just because they tend to repeat the same stories or seem to confuse fact with fantasy. They’re the ones who carried the family stories forward. Let’s do what we can to help them continue benefiting from their own tales.

Almighty Father, thank You for the world’s diversity. Help us encourage connections between the older and younger generations so that we learn from each other, appreciate similarities, and understand differences. Amen

One Heart

 “I have plans for you," He declared. Plans to give you hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11

They met six years earlier when both were college students working at Chick-fil-A. Marriage had been chiseled into their story the day they first met. Erin and Joseph were anxious to start a family.

Repeated negative pregnancy tests dulled their spirits, but also deepened their faith as the Christian twosome begged God to entrust them with the miracle of life and welcome a sacred infant into their hearts and souls.

Seeing their first positive pregnancy test brought absolute joy. Deeper than happiness, it arose from within, from a sense of purpose and meaning, and their loving relationship.

A few weeks later, Erin began experiencing intense nausea and weight loss. She knew something wasn’t quite right. At their 17-week ultrasound, their pediatrician conveyed unexpected news: “You’re pregnant with twin girls.”

The eager parents laughed in disbelief, rejoicing at this incredible news.

“But they are special twins,” the doctor added. “They’re conjoined – they share one heart. Unfortunately, with no possible way of separating them, they won’t survive outside the womb. Neither can live without the other.”

Their hearts skipped a few beats as fear and panic emerged. Confused, Joseph, questioned the doctor to confirm what they’d heard.

Numerous specialists and MRIs would validate the same prognosis. With such a high-risk pregnancy, and only one amniotic sac, delivery would require an even riskier cesarean section.

The couple chose a Catholic hospital. But even there they subtly encouraged abortion without using the word itself.

Upon sharing their news on social media platforms, they received a barrage of anger and hatred from anonymous users claiming they were “torturing” their daughters by choosing life. Through it all, a calming Voice broke through, which Erin recognized as her daughters’ Divine Creator: “Be still, I’ve got this.”

Beautiful, 3.5-pound daughters, Amelia Jane, and Sophia Mari, were born and received baptism and confirmation immediately from the priest. The girls came into the world with their tiny arms wrapped around each other.

Erin and Joseph were able to cuddle and love them for less than 60 minutes after birth. The girls took one deep breath together and let it out for the last time in Joseph’s arms.

Their pregnancy together made one thing abundantly clear: God always has the final say, not doctors, and not bystanders. Everything that happened was as hoped for: they’d prayed for a child, and God sent them two. Erin’s pregnancy and delivery had been safe.

The twins experienced the amazing gift of life and human touch, if only briefly. Their births illustrate that every single person is precious in God’s eyes, that people are more precious than things, and that dignity toward all humanity should be the foundation of our moral vision.

God our Father, Your beloved Son took children into his arms and blessed them. Give us grace, we pray, that we may entrust Amelia and Sophia to Your never-failing care and love, and bring us all to Your heavenly Kingdom. Amen

Together Forever

 “Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your god will be my God." ~ Ruth 1:16

James Cameron’s 1997 film Titanic tells a fictional story of two young lovers who meet on the ship’s ill-fated voyage. Perhaps no scene in the movie is more haunting than the elderly couple who wait quietly together as the cold, dark waters of the North Atlantic swallow them.

Although a moment like this may seem even too “cheesy” for Hollywood, it was actually based on the story of an American immigrant couple named Isidor and Ida Straus.

Pillars of New York society, the Strauss were known for their philanthropy, civic engagement, and humility.

Bavarian-born Isador was both a politician and co-owner of Macy’s department store. The couple raised seven children, which kept Ida plenty busy.

The 1^st Class ticketholders boarded in Southampton, accompanied by Isidor’s butler and Ida’s maid. Four days into the luxury liner’s maiden crossing, in calm seas under a moonlit sky, the largest ocean liner in service at the time sideswiped an iceberg. The resulting football-field-sized gash below the ship’s waterline condemned the crew and passengers to almost certain death.

Various survivor interviews confirm that when evacuations began on that fateful night of April 15, 1912, Ida Straus and her husband were standing on the upper deck by Lifeboat 8. Due to his wealth and status, Isador was offered a spot in one of the first boats.

