Staying in the Present, Doable Acts of Mercy, How to Really Put Big Love into Small Things {and more!}

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Here are my favorite reads of the week, my take on ’em, and a few other finds that I thought you would like! Grab a cup of coffee — or tea, & enjoy!

“10 Songs That Keep Me Present”

by Amanda over at Erring on the Side of Love

My take: Music is one of my love languages, and I love the list she put together of songs that keep her in the present moment — and oh, isn’t that something we all can/must be better at doing? God is in the present moment, that’s why it’s important we stay here too. And as far as the future? He’s there too, and that’s why ya don’t need to worry about it! 😉 My two favorites from Amanda’s list are, “Good to me,” and, “I Shall Not Want,” by Audrey Assad. Just. So. Good. Go take a listen!

“How do you put big love into small things?”

by Erin over at Humble Handmaid:

“My prayer that night in front of that sink full of dishes was that God would help me learn how to practically put “great love” into my duties as a wife and mother, particularly when I don’t feel very loving toward the task or the people I’m serving. I have a long way to go, trust me, but here are some thoughts from the past few weeks. Big love in small things is choosing not to snap angrily at a child who wakes you up early from a much-needed nap. Big love in small things is nursing the baby at the end of a couch full of clothes you haven’t had time to fold, and making yourself list (out loud) ten things you are thankful for instead of letting your thoughts slip into irritation or despair. Big love in small things is making sure you turn off all the lights, fans, and the washer and dryer before you leave the house, because it’s important to your husband (although it’s not quite as important to you, and although it’s a hassle sometimes!) Big love in small things is making red beans and rice every Monday because it’s your husband’s favorite dish and he grew up eating it every Monday night (although you’re not a big fan)…”

My take: Big love is hard, and painful, but that’s sort of what it’s meant to be, right? It’s meant to be sanctifying. And if our sanctification were so easy, there would be a lot more people walking on the path towards Heaven, and Jesus probably wouldn’t have had to die for us. But we gotta do what we gotta do. We’re called to put big love into small things and I know that might seem like an impossible task, but Erin’s tips seriously nail down how you can do it in your everyday life.

Read it here.

10 simple (totally doable!) acts of mercy to slip into your everyday

by Arleen Spencely over at For Her:

“Sometimes it feels like more people need mercy than we can provide—and exactly how to show mercy feels overwhelming or impossible, so we just … sink back into our everyday lives. But there are ways to be merciful that are small but still meaningful. With just a month left in the jubilee year, try squeezing these 10 simple acts into your everyday…”

My take: I love so much of what I’ve seen Arleen write. She’s inspired by the Holy Spirit, that’s for sure! Her first tip in this piece is to forgive yourself. Stop and let that sink in. It might hurt — looking at our sins, at our flaws, at our pasts, but — but — God can forgive us (He has, is, and will forgive us), and so you can too. And the good that can come when we extend mercy to ourselves? The sort of good that happens when we extend mercy to other people. We have to start with ourselves. Forge on, friends, and forgive yourselves! <3

Read it here.

Jose Sanchez del Rio: Hero for Christ the King

by Elias Rubio over at TFP Student Action:

“The guards made Jose walk ten blocks, barefoot and bleeding, along a rocky path to the cemetery were he would be buried. Along the way, the soldiers screamed blasphemies with satanic hatred, praising the godless government, trying to pressure the boy to deny his faith: “You better learn your lesson!” “We will kill you!” “What a proud and arrogant boy!” they said.

“Jose’s only response was: “Viva Cristo Rey!” and “Viva La Virgen de Guadalupe!”

“Already at the cemetery, Jose asked: “Where is my plot?” as he did not want any of the troops to touch him.  One of the soldiers suddenly swung his rifle around, breaking Jose’s jaw with the butt.   Without hesitation, the soldiers furiously stabbed him in the neck, chest and the back with knives. At every stab, Jose proclaimed the name of Christ the King at top of his lungs, “Viva Cristo Rey!”

“Jose was dying slowly.  But he still mustered enough energy to defy the soldiers, saying:  “You have done a lot to me, but God still allows me [to continue]!  But when I can no longer speak, if I wiggle my feet, that means, ‘Viva Cristo Rey and the Virgin of Guadalupe!'”

“A federal officer approached the dying and bleeding boy on the ground and asked in a sarcastic tone:  “What should we tell your father?”  Jose answered: “That we will see each other in Heaven! Viva Cristo Rey! and the Virgin of Guadalupe.”

My take: Every time I read about Saint Jose Sanchez del Rio, I react the same way I did the first time I heard his story: I just cry — like a baby, no less. This young boy died while proclaiming that Jesus Christ is King. He was not going to deny his faith or his King, not even to safe his life. No wonder he became a saint. I similarly wonder when his mom will become a saint (or if she already is one?), because let’s be honest: who do you think taught him these things? This inspires and challenges me when it comes to thinking about our future children. I imagine it might do the same for you 🙂 Jose had a beautiful faith and he defended it in numerous ways. Read his story. Talk about it with your family and children, or nieces & nephews.

Read it here.

Prayer of the Week:

Weekly Wish List:

Here are a few things that caught my eye this week…

This Mother Teresa Apron that says, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”

My take: I love it. It’s a beautiful sentiment and especially hits close to home since I mostly cook just for two 🙂 The apron could also work as a Halloween Costume. Anyone else dressing up for All Saints Day too??? 🙂

Speaking of Mother Teresa, check out this cute Mother Teresa doll. This will be going in the back of my mind as a gift for friends’ & families’ babies.

Have a beautiful week!