“ May you find serenity and tranquility in a world you may not always understand. May the pain you have known in the conflict you have experienced give you the strength to walk through life facing each new situation with courage and optimism. Always know that there are those whose love and understanding will always be there, even when you feel most alone.

May a kind word, a reassuring touch, and a warm smile be yours every day of your life, and may you give these gifts as well as receive them. Realize that what you may feel you lack in one regard may be more than compensated for in another. What you feel you lack in the present may become one of your strengths in the future. May you see your future as one filled with promise and possibility. Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience. May you find enough inner strength to determine your own words by yourself, and not be dependent on another’s judgment of your accomplishments. May you always feel loved.” Sandra Sturtz Hauss

Let us remember today that God loves us unconditionally, no strings attached.

“Jesus was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher do you not care that we are perishing?” Mark 4:38

We might easily get annoyed when someone doesn’t take a situation as seriously as we do. If we’re worried, we want others to be worried right along with us. But when the apostles were panicking, fearing for their lives, Jesus was sound asleep! How could he be so calm about the situation? The apostles were experienced fisherman. No doubt they had passed through their share of storms, so they knew that this was a severe one. They knew that they couldn’t handle the situation on their own. And so, they called on Jesus. The times that we most worried, when we panic and are most afraid, are usually the times when we have failed to put our faith in God. Jesus awoke and rescued the apostles.

No matter where we go, no matter what we’re facing, let’s not panic. Let’s recall our faith and remember that Jesus is always in the boat with us.” Terrence Hegarty

This is easier said than done. It is easier to tell someone not to worry. I think back when I was young and my father was there when I was worried or afraid. He had such a calming effect. Thank you God for this reminder, that you are always with us no matter what we are going through.

Today’s reading comes from Paul’s letter to the 2 Corinthians 11:22-26

“Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? I am still more. With far greater laborers, far more imprisonment far worse beatings, and numerous brushes with death. Five times at the hands of the Jews I received 40 lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I passed a night and day on the deep, on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own race, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, strangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many sleepless nights, through hunger and thirst, through frequent fasting’s, through cold and exposure.”

So when you think you are having a bad day or a difficult time in life think about Saint Paul. I was just amazed at all the sufferings that he went through because of his love and preaching the Gospel.

“Promise yourself… to follow the path that best affirms your values, expresses your passion, and empowers your soul; to balance work with play, learning with teaching, and words with deeds.

Promise yourself… to treat people with respect for their differences and compassion for their pain; to appreciate that everyone has a reason for doing what they do, feeling how they feel, and being where they are.

Promise yourself… to say ‘yes’ to your curiosity and ‘no’ to your fear; to keep your goals clear in your mind and close to your heart; to choose relationships that allow for the fullest expression of your interests, feelings, and self- and to build on those that nourish you; to be the one who makes things happen when others make excuses and the one who gives even more when others give up.

Promise to put your best into every task… and get the most out of every day.Paula Finn

Let us ask God to help us get the most out of every day.