• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Prayer Wine Chocolate

a spiritual journey to motherhood & beyond

  • Home
  • Wine and Chocolate
  • Faith
  • CSMI
  • Adoption
  • Life
  • Prayer Journaling
  • Resources
  • About
  • Contact
  • Be Yourself!: A Journal for Catholic Girls
  • Donate a Be Yourself Journal
  • Catholic Coloring Pages
  • Shop

Mar 26, 2019
Catholic Influencers· Faith

Dear Beautiful Mom, Lent is a Love Letter from God

This post contains affiliate links.  Please see my About Me page for more details.

The more I think about it, the more I wonder if Lent is actually a love letter from God.

The gifts Lent can bring are

the dedicated time to sit and connect with Our Lord;

the discovery (or re-discovery) of our true identity;

and the reminder that all life is valuable – including your own!

The gifts of prayer and fasting:

God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer.

Mother Teresa (Saint Teresa of Calcutta)

We as a culture, (in my opinion) are more uncomfortable with silence than any civilization in history.

There is a discomfort that occurs when we sit in silence. Seeing someone out in public who is alone and NOT looking at a phone has become a rarity.

We may not hear music or voices, but those images and words on the screen are creating noise in our minds.  That noise creates less of an opportunity to hear God.

This video is a MUST WATCH: Phone addiction

This video addresses topics like:

Giving children access to phones and social media at young ages is not good for them.  They are not ready for it.

How we as adults wait for meetings to begin and handle all sorts of “in-between” times.  Then he states, relationships are built during “in between” time.

I’m going to take his observation a step further and ask:

How can we build a relationship with Our Lord if we never put ourselves in His Presence.  God speaks in the silence.

Lent is the perfect time to find a Eucharistic Adoration chapel and visit it.

If you have a child that is a tween or teen – BRING HIM OR HER WITH YOU.

Help them find God’s voice and personal comfort with silence.  Help them fast from their phones and social media.

Give yourself this gift of silence and Our Lord’s company to yourself as well.

It may help to bring a prayer journal along.  If you have a tween daughter, give her the Be Yourself Journal and some gel pens.  Escape into the silence with messages from the Saints and Sacred Scripture.

Through Prayer and Fasting we can and should:

Retreat from the world.  Recharge our spirit.  Reconnect with Our Loving Father and Savior.

I can hear him saying this to you Momma!

Retreat from the noise of this world.

Let me re-charge your spirit

Come, spend time with Me

This time of prayer and fasting from the noise of the world gives us the chance to re-affirm and re-discover our identity.

We are in need of a simple reminder – Our identity is found in Christ. 

We are not just a mom, an athlete, a writer, a spouse, a friend, a daughter or son – we are the child of God.

Journal for tweens and teens

Our culture is in an identity crisis.

Let me share a personal story:

Around Christmas I went to Target in my search of “footy pajamas” for my son.  He had finally grown out of the 5T size – but was still wearing his favorite pajamas which clearly no longer fit him.  He is my oldest, so for the first time ever, I was shopping, as a mom, out of the toddler and baby section.

As I searched for where children’s pajamas would be – I looked at the signs above each section of the store.  I was looking for the boys section.  There was no sign that said boys.  No sign that said Girls 7-12.  There were several signs that simply said “Kids”.

You know what that meant – it took me twice as long to find out they did not have what I was looking for.

So, Target near Philly, you no longer have “boys” and “girls” sections?  Now it’s all “kids”.

That’s not helpful!

The Target closer to farmland still differentiates the two. I will shop there..

Sorry, end rant.

Our identity is rooted in God.  We are made in His image and likeness.  We were created male and female.  That doesn’t mean one is better than the other.  But it is a part of our identity.

 

“God created man in his own image. . . . male and female he created them. And God blessed them, saying: “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it.”

(Gn 1:2

We often get wrapped up in our role as wife, mother – our children get wrapped up in being students, athletes, actors, musicians.

Who we are is so much more than those labels. We are a child of God. 

