This article contains affiliate links.  Please see more information on my “About Me” page for details.

Let’s take a moment to refresh our souls this week, month and year.

As I ask myself, “how can I “rejuvenate my prayer life” this year while twin toddlers are crawling on me

and my six year old still needs to learn how to tie his shoes . . .

I’ve come up with ways that can work in my busy life without requiring any drastic changes.

1. First, recognize that God is “among the pots and pans”.

The quote:

God walks among the pots and pans”

is attributed to St. Teresa of Avila.

I’m so glad I came across those words of wisdom – probably while scrolling through Facebook or Instagram.  What a beautiful reminder to stop, take a breath and know that even in mundane tasks, we are serving the Lord and loving our families.  Just recognizing and thinking about that truth refreshes and relieves me.  I hope it does the same for you.

2. Take comfort that a prayer is the “leap from your heart”.  Prayers can be short but powerful!

If you would like 11 Quick, but Powerful, Prayers, subscribe to prayerwinechocolate.com and enjoy a free printable.  The short prayers are typed and spaced in a way that you can simply cut out the prayers and put them on your mirror, in your car, in a lunch box and other places that will remind you to pray while you rush from here to there.

3. Add an additional prayer to your daily routine

Do you say “Grace Before Meals”?  Do you pray before you go to sleep at night?

Even though I am in constant survival mode, I pray three prayers consistently every day.

Grace Before Meals, A Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Spiritual Adoption Prayer.

I am a hot mess, so if I can do this – so can you!

You can get a free printable of all three of these prayers for free, from me!  (Click here for free prayer printables!) I feel compelled to grow in faith with you.  One of these printables was created by the very talented Meg Florkowski and the other is a more simpler document created by me.  Both are for you as a thank you for subscribing to the prayer wine chocolate newsletter!

4. Go to Eucharistic Adoration

Okay, the first two were fairly easy.  This one requires us to make a bigger move.

I’m not sure when or how I will get to Adoration this week – but I’m determined to try and think of times I can make it happen.  It’s been on my heart lately and I recently read an article that made me think about a post I wrote awhile back – Five Presents You Can Open in His Presence.

The article, titled “Why Adoration is Essential for the Soul and Body”,

sites and stresses how Adoration isn’t just good for our soul, but our physical health as well:

according to a study by Dr. Herbert Benson of the Harvard Medical School, people who pray enter a “relaxation response”. The body’s metabolism decreases, the heart rate slows, blood pressure goes down, and our breath becomes calmer and more regular. Our body responds to the state of our soul in the presence of God.

We’re so used to doing. When we’re with him in his presence, we need only be. He simply asks us to just exist before him. We don’t have to pray a certain way. We don’t have to say the right, holy thing. We just need to be, and he will take care of the rest. Are you in need of that rest?”

Read the whole article here: Why Adoration is Essential for the Soul and Body

I know you’re busy.  I know I’m busy.  But, I know I need to be the best version of myself.  Adoration – and certainly spending time with Our Lord – helps us to be the best version of ourselves.

Adoration can be a place we pray by sitting in silence.  It can be a place where we bring a prayer journal.  It can even be a place you bring your colored pencils and an inspirational coloring page.  So much healing, growing and renewal can happen in that little chapel. Let’s go – whether it’s for 10 minutes or an hour, let’s just do it.

And yes, you can go with children!  Check out this amazing article from Sara over at ToJesusSincerely! Why (And How) to Bring Your Kids to Adoration

5.  Embrace the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist

I still don’t want to go to confession.

But, at the same time, I do want to go.  I look at it like a “grace vitamin”.  Sure, I am not perfect and have sins to confess – but I always remember my mom telling me, “the Pope goes every day”.  I don’t know if the Pope really went to confession every day – but, I still recall my Mom telling me that.  I remember thinking, well he’s not sinning that much and he’s still going frequently.

Since I have an aversion to it, thinking about how it is a way to receive God’s grace in a special way draws me to it.

The act of going is an act of humility.  The grace I receive is real and beautiful.  The way it makes me look at my relationship with Jesus is illuminative.

When I asked a close friend, “how can you “rejuvenate” his or her faith”? She responded Adoration.

I said, I already have that one – got another answer?

She said, “daily Mass”.

I thought, that’s a great answer.  So is simply:

“Go to Mass.”

I’m certain some people have falling out of the habit of going to Mass on Sundays and, we are creatures of habit.  If you are one of those people, I urge you to go to Mass this Sunday.  I encourage you to go to Confession first so that you can receive Jesus in the Eucharist.

Jesus truly thirsts for you in this way.  Trust Him.  He has a plan for you and our faith is rooted in His Real Presence in the Eucharist.

Every Gospel speaks of it.

He is the Bread of Life!

Let us all run to Him!

The post 5 Ways to Rejuvenate Your Faith This Year appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

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

Middle school is hard.
Questions about who you are, who you will become are natural thoughts and wonders.

Prayer becomes more personal.

Social life shifts from having playmates to developing authentic friendships.

The temptations to be popular and liked by all become intense.

When I wrote the Be Yourself Journal, I modeled it off an activity that I remember bringing me joy in a time in my life where there were many tears.

I made some pages that could be shared and discussed with others on purpose.

The Middle School girl is a social being.  Her world revolves around friends.  This social tendency can be a great motivator – and is not always a bad thing.

The Be Yourself Journal embraces and celebrates the natural inclination for middle school girls to seek group membership and explore and discover talents and interests outside the family and in a larger community.

I want teen and tween girls to pick up the Be Yourself Journal and use it when they feel lonely, down and worried.  But, I’m not naive.  I know they may need a jump start.  Using the journal in a group setting is the perfect way to help a girl develop ownership and pride of herself and this book.

