We have all been there before….
Yesterday I was having a day that just didn’t seem to want to end soon enough. When I first started this Catholic mom blog I made a promise to myself to be honest as I wrote, whether that involved something good, bad or otherwise. If I’m honest, the first half of my day wasn’t completely terrible. However, as soon as I picked up my kids were out of school all hell seems to have broken loose. My oldest son was having issues with a baseball teammate which his dad and I needed to discuss. During this time, my youngest son (who is six years old) asked if he could take a bath. I plopped him in the bath and walked away to take care of something when I heard, “Mom! Come here! It’s an emergency!”.
As I rushed back into the bathroom, I looked down to find that he was bleeding profusely from somewhere on his mouth. In just the two minutes that I had been out of the bathroom, my precocious six year old had stood up and realized that he was now tall enough to grab where I had my razor hanging on the bathroom wall. He proceeded to grab it and pretend like he was shaving like daddy and shave his eyebrow off and gave himself a bad cut above his lip.
When his cut wouldn’t stop bleeding, we made the decision to take him to urgent care thinking that he may need stitches. Although the cut was pretty deep, he had essentially taken the top layer of skin off of that spot on his lip. After an industrial bandaid and strict directions not to touch it. My little boy was ultimately extremely embarrassed and still is. Thankfully, today is his last day of school and he has a half day so hopefully we will get through it with minimal issues.
Oh! Did I mention that in the middle of all of this, I got a text from a client saying that they were going to discontinue services because they sold their business? Yeah…
Needless to say, finding God was really challenging yesterday. However, as I sit here reflecting on my day yesterday, I realize that in little ways throughout the day, I was finding God without knowing it.
Finding God Within Myself
Finding God within yourself is something that can be challenging at times. I know that for me, it’s easy for me to find God when I’m visiting a certain religious location. For example, on our recent trip to the National Blue Army Shrine or the National Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton, it was easy to feel God all around me. I could even feel God during the time that I was a catechist teacher and interacting with the kids. However, in times of stress or trouble, it can feel as though he is nowhere to be found.
While I consciously know that this isn’t true and that God is always present, trying to be more conscious of ways that he is there in the difficult times is key. I find that being mindful of how I’m feeling and what I’m thinking is so helpful. Sometimes slowing your racing thoughts down, practicing a few self-care routines and even just taking a step away from what is going on can help to change the situation entirely. Don’t forget, you can always look to saints who were mothers for inspiration when it comes to steps to take as well.
God will always be there with us and for us. At the end of the day – THAT is what matters.
Finding God in Prayer
One of the things that I did try to consciously do yesterday was pray. Prayer for mom would be a big feature throughout the rest of my day! When it felt like everything was just completely falling apart, I tried to make a concerted effort to turn it over to God. Finding God in prayer is a deeply personal and spiritual journey, and the experience can vary from person to person. Here are some suggestions that may help you in your quest to connect with God through prayer:
- Create a Sacred Space: Find a quiet and comfortable place where you can pray without distractions. It could be a specific room, a corner of your home, or even a spot outdoors that brings you a sense of peace and tranquility.
- Set an Intention: Before you begin praying, set an intention to connect with God and open your heart and mind to receive guidance, peace, and understanding. Approach prayer with sincerity and humility.
- Practice Mindfulness: Start your prayer by taking a few deep breaths, centering yourself in the present moment, and letting go of any worries or distractions. Be fully present and attentive to the words and emotions that arise within you.
- Use Prayerful Words or Affirmations: You can use traditional prayers or create your own heartfelt words to express your thoughts, gratitude, hopes, and concerns to God. Allow yourself to speak honestly and openly, as if you are having a genuine conversation.
- Listen and Be Still: After expressing your thoughts and emotions, take a moment to be still and silent. This is a time to listen and be receptive to any insights, messages, or feelings that may arise from your connection with God. It may come in the form of intuition, inner peace, or a sense of clarity.
- Cultivate a Regular Practice: Consistency is key when it comes to prayer. Set aside regular time for prayer each day, even if it’s just a few minutes. The more you practice, the more you may deepen your connection with God over time.
Remember, finding God in prayer is a deeply personal experience, and it may take time and patience. Trust your own intuition and allow yourself to be open to the mystery and wonder of the divine.
