Prayers for Grandpop

My father-in-law has been suffering from MS for over 30 years.  When I met him he used a cane.  Next came the walker, then the wheelchair.  For many years he has spent most of his time in bed or the special chair in the living room, leaving home only rarely.  My mother-in-law is his primary caregiver, working hard to keep him in the best shape possible.

He has been a constant, quiet presence in our lives and the lives of our children.  Our 7-12 graders traditionally stay over at Grammy and Granpop's house one school night each week, keeping them in contact.

Lately the colonel has had difficulty swallowing (leading to the placement of a feeding tube) and breathing (a special oxygen mask is at home now).  We don't know how much time we have left, but your prayers for all of us are greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

Mary Consoles Eve

 

O Eve!

My mother, my daughter, life-giving Eve,

Do not be ashamed, do not grieve.

The former things have passed away,

Our God has brought us to a New Day.

See, I am with Child,

Through whom all will be reconciled.

O Eve! My sister, my friend,

We will rejoice together

Forever

Life without end.

— Sr Columba Guare © 2005 Sisters of the Mississippi Abbey

 

I found this image on the internet a few years ago (most recently here and here), and have never forgotten it.  It is deceptively simple, yet so beautiful and profound.

 

Created by a sister at Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey, the picture and poem have been made into matted prints as well as greeting and Christmas cards.  My print is propped up in the family room, beautifying the space and encouraging meditation while it waits for a frame.

Oh, Good Saint Joseph . . .

image source

 

A few Lents ago I began praying daily for particular pairs of fathers and sons.  Many of the boys were entering the adolescent stage of questioning or resisting God and religion.  Only a few of the dads are men of faith.  My original three sets have expanded to include seven father/son groups!

 

I've prayed a separate Hail Mary for each pair nearly every day until recently.  I wanted a more masculine and intentional prayer; it's not always easy to stay focused through the Hail Marys.  Looking to St. Joseph, I've been developing a request that works better for me.  The first line brings up an image that stays with me as I focus and pray.  Here's the current version of my new prayer:

Oh, good Saint Joseph, put your arms around the shoulders of ______ and ______; turn them towards your son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.  As the head of the Holy Family, inspire and empower ______ to be a good and holy leader of his family.  As the foster father of Jesus, inspire ______ to open his heart in obedience and love to his father and God our Father.  Amen.

What She Said

I often wish I were better at praying--really listening and communicating with God.  Most of my "God time" is devoted to spiritual reading or the recitation of standard prayers.  Not that there's anything wrong with that . . .

Jennifer Fulwiler has posted a great analogy comparing prayer and greeting cards.  I found it comforting and inspirational.  You might like it, too.

In This Storm

My life has been challenging lately, with some distressing situations taking up mental, emotional, and spiritual energy.  As much as I enjoy my blog,  posts take some focus-time, and I have been too preoccupied to concentrate.

One issue recently resolved, at least enough to move on, leaving it on a back burner.  Another is still up and down; I don't know when peace will come.

A few songs bring me comfort, including this one by Casting Crowns.  An excerpt:

I was sure by now
God, you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say, "Amen," and it's still raining
And as the thunder rolls
I barely hear your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
. . .
Every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side

Listen to it all:

Yes to Life

I had my planner out as I signed up to pray with my family outside an abortion facility in support of 40 Days for Life.  I needed to pick a "good" time--avoiding traffic, a violin lesson, club meetings, etc.  Logistics was my focus. 

So it was sweet to realize this morning that we would be praying for life on the Feast of the Annunciation, the commemoration of Mary's great "Yes."

Annunciation by Maurice Denis, 1912

Our parish is responsible for two (long) days of vigil, so our family showed up for an hour.  This year we're at a new location, along a highly visible, busy road (three lanes each way!).

I've been involved in pro-life activities over the years, but had never prayed publicly in front of a facility until today.  Standing there in a small group with a few signs felt so different from participating in the March for Life; it felt more public, more outspoken.  That doesn't make sense except that it was more ME out there than US (hundreds of thousands) together.  We clustered for a few minutes, then faced the traffic and began praying our (20 decade!) rosary.

Those first minutes of facing the cars were intense.  I felt that I was truly reaching out, praying for others, hoping a heart might change.  The March is upbeat and hopeful and prayerful, but almost everyone downtown is pro-life that day.  This morning a wide variety of attitudes drove by.