• YOU CAN VIEW THE ENTIRE JOURNAL HERE: YOUTUBE VIDEO OF BE YOURSELF JOURNAL

The following activities in the Be Yourself Journal are great for the group setting:

The Back Cover:

This is meant to be a fun scrapbook activity.  Girls are encouraged to design the cover that reflects her as an individual.  Photos, quotes they love, a saint that inspires them as well as interests and activities they are involved in can be displayed in a way a mother would describe her child’s life in a scrapbook.  Cute, artsy, fun and social – a way each girl can express her uniqueness in a supportive group setting. (I love that the Be Yourself Journal provides a Christian alternative to a  “smashbook birthday party )

The ideal Be Yourself Journal Kit includes lots of supplies for this activity:

A calligraphy pen set (these buttons inspiring quotes from Annunciation Design  can be written and glued to the back cover!)

Designer Paper Pad – 

Perfect for making the back page look awesome and also can be used on the collage page inside the book!

Inspirational stickers by Pink Salt Riot – great quotes and easy to use

A holy card – A St. Gianna holy card is included in this giveaway

Washi Tape – perfect for borders, frames and added dimensions

Scrapbooking Stickers

A zipper pouch to keep the holy cards, stickers and other supplies safe

You can also purchase a ton of cool “bible journaling supplies from DaySpring“!!!

Pages like “Would You Rather”, “Feeling at Peace”, “Time Out: Let’s Talk Favorites”, and “Let’s Talk Favorites (part 2)

All of these pages ask fun questions girls would enjoy doing in the group setting.  Tools that will make this extra fun are:

Pastel Saint and Bible Verse Pencils from The Little Catholic Box

Gel Pens

A pencil case with an inspiring quote: like this one from Pink Salt Riot

The Design Your Own Prayer Room Two Page Spread

Room design can be fun and sharing ideas with others can really be neat in this activity.  The girls might need some prompting, so try these to help:   

Chalkboard stickers

Assorted scrapbooking stickers that are tables, chairs, plants, furniture, etc.

Scrapbooking stickers that show interests: (dance, cheerleading, soccer, music, etc.)

Washi Tape for wallpaper

Plant and flower stickers

Christian Scrapbook Stickers

Jesus stickers, Faith stickers, and Prayer stickers

Need more inspiration?  Follow Catholics Online’s Prayer Room Board on Pinterest!

The 20 Inspirational Coloring Pages

Middle school girls LOVE inspiring quotes and this book is full of them!  You can even order all the coloring pages as an instant download (or get a few for free if you subscribe to prayer wine chocolate!!!) . Coloring is fun and relaxing and could be used during a youth group meeting or a religious education class!

Having these supplies available will make the girls excited to make a quote jump off the page!

Fine tip markers for outlining

Colored pencils (traditional)

Colored Pencils (water color)


SCROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO ENTER TO WIN!

And of course, we need a bag in which to keep the journal all of these supplies!

The winner of the giveaway will win this bag from Small Things Great Love :

I’m really hoping the young girl in your life grows to love the Lord and prayer journaling through using the Be Yourself Journal.

To help her continue her prayer life through journaling, Monica from Equipping Catholic Families has also decided to contribute to the giveaway with more journal prompts!

How will this journal and kit make middle school “easier” for a young girl?

• It will assure her that her feelings and stresses are normal, and provide ways to think and pray about those feelings and stresses.
• It will assure her that God has created her on purpose for a purpose – even when she doubts that fact.
• It will give her ways to relieve stress.
• It will help her navigate hurt feelings and forgiveness.
• It will provide realistic examples of how to do God’s will and be an instrument of His peace.
• If used in a group setting, it will provide a foundation that her faith can be supported in a community that values Christian principles and prayer.

ARE YOU A TEACHER OR YOUTH GROUP LEADER?  ARE YOU LOOKING FOR MORE IDEAS ON HOW TO USE THIS JOURNAL?  HERE ARE MORE IDEAS: Be Yourself Journal Parties for Girls!

Enter to win a prayer journal kit!!!

The kit you could win includes:

giveaway open to U.S. residents only because of shipping costs

A Be Yourself Journal

An Inspirational Catholic Button Set from Annunciation Designs

Pencils and a zipper pouch from The Little Catholic Box

A pencil case, circle evangelization stickers and a pocket mirror from Pink Salt Riot

A tote bag and Rosary from Small Things. Great Love.

Colored Pencils

Gel Pens

Washi Tape

Scrapbooking Stickers

A beautiful bracelet from MaryWithYou on Etsy

More prayer journal prompts from Arma Dei: Equipping Catholic Families

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post Making Middle School Easier: Be Yourself Journal Kit Essentials and Giveaway appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

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

Recently I came across an article titled, “How To Care for Your Cashmere” . . . And I thought immediately, why am I surprised that it is not soul?  I actually thought I was going to read “How to Care for Your Spiritual Self” or “Your Faith”.

I then thought that a “how to care for your soul” post should be written.  This was around the same time that Chris Pratt gave a speech that went viral – perhaps you saw it?

Chris Pratt video (“9 rules from Chris Pratt”acceptance speech)

Pratt gives a great speech. He combines his silly sense of humor with a very serious topic.  He said a lot, but here are some of the wise words he shared:

He stated,

“you have a soul, be careful with it”

“If you are strong, be a protector and if you are smart be a humble influencer . . .”

“reach out to someone in pain . . . it’s good for your soul.”

“God is real. God loves you. God wants the best for you. Believe that.  I do.”

“Learn to pray.  It’s easy and it is so good for your soul.”

“Nobody is perfect.”

“Grace is a gift . . . don’t take it for granted.”

So how can we “be careful with our soul”?

Here’s my advice.