He adamantly refused, stating: “I will not go before the women and children.”

His wife Ida was then persuaded to board a lifeboat instead. In the “Book of Ruth’s” spirit, she too declined by addressing her husband: “We’ve lived together for many years. Where you go, I go.”

The couple made sure that Ida’s maid, Ellen Bird, secured a lifeboat spot. Ida gave the shivering woman her long mink fur coat to keep her warm. “I’ll no longer be needing it,” she declared.

Reliable witnesses later recounted seeing the Strauss’ washed away, arm in arm, as the ship took its fateful plunge to the sea bottom. More than 1,500 lives perished – mostly crew and steerage.

Isador’s frozen body was later recovered, but Mrs. Straus’s body was not.

Amidst the noise surrounding the deaths of numerous distinguished gentlemen, Ida’s sacrifice was mostly overshadowed. Yet, it stood as a powerful contrast to the era’s frequent and scandalous divorces among the wealthy class. She was praised for her love and devotion, highlighting the rarity of such honorable and unwavering commitment.

Their steadfast love and devotion amidst the tragedy serve as a timeless reminder of the power of a bond forged through a lifetime of shared experiences. On their shared monument, the loyal Jewish couple’s love is memorialized with King Soloman’s timeless biblical words:

“Many waters cannot quench love – neither can the floods drown it.” (Song of Songs 8:7)

Loving and eternal God, thank You for the gift of marriage and for being the Source of all love. We pray that our marriages lead to an amplification of Your name. Help us love our partners as Christ loved the church. Amen

One in a Million

“Share each other's burdens, and so obey His command." ~ Galatians 6:2

Their relationship formed in the mid-90s while both served as Board members of an Indianapolis grant-making foundation. Dwayne Isaacs was the foundation's attorney. Terry Kahn served as the HR Director of a local hospital. Calling them friends would’ve been a stretch – they were colleagues who never socialized.

When Kahn left the board in 2010, Isaacs doubted their paths would cross again. He was wrong. Kahn called, suggesting they have lunch.

The two became regular lunch companions every month for the next 10 years. Kahn chose the restaurants, selecting places that took coupons. They always went Dutch.

Over the course of their meetings, the reclusive, penny-pinching Kahn began to share details about himself. His parents fled Nazi Germany and settled in America. After serving three years in Vietnam, Terry joined the Veterans Administration where he worked for 30 years.

Kahn had a reputation for being infamously frugal. He lived in a modest house, drove an old Honda, and carried no cell phone because it was “a crazy expense.” Even when he died in 2021, alone in a nursing facility from non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver, he demanded no obituary, emphasizing his commitment to living a simple, unassuming life.

Although Kahn had already instructed Isaacs on where to find his documents once he died, he wouldn't reveal his net worth until pressed to do so in his final days.

The modest Indianapolis man had never married and left behind no immediate family.

Terry directed his money be given to "charity," though he didn’t specify which one(s) he favored. Isaacs revealed later that having to distribute Kahn's portfolio weighed heavily on him.

He was floored when they saw the numbers. Kahn was worth more than $13 million. He’d received a small inheritance from his parents. But he’d been a savvy investor using a simple formula: “Spend less, save more, and invest the rest.”

Isaacs wanted to honor Kahn by giving to organizations with which he would have identified. No donations would go to large organizations, because “they already have enough money!” So, he began cold calling select nonprofits and asking them: “What would you do with $1 million?”

He distributed gifts ranging from $500,000 to $2 million to a dozen worthy groups until the money was gone. Recipients included an organization that provides teachers in poor schools with free educational supplies, a local YMCA for upgrades to its sports facilities, one that sends medical teams to developing nations, and a foundation committed to medical research on liver diseases.

Isaacs believes Kahn would be pleased. He served his country and will continue serving humanity in equally unselfish ways through his posthumous gifts. The man known for being frugal in life will be celebrated for his extraordinary generosity in death.

Loving Father, as Christ loved me and selflessly gave His life for me, may I also pass this generous love onto others as a way to say thank you to You. Fill me with Your love, compassion, and grace. Amen

Treasure of Wisdom

 “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:7

For Jeremy, some of the happiest hours of his life were spent in the dusty, stale, or dismal purlieus of second-hand bookshops. These places had a kind of charmed, elegant chaos, with a labyrinth of treasures and wisdom.

