There’s a note pad peeking out of our pen drawer on which the following words are scrawled:
“Dear February, I’m bigger than you!”
I chuckle every time I see it, recalling the day we made this list of goofy affirmations to help one of the kids through some mid-season doldrums.
You’ll make it kid. February can be a throbbing pain in the temple, but you’ll make it.
Someone piped up with “All months are good because they’re God’s.” Which was true and very St. Teresa of Avila of the precious child, but we moved forward with the list anyway.
Now it’s March and we did make it, not only through February, but the first part of Lent as well, with all of its typical Lenty-ness. A stomach virus that threatened to last for all 40 days. A new cancer diagnosis for a loved one. This and that, you know how it goes.
It may be a wee bit superstitious to think that Lent itself brings extra suffering. It seems more likely that life is just hard, and that Lenten focus brings needed clarity to circumstances. There is no question, however, that, Lent or no Lent, February can be a challenge. Some of us (not naming names) have been knocked off the liturgical rhythm of the season by the ordinary glitches in life. So…
Today’s Quick Notes are resources for restoring Christ-order to our engagement with the things of this world. May He change us in such a way that there is nothing we do which doesn't breathe hope and testimony.
1. CLEANING UP THE QUAGMIRE
The Cabrini movie comes to theaters March 8th! Since the feathers are already flying in Catholic circles, we should take care to avoid an ugly social quagmire like the one surrounding The Chosen. Don’t be ugly to each other. Look for the best in your neighbors. If you missed my review and have been wondering about this new movie from Angel Studios, I reviewed it at the link below. I found it to be a great Lenten boost, calling me to greater conformity to the charity of Jesus Christ.
2. A NEW CATHOLIC GYM IN PENNSYLVANIA…
Do I have any friends in PA? Check out this brand new Catholic gym! I love that one of their coaches offers SoulCore as well. Wish they were closer!
3. LENT-CHANGING TALK
My dear friend, Kay, at
, recommended this talk by Michael O’Brien, and I listened to it recently while I was at the gym. My workout took much longer than it should have because I kept pausing for extended periods to stare at the floor and contemplate the beautiful truths he touched upon. It was perfect timing for a Lenten restart. Listen all the way through. It’s worth it!The Cosmic Significance of Small Deeds.
4. SPEAKING OF MICHAEL O’BRIEN…
His fictional book series, Children of the Last Days, has had a great impact on my life and faith. It’s been many years since I’ve read them and am beginning to reread them this Lent. A restoration to holy imagination is sorely needed and I highly recommend the series. This is the order of publication and the order in which I recommend reading them. I have not read the last one but got the go-ahead from the Chief to order it today for Easter!
5. GUT CHECK…
6. IF I COULD ONLY REACH THAT SHELF…
My shoulder continues to be stuck and painful as I work on rehabbing a torn labrum. Not being able to take it into a full range of motion is a lot like having an itch I can’t scratch, and occasionally I snag it in such a way that I revisit pain management techniques I used in childbirth.
Other than that, it’s not too bad and we’ll know in about a month whether this can be rehabbed fully or whether I need the help of a surgeon. Working very hard to avoid the latter with the help of a skilled professional who puts Christ at the center of his life. If you’re looking for a great Catholic chiro in the Akron, Ohio area, message me.
7. FED IS BEST (FOR WOMEN)
I’ve been reading lately that intermittent fasting affects men and women differently. The benefits are greater for men (who become lean, mean fighting machines) than for women (whose bodies tend to respond to restriction by holding on to fat and taking energy from muscle, organs, and bone). I have no particular attachment to an outcome other than seeking what is best for my body. What I’m discovering is that fed is best.
My experience does not discredit yours and I believe you if you feel better fasted (I have experienced this). But I’m also experiencing a new appreciation for provision over restriction when it comes to caring for the body. I wrote about this in The Sunshine Principle, and as I hit peri-menopause, I am discovering an even greater need to emphasize provision in a culture where we (especially women) have such a complicated and disordered relationship with food. We tend to think that less is more…
Perhaps we should explore the idea of enough. I don’t mean calories. I mean nourishment. Frankly, most people don’t get enough. For those who are doing intermittent fasting, the goal should still be about provision. Food is not the enemy. I’ll be opening up that topic more in the future.
*Please note that regular Intermittent Fasting for the purpose of health and weight loss is not the same as periodic Lenten fasting. It is also not the same as simply exercising control in between meals.
YOU’LL MAKE IT, KID
Over the last 26 years, God has allowed me to stub my proverbial toe so many times on the fragile confidence of children that I’m finally starting to let them explore their own relationship with God instead of constantly managing it. Hard lessons for which I’m so thankful. In most cases, I now try not to correct their prayers or giggle at their sweet sincerity.
A few months ago, the 7-year old offered a prayer that tested my resolve not to laugh. He started out:
“God, I offer my day for Peter and Danielle…”
He then paused for two long minutes, trying to think of something else to say about it. Finally, he finished with:
“… that they make it through life.”
Inspired by little Z, I’m going to pray the same for you today as we enter into March and move ever closer to Easter. You’ve made it through February (no small feat, really), and now you will make it through March and whatever difficult circumstance you may currently be in…
By the grace of God, you’ll make it, kid. May you know the love and peace of Jesus Christ now and forever.
Melody
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Thank you for your words!! What a sweet, and actually profound, prayer from your child. ☺ I would add "that we all make it through life without sin and with holiness."
Love Michael O’Brien so much! Had read a few of his novels before but providentially fell into Father Elijah in 2020 and it was such a spiritual consolation for me. It seems to me he doesn’t receive enough credit or accolades from many (at least not that I’ve seen online), but each of his books has had a deep and lasting impact on my spiritual life. I echo Peter Kreeft’s words calling him the “greatest living Catholic novelist of our time.” Excited for you to dive into Fr Elijah in Jerusalem! Happy reading 🤗