We received some positive horn-toots, one negative yell, and one long honk/thumbs down.  All received friendly waves in response.  :-) 

(Much later) I think I'll always remember the cold (low 30's!), the bright sunshine, the noise of the cars, and the rhythm of the rosary recited with my family.  And the emotions--peace, and near tears of hope (for changed hearts) and gratitude (for gifts of encouragement from passers-by).  It was an amazing experience, a special way to take part in the Annunciation.

Prayer

Catchy title?  Not so much.  Oh, well.

Last weekend, when I realized our 25th wedding anniversary was nine days away, "Novena!" jumped into my mind.

I searched online for a novena of gratitude, but found nothing.  I thought about praying (in thanksgiving) to the patron saint of happy marrianges.  I found St. Valentine, but no novena, and he is so romanticized that he probably wouldn't have been my top choice anyway.  Len looked over my shoulder at the list and suggested a novena to the Holy Family.  Great idea!  I added a beginning line of thanks for our sacramental marriage.

All the novenas I've seen include a petition.  My inspiration was purely gratitude, but rather than rework the given prayer, Len and I have been praying for our children (6) and godchildren (11!).  They are on my mind and heart daily, anyway.

We've almost finished (Tuesday is our big day!), but I must tell you about something beautiful.  We almost bailed on this novena on the 2nd day.  I came to bed much later than my sensible husband and felt rude demanding he turn the light back on to read and pray with me.  I knew I would be disappointed, though, and so (not very graciously, I must admit) insisted we stick with it.

A day later I received a call from someone dear requesting prayers for one of our godchildren, especially over this weekend and Monday (the final days of our novena)!  I'm so grateful we didn't quit!  Not only are we praying for this child on the specially requested days, but also for the week leading up to them.

I often don't follow through with multiple days of prayer (novenas, O Antipons, Jesus tree, etc.), so this episode is one I'll remember to encourage me to "stick with it" in the future.

Please Pray

We were out of town for a few days and missed the news.  Lauren told us tonight that her boyfriend's good friend (they had worked together filming football freshman year) died at school this Wednesday.  What a loss.  Please pray for this young man and all those who loved him.  Thank you.

Please Pray

Two and a half year old Eleanor, granddaughter of dear friends, underwent surgery yesterday. One cancerous kidney was removed. The tumor had spread to her lungs and cancer cells were detected in her blood. Chemotherapy will begin soon, possibly today.

We are praying for peace and healing, for God's will to be done. Please join us.At times of intense prayer, our family keeps a candle lit in a prominent location. The candle itself has no power, of course, but the flame prompts us to pray. Its multiple, flickering reminders bring me back to God throughout the day.

Sucker Punched

I just found out about another marriage ending in divorce. I didn't even know this one was in trouble. Many years, several children--it's so sad! My marriage is wonderful, praise God, but I know too many that are full of pain and anger. Please pray for couples in difficulty. Thank you.

Sorrowful Mysteries

I say a rosary almost every day, but sometimes more automatically than thoughtfully. The mysteries can provide points for reflection or focus of intention (praying especially to the Holy Spirit during the decade devoted to Pentecost, for example) when I pay attention.


The sorrowful mysteries are traditionally recited on Tuesdays and Fridays. Last week I stumbled across a reflection by Erin about the Agony in the Garden. She wondered how our all-knowing, all-powerful God could experience fear, especially with the intensity described in Scripture. Her thoughtful response (I won't call it the answer, because, really, who knows?) was amazing--you should really go read it now!


Meanwhile, I've been praying for so many intentions lately: an uncle with cancer, a cousin who needs a transplant, a family with major difficulties, a friend of a friend having cancer surgery, and on and on. Today will be another candle-lighting day (We burn one on the island as a reminder--see flame, say a prayer.).

Rise Up and Walk

Four year old Peter had his giant cast removed today! Even better news is that he didn't need the four-week follow-up (smaller) cast. There is much rejoicing in Michigan, let me tell you.

I realize it will be awhile before he's actually up and walking, but the light is sparkling there at the end of the tunnel. Praise God!