How to Care for Your Soul

1. Acknowledge that you have one.

About a year ago, I wrote about the soul and how it used to be more acknowledged in our culture (Soul Searching).  I noticed in the movie Titanic

At one point in the film, after the ship hit the iceberg, there is a scene where the Captain realizes the fate of the boat.  He asks a fellow crew member how many people are on board. The officer replies, “2,200 souls on board, sir”.

His response really struck me.  He didn’t say passengers or people, he said souls. He referred to the people on board as souls.

 I thought, how rarely do I hear anyone refer to a person or people as souls. At least while they are living.

Using the term souls to describe a group of people is rare these days.  I personally love how Chris Pratt said so bluntly, “You have a soul, be careful with it.”

We are so publicly health conscious.  There are so many people out there advocating for exercise and eating healthy (I personally should be listening and taking their advice more) – but, when it comes to our souls, there does not seem to be a concern.

When we acknowledge that we have a soul, we can then make taking care of it a priority.

2. Pray.

Ask Our Lord to send you the wisdom and the courage to do His Will and to do whatever it is your soul needs you to do.  Pray alone and pray with others.

Go.to.church.on.Sunday!  If you are Catholic, participate in the Sacraments – especially the Most Blessed Sacrament!

As Catholics, we have a very concrete way of caring for our soul.  Receiving Holy Communion is the greatest way to take care of your soul.  This article, Holy Communion Nourishes Your Supernatural Life, from the Catholic Exchange is excellent.  In it, the author explains:

Holy Communion is a sign of nourishment; hence, it is meant to bring to the soul the graces of spiritual nourishment. Holy Communion is meant to do for the soul what material food does for the body, and that is to preserve life and protect it. Material food enables you to continue living and protects you from fatal disease; Holy Communion preserves the spiritual life of your soul and protects you from the spiritual disease of mortal sin.

The same article explains in much detail how “the soul needs grace and that the chief means of increasing grace are prayer and the sacraments.”

Jesus is the bread of life. Pray and feed your soul.

For your physical health, eat right and exercise.  For your soul, receive Holy Communion and pray.

The Holiness of the Blessed Sacrament is rooted in Scripture. It is Biblical.  Years ago when I was taking a theology class or researching the faith on my own, I read that when the Church Fathers picked out the books that would become the New Testament they had certain parameters that had to be met.  If a Gospel was to be a part of the New Testament, it had to have the teaching of the Holy Eucharist.  All 4 gospels speak of the importance of receiving the Eucharist.

Do you go through times when you just don’t want to pray?  Check out this post over at CatholicsOnline.net 9 Ways to Pray When You Just Don’t Want To (read it now or Pin it for later)!

3. Do Good.

I love how Chris Pratt, who is not a Catholic, says this.  We often debate with other Christians on the meaning of good works.  We know that good works alone does not get us to heaven.  But all Christians know that doing good works is great for the soul.

Fulton Sheen once stated:

“We lose our souls not only because we do evil things, but because we neglect to do good: the buried talent, the unmarked second mile, the passing by the wounded. How often in the Gospel condemnation follows because we do nothing.” Archbishop Fulton Sheen (Those Mysterious Priests)

What talent are you burying?

Who do you know is wounded?

What “second mile” could you run – what extra could you do that you neglect?

Answer those and act upon those answers.

It’s good for your soul.

Are you on Facebook?  I’d love you to join me for a “Holy Happy Hour”!  Last week I discussed this topic Holy Happy Hour on Facebook – Chris Pratt and Your Soul;

If you listen/watch, I apologize for the sound delay (it might be more enjoyable to listen).  I hope to post a video once a week and would love to hear what topics you’d like to discuss at “happy hour”!  Also, join our Facebook Group: Prayer Wine Chocolate: Sharing our thoughts, prayers and friendship!  The more the merrier!

Don’t forget to share this post on Facebook and to Pin it!  This helps so much!!!

Would you like some free coloring pages?  Subscribe to Prayer Wine Chocolate and receive 4 free coloring pages from the Be Yourself Journal!

The post How To Care for Your Soul (A Response to the Chris Pratt ‘9 Rules’ Speech) appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

This post contains affiliate links.  See more information on my About Me page.

I am soooooo happy the warmer weather is here,

but I am going to miss the structure the school year provides.

I’m looking forward to time on the beach, at my favorite park (it is so peaceful there), morning coffee out on the deck and time at Eucharistic Adoration.

Eucharistic Adoration has been on my mind and heart lately, and I am thinking a regular scheduled visit would be one way to put structure in our family’s summer vacation.

Five Presents You Can Open in His Presence is a blog post I wrote about Adoration

Not only do I see value in time away from a screen; I see value in time close to Our Lord.

As a mom of 3 young children ( my oldest is 5), I don’t get much down time.

And, I must admit, the smart phone culture has sucked me in.  I must confess, I look at my phone more than a healthy amount.

That distraction creates a lot of noise in our lives.

The problem I am facing, and maybe you and your family are facing too, is that I can not hear God if I do not hear silence.

The value of silence is so important.  This video, The Value of Silence (click to watch video), featuring Father Mike Schmitz is short and full of information and wisdom!

So, I want to be intentional and really enjoy my time with Jesus.

I started thinking about creating an Adoration Bag – or Prayer Bag and I got really excited!

A bag I can bring to Adoration and use to prayer journal, meditate, read – or possibly not open at all.

A bag I can bring out on the deck with me in the morning with my coffee.

A bag I can bring to the beach if I ever get there alone.

A bag I can bring to the park while I enjoy God’s creation.

My bag was made by RoseSewsbyJennifer check out her Etsy shop!

As part of my excitement about the idea of a prayer bag, I started to brainstorm: what I would put in my bag?

and what would be put in my husband or a teenager’s or even my 5 year old’s prayer bag.

This is what I came up with!

Here are my suggestions for what to put in your Adoration/Prayer bag!

