share our JOY

JOY{filled}family

striving to radiate Him always

Word of the Year

by Filed Under: Motto, New Year, Prayer, Word of the Year 5 Comments

“Almighty Father, I place the Precious Blood of Jesus before my lips before I pray, that my prayers may be purified before they ascend to Your divine altar.” ~St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi

I desired to adopt a word for the year.  It was a fruitful exercise for me last year and felt that I could use a simple reminder of His call for me.

I struggled with coming up with a word.  Finally, I asked Dad to pick one for me.  He told me to go to my saint for the year, St. Mary Magdalen Pazzi.  Praise God for the headship of my family.  It was the exact place that I needed to go.  The word was immediately made known.  It’s not original or flashy–the word is PRAY.pray - crucifix

Everything starts with prayer.  Prayer is where I hear His voice.  Prayer in Adoration, in celebration of the Mass, in my work, in times of trials, in times of jubilation, in union with Dad, with my family, for others, united in sacrifice and penance, in the tears that I shed,….I must pray in all things at all times.
I desire to do all things for the greater glory of God and I trust that, through prayer, He will show me the way.

I’m not abandoning any of my previous words.  In fact, through this practice, they have been imprinted on my heart.  Perfection is not sought.  My goal is only to move closer to Him and do His will.

“Our prayer must be humble, fervent, resigned, persevering, and deeply reverent, for we must reflect that we are in the presence of a God and speaking with a Lord before Whom the Angels tremble out of respect and fear.” ~ St. Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi
~~~
2012 Motto
Be Charitable.
Be Useful.
Be Gentle.
Be Joyful.
Pray always.
Forget about yourself.
ALL FOR!


In His JOY,

 

The Lettered Cottage

Reflections For The New Year

by Filed Under: Charity, Motto, New Year, Word of the Year 4 Comments

It’s a new year and I desire to be transformed, to live each day as though it were my last.  I pray to die to self and become a true slave to Jesus through Mary.

A new year, a new creation in Christ. – Time is a Treasure!

A  word was imprinted on my heart many years ago…….JOY.  I was called to embrace the JOY of Christ and share it with all those around me, especially my family.  I’m nowhere near where I need to be but continue to pray for this grace on a daily basis.

I desired (for some time) to add an additional word, virtue to my journey.  This word has come to the forefront of my heart and mind for the past several  months.   I delayed in embracing it because I doubted my readiness and sought perfection with the need to create a JOYfilled heart.  Then I surrendered and was reminded that perfection is not possible while on this earth.  I must continue to prayerfully move forward and treasure each moment that I have been blessed with, to grow closer to Him.  I trust that my new word will help me on this journey.  My word is…….CHARITY.

Thanks to a providential friend, I was motivated to take action.  She came up with a simple list that summed up our prayers and recent meditations.  I adopted it for myself and immediately posted it in my kitchen, for all to see.

Thank you God for sending me Melody, to offer me inspiration and accountability, on this journey!

~~~

2011 Motto

Be Charitable.

Be Useful.

Be Gentle.

Be Joyful.

Forget about yourself.

ALL FOR!

Wordle: ALL FORclick here to create your own Wordle.

~~~

You too can be inspired my Melody.  Here’s a recent fav of mine and here she is at CatholicMom.com.

~~~

“Time is a treasure that melts away. It escapes from us, slipping through our fingers like water through the mountain rocks. Yesterday is gone, and today is passing by. Tomorrow will soon be another yesterday. Our lives are so very short. But what a great deal can be done for God in this short space of time!” ~ St. Josemaria Escriva, Friends of God, 52

Subscribe to our Newsletter