Perseverance

Peter, the four year old son of my good friend Anne, recently broke his thigh bone. After 24 hours in traction he went under general anesthesia for the installation of a body cast. We're talking from the nipples to his ankle on one leg, to his knee on the other--for 8 weeks!

Becca's purple cast now seems quite dainty. And those first several days of neediness pale in comparison with what my friend's family is dealing with. I know prayers are welcome.

I also know how Anne is handling this--with faith--but I am still amazed by her attitude. Below the signature on her emails is a quote from St. John of the Cross (Daniel's Confirmation saint, BTW), "Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent." Whew!

Go here for more details and a picture of her sweet boy.

Time Again for Prayer and Fasting

I've received a couple of emails urging nine days of prayer (like in the upper room) and fasting for the intention of stopping the "Freedom of Choice Act". Barack Obama has promised to sign it into law if/when Congress passes it, which could happen as early as next week.

From the Fight FOCA website:

FOCA Would Wipe Away Every Restriction on Abortion Nationwide
This would eradicate state and federal laws that the majority of Americans support, such as:
--Bans on Partial Birth Abortion
--Requirements that women be given information about the risks of getting an abortion
--Only licensed physicians can perform abortions
--Parents must be informed and give consent to their minor daughter's abortion

FOCA would erase these laws and prevent states from enacting similar protective measures in the future.

We're going to talk to the children tonight about this novena. Right now I'm thinking of commiting to a family rosary every day, along with fasting (probably giving up sweets--a biggie for most of us) and a pro-life prayer. Many Americans are starting on Sunday (ending on January 19th), but I'm thinking of starting Monday and continuing up through the inauguration on the 20th.

Soon it will be time to call our legislators, but for now let's pray together.

Prayer is Always in Season

When we need to keep a prayer request in our minds throughout the day, I light a candle. Seeing the flame is our reminder to pray.
.
This past week a family from school suddenly lost a five year old, and my cousin endured a serious surgery. My aunt had a mild heart attack the week before that. I wish I had posted sooner to ask others to pray with us. We went to A's funeral Monday. My cousin's recovery has been slower and more difficult than expected, but he should be home within a few days.

Please help us pray for healing in both situations. Thank you!

Updates

SAD

and

GLAD

Both families can still use our prayers. Thanks!

Romans 12:12

"Rejoice in hope, be patient under trial, persevere in prayer."

Election 2008 Meditations

This morning I started my rosary on the walk to the polls. Tuesday is the sorrowful mysteries, providing food for thought on God's mercy and love and just how far He'll go for us. The line that stood out the most to me, though, was from the Lord's Prayer, "Deliver us from evil."

I suppose that sounds dramatic, but making it easier to abort babies only hurts women and society, and of course the children. We don't allow people to choose to steal or stalk or abuse. Why should we allow them to choose to kill children? It's not about the woman choosing what to do with her body--she's deciding what to do with someone else's body. That baby is not her mother.

Today is the Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, schooled in both civil and canon law. The meditation in Magnificat included these words from Deuteronomy 4:5-8,

"Therefore, I teach you the statues and decrees as the Lord, my God, has
commanded me, that you may observe them in the land you are entering to
occupy. Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your
wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statutes and
say, 'This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.' For what
great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to
us whenever we call upon him? Or what great nation has statutes and
decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you
today?"

I'm praying our nation's laws will come closer to God's law in all areas of truth and justice.

One last quote! Deuteronomy contains statutes for Israel as well as history relating to the tribes' entrance into the Promised Land. I can't read quotes like those above without being reminded of Chapter 30, verse 19,

"I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before
you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life,then,
that you and your descendants may live."

Sarah Anne Foss

Sarah Anne Foss was born October 31, 2008, about 5 weeks early. Things went well considering how early she was--she came in at 5#6oz. Right now she's having trouble breathing and will likely be in the NICU for another two weeks. Sarah has only been able to attempt nursing once so far. Please pray for her and all her family, and for Elizabeth's recovery and perseverance.

Here's a video the family posted on YouTube:



She's small, but I can still see the "Foss" in her--I'm thinking of Stephen, for one.

Please Pray

A young wife and mother is critically ill right now. Please pray for her and that God will grant a miracle if it is His will. And please pray for her family. They're facing either a very long and slow road to recovery or an even longer journey through grief.