Women:

A prayer journal

I actually love to use an old fashioned composition book (or as I call it a Marble Notebook)

Looking for a more guided journal?  Check out: 10 Best Journals for Busy Women

Inspirational coloring pages – here’s a free one from me if you subscribe to Prayer Wine Chocolate: Love is kind coloring page

Colored Pencils

A pen that writes nice

A book about faith (the ones on my summer reading list are):

The Rosary : The Prayer that Saved My Life by Immaculee Ilibagiza

The Other Side of Beauty by Leah Darrow

One Beautiful Dream by Jennifer Fulwiler

The bag: Tote Bags by RoseSewsbyJennifer

The idea of a “prayer bag is not just for women”!  Here are some suggestions for men, teens and children too!

Men:

A blank journal

A sketch book

Pen and pencils

Spiritual Readings

(A Manual for Spiritual Warfare;

The Catholic Hipster’s Guide)

Bible

A pocket Rosary

The Bag: Vanlison Crossbody Bag

Teen and Tween Boys:

A blank sketch book 

Boys, from my experience, do not enjoy writing as much as girls.  Encouraging a young man to sketch what he sees in the chapel will help him quiet his mind.

Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi first described this phenomenon as flow: a few moments in time when you are so completely absorbed by an activity that nothing else seems to matter.

Perhaps it won’t be a long moment, but some time to forget whatever might be stressing him out or worrying him . . . will go away.  The hope is in that moment of silence, He will hear God’s voice; or at least, walk away spiritually, mentally and emotionally refreshed.

Although I am still working on a boy’s version of Be Yourself; this book (Lectio Divina for Teens) may be a great tool for your son or God son this summer.

This prayer journal is all about learning to “read” God’s letter to you in the Scriptures, using an ancient prayer method known as lectio divina. In the pages of this journal, you’ll get a crash course in lectio divina, and then you’ll have a chance to practice it yourself.  The seven guided meditation sessions provide readers with the following pre-selected readings – some topics include “Depend on God”, True Friendship and “Seek the Lord”. The full text of each reading is provided right in the journal. In addition, the introduction walks readers through the process of lectio divina using Psalm 23, and a list of additional Scripture texts is provided in the back of the book so that readers can choose their own readings for the seven blank guided journal entries.

A Bible

A Battlebeads Rosary

The bag: CrossBody Bag

Teen and Tween Girls

The Be Yourself Journal

Full of prayer prompts and coloring pages galore.  Some content is light, some is more deep.  Depending on a her mood, she can choose what to do that hour.  I strongly believe the freedom to go anywhere in the book will make her prayer experience more fruitful.

Lots of gel pens and colored pencils.

Pictures, scrapbook supplies and stickers.  The Be Yourself Journal has a two page spread that encourage girls to design their own prayer room; the back of the journal is blank so that it can be personalized and there are quite a few pages that encourage pasting photographs.  For some, this may not be an “adoration activity”; for others, it may be a way that helps Adoration be a time of peace and creative prayer.

An illustrated faith kit and supplies from DaySpring.

I love this Canvas Tote bag from DaySpring and a cute pen and pencil pouch

You can also order a cute zipper pouch from RoseSewsbyJennifer – tell her what pattern you like and she will make a custom one for you!

A Bible

A Rosary Bracelet

The bag: Tote Bags by RoseSewsbyJennifer

I am still brainstorming for what I could put in my 5 year old (who is turning 6 this week!) bag.  Do you have any suggestions??? Please, share!

The post My Cute Summer Bag Is Not Just For the Beach appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

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

Not to long ago, Lindsay Trezza from Just Love Prints posed a question on Facebook.  She asked,

What advice would you give your middle school self? 

I thought, well, I wrote a whole book to answer that one.  But I thought, maybe I should seriously consider this question, shorten my answer from 100 pages … and give the world a peak into the Be Yourself Journal and the motivation behind it.

Being 11, 12, 13 and beyond is etched into my memory and heart in all sorts of ways.  It is and was and will always be a difficult age.  Some of us struggle more than others, but most of us do not realize how much our peers are experiencing the same growing pains.  We tend to learn years later how we had more in common with our peers than not.

But at the same time, there is a beautiful innocence at this age.  I remember the questions I had, the music and colors I was attracted to and the dreams I dreamt.  As a teacher, I truly enjoyed teaching 9th grade the best.  So much hope, purity and joy can be found in most children that age.  I have a special place for them in my heart.  The Be Yourself Journal is a gift to young girls that age.  A tool to help them see the joy and light in their own life and a manual to help them navigate their growing relationship with the Lord. Plus, there are lots of added elements that make it fun and enjoyable.

If I could speak to my middle school self, I would say:

I know you don’t think you are beautiful, but, you are beautiful.

How many times have you heard, “you look just like your mom”?  For some reason, you hate hearing it – because you don’t see it.  But the truth is, other people do see it.  And when you look at your mom, you see a beautiful woman.  You might be jealous that her teeth are straighter than yours, but please – minor detail.  You’ll get braces, chill with that.  Every woman sees flaws in themselves.  Happy women don’t focus on them. No matter how gorgeous a woman is, she loses her sight of that beauty when she begins to compare.  Models bring themselves down by comparison.  Not feeling pretty enough because of envying others will never bring joy and happiness.  Know that you are “wonderfully made” and radiate a beauty only you can radiate.

Be grateful for all the little things.

I know you wish for things and pray for things and don’t see the answers you long for, BUT -that breath you just took – that was a gift from God.  Thank Him for it. That beautiful Japanese Maple outside on your front lawn, thank God for it. When you’re walking to school and it’s not raining, that God for the nice weather and the time to just “be”.  Take those moments to truly thank God for His creation.  It doesn’t take much time to say, “Thank you God for ________”.  Give God that time and attention.  When you are grateful for the little things, joy becomes more common in life.  Breathe and thank God he gave you life. I know you think it could be better – but a grateful heart focuses on the good.  Gratitude will open the door for joy, peace and happiness.

