Fears and Tears

I found myself awake at 3:00am with discouraging words assailing me the night before Mother’s day.

So submit yourselves to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

When this happens, I tend to go to Mary, my mother, and pray the Hail Mary prayer; saying the words echoed by the angel Gabriel and Elizabeth. After I pray for awhile and as I lay in bed in the stillness, I hear these words – “Hear, but don’t listen”. It wasn’t out loud that I heard this, but interiorly, in my mind and heart.

A simple reminder that I would hear things not of God, and not to focus or spend time on them, to turn my attention to the Lord. To sharpen my awareness of His sweet voice, which speaks truth, and to step towards Him in trust. This is what brings peace to my heart and allows me to surrender in trust to God.

I went on the have the most delightful Mother’s Day, and I truly enjoyed and treasured the gifts given to me from God, the blessings that I recognized in my family. They have shown me much over the years; the greatest lesson is how to love unconditionally, with all my heart and all my soul.

That is something to hear, to listen to and to ponder on. To let it seep deep into my very being, with my every breath and heartbeat. To listen with the heart, because that is the place where the love flows both out and in, and it is a beautiful blessing.

The path of the just is like shining light, that grows in brilliance till perfect day. To my words be attentive, to my sayings incline your ear. Keep them within your heart, for they are life to those who find them. With closest custody, guard your heart, for in it are the sources of life. Proverbs 4:18-23