I hear God saying – “Be that.”

The Gift of Almsgiving

According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:

During Lent, we are asked to focus more intently on “almsgiving,” which means donating money or goods to the poor and performing other acts of charity.  As one of the three pillars of Lenten practice, almsgiving is “a witness to fraternal charity” and  “a work of justice pleasing to God.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2462).

Almsgiving is a reminder to love, value and appreciate all human life. It’s like the Lord is whispering, “Stop being Martha, be Mary!”

Almsgiving gives us the gift of sight.  Through this gift we can see that all of life has value.

The life of the poor, the unborn, the life of the elderly, the life of the sick and the life of the disabled are all beautiful life in the eyes of God and should be in our eyes as well.

As I write this there are 7 states that now allow terminally ill patients to end their lives.  In less than a week, New Jersey will bump that number up to 8.

More and more often I hear of women receiving poor pre-natal diagnosis for their unborn child, paired with the discussion of termination.

Someone with a disability has no less value in the eyes of God than someone born perfectly healthy.

I’ve recently become familiar with a ministry that is run by a man named John.  John has a mild form of cerebral palsy.  As founder of the Lego Church Project, John uses his interests and talents to show that even if someone has a disability, God still uses them to fulfill His holy will!

This is a ministry of mine where I show that even if you have a disability or other challenges that God can still use your talents. I have a mild form of cerebral palsy. I am showing the love and compassion that God shows me daily. 

As I got to know a little bit about this ministry, I couldn’t help but think – this is a GREAT opportunity to give a young man (or young lady) who may have outgrown his Legos.  He (or she) can donate the Legos that are no longer being used, and become aware of a person who has a disability but still thanks the Lord for his love and compassion daily!

To donate and find out more about the Lego Church Project, click here: Lego Church Project

Lent is a great reminder to not only give to others financially, but give of ourselves.  Almsgiving also involves performing acts of charity.

Very recently I was given a book to review titled:

67 Ways to Do the Works of Mercy with Your Kids

As I paged through it, I found myself being reminded again to call Winnie.  Winnie is a dear friend whom I met through being a Eucharistic Minister.  Her husband has become homebound because of the onset of alzheimer’s disease.  He served in WWII.  They are both over 90 years old.  They never had children.

So I called her and not only did I talk to her, but so did my 6 year old.

Paying them a visit is on the list too.

I’ve just begun to page through this book – I recommend you get a copy too.

We find ourselves so busy within our 4 walls and on our to-do lists that we often forget life is about so much more.

I feel like Lent has a way of letting us hear God say,

” I know you’re busy, but can we spend some time together?”

I find myself responding,

“I’m so sorry God.  I’ve been neglecting You.  Thank you for not leaving me and reminding me to come to You”.

What is God saying to you during this Lenten season? What is in your “Lenten Love Letter”?

 


 

Free Prayer Print! Click here!
Share122
Tweet
Pin5
Share
127 Shares
Previous Post: « Selective Lenting: I’m Guilty, Are You?
Next Post: Catholic Candy Free Easter Baskets »

Primary Sidebar

       

Amy is the Co-Founder of CatholicsOnline.net

10 Free resources

10 Free resources

10 free resources for subscribers!

10 free resources for subscribers!

GUIDE: How to Plan your Own Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat

Be Yourself! Journal

Journal for tweens and teens

prayerwinechocolate

This is not a joke, I actually do this. I have a h This is not a joke, I actually do this.
I have a hard time answering God’s call to “be still@. Coloring as a way to slow down is such a great way for me to relax and meditate.
Plus, the feeling of nostalgia that I feel when color brings an added joy to my time with Jesus ❤️
Grab this coloring page and 19 more… link in my bio!
They’re an instant download!
#Catholic #prayerjournal #catholiccoloringpages #adultcoloring #bestillandknow #EucharisticAdoration #CatholicsOnline #Catholicspeaker #SacredHeartofJesus #catholicinfluencers #CatholicsOnline
Let’s talk about Catholic gifts for men… My h Let’s talk about Catholic gifts for men…

My husband’s birthday was on Monday, and I was so excited to give him this book from Voyage Comics!