The only thing you need to worry about is how much you are loving the people closest to you. 

You worry about a lot of things. Padre Pio, a great saint, stated simply, “Pray, hope, and don’t worry.”  The Lord wants you to love – and that simply means, be kind and patient.  Be kind and patient with your parents, your siblings, your teammates and your classmates.  Mother Teresa once said if we want to bring peace to the world, we should go home and love our families. Give compliments every day. Tell your mom what food you enjoyed at dinner and tell her she did a great job making it! Find something to praise in each of your family members daily. For now, that is your God given mission – to love the people He has placed around you. All the other things that worry you – tell Jesus in a simple prayer.  Say, “Dear Jesus I am upset and worried about ______” and then try your best to leave it in His hands.  It’s not easy, but do your best.  The Lord does not want you to occupy your mind with worries.

Speaking of loving your family, go color with your sister.

First of all, you have a sister – what a beautiful gift to be grateful for!  She is a love and she’s six – I bet she has a coloring book.  Ask her to color with you.  Spend time with her and spend time coloring.   Not only will you make your sister happy, you’ll learn to relax a little. Maybe.  Try not to abort mission when she asks you to play a board game you hate.  Remember, kind and patient – repeat that, “kind and patient”.

Don’t give up.

As your future self, I am happy to say, you do not need me to tell you this.  Your perseverance in continuing to play sports when it seemed like “it wasn’t your bag”, your constant dreaming of life getting better and the way you hold onto your faith enables you to flourish, excel and achieve great things.  You did this right.  Encourage others to do the same.

Be generous with forgiveness

People are going to hurt your feelings.  Some of those people are family members.  Others are the “popular” students in school and athletes and teammates.  Forgive them – even if they are not sorry.  There will be times in life when you won’t have to be forgiving someone new or for a new thing every single day.  Unfortunately, this time period of your life will make you feel like this is expected often.  It’s not fair, but it is what it is.  Forgiveness is not just your duty as  a Christian, it is also a gift that frees up space in your heart for more joy.  Grudges are heavy burdens- don’t carry them. Remember, Jesus forgave those who crucified Him . Ask Him for help when it is difficult. And be generous with forgiving yourself as well.

God made you on purpose and for a purpose.

You were created to fulfill a mission only you can fulfill.  Every time you trust the Lord – even when you don’t understand “why???” – you get closer to seeing it.  You have no idea right now how important, powerful and influential your example and witness to your faith is – it would blow your mind.  Trust me, your effort to do God’s will and be the best version of yourself is not in vain.

When thinking about your life and how to “be yourself” remember: everyone is called to holiness, but our roads look different. We do not all go by the same path.  We are called to love.  We are called to bring God’s peacefulness to the world.

Dream about your future with hope and keep your heart open.”

Taken from the Saint Spotlight page featuring Saint Katharine Drexel

 in the Be Yourself Journal

One day you will look back and see just how your blind obedience was the hand of God:

My Stupid Talent Was a Great Blessing

It’s okay to enjoy life!  Embrace imagination, creativity and the talent of others!

Right now you probably have a few favorite songs, a celebrity crush and some dreams and goals.  That is great!  As long as those things don’t lead you to sin, enjoy!  Smiling can be contagious, embrace the talent of others!  The people that write the songs you enjoy, the tv shows that make you laugh and the clothes that you’d love to wear are using the talents that God has given them – celebrate it with them.  There is more to life than that boy you want to have a crush on you.  There is way more to life than feeling popular.  Don’t let what you don’t have be a distraction to all that brings joy, peace and inspiration.

Need a letter for your daughter to read, consider Dear Beautiful Girl Trying to Find Herself

Not sure your daughter would journal, here’s some tips: How to Get Your Tech Loving Teen to Prayer Journal

Would you like to view the entire journal?  Check it out at Be Yourself: A Journal for Catholic Girls ( scroll down and watch the video at the bottom of the page).

Consider giving the Be Yourself Journal as an Easter gift!  Pair it with some fun and inspiring journal supplies.  These products from DaySpring are a perfect addition!

Illustrates Faith Journal Supplies from DaySpring

The post Dear Beautiful 13 Year Old Me . . . appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

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I have 9 month old twins, a five year old and for the past few days, my husband was sick.

I need a shower.  I need to clean my kitchen and the amount of laundry that needs to folded reminds me once again that we own way to many clothes.

I also am trying to work from home.

For me, prayer happens right in the midst of all the crazy.

Going to adoration regularly is on the list.

My list might be longer than Santa’s.  It’s intimidating and today it is not yet on paper – so it’s on my mind, and “write a list” is on the list.

Once Lent begins, my schedule will be a lot of the same.

Crazy, busy, chaotic.

In order to truly prepare for Easter, my soul needs to engage in more prayer and fasting.

In order to do that, I’m looking to others that have found the same challenges and have created

The Ultimate Lent Guide for Busy People!!

1. Pray while Parenting

Kirby Hoberg, who blogs at Under Thy Roof, suggests:

“Invest in some good children’s religious books”

Jessica, from Sweet Little Ones, suggest:

“Start small and make it fun!”

2. Find time to Pray the Rosary

Busyness doesn’t just cramp my prayer life, it intrudes on healthy habits, like exercising too.

Allison, from Reconciled to You, suggests we:

” . . .head outside to walk and pray.

 

A Rosary typically takes about 17 minutes to recite, most people aim to move 20 to 30 minutes a day – this equals (roughly) a rosary and a few extra laps. “

Going for a walk is already good for our bodies and our minds – adding prayer to the walk is an added bonus, and a wonderful idea. Added bonus, you can do it alone or pushing a stroller!

