Evangelism vs. Charity

I found out that I somehow evangelized to an acquaintance of mine. Let me be clear: I DO NOT evangelize.  I grew up as an Episcopal.  We are silent and intellectual about our faith.  I converted to the Roman Catholic faith after a long journey with my husband, and some amazing mentors.

So today, this lovely woman told me that she had come back to the Catholic Church after she talked to me about my conversion.  She had wondered what I was converting to?  As she began to teach her own children a faith, she realized that she needed to go back home to her Catholic faith. Very interesting, as I didn't try to convince her of anything...I just told my story.

I am glad this family has found a religious home. This is a good thing...my religion gives me strength and comfort.  If only every one in this world could have the same sense of strength.  My strength also comes from the intense feeling of love from God and a love for God's creation (people, animals, plants, environment!)  I must thank my dad for this, I think.

BUT...my life is actually about the idea of what we are told at the very END of our church service: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord AND ONE ANOTHER.  This isn't empty religion.  This is about making a difference in the world.  Take care of your family, take care of your environment, and do some act of kindness to someone every day.  And, when you can, volunteer to help other people in need. 

I will be seeing this woman tomorrow.  She has asked me to talk to her about what I know about homeschooling.  I am not the expert, but I have my own experience that I am willing to share. 

"Charity may be a very short word, but with its tremendous meaning of pure love, it sums up man's entire relation to God and to his neighbor." -- St Aelred of Rievaulx

Inwardly I am rolling my eyes

There are an amazing number of opinions in this world. I enjoy delving into the conglomeration of ideas I think strange, perceptions I would never have thought of and yes...notions that strike me as dead-on correct. 

But, I do not find it charming when strangers who just happen to be stuck sitting across from me in the dance waiting room for an hour, think I must want to hear their opinionated ideas. I start to feel crazy about their lack of reason -- even when I DO agree with them! I do not argue, just merely change the subject in the most polite manner I can.  But inside, I am shaking my head and wondering if there will ever be a society that can understand when to debate and when to just talk about the weather. I was quite a debater in high school...but really, spewers don't care about reasonable discourse.  

I guess I have finally started to accept this fact.  

Dear Lord, Thank you for finally giving me the ability in public to hold my tongue. (except on this blog)...um, would it be possible to give me this ability with my close friends and family too?

My brain never shuts off.

Good children...

 Since Friday, I have had three different people tell me (one called me on the phone just for this reason) that my kids are very good.  I was told that my kids are well-behaved, respectful, and nice.  

The fact that people seem to seek me (and my beloved hubby) out to tell us this, leads me to believe that perhaps we are, sadly, unusual.  We have taught them to be these qualities since they were tiny.  Of course, in public they tend to show their angelic sides and so the bickering and rambunctiousness at home doesn't get seen by the "outside".  Nonetheless, I would have to say, my kids are darn nice, as people go. 

But the problem lies in this:  These comments about them are usually told to me within hearing range of my kids.  Sounds like a good way to encourage kids to continue being good?  Well, yes, except what about the naughty kids that are all around them in the supermarket, church, dance class... don't get more than a hush to their disruptions.   My kids did at  lovely job alter-serving at today's mass.  The only issue was a child who refused to kneel at the right time,  swung his rope into other alter servers, and not paying attention to what needed to be done. It only takes one child who is disruptive to cause the other "good" kids to want to see the problem fixed, or change to nature of the kids.  If one child s allowed to be hostile,  apathetic, or any other negative actions... it will influence "how good" my kids could possibly become.
So the Elelphantt in the room, is the naughty chidren are therre.  Causeing distress to my well-behaving kids.  Are my kids supposed to give peer pressure on the kids to correct their behaviour?  Then my kids get the brunt
I think probably parents, grandparents, deacons, priests, and other parishioners might think about saying something helpful to parents overseeing the harder kids.  There are no rule books....but honest folk who can ask a kind question.

New Year's Eve at the Zoo

"Dear God, thank you for the foresight to keep feeling from my feet."
Love,
The Ducks

Does the Holy Spirit keep track?

December 1st is a Holy Day of Obligation....unless it falls on a Saturday or Monday. It fell on Saturday this year.  We didn't go to Mass today.  By the Letter of the Law, we get our check mark.  But do we truly get credit for following God's Law? 

Perfect...for God only, silly mortal

My kids know not to say the phrase, "No one is perfect".  It irks me.  To me it implies that some people might be pretty close to perfect.  I think saying that phrase is arrogant.  My belief is that actually, we are all "Deeply Flawed".  And that's OK.  I personally feel much better about forgiving people when I think about it that way.  And I feel more like I am OK, because we are all in the same boat.  God is perfect and is there to guide me. Man, I'm glad someone is perfect! I make lots of mistakes...but hey since I am deeply flawed, of course I do!  I am also a perfectionist.  Hmmm.  So, my goal is to only make these mistakes one or two times.  After that, I need to feel guilty.  *Wink*