The truth is, him and I are both fans of this small Catholic business.

Our son loves their comic books too!

Catholic gifts for women often seem plentiful… but when it comes to men, well … shopping for them can be more of a challenge.

I love how the men over at Voyage Comics create extremely incredible content and works of art that entertain without compromising virtue.
I love that I can say to my son and other young people, “look, you can enjoy your work and give glory to God at the same time”!

If you want to give an inspiring gift for Father’s Day… and make your husband or dad smile that this handsome guy… definitely go shopping at Voyage Comics!
(Link in bio ~ Catholic Comic books)

In full disclosure, I was given some products in exchange for my honest review. Honestly… 5 STARS!
As an associate of Voyage Comics, I earn on qualifying purchases.
#Comicbooks #Catholicman #catholicgentleman #Catholicdad #bigbangtheory #thechristbearer #VoyageComics #CatholicSaint #Catholicgeeks #catholictheology #theology
Thank you God, for so many answered prayers and bl Thank you God, for so many answered prayers and blessings!
#Momlife #Catholiclife #Churchhistory #Catholichistory #Catholicart #Artmuseum #Rockysteps #Catholicmom #Catholiclife
Friends!!! Please join me in welcoming Katie home! Friends!!! Please join me in welcoming Katie home! Katie fully entered the Catholic Church on Sunday!

Katie was raised by wonderful Christian parents in the New Apostolic Church and I honestly want to really get her to share her conversion story.
Until then
I will say this… 

never hesitate to invite someone to pray the Rosary with you!

Katie embraced the Rosary as a Christian 
and funny story… I remember her holding it once and saying “I’m not converting “ as her Catholic husband walked by us 😂 

Truth be told, Katie has helped me pull off every single Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat since the very beginning!

Watching her research and completing dive into the Word with her whole heart has been a beautiful, inspiring sight.

And quite frankly, between her and Mark Wahlburg… I think I hear about the Hallow app at least 3 times a day 😆.
Seriously @hallowapp , you should hire her 😉😜!
Welcome Katie and drop a hug emoji below!!!
Love you Katie @craftymom714 !!!!
#Catholicconvert #RCIA #Catholicfaith #Bibleinayear #stayprayedup
How can we love our identity and still be humble? How can we love our identity and still be humble?

Does that sound like a good title for a talk?

I’m working on a “Talk” on Identity (or a blog post if I chicken out 🐓)… and I’m really liking the topic of humility… along with modesty.
My plan was to post this morning and ask for your prayers… but along the way I saw that today is Saint Philip Neri’s feast day.
So, naturally, I googled “Saint Philip Neri humility”.
To my delight, I found this quote:

“Humility is the safeguard of chastity. In the matter of purity, there is no greater danger than not fearing the danger. 

For my part, when I find a man secure of himself and without fear, I give him up for lost. I am less alarmed for one who is tempted and who resists by avoiding the occasions, than for one who is not tempted and is not careful to avoid occasions. When a person puts himself in an occasion, saying, I shall not fall, it is an almost infallible sign that he will fall, and with great injury to his soul.”

I feel like some great message is coming together here, but, I need your prayers.

I mean, I don’t even know if posting about humility on Instagram is like, a total oxymoron?

I’m so thankful to have Scripture and the writing of Saints to help me. I’m also extremely grateful for your prayers.

May we both live as it is written in 1 Peter 5:5 ~
“And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for:
“God opposes the proud
but bestows favor on the humble.”
* if you like that Saint Philip Neri quote, you can see and share it over at @catholicsonline 

Do you have any questions or thoughts on humility?
Let me know in the comments!

Photo taken by @nadiapittmanphoto 📸 

#Catholicspeaker #Catholicauthor #Scripturequote #SacredScripture #humility #Saintquotes #Chastity #virtuouswoman #Catholics #InstaCatholic
Moms, have you ever heard someone say, “You’ve Moms, have you ever heard someone say, “You’ve got your hands full!”?