Books were often arranged precariously on shelves by author's last name or even stacked in piles on the floor and stairs where there was neither rhyme nor reason to the layout. For Jeremy, though, it offered a kind of solitude that emerged when the pain of loneliness gave way to a calm confidence and a realization that when you can love the best of yourself, you can deeply love another.

He reached down and spotted a small book that seemed eerie familiar. Wiping a thin layer of dirt from its cover, he noted that it had remained unsold for decades.

It was an antique copy of O. Henry’s classic, "The Gift of the Magi," first published as a short story in 1906.

On the first page, Jeremy saw his own name in well-known handwriting. It had been a gift from his late grandfather and stolen (or maybe borrowed but never returned). Next to his name, Gramps wrote, “I pray that you rediscover this book someday when you’re older, and it encourages you to reflect on the most important things in life.”

The moment Jeremy began rereading the musty little book, he entered an alternate reality. As the words flowed out, his imagination added vivid colors and the characters came to life. O. Henry’s clever use of irony provides two surprises at the climax of the story.

"The Gift of the Magi" tells a moving tale of a young married couple, Jim and Della, who struggle financially but want to give each other meaningful Christmas presents. Della sells her voluptuous knee-length hair and uses the money to buy a platinum chain to go with Jim's prized pocket watch.

When Jim came home from work that evening, Della admitted to him that she’d sold her curls to purchase the chain for him.

In turn, Jim offered Della her present, a set of expensive ornamental combs. Unfortunately, she wouldn’t be able to use them until her hair grew back out.

The more enthralled Jeremy became in O. Henry’s story, the more personal it became. With his own nuptials just weeks away, it offered thought-provoking advice with perfect timing, that marriage is a deep and loving friendship, so strong that each would sacrifice for the other.

The story also teaches the true meaning of gift-giving. It shows how love and thoughtfulness are more valuable than material possessions and that the most precious gifts are those from the heart.

Jesus, You know that we aren’t perfect. As You have forgiven us, help us to forgive one another. May that attitude of peacemaking, words of forgiveness, and kind grace, be echoed and felt in our home and our life as spouses. Amen

Violets and Paper Boats

 “Don’t look back, lengthen your stride, and press toward the goal." ~ Philippians 3:13-14

The youngest of 13, Maria entered the world in 1850, nine weeks prematurely. Born to  Italian farmers, she’d remain small, frail, and mostly in ill health throughout her life.

Her Dad read to her from a book of missionary stories, which piqued Maria's curiosity. From an impressionable age, her dolls became nuns and she dreamt of joining a religious order, serving God, and becoming a missionary herself.

Her Uncle Luigi, a Catholic priest, lived near a river where she launched small paper boats to “far-off places like India and China.” Into each, Maria placed violets, imagining the tiny purple flowers were missionaries.

Violets were an interesting choice. Their fragrance stimulates our sense receptors with a sweet, but fleeting odor. Humans can’t register the violets’ s aroma for more than a few minutes before our olfactory receptors ignore them. They’ll return later as fragrant as before.

Despite her deep faith and passion, 3 different Catholic religious orders rejected her application due to her ongoing health issues, including the “Daughters of the Sacred Heart,” who had taught and mentored her. She sailed past that obstacle by taking a headmistress position at a local orphanage.

Eventually, Maria’s work ethic, ambition, and ingenuity impressed Pope Leo XIII. He allowed her to make the three sacred promises (poverty, chastity, and obedience) necessary to become a nun. She petitioned the Pontiff for permission to float on to China, as her youthful violets had done, and evangelize the people there.

Instead of China, the Pope sent her to America, to nurture the growing population of impoverished Italians flooding into the States. The once-frail violet sailed on a wooden ship, not of paper; west rather than east.

In 1889, Mother Frances Cabrini, the daughter of Italian farmers, arrived in NYC with six members of the Order she’d formed nine years earlier, the “Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.”

The violet’s here-then-gone phenomena describe Mother Cabrini’s selfless works. She moved on to Chicago, then Seattle, New Orleans, and Denver. She arrived in one spot, founded hospitals and schools, then left, only to reappear in another city, working just as diligently.

