I have two families. How about you?
One might think I am talking about my families divided by divorce or the family I acquired with marriage. When truly, I am speaking of my earthly family and my blessed Holy family. Upon great reflection, here are the lessons I've learned from both.
The lessons I've learned from my earthly family are quite frankly, toxic behaviors unbecoming of who I want to be.
1st, how to be judgmental.
2nd, how to hold a grudge.
3rd, how to be unforgiving.
4th, how to have the last word.
5th, how to keep fighting for the sake of "being right".
6th, how to drudge up the past and use it to inflict pain and shame.
7th, how to love with conditions.
The lessons I've learned from my blessed Holy family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph have taught me WHOSE I am and who I want to be like every single day.
1st. how to pray for myself and others.
2nd, humility.
3rd, how to forgive myself and others.
4th, how to forgo the last word.
5th, how to walk away from chaos with grace.
6th, how to be compassionate toward others.
7th, how to love unconditionally.
The old behaviors are fading. The new ones are challenging at times. But, by His graces and mercies, by His endless love, I am a beloved daughter and I know that truth. I know that I know that I know that I know. My friend Sam says that. There is and never will be again, a doubt in my heart or mind to that truth.
My prayer for you is the same that I pray for myself ~ a prayer for peace attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Peace, love and blessings always.
5th, how to keep fighting for the sake of "being right".
6th, how to drudge up the past and use it to inflict pain and shame.
7th, how to love with conditions.
The lessons I've learned from my blessed Holy family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph have taught me WHOSE I am and who I want to be like every single day.
1st. how to pray for myself and others.
2nd, humility.
3rd, how to forgive myself and others.
4th, how to forgo the last word.
5th, how to walk away from chaos with grace.
6th, how to be compassionate toward others.
7th, how to love unconditionally.
The old behaviors are fading. The new ones are challenging at times. But, by His graces and mercies, by His endless love, I am a beloved daughter and I know that truth. I know that I know that I know that I know. My friend Sam says that. There is and never will be again, a doubt in my heart or mind to that truth.
My prayer for you is the same that I pray for myself ~ a prayer for peace attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Peace, love and blessings always.
xo,
Founder of Come to the TableCOLC | Speaker | Educator | MSN, RN
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