I have … and it’s usually very true!

I’m so excited to share this new belt bag from Be a Heart (@beaheartdesign )with you!

I chaperoned a field trip today and it made my whole experience more pleasant than if I brought a pocketbook or handbag!

I’m hoping to enjoy lots of adventures with my children this summer, so this will be such an incredible blessing!

I LOVE the Marian blue lining and it truly is lightweight and comfortable!
Use coupon code PRAYERWINECHOCOLATE when you shop at Be A Heart and you’ll save 10% off!

Link in bio!
In full disclosure, Be a Heart sent me this bag in exchange for my honest review… and I honestly love it!
📸 by @nadiapittmanphoto 
#CatholicMom #Catholicmother #Middleschoolmom #Tweenmom #Momlife #classicaleducation #Catholicmomma #Catholicwoman #Catholicshop #catholicyouthministry
Do our sons understand what it means to be a “sp Do our sons understand what it means to be a “spiritual warrior “? Do we?

I learned and relearned a ton of things writing Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Boys.

Here’s what we all need to know about being a “Spiritual Warrior “:

1. Yes, there is a battle between good and evil and we are all in the midst of it. Years ago, in cartoons, it was common to see a devil on one shoulder and an Angel on another. It was CLEAR which voice was good and which was evil. The animation gave us a visual of what we were very familiar with.  Today, we must work a little harder so that all of us are detecting what is good and what is evil.

2. You don’t walk out onto a battlefield unprepared.
You put on your suit of armor and you bring your weapon. You do this FIRST! Faith is our shield, prayer is our greatest weapon. In other words, God has to be number one if we want to truly protect our soul. Knowing God has to be not only a priority, but our first priority.

3. We are not alone, but not everyone is going to grow in virtue. The virtues are our “armor of light” that protect us from the enemy. We would be wise to follow the advice of St. Francis de Sales in this, “Love everyone with a strenuous love based on charity, but form friendships only with those who can share virtuous things with you.”
Want to help your son on the battlefield?
Get him a copy of this journal today!
Link in bio!
#spiritualwarfare #Catholicmom #Catholic
I did this in one take… and you can totally tell I did this in one take… and you can totally tell, I know.
FYI I saw this movie the theater and there were real nuns there 😂 
I seriously don’t know what hashtags are appropriate for this…
My son has 2 Be Yourself Journals… I asked him t My son has 2 Be Yourself Journals…
I asked him to show me his favorite page and he chose the “mad libs like” activity 😆.

Anyone who purchases 2 copies of Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Boys from me this weekend will get the Bible Study for Boys (7 lesson plans) for FREE!!!
Tag your friends that are youth ministers, ccd teachers, DRE’s, catechists and Catholic school teachers!

You could even use it for a VBS program for older kids!

I believe we need the be excited about our faith… especially when we present it to young people!

Our faith is FASCINATING! It’s EXCITING!
It’s anything BUT boring!

Let’s do this!!!

#Catholic #religiouseducation #Catholicyouth #metacatholic #DRE #Catholicdre #Catholicparish #Catholiclink #bustedhalo #Catholicsonline #bibleinayear #Catholictween #catechism #Catholicpriest #spiritualwarfare #Theology #theologyofthebody #babiesanddreams
Prayer of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus O Jesu Prayer of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus

O Jesus, I pray for your faithful and fervent priests;
for your unfaithful and tepid priests;
for your priests laboring at home or abroad in distant mission fields;
for your tempted priests;
for your lonely and desolate priests;
for your young priests;
for your dying priests;
for the souls of your priests in purgatory.

But above all, I recommend to you the priests dearest to me:
the priest who baptized me;
the priests who absolved me from my sins;
the priests at whose Masses I assisted and who gave me your Body and Blood in Holy Communion;
the priests who taught and instructed me;
all the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way (especially …).

