July 31, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today:
“When things get to be too much and it seems like there are no alternatives or solutions, believe you can overcome the adversities facing you and know that things will eventually improve.
Life carries doubts and uncertainties. There are no guarantees and certainly no crystal balls. Yet there is always hope. There is kindness and caring from others. There is the assurance of love, which will always be a safeguard insecurity. Believe in the power of positive energy in your life.
Believe in the power of You.” Debbie Burton-Peddle
Deep within our soul, God gives us Hope. It is a gift. If we don’t feel it, let us stop and ask God to strengthen the gift of hope in us.

July 30, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today:
“Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile…. To be too large for worry, to noble for anger, too strong for fear, and to happy to permit the presence of trouble.” Christian D. Larson

July 29, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today is from Living Faith:
Martha said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God.” John 11:27
“Jesus was a friend and frequent guest of three siblings-Martha, Mary and Lazarus. But Jesus’ late arrival in this account places him outside the tomb of the deceased Lazarus where grief abounds.
Gospel devotees will recall an earlier conversation (in Luke10:38-42) of the polite chiding Martha took from Jesus for her overzealous hospitality, when she might otherwise have been sitting at his feet. Yet another side to Martha is shown here in John’s Gospel – Martha moves, leaving her grieving, to receive Jesus. and in this tender moment, Martha offers her profound proclamation of Jesus as the Christ.
What follows is the mighty miracle of the raising of Lazarus. But note well Martha’s belief in Jesus before that took place. That is why, for me, St. Martha is more than the patron saint of cooks and those who serve, but a courageous patron for those in grief-showing us how to move forward by faith in Christ.  Saint Martha, pray for us!” – Pat Gohn
I remember when my dad died at 47 years old, watching my mother who was so strong during the week and funeral. I didn’t know if it was because she was Irish or it was her faith. When I asked her she quoted Jesus response to Saint Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life whoever believes in me will never die.” and my mom said, “I believe that we will see dad again.” ?

July 28, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today:
“Treat yourself to something that makes you happy. Give yourself permission to be wrong. Applaud yourself for the smallest success; forgive yourself for the greatest defeat. Appreciate yourself for the effort you made, the good you did, and the joy you shared. Accept yourself for what you are, for what you are… is beautiful” – Paula Finn
I have heard so many people who do you not believe that they are beautiful. God has created us in God’s image and likeness. as I have quoted before …”God doesn’t make junk.”?

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July 27, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today:
“Being calm is easy: calm cannot be seen calm cannot be heard, calm cannot be held.
Calm can be felt both inside and out. It rests in the moments before dawn and just after sleep. The sunset holds us in its calm as the sun slips below our horizon.
You can be calm in your own rising and setting. You can be calm in your every day life.” –  Pamela Metz

July 26, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today:
“Knowing God has a plan for your life is very important. When things happen that are out of your control, it can be very discouraging. It’s easy to become frustrated, to feel afraid, and question what the future holds. Putting your faith in God‘s plan allows you to trust that the events in your life are meant to be. It helps you to make choices that must be made and realize things are not really out of control-they are under His control.
There is a peace that can be found knowing that His plan is playing out in your life. When things are confusing for you, remember that God is in control and He loves you. Trust Him and His plans.” – Rick Norman
I truly believe nothing happens by chance. God has a plan for each and everyone of us, sometimes we don’t understand it but God is always present with us.?

July 25, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today:
“Refuse to let your troubles multiply; just take them one by one. Organize your time; keep your life simple and exactly the way you want it. Refuse to complain about things; learn to improve your surroundings and create your world the way you believe it should be. Refuse to dwell on the mistakes or disappointments that are sometimes a part of life; instead learn how you can make things better.
Be energetic and positive about the things you do, and always hope for the best. Believe in yourself at all times and in all aspects of your life. Before you know it, those wonderful dreams you have believed in all your life will come true, and your life will be the happy and successful life that it was meant to be.” Ben Daniels
So much in life depends on our attitude about life. Try each day to be positive in spite of what you are dealing with…?

July 24, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today:
”When life overwhelms you and you feel like you can’t carry on, hold out your hand to God. He will give you strength and walk beside you when you think you can’t walk another step.
God will carry you through life’s trials; he will help you make it through this day and all those to come. And he is always watching over you.” Barbara J. Hall

July 23, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today is from Living Faith:
You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain. Exodus 20:7
“Growing up when OMG‘s and much more saltier profanities permeated dialect, I lacked awe for the sacredness of the Lord’s name. Yet the closer I grew to God, the more irreverent it felt to use his name like pop-culture slang. Expletives disparaging Jesus grated on me. I began offering silent prayers and searching for appropriate responses when people misused God‘s name. While in a store with my husband, a loud teen bickering intensely with her mom started bellowing: ‘Jesus Christ—!’ ‘—is Lord and Savior!’ came my husband‘s swift response. I looked at him in surprise. ‘Thank you!’
It’s an easy trap to take God’s name in vain or to become indifferent to others’ doing so. Aside from honoring the Lord with our own words, we can affirm truth, offer silent prayers or gently pull loved ones aside. We can reference God’s name above all names.
Oh Lord, please grant us the grace to replace desensitization with holy awe for your name-above all names.” Kathleen Schwartz McQuaig
I remember, when I was teaching and then principal, saying to students when they would say, “Oh God” I would say, “Is that a prayer??

July 21, 2021

Posted on by Evelyn Rivera
My reflection today:
“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inward peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.” Saint Francis de Sales
Saint Francis thoughts remind us to touch into that calm within us. God’s spirit deep within our being.
Each day take the time to stop take a deep breath and reflect on how much God loves each one of us.?