She founded 67 institutions to serve the sick and poor, rallied community support, and showed a knack for leading staff. She cared for people’s physical and spiritual needs with an astonishing energy and tenacity that energized donors.

Then, like the scent of the violet, she left this world after traveling tirelessly for 28 years, setting up schools, hospitals, orphanages, and novitiates. Just like the molecules of a violet’s scent that lingers in our olfactory senses, Mother Cabrini, the Patron Saint of Immigrants, still works for us through her intercession.

Though she had been born in Italy, that citizenship would earn her the title of the first American saint in 1946 by Pope Pius XII.

“Sweet Jesus, help me! I surrender myself totally to you, to serve you faithfully and to attract many souls to Your holy love.” Amen (St. Frances Xavier Cabrini)

Never Die Young

 “Love does not dishonor others.” ~ 1 Corinthians 13: 4–5

Brooke never considered herself a mean teenager, but for almost six months, she still felt ashamed of her cruel behavior. She had no reason to be unkind, but she was.

Her “world” didn't view bullying as evil or unnatural. Kids were called to the principal's office for disrespecting teachers or smoking in the bathroom, but not for mocking other classmates. Her crowd was ruthless and self-serving.

Since then, Brooke has reflected on what made her choose others as “targets.” Experts say it’s about feeling superior. In some cases, bullies were teased at home. Jealousy can also lead to bullying. In her case, it was just about following the "wrong crowd."  

One of their victims was a genius. Andy excelled in the most advanced high school courses and was exceptionally gifted in complex mathematics. A National Merit Scholar, he won acceptance to several prestigious universities.

Brook’s clique saw Andy as lacking any social value. He was a geeky senior who still rode the school bus. She never knew his name, but because of his weight, they called him “Polar Bear.”

So, when the announcement came over the intercom, that one of the school’s brightest students, Andy Lehman, had taken his own life, Brooke registered no emotion. After a tear-streaked classmate sobbed “It’s Polar Bear,” the tragedy sucked all oxygen from the room.

Brooke sat frozen at her desk, staring vacantly. A tingling feeling of shame raced up her spine. She felt ultimately responsible for Andy’s death.

After a fitful night’s sleep, Brooke woke knowing it was time. She needed to pay respects to the man who’d lost his only son and take responsibility for her part in his death.

After breakfast, Brooke drove to the Lehman’s home. With no prepared apology for a grieving father, she didn’t know what to expect.

She told the story that had nauseated her since Andy’s suicide. Three hours later, Brooke knew Andy much better. They’d both suffered from depression and had considered suicide. The combination of their bullying and his anxiety ultimately led to his death.

The encounter took days to sink in. The man welcomed her into their home and appreciated her sharing a broader piece of his son’s struggles. He showed no anger - only love.

After graduation, Brooke joined Andy’s Dad at the Suicide Prevention Education Alliance, as a certified speaker throughout the Cleveland area. She delivers a clear, genuine message.

“Our words matter. They often hurt more than physical pain. I knew nothing about Andy and had neither the courtesy to care nor the courage to stop taunting him. I’ll live with that burden for the rest of my life. Andy became a part of me when he died, forever engraved on my heart. His legacy lives on through me, as I seek to prevent teen suicide.”

Father of Mercy, hear our prayer for friends who struggle with various forms of depression - from mild melancholy to the relentless pangs of suicidal depression. Teach us how to love in complex and dark places. Amen

Slapstick On Ice

“God said, let the waters teem with life and let birds soar above the earth.” ~ Genesis 1:20

At a little over three feet tall, penguins are slapstick on ice. If you’ve ever seen them in their natural habitat, it’s impossible not to smile. They conjure up an idea of what Buster Keaton, the King of Pratfall, must have looked like. These tuxedo-like birds charm all age groups.

Their familiar waddle, so genuine, so determined, so exaggerated. Then one will slip on the ice, and tip face-first onto the snow. Or one suddenly slaps another with its “wing” and breaks into a shrieking chase.

It makes one wonder about God’s poor design. Their wings are too heavy and small, they can’t fly. Without knees, they can’t bend over. What was God thinking?

