Weekly Wildflowers #16
Spring is Here, 3 Quick Takes, Help My Unbelief
The rains have finally come to the Upstate of SC. The grass is greening, birds are singing a chorus of song, and trees are putting on their leaves, all heralding that Spring is finally and truly here to stay for a time.
Our family loves this season if for no other reason than finding joy in the simplicity of it all. It is a time to get in the garden regularly. The kids kick their soccer ball back and forth while Joe, and I dig around in the dirt a few feet away dreaming of warmer days and the fresh fruits of our labor. Add in a fiery sky with hints of purple, and pink, as the sun sets and it’s a tiny piece of paradise on Earth.
All glory to God friends, even the simple things - AMDG
3 Quick Takes
I went to a women’s conference last month, and one of the keynote speakers said something that has stuck with me. I’m still working it out but when she said it, I knew deep in my core that it was true. We don’t know how to suffer well. Our society does anything it can to avoid suffering, to avoid thinking of suffering and to be with those who suffer. I’ll probably be writing about this soon, as there is one moment from the past year that keeps bubbling to the surface that ties to this thought. The question that comes with it - can our homes be the training ground for how to suffer well for Christ? What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments or Subscriber Chat.
I’m not sure where else to put this so it’s going here for now. I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has subscribed and stuck with me these past almost 2 years! There have been some shifts and changes in that time, and I’m so thankful you’ve decided to stick it out with me. You’ve probably figured out I’m not an expert at this, or an expert of much of anything, so the fact that you open these emails, read my words and decide to do it again the following week is just incredible and I am so thankful for you!
Digital Digest: This week I’m working on not picking up my phone as frequently. Even though I’ve been nagged less by the apps because notifications are turned off, I am still very much in the habit of picking it up often. To check this or that random thing. The best solution I’ve found is two-fold: 1) We’re so used to being completely accessible that it feels wrong to not have our phone with us just incase someone calls or texts. To change this feeling, I’ve had to intentionally remind myself, this is why voicemail exists. I also tell myself that just because someone texted doesn’t mean I have to respond right then. I’m not sure when I had bought into the thinking that immediate responses were necessary but taking a step back from the ledge has helped. 2) Working within that new mindset of not always being available, I intentionally leave my phone in another room, especially when I need to focus. If I must have it with my, I put on do not disturb and keep it face down. Be sure to join in the subscriber chat so we can discuss what’s working for you!
Devotional Corner
Lord I believe. Help my unbelief.
How often does my faith fail me, Lord? Faith in your promises, in your Love, in your presence throughout my days.
It’s no secret that it can be hard to find you, and not because you’ve hidden yourself from us, but because of our fickle hearts.
One minute we sing your praises certain to never lose you, and the next we’re crying to the heavens searching for you, while our eyes wander to a screen, our ears to the news, our hearts to worry. We lose focus and think it’s you who has left.
Life here lately has been incredibly distracting. Lent has felt like a litany of “to-do’s” that never quite reaches the end, and I’ve been coping by leaning into distractions instead of more prayer. I tend to do this when I feel overwhelmed and just want a break from it all.
So while sweeping recently, these gentle words settled into my soul.
“You don’t have to do this alone”
You see when life gets hard I buckle down and forget to ask for help. I become focused on succeeding, and doing. I don’t like to ask for help really, because it’s too vulnerable, and in the past it has backfired.
Yet somewhere between the dust pan and the broom God reached my weary heart, reminding me He hasn’t left. That He is present in all the little things of my day, and He is patiently waiting for me to fall into His arms - to rest in His Strength and Love.
It is I who has walked away - again. Certain I am strong enough this time. Just a little ways away, but no matter the distance He beckons us back.
Each time.
Reminding us that if we only turn to Him and fall deeply into His Love, rest in the strength of His arm - He is there ready to catch us.
To help us with our unbelief.
Discussion Questions
This section is a starting off point to help you go deeper with topics discussed above.
The prayer “Lord I believe, help my unbelief” comes from Mark 9:24. This prayer is cried out by a desperate father asking Jesus to heal his son. Jesus tells this father that anything is possible to him who believes. How often have you doubted this truth in your life? How do you struggle to believe completely in the Lord?
Every Lent I have the best conversations with friends who tell me they are struggling, not because of what they chose to fast from during Lent, but because of what God chose for them. What has God placed in your life this Lent that has you struggling? Are you willing to cry out to the Lord, and ask Him to help you?
Quote of the Week
“Lent is the Autumn of the spiritual life, during which we gather fruit to keep us going the rest of the year.”
St. Francis de Sales
If you could instantly master one skill what would it be?
I was 100% behind cooking like a pro so I was shocked that speaking another language tied! I speak very broken French at this point in my life so that was a no for me personally. I enjoyed seeing this break down from you all, and I’ll be curious what your thoughts are for next week!
You find next week’s poll here.
Welcome! I’m Mandy - a wife, writer, speaker, and mother to 3 kids. I spend my days navigating homeschool, writing, and the medical needs of my special needs son. Together in this space we will explore the incredible truth, beauty, and goodness of our Catholic faith lived in everyday life. I invite you to join me, as we dive into the mundane moments and find God.
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Thank you for sharing! Excellent read!