Gateways to Joy

I have come to believe that  true mystics of the quotidian  {the ordinary or common place}  are not  those who contemplate holiness in isolation,  reaching godlike illumination in serene silence,  but those who manage  to find God  in a life filled with noise ,  the demands of other people  and relentless daily duties  that can consume self.   If they are wise  they treasure   the rare moments of solitude and silence  that come their way,  and use them  not to escape ,  not to distract   themselves with television and the like.  Instead they listen  for a sign of God’s presence. ~ Kathleen Norris,  “The Quotidian Mysteries, Laundry, Liturgy, and Women’s Work” There are a few things that I ask of the Lord daily, one being that I will serve Him and show Him how much I love and care for Him by the way I serve my family.   My service to my family  day in and day out is n...

We laugh.  We talk as we stroll about admiring things in the store. "Ooo.  Ahh." We say as we pick things up to touch, feel.  On and on we chatter interrupting each others sentences, finishing them too. I think to myself, "He's done it again.  God has answered my heart-felt prayer.  He loves me this I know." I cried out to Him, just yesterday, "Father help me.  Help me make my children first priority again.  First before my beloved blogging.  First before my beloved writing, and before Internet socializing.  First before the phone calls, the errands.  First before this and first before that.  Give us the opportunity to be just my children and me.  Give us opportunities with no expectations."  Today it's just us.  My first born, second born and me.  I'd thought that maybe they would not want to be with me—hanging out, spending time with me their mama.. I remember a time when all they wanted was me. ...