Further study shows that His plan was spot on.

Penguins are ten times more aerodynamic than a Porsche Taycan! While they lost the ability to fly millions of years ago, their sleek bodies help make them exceptional swimmers.

When swimming, penguins will leap above the ocean’s surface in an exercise known as porpoising. Tiny air bubbles form on their plumage to reduce friction, allowing them to swim as fast as 20mph.

Penguins catch all their food from the sea. Their superior eyesight enables them to spot prey even in cloudy, dark, or murky water. However, the penguins’ most efficient underwater advantage is a form of underwater flying, using their unique and powerful wings.

Its snappy two-toned coloring (light belly and dark back) is called countershading. Its color pattern blends in with the ocean floor when viewed from above and the sky when viewed from below.

Penguins live in one of the most inhospitable climates on earth with temperatures routinely -70°F. For six long months, the land is cloaked in darkness.

And yet, emperor penguins have learned to thrive there. To combat the lethal cold, they huddle tightly together by the thousands to share body warmth and wind resistance. The unique structure of their layered feathers provides good insulation, waterproofing, and thermoregulation.

God’s perfect plan for the survival of animals can also teach us a few things about human survival.

Tired, worried, and burdened, we’re living through a dark time: the threat of global war, the polarity of our political parties, and a planet careening toward disaster. Penguins are one of the best antidotes for defeat and near despair.

For one thing, it’s almost impossible to feel miserable in the company of penguins. They are invaluable as diversion and consolation. They will almost certainly make you laugh.

Mostly though, God always has a plan when He brings new life amid the harshest conditions. He’s right there every moment with perfect timing. We will thrive, even in the toughest situations, if we stay huddled under God’s safe covering.

Almighty and merciful God, help me to trust in Your divine timing. Let me find peace in the unknown and joy in the journey. Remind me that You are making everything beautiful in its time, even when I can't see it. Amen

The Minor Things

 “Remind me each morning of Your constant love, for I put my trust in You." ~ Psalm 143:8

The day began with a subtle, graceful ease. Monique packed up her three children, all under six, and headed for the park. It was a spectacular fall day, with perfect weather and changing leaves she didn’t want them to miss. Who knew what Mother Nature had planned for the coming weeks?

There were the browns that formed a comforting quilt for the earth, yet the rest were the brilliant colors of firework sparks and exuberant revelry. It was as if nature was calling towering blossoms of foliage to dance into the skies before tumbling gently like giant confetti.

She’d been nervously waiting and praying for big news about the results of a recent biopsy. Arguably, the worst part about waiting for lab results was having no control over her life’s future.

From the moment she knew something was off, she’d felt a crippling sense of dread and jumped to the worst-case scenario – schedule an oncology appointment, discuss the grueling treatment plan, and pray for courage and strength. Monique couldn’t concentrate on anything else. She wished you could just hit fast-forward.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed. She received a text message from the doctor’s office. “Monique, your biopsy is negative for breast cancer.” She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry… so she did both.

Monique gazed at her three smiling little faces and felt God’s presence as clearly as the children she’d gathered around her. While she didn’t know everything God had been doing during those anxious few days, she felt that He’d drawn her closer to Him. The young mother praised Him for His goodness, care, and protection.

“But let me backtrack for a second,” she thought.

What about the fabulous weather and the great time she was having today? Did she remember to thank God for those small things? He was working on those moments, actions, and people too.

God may be a miracle worker, revealer of mysteries, rescuer, deliverer, and mighty God. But he’s also the God of peaceful afternoons, of subtle beauty, of quiet moments, and of warm hugs. He’s working on all things, not just the big, monumental ones.

He has a history of using small things to accomplish big things and change lives. Mustard seeds that can move mountains; five loaves and two fish that fed thousands. God can bring change and transform the lives of those who put their faith and trust in Him, committing themselves to live in the power of the Holy Spirit. No one and nothing is too small for God to use.

But do we recognize the countless minor miracles God surrounds us with every day? He cared about the small details thousands of years ago and still cares about them now.

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of Your perfect love and faithfulness. The next time I face circumstances that don’t feel good, help me remember Your goodness and find comfort in Your plans. In Jesus’ name, Amen