Saturday, May 24, 2014

Our Lady Undoer of Knots

It was not until Pope Francis was elected Pope that I even heard of this devotion.  In fact my prayer partner brought it to my attention.

I understand the imagery of Our Blessed Mother undoing the knots in my life.  She is patient and works steadily to undo all those pesky knots that keep me from her Son.  The ones that keep me up at night and worry me throughout the day.

I just finished the Novena to Our Lady Undoer of Knots and one line out of all the meditations over the last nine days has been with me.

"The Holy Spirit was manifest on her lips."

 What a wonderful image that Our Mother never spoke in anger, or gossiped, or judged.  When she spoke she allowed the Holy Spirit to always speak!

How I wish that I was more willing to let the Holy Spirit speak through me always.  To quiet my own words and let His words flow from my mouth like milk and honey.  That my words would be an encouragement to others.  My words the words of comfort.  That always the Holy Spirit was manifest on my lips.

Dear Mother,

I come to you as your child and ask that you assist me now and always to quiet my words and let the Holy Spirit be manifest on my lips.

O Immaculate Lady - Undoer of Knots, Pray for us!
Amen

~Cindy

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Re-weaving my LIfe.

Since Michael's passing I have felt like someone pulled a loose thread on a tapestry or a loose piece of yarn from some crocheted afghan and I began to unravel. I was a mess.  But slowly I began to rewind my mess and put it in a neat ball so that I could once again begin to weave my life.

 For awhile I was content to lay on the floor in in puddle of emotion and have no purpose.  I cried all the time and my compass no longer pointed North.  It just spun around looking for North or a destination.


Little did I know that I was in my destination.  Though still on a journey, I am where I am suppose to be.  I cry less these days, tho in a moment I can feel the tears well-up when I think of Michael.  But I smile now more when I think of him and remember our time together.

I survived my first Mother's Day without him. I still have the four month anniversary of his death on the 18th of May and the 23rd of May will be the one year anniversary of his diagnosis.

I can't believe that the days are flying by so fast and each one moves me farther away.  Time might move me farther away, but it can not move him from my heart and mind.  He is with me.  He will always be with me.

Our Lord promised that He would be with us always.  He promised us Eternal Life.  In these past months I have felt the Lord moving in my life in ways I never imagined.  He has showered me with blessings.

Lord,
I thank you for your many and wondrous blessings that you shower on me daily.  I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and life eternal with you. I know that I have much to do.  Let us pick up our thread and begin to re-weave my life.

~Cindy

Saturday, May 10, 2014

The Blessed Mother and Mother's Day

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee.  Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God; pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen

The Madonna of the Streets
I have prayed more Hail Mary's in my life than probably any other prayer.  It is my "go to" prayer.  My Mom always reminded me to say one if I was in trouble, didn't know what to do, needed an answer, and in thanksgiving.  My grandmother was also a great believer in the power of the Hail Mary.  The saints that are closest in my heart are Marian Saints.

Mary reminds us to be children and come to her with our wants, desires, troubles, triumphs and cares.  She is gentle, but reminds us that she can only hold back the arm of her son for so long.  She asks us to pray the Rosary.

The Rosary, such a simple repetitive prayer that allows meditation and yet; so powerful.  The weapon against Satan.  The story of Our Lord's life all wrapped up in those simple little beads.  A weapon that is as effective in the hands of a child or adult.

Mary showed us how to be good mothers to our children.  To love them, to let them go their own way even though it is hard to let go.  How hard it must have been to watch her son vilified and put to death.  But oh how glorious to know that He rose from the dead!

As Mother's Day approaches let us turn our hearts and minds to Our Mother, Mary and ask her to watch over our own mothers.

Dearest Mother,
I ask you to watch over my mother.  Keep her safe and under the protection of your mantle.   Be her constant companion as she moves through her day.  Be the watchful mother as she sleeps and be her guide at the hour of her death.

~Cindy