Have you heard of Walter Ciszek, SJ? He is a priest worth studying. I’ve only learned a bit so far, but have already put his book on hold with the library – I want to read it.
If you haven’t heard of the new app called Hallow, check it out and sign up for the 40-day Lenten prayer challenge called “Lent Pray40: He Leadeth Me”. That’s where I’m learning about Walter Ciszek, and am also having a great chance to try some new forms of prayer from what I typically do.
Head of athletics asked me yesterday if I could help with the track meet after school today, 4-8pm. My man had his own meeting then, anyway, so timing worked and I agreed to help. Today, it made for a long day for me, but I was clearly a big help in what I specifically did, and I really enjoyed myself at the meet. Next time, I might opt for a different job, but this one was a fun mix of chill and on-ness, and I even got to hang with some students of mine for a while, just watching the events and getting all the details of each runner from them while I waited.
I hung with other coaches and teachers for a bit afterward before heading home, and that, too, was a delight. All in all, it was a great day, and I am now exhausted.
Thank you, God, for the extra day off school tomorrow. Even though I don’t get paid, the rest will do me good and give me a good start to be able to put away clothes this weekend. Help me to make our house the home we long for it to be. Thank you for this life and this opportunity. In your name, I pray. Amen.
Yesterday was Mardi Gras, also known in other states who know no French as Fat Tuesday. It is the day before Lent begins, the period of 40 days of meditation and fasting before the celebration of the coming of Christ, Easter. All the sugar and fat stores are meant to be used up on Mardi Gras, thus the name. This includes the idea that we will not be eating sugary or fatty things during Lent, even if they don’t come from one’s own making. The first day of Lent, as well as each Friday during it, is a day that specifically includes fasting and having no meat. That day is called Ash Wednesday. It is called so for that ashes are distributed to all, via a cross on the forehead, to remind us that we have come from dust and shall, one day, return to dust – we are the creations of God and will return to him after this life for eternal life. Ash Wednesday…
Ash Wednesday was today.
Today was also the feast of Saint Valentine, also known commercially as Valentine’s Day. It is a day filled with treats and commercialism and indulgence and, even, waste. It does not line up with the morals of Ash Wednesday… which was also today.
So, today was a bizarre Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday combination – one I haven’t known to happen previously in my life. Definitely interesting to have the solemn day land on and, therefore, trump the celebratory day.
But also interesting that, as someone noted today, “Lent” is right in the middle of “Valentine”, you could say at the heart of it… 😛
Interesting thought to have us reconsider how we want to do Valentine’s Day in the future, too.
Thank you, God, for your love and your creativity and your forgiveness and generosity. We love you. Keep us well, that we pursue and fulfill your will for us in our lives. In your name, I pray. Amen.
Bizarre stresses, but good. Job stuff isn’t sorted yet, but improving for both of us. But, fortunately, we don’t have a horrible green splotch in our hallways or this terrible white section of paint in the hall bathroom anymore, and it feels Really good having them both gone.
“Haha. It’s amazing how little things like that make such a big difference”
…….
And, boy, is she right…
A friend of mine offered to help with whatever when she came to town for my wedding. I didn’t have any wedding stuff that needed help, but a last-minute panic of my man’s had us wanting to paint these two spots that have been the same for actual years. But, since his family was coming over, he suddenly cared about them… them being these two areas of painting that needed to be covered and that drove me nuts every single day… My friend has spent much of her career working in technical theatre, building and designing and painting sets. She also taught shop classes and such. I knew she could handle it and wouldn’t at all be upset at the idea. I asked, and, sure enough, she not only agreed immediately, but agreed with excitement. Just up her alley, she’d said.
So, they got fixed.
And it’s been amazing not staring at the green strip next to the updated A/C panel in the hallway or that horrible white section where the piping had been redone in the bathroom, and it was only ever painted with white, instead of the grey of the bathroom walls.
I imagine, every day is a good day for sex, given the relationship is founded for such an act. But, after resting Friday night, Saturday is a great day to be super active and to exert much effort doing things one loves, right? Right. In married life, things can get away from folks, schedules can get busy, things can be pushed aside. So, keep it simple and easy to remember. Fridays are for rest and Saturdays are for sex. Saturday’s just about always a good day for married couples to have sex, so let’s go ahead and let them rely upon it, keep it in the books, put it on the weekly schedule. 😛
I know. I’m ridiculous. Thank you for noticing. 😛
God, help us to be well and to be in your image. Help us to lead the lives you long for us to lead. Help us to confess our sins often, that we be made whole more and more frequently in life, drawing ever closer to you and to the people you call us to be, our best selves. Thank you for this life and this opportunity. Help us always to honor you. Help me, also, always to honor and respect and also to serve my husband, helping him to be his best self, who you can him to be. And thank you, especially, for him in my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you. In your name, I pray. Amen.
Fridays are for sleeping. I used to think that Fridays were for celebrating, partying. But that is not so. By Friday, we are so worn down that we just need to have a rest. Saturdays, we can celebrate, filled with energy and with joy. But Fridays are for sleeping.
To me, courage is being afraid and doing what is needed anyway. Today, I had courage. And the meeting went really well. A couple very important things have now been both communicated and sorted out. There is space now to address a couple other minor things. And I feel incredibly heard, justified, and supported by my administration.
Thank you, administration. And thank you, God. Amen.
Tomorrow, I have the meeting with the administrator to discuss both things that have not been appropriate and my future with the school. We shall see how it goes, of course, but I am a bit nervous. In a way, I want to be embraced and want not to be rejected. However, more than either of those, I just want to be clear as to my future with this school. If I get to stay here, I will be delighted. If I do not get to stay here, I eventually will be delighted by whatever comes up on my path. Whatever the case, I will be okay and I will be in God’s hands. I am just currently really struggling with this lack of clarity. When I have nothing clear towards which to work, I struggle to work. I know that knowing, whatever the direction, will make all the difference in helping me finish out this year strongly and effectively, both for me and for my students.
So, whether I’ll be crying in frustration at being rejected or feeling hopeful, I hope I get a clear answer tomorrow morning.
Dear God, I pray to speak the words that communicate my points effectively and appropriately. Help me to speak best to the listening tomorrow in the meeting, and help me to learn exactly what I need to know to proceed best in my work and in my life. Keep us safe and in your graces, please. Thank you for this life and your guidance. In your name, I pray. Amen.
It’s funny how today feels like a whole week later than yesterday, all because everything shifted. I have a game plan, and I put it into action fully today. I still have more to do, but major progress has been made. I am trusting God to guide me, and I am taking the strides I feel he is calling me to make.
Thank you, God, for this opportunity. Help me to embrace it fully and to pursue and fulfill fully your will. And keep us well and happy and safe and with you, please. In your name, I pray. Amen.
Today has been a breakdown day. I had a couple extremely helpful conversations around the breakdown. As always, it takes a breakdown in order to have a breakthrough. Today has been no exception. I guess I have been needing this breakdown, because I seriously have been needing a breakthrough around my work. I think I have clear steps that I am excited to take tomorrow and onward.
Thank you God for this support in this opportunity. Help me to pursue exactly what you need me to pursue around my work. Show me clearly my next step, and I will trust you and take it. In your name, I pray. Amen.
hannah ananas 