Monica from Equipping Catholic families reminds us:

There are also plenty of Audio Rosaries to listen to …or Catholic apps to keep track of the prayers so that you can focus on the actual prayer and reflection and leave the accounting to someone else.

Monica gives an extensive list in her article, “Reluctant to Regular Rosary Prayer”.  She includes CDs, Apps and links to digital downloads.

Here is a newer digital download to check out: The Kitchen Rosary

and a CD for your commute to work and to listen to at home: The Catholic Rosary

3. Remember that not all prayers are lengthy and time consuming!

Check out this post from earlier and print out 11 short prayers!
11 Quick, but Powerful, Prayers (free printable)

The Bloggers at Hail Marry  creatively recommend to incorporate prayer in daily actions, such as:

Pray while washing your hands.  By the end of the day, the time spent praying adds up!

Becky Roach from Catholic Link states:

There are certain moments in life when a short prayer is what we need to restore our focus on God and bring forth a sense of calm.”

Check out 15 Powerful Prayers You Can Say in Just 15 Seconds! when you are in those certain moments!!!

4. Follow Faith Based Social Media Accounts  for Reminders to Pray

For an entire directory of Faith on Social Media, check out Catholics Online: A Directory of Catholic Social Media Influencers

Want a short cut? Follow on Twitter – Catholics Online, Prayer Wine Chocolate on Instagram and Catholics Online on Facebook

Leslie, from Life in Every Limb, reminds us to stop and pray for others while on our smart phones:

the thing about Facebook is that you see daily the friend or acquaintance for whom you have promised to pray . . . I see regular updates which remind me to keep that person’s intention in my prayers”

5. Prayer Journal

How does Prayer Journaling fit into a busy person’s schedule you ask?

One of the best answers comes from Dianna Kennedy over at The Kennedy Adventures

I spend a lot of time in that particular workspace and on my computer, so it sort of made sense back in August 2012 when I started incorporating Evernote into my daily prayer routine.

More ideas for prayer journaling on a busy schedule: WHEN DO REAL WOMEN FIND TIME TO PRAYER JOURNAL?

DaySpring has AWESOME PRAYER JOURNALING PRODUCTS!

Kids can prayer journal too!  Have you checked out my first book Be Yourself: A Journal for Catholic Girls?  It’s available on Amazon with Prime shipping as well as right here!

5. Sign up to be somewhere with others

Many, hopefully most, parishes provide opportunities to pray and reflect with the community during Lent.  Sign up for something, make the commitment and remember, people are expecting you there!  Runners do this for accountability, surely we can use this tactic to light a fire under our bottoms too

Last year a group of women in our parish met at a home, discussed a book and enjoyed some snacks (of course wine and chocolate, of course)!!!

This year, a group of us will hopefully do the same!

Find out what your parish is offering and vow to do one thing.  Perhaps, host a Scripture study, Rosary night or faith sharing group yourself!

Looking for more help this Lent?  Here ya go!!

39 Ways to Keep Lent Holy (Without Giving Up Sweets)

40 Prayer Journal Prompts for Lent (Part 1)

40 Prayer Journal Prompts for Lent (Part 2)

&
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The post The Ultimate Lent Guide for Busy People appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

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As the priest explained how the magnificent statue he bought for our parish church cost about $50,000, my heart sunk.

All that money could have fed so many hungry people.  I probably shook my head – not being able to contain my disgust. I wondered, why?

Why did he buy that statue?  How did the other faithful Catholics sitting in the Church feel?  Were they as disgusted as me?  Were they confused?  Were they proud?

I wasn’t proud.  In that moment, I had questions.

I’ve been there.  I’ve questioned my faith.

I think most people do.

I kept going to Mass on Sundays – but I understood why others may have stopped.

This was a time in my life where I had no idea what road God wanted me to take.  I found the time to go to daily Mass at another local church.  My experience there was much more pleasant.

Father Shelly reminded me of my grandfather.  When Father Shelly preached, he just kept stressing with his words and his heart, how much God loved me.  He reminded all of us sitting in that small chapel (because not many go to daily Mass) that:

Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, what God has ready for those who love them.

I don’t know why you stopped going to Church.

I just feel compelled to tell you . . . God misses you so deeply.  He thirsts for your return.  And in a weird way, so do I.

I’ve heard it so many times . .. what’s the line?

“I think lightening will strike the church if I walk in it.” or

“The church will burst in flames if I walk in”.

Whether you are one to say these things or not, the truth is:

I tell you . . . there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

Jesus

Luke 15:7

When I first heard this I didn’t really understand it.  I probably thought of that poor brother in the the Prodigal Son story.

But now, I totally get it.

When a friend of mine returns to weekly Mass or the Sacraments or prayer . . . I feel joy in my heart.  There is a reunion of a lost friendship.

Think of a married couple who greets one another every day after work.  They give each other a kiss and ask how each other’s day was . . . it’s nice.

Now picture a soldier who has been deployed for a year . . . who finally sees his wife again.

Which picture gives you more joy?

But your situation is unique.

You have a personal reason why you stopped.  You have a list of why you don’t go back . . . but at the same time you are looking towards heaven and asking God questions.

You might be asking Him, “Why did you allow this?”

You might be asking Him, “What is Your will?”

His answer is the same.  He wants you to come to Him like a little child!

Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus

Matthew 18:3

The Kingdom of Heaven is a real place, yes.  But we also have a glimpse of that kingdom when we feel content and at peace right here and now.

Think of a 5 year old.

My 5 year old is happy to “do the dishes”.  He’s joyful because he doesn’t think like an adult.