O Jesus, keep them all close to your heart,
and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity.
Amen.
#Catholicprayers #CatholicSaints #prayforpriests #Catholic #praymore #audienceofone #prayer #prayerjournal #instainspiration
I dare you to comment below 3 to 5 things you are I dare you to comment below 3 to 5 things you are thanking God for today!!!
#answeredprayers #cultivategratitude #Catholicmom #Catholicsonline #Instamom #MomsofInstagram #CatholicChristian
I have a super sweet story to share with you! Las I have a super sweet story to share with you!

Last evening my husband and I decided that we were long overdue for praying a Rosary with the family.

We have friends searching for jobs that have asked us to pray and many others intentions.

Our kids were outside playing with a little girl who lives up the road.

I walked outside with a bunch of tangled up Rosaries (see reel I made yesterday) and told my 3 children they had to come in to pray the Rosary.

My daughter, who made this Rosary for me, asked if their friend could pray with us.

I said she was, of course, welcome to pray with us!

All 4 kids came inside and my son volunteered to lead the first decade. Our 9 year old guest led a decade too!

She stumbled a little with the words to the Hail Mary but by the end of her decade, I was so impressed.

Once we were done praying my husband complimented our young guest on how well she did.
It was such a beautiful, unexpected event.
What a great reminder… courtesy of my daughter in Kindergarten… to always invite others to pray with you!
#praywithothers #TheRosary #manyhailmarysatatime #HolyRosary #praytherosary #familyrosary #Catholickids #Praymore
Some people want to start prayer journaling, but t Some people want to start prayer journaling, but that first page intimidates them.
Here’s a way to start that it totally stress free!
#prayerjournal #prayerjournaling #Catholic #Catholicreels #JesusItrustinYou
We haven’t even started yet and there’s an iss We haven’t even started yet and there’s an issue 😂 🪢 
#familyrosary #prayingmama #signofthecross #Catholicreels
“I don’t even remember that”~ my Mom. When I “I don’t even remember that”~ my Mom.
When I told my mom how she inspired the title of the Be Yourself Journal, that was her response 😂.
As a tired Mama, I so appreciate this now.
It’s amazing what God’s grace and a mother’s love can do!
My mom felt bad that I felt left out. But, she was also tired and was probably in survival mode with 3 or 4 children at that point.
I get that now.
But God took what my mom didn’t say and placed in my heart the contents of the book I get to the author of!
I am finding so much relief in this realization today.
I often see my shortcomings as a Mother.
I’m tired.
I’m still disorganized like I was before motherhood.
But I do have faith in God and love for my children.
I believe that God knew exactly what He was doing when He chose me to be the mother of my children.
He knows my strengths and weaknesses.
His grace is sufficient… for all mothers.
Praise the Lord!
Happy Mother’s Day!

Share this post and remind others that it’s totally okay to not be perfect.
Keep loving!
#Catholic #Catholicmom #holy #faithful #babiesanddreams #mothersday
Did you know Our Lady of Fatima taught the three y Did you know Our Lady of Fatima taught the three young children a couple of prayers?

The Blessed Mother taught the children to offer all their personal sacrifices to God by praying:
O My Jesus, I offer this for love of Thee, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Another prayer Our Lady taught the children was:

O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.

I love how Our Blessed Mother encourages to us to start a prayer by addressing the Lord with these words:
“O my Jesus…”
One of my favorite prayers was taught to the Fatima children by an angel.
This is that prayer:

My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love Thee! I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love Thee.

Today, May 13th, is the feast of Our Lady of Fatima.
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!

#Catholicprayer #prayerjournal #Catholicprayers #Catholic #prayerjournalprompts #OurLadyofFatima #Catholicwoman #Catholicwife #Catholicmom
Sometimes, when I go to Mass, the homily isn’t e Sometimes, when I go to Mass, the homily isn’t exactly stellar…

But bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Sometimes, when I attend Mass, the other people in the pews don’t participate in the prayers or sing the hymns…

But bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instrumentality of the priest. The whole Christ is truly present.

