| Thursday, September 06, 2012 |
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| GOING INTO DEEP WATER [Rachel Watkins] |
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9/6/2012 |
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Today's gospel - Luke 5:1-11 - Jesus tells Peter to 'put out into the deep'.
Lately, I been feeling that he water around the Watkins' house has been so deep we are drowning!
Three in college - two different ones - and while the school are both local, we have to keep the schedules straight of where those three need to be working with one car.
Seven more at home - except Friday's co-op - that I have to teach, form, feed and keep clean (for the most part).
In other words, life at the Watkins' house in September is like a stormy sea. I can feel tossed and thrown about as I try to get ourselves into a good rhythm and pattern.
But, I can see the calm seas of October ahead and know that Jesus is with me. The work I do today will yield a huge catch, eventually, I just have to keep working at it.
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| Wednesday, August 22, 2012 |
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| ARE WE MERELY ENVIOUS OF GOD'S GENEROSITY?? [Rachel Watkins] |
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8/22/2012 |
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From today's gospel -
"When those who had started about five o´clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ´These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day´s burden and the heat.´ He said to one of them in reply, ´My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?´ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last."
From today's meditation: " I sometimes see things from a very human and selfish point of view. Sometimes I find myself getting angry because others may have more than I do. Help me understand that the most important thing to be truly happy in my life is to be aware of the need I have of your grace."
This is me in spades!! I have always struggled with I believe to what I am due - what I am owed.
In the movie "Field of Dreams", Ray Kinsella, played by Kevin Costner is having an argument w/ Shoeless Joe Jackson, played by Ray Liotta.
Having plowed up his crops, put his family into financial crisis to build the field he is struggling to see the reason why. He witnesses Terry Mann, the wonderful James Earl Jones, the only recently arrived writer and activist get invited to go see where the players are coming from, to go into the corn field.
Ray can't stand it - Terry over him??!! How could that be possible?
Shoeless Joe watches the temper tantrum and asks, "Is that why you did this? Are you wondering what's in it for you?"
Ray is struck by that but admits it, "Yeah, what's in it for me?"
How often I find myself saying this? It is downright embarrassing,...
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| DID YOU WATCH THE OLYMPICS?? [Rachel Watkins] |
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8/13/2012 |
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Did you see this?
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/virgin-mary-crosses-the-finish-line-with-olympic-gold-runner/
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| Thursday, August 09, 2012 |
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| ARE YOU PROUD OF YOUR FAMILY, EMBARRASSED - A LITTLE OF BOTH? [Rachel Watkins] |
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7/24/2012 |
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The answer to the above question is probably a resounding YES! I am both immensely proud of my family and embarrassed.
Yes, my children both make me proud and red-faced but I am really thinking of my siblings.
I have six brothers and three sisters. Within this mix I have a doctor, a decorated military chaplain, a "Jack of all Trades and Master of Most", a nurse and other non-specific jobs. We have a good deal of tattoos in my family but no criminal convictions or even arrests. And while I've got the largest family w/ 11 kids, one of my brothers puts me to shame with his 100+ foster kids.
My brothers can find some way to bring bodily functions into any conversation but also plan on how to deliver free appliances to some needy families in my hometown. I've watch them have compete in almost everything including stealing (yes, stealing) kites out of my own children's hands to see whose could go highest.
..."Here, let Uncle Mike show you how it's done...."......
Every day, I am very grateful to God for having made the decision that I should be raised a VanDurme (my maiden name). In making that decision, I was given some amazing and maddening siblings.
Maybe your family is like mine. Do your siblings make you crazy, inspire you or have you had to leave them in order to follow Christ?
My family is not perfect and we have faced a number of situations that cause my parents (and myself) grief and lots of prayers but we are still intact.
I am proud of being the 'little sister' of all of my siblings but take the real pride in knowing that I am also the little sister of Jesus.
Today's gospel talks of being the brother and sister of Jesus by doing His will. Be encouraged by that, especially if your own family is a source of pain, sin or scandal.
If ever you feel you are alone w/ no siblings to rely on - turn to Christ and start bragging on what He's done.
When I was growing up, my big...
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