A 5 year old does not care that your Aunt is a know it all, or that your cousin is a hypocrite, or your neighbor is a jerk.  The 5 year old just enjoys the moment.  If you aunt or cousin or neighbor tells a joke – the 5 year old laughs.  He’s not burdened with all the thoughts an adult is having about that person’s presence.

Some people don’t go to church because a lot of that parish or church community are a lot like that aunt, cousin and neighbor I just described.

A 5 year old wouldn’t let those people stop them from enjoying the presence of Jesus.

God wants you to be as happy as a 5 year old!

And if going to another parish or local church makes you that happy – or at least less uncomfortable – go there!

We live in a universal church.  As Catholics, we are lucky.  Our churches are found more often than many other Christian denominations.

Going to Mass at a local parish that makes you feel comfortable enough to talk to God is important.  Going to confession at a parish that makes you feel comfortable is important.

When my husband and I went house hunting, one of the things I loved about our home was it was in Father Shelly’s parish!  So eventually, that became my parish.

You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Pope Francis recently stated:

“‘There is an urgent need to see once again that faith is a light, for once the flame of faith dies out, all other lights begin to dim.’”

I share this with you, because holding onto my faith during dark times has allowed me to experience joy, peace and hope for the future.

I know I haven’t carried crosses as big or heavy as others.  I don’t know why God has allowed some people to carry certain crosses.

But I see some people carrying crosses with faith and hope . . . and they inspire me.

Lately, I have seen amazing blessings in my own life that I believe can only be explained through the power of prayer and faith.

I want you to see those graces in your life.

I, too, want you to be as happy as my 5 year old!

You may not see it happen overnight.

But how many things that our worth it, are easy?

Heaven is worth it.  The greatest love we can ever experience – the love of God – is worth it.

Come back.  There are many people like me that will be so happy to see you!

With sincere love and prayers,

Amy

The post Dear Beautiful Woman Who Stopped Going to Church appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

Catholic Social Media Influencers  are men and women who write, own businesses, create and inspire.  They love to hear from you, pray for you and celebrate the gift of life with you!  Please sign up for their newsletters, like them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram!

This article contains affiliate links.  We make a small percentage from any purchases you make.  Thank you for your support!

Samantha Stempky

I’m a wife and mom of one young son, and I have a “bleeding heart” for women and Catholicism. Have you ever heard people say they think Catholic teachings are anti-woman? I like to befriend them. I help women explore and understand their femininity and what the Church actually teaches about women, so they can be empowered to more freely and authentically be themselves and offer their feminine strengths to the world (the world is starving for it!) My day job working in finance in downtown Chicago fuels my passion to further advocate for mothers in the workplace and society generally.

Where can you be found on social media?

Website: FemCatholic.com

Facebook: @femcatholic

Instagram: @femcatholic

Twitter: @femcatholic

What type of wine is your favorite?

I love a good Rose wine! (“Three buck chuck” from Trader Joe’s is a fav… shhhh!)

What is your favorite chocolate?

All chocolate! Ok… if I have to pick – mint chocolate, like Andes Candies! I could honestly eat those for breakfast, lunch, dinner… gotta stay minty fresh, right? J

What is your favorite prayer and/or quote?

“Come to terms with Him to be at peace; in this shall good come to you.” – Job 22:21

On feminism:

Feminism isn’t about making women stronger. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.

— G.D. Anderson

What services do you provide?

I write freelance posts and speak (in person or podcast) – usually on feminism, catholic women’s issues, marriage, pro-life feminism and being a working mom. Rates are dependent on your specific needs.

Contact info

Femcatholic.com/contact-us or Facebook message me!

Chloe Langr

My name is Chloe Langr and I’m a Catholic stay-at-home wife and blogger. I love all things old fashioned (except you won’t find me ordering an old fashioned at the bar, since bitters aren’t my thing.) Jane Austen, hand written letters, and museum visits make me think I was born in the wrong era. But my pixie cut, frequent Dunkin’ Donut runs and addiction to social media give me an identity crisis. Maybe I’m more modern than I think!

I blog about modern and vintage topics over at my blog, Old Fashioned Girl. There you’ll find that I’m a bibliophile who loves a good book review. I also recently started a podcast called ‘Letters to Women – Exploring the Feminine Genius,’ where I get a chance to have heart-to-heart discussions with women about how they passionately live out the feminine genius in their own lives. You can find my writing on Aleteia, Epic Pew, and Project Illuminate as well!

Where can you be found on social media?

You can find me on my blog at oldfashionedgirlblog.com!

 Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/OldFashionedGirlBlog/

Instagram: chloe.langr

What type of wine is your favorite?

I’m new to wine drinking (usually I’m more of a stout beer drinker). But if I had to choose, I’d go with a pink moscato. You’ll also find me sipping’ on a ridiculous amount of vanilla lattes and cold brew coffees.

What is your favorite chocolate?

I’m a huge coffee addict so my favorite kind of chocolate is chocolate-covered espresso beans – especially when they’re covered in milk chocolate!

What is your favorite prayer and/or quote?

My favorite quote is Saint John Paul II’s

‘Be Not Afraid’

I first fell in love with the quote during college and now those words are engraved on my husband and I’s wedding rings. It is such a powerful reminder that God calls us out of fear and into His plan for our lives.

What services do you provide?

You can contact me for sponsored book and merchandise reviews, conference talks and speaking engagements, and podcast interview requests!

Contact info

The easiest way to get ahold of me is via e-mail: chloe.langr@gmail.com

Catholic Social Media Influencers: Volume 1

Catholic Social Media Influencers: Volume 2

Catholic Social Media Influencers: Volume 3

From California to London: Catholic Social Media Influencers, Volume 4 

Inspiring Ministries for Everyday Catholics: Catholic Social Media Influencers, Volume 5

The post Wise Women: Catholic Social Media Influencers Volume 8 appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

This post has affiliate links.  Please see my “About” Page for more details.