Sometimes, when I’m at Mass my own mind wanders and I’m distracted by children who can’t sit still…

But bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

An incredible miracle happens at every Catholic Mass… 

The whole Christ is truly present -- body, blood, soul, and divinity -- under the appearances of bread and wine, the glorified Christ who rose from the dead. This is what the Church means when she speaks of the "Real Presence" of Christ in the Eucharist.

The Eucharist is the body of Jesus Christ, which was given up for me and you.

#RealPresence #Eucharisticrevival #EucharisticAdoration #CatholicInspiration #Catholicchurch #HolyEucharist #HolyCommunion #Catholicblog #prayerjournal
There is not one person out there that understands There is not one person out there that understands ALL THE THINGS. This is another reason why it is so important to network with others.
We can help one another. All for the sake of His Kingdom.
#catholicinfluencer #christianinfluencer #PadrePio #CatholicsOnline #influencerlife #newevangelization #Catholicblog #Catholicbusiness #catholicmarketing #catholicreels
Long before “influencer” was a common term or Long before “influencer” was a common term or familiar word in our vocabulary, our actions and example made a difference in the lives of others.

Sometimes… perhaps more often than not, our choices impact the decisions of other people without us even realizing it.

When I was a teen, I ran cross country and track.

To my surprise, I was … not terrible at it.

I realized, through this sport, that God had not completely skipped me when giving out talents.

But, I questioned God.
Why give anyone the talent to run long distance?

How on earth could that talent be helpful to anyone?

I was young and the truth is… wisdom does come with age.
There was a ton of personal fruit that came to me from running.
But to my surprise… my example to continue running, even though I often thought it was a “stupid talent” didn’t just impact me.

For years I kept running because my Catholic education taught me that if God gave me a talent, it was my job to use that talent.

So even though I 💯 % thought it was the dumbest talent ever… I kept using it.

Years later my brother shared how my example led to him giving running as a sport a try.

He’s much more talented than me.

And I am still in shock that my actions grabbed his attention.

I strongly believe young people need to hear stories like this.
Blind faith and trust in God is not a waste of time.

I wrote more about this in Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Boys.
My brother, who really is a GOOD SPORT, allowed me to take his picture with the book that shares a part of this big story.
It was all in God’s plan.
Thank you Brian for sharing that story!!!

If you teach children or teens to trust God, even when they don’t quite understand why… comment and share below!
#TrustintheLord #havefaith #CatholicRunner #SacredScripture #ChristianRunner #Catholicschool #audienceofone
Stop scrolling… we need to talk. Yes… you! Do Stop scrolling… we need to talk.
Yes… you!

Do you have a Bible?
Who gave it to you?
What year was that?

I realized very recently that the only reason why my husband and I have a Bible is because his Aunt, who happens to be a nun, gave us one as a wedding gift.

I had a Bible before I got married.
I had it because I went to a Catholic high school and it was a required book for our religion classes.

So as I was thinking about this … I started to wonder…
How many Catholics don’t have Bibles???

I ask you to consider giving a loved one a Bible the next time you’re thinking about giving a gift.
There’s a rumor going around that Catholics don’t read the Bible very much…
Let’s make sure that’s not true.
This Bible is the one used by @fathermikeschmitz for The Bible in a Year podcast.

I was given a copy in exchange for promotion. I don’t think there has ever been anything easier to promote!

On a side note… my very good non-Catholic friend is becoming Catholic this month and this Bible and that podcast have a lot to do with that.

So friends… go spend some time with Jesus. Read your Bible and give someone you love a Bible too.

#SacredScripture #girlreadyourbible #BibleinaYear #Ascension #Catholicgift #Catholicblog #Catholics #Catholicsonline #catholicpodcast #CatholicsofInstagram
Load More Follow on Instagram

Footer

       
a spiritual journey to motherhood & beyond

Copyright © 2023 · Cultivate Theme theme by Restored 316