Children need their parents to be Present. Whether they recognize it or not, children desire out Presence. As infants, they cry out to us when they are hungry or want to be held. When they are young, they seek our protection when they hear a bump in the night. Our children look to us for … Continue reading Being There
Category: Serenity
The Journal
Today is my wife's birthday. I am grateful that she agreed to marry me. I am grateful that she is a wonderful mother to our three boys. I am grateful that she has stuck with me during the bad times. I am truly grateful for her love. Even though it is a day for her … Continue reading The Journal
Cleaning Out
I have been in a bit of a funk lately. I am not sure of the exact cause, but it may have to do with a bad case of poison ivy that I got while doing some work in the woods. Constant itching and lack of sleep doesn't put one in a chipper mood. The … Continue reading Cleaning Out
My Friend
I recently lost a Friend. In reality, I lost him years ago. We first met in the 9th grade at an all-boys Catholic high school. I was coming there from a public school and did not know many of the other students in my class, as most of them came up through the parochial system … Continue reading My Friend
Be Aware
Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny. I don't know the source of this message, but I know that it is important. We must be constantly aware of how we are … Continue reading Be Aware
Be Still and Know
One of my favorite messages from the Bible is Psalm 46:10 "Be Still and Know that I am God." In the past, I had a problem with the last part of this. The "God" part. This is because religion, especially fear mongering fundamentalist Christianity, which has created an image of a God that will throw … Continue reading Be Still and Know
Water
One of the many pleasures of being a father is attending morning Mass with by boys at their school. Each one has Mass on a different day, so I have a chance to have special time with each of them individually. I am grateful that I have a schedule that allows me to do this … Continue reading Water
Do Something
We are now in the season of Lent. I have always been told that you must give something up during these 40 days. I always hated this because, much like New Year's resolutions, it just set me up for failure. Since I converted to Catholicism, there are now more Lenten obligations to which I am … Continue reading Do Something
Lessons
"Failure is your best teacher." I do not know who said this, but I find it to be true. My growth has come more from my failures than my successes. Lord knows that I have had plenty of failures. Sometimes it takes multiple failures for the lessons to sink in. In my younger days, I … Continue reading Lessons
Goals and Positive Detours
I have been in the woods since the last posting. Well, not the entire time. I did go to work, spent time with family, celebrated the holidays, traveled, and coached my son’s basketball team. What I mean is, the Fall and Winter are the seasons when I love getting out in the woods. I really … Continue reading Goals and Positive Detours