Catholic Social Media Influencers began as a Facebook group where Catholics who write, create, publish and simply inspire support one another.  You can now follow Catholic Social Media Influencers on Pinterest!  Follow here: Catholic Social Media Influencers

Annie Deddens

I’m a Catholic wife & writer — and I very much identify with being a producer. I used to work in broadcast journalism for years as a reporter & producer, and now I’m using those same skills to find some of the best Catholic reads out there about living an authentic Catholic life as a woman, and sharing those things on my blog. I also run a prayer ministry with my husband, called Pray More Novenas. We’ve been doing that for nearly six years (wow!), we’ve been married for almost five (I can’t believe it!), and it’s still just the two of us (for now), living in Dayton, Ohio, my husband’s hometown.

Where can you be found on social media?

On Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/catholicwifecatholiclife

On Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/catholicwifecatholiclife/

And on Pinterest here: https://www.pinterest.com/catholicwifecl/

What is your favorite prayer and/or quote?

This is constantly changing… Right now, it’s this from St. Francis de Sales:

The same everlasting Father

who cares for you today, will care for you tomorrow

and every day.

Either He will shield you from suffering

or give you unfailing strength to bear it.

Be at peace and then and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.”

And my current favorite prayer is the super short & simple, “Jesus, I trust in You.”

What services do you provide?

Through our prayer ministry, my blog and social media, I provide encouragement, particularly for women, to strive to lead a holy life — in our every day lives, doing the small & ordinary things.

I’m available to write for faith-based websites about marriage, our Faith, and the lives of the saints — and what we can learn from them. I’m also available to write sponsored posts. Please contact me for my rates!

Tell us what freelance opportunities you hope to provide:
Sponsored posts and writing faith-based content about marriage and the lives of the saints.

Contact info
E-mail: catholicwifecatholiclife@gmail.com

 Kirby Hoberg

I’m a Texan girl who just transplanted from the SF Bay Area to the Twin Cities. By day I am home with the kids, by night I dance ballet and act in theater productions.
I love coffee, Anthropology, Country music, and British television, plus I have the drinking taste of an old man. I’m a 2nd generation homeschooler, semi-crunchy mom, who can’t seem to run out of depths to delve in Catholicism.

Where can you be found on social media?

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/underthyroof/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/underthyroof/

What is your favorite prayer and/or quote?

New favorite quote:

“Take care of our body as if you were going to live forever; and take care of your soul as if you were going to die tomorrow.”

– St. Augustine.

The two things I see that moms are tempted to sacrifice are their physical care and prayer time. This quote calls me out when I feel like slipping in those areas!

What services do you provide?

On the Under Thy Roof blog, and on my social media, I seek to share about Catholic family life in our domestic home our big Church home. It has also turned into encouraging healthier attitudes about self-care for moms and women in general. As my motherhood has developed into a wider creative experience with theater and dance thrown into the mix, I hope to widen assumptions about what it means to be an at-home parent and what it means to be a young Catholic woman living in the world.
I am available to write for faith-based or motherhood websites, and do sponsored posts. Rates are available upon request.

I am currently on a maternity leave of sorts from theater and dance production until after this baby is born in late September, but I will be returning to the audition circuit in the Winter or Spring!

What is your contact info?

My blog can be found at www.underthyroof.blogspot.com and I can always be reached by email at underthyroof@gmail.com.

Pam Spano

I’m a convert to the Catholic faith.  Though my mother was raised Catholic and my father was Lutheran, neither of my parents practiced their faith and left it up to me to decide how I wanted to worship (or not worship at all).  It was difficult growing up like that.  God revealed himself to me over the years, but I didn’t know how to worship Him.  I attended many different kinds of churches, including the Catholic Church, but nothing was resonating with me during my childhood, teen years or up to my mid-twenties.

 

I met my husband on a blind date.  Neither of us was really interested in meeting the other, but we agreed to go out.  As we dated, I was intrigued by this man who still went to church every Sunday and actually followed his faith.  At one point, I sarcastically said to him, “I suppose if we were to get married, you would want me to convert?”  He thought for a moment, and said, “Well, I am worried about your soul.”  To this day his cousin claims that is the best pick-up line ever!

 

After 35 years of marriage and three children, I find myself writing a Catholic blog.  Our God is indeed a God of surprises!

Where can you be found on Social Media?

 

Facebook: Being Catholic. Really

Twitter: Pam Spano @CatholicReally

Favorite Prayer and/or quote:

In my early years as a convert, it was:

 1 Corinthians 2:9, 

       But as it is written:

“What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard,

and what has not entered the human heart,

what God has prepared for those who love him.

 

That’s my spiritual journey in one verse!  It still speaks to me after all these years.

What services do you provide?

My blog came out of wanting to share my faith journey and encourage others in theirs.  What happened was I was being taught my faith by those who read my words and shared their stories.  It seems surreal even now.

Right now I am accepting freelance writing opportunities!  Please contact me for my rates!

*** Additional note from Amy:  Pam posts often combine faith and humor!  She is sure to make you chuckle once in awhile!

For example, you may see something like this on your Facebook feed:

Contact info:

Pamspano@aol.com

Want to follow more inspiring Catholics on Social Media?  Check out these earlier posts!

Catholic Social Media Influencers: Volume 1

Catholic Social Media Influencers: Volume 2

Catholic Social Media Influencers: Volume 3

From California to London: Catholic Social Media Influencers, Volume 4 

Inspiring Ministries for Everyday Catholics: Catholic Social Media Influencers, Volume 5

 

The post Finding Faith and Hope on Your Device this Summer: Catholic Social Media Influencers, Volume 6 appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

Have you ever gone through a time in your life where you just wished you could see how it all worked out in the future?
Often when we struggle, we hear people say, “Everything happens for a reason.”