Finding strength

Often times we are all faced with adversity, whether we like it or not. We have no choice, and little can be changed to really stop the heartache, struggle, or sadness. It's what we do with those feelings that changes how we will move on. We can choose to wallow in sadness and anger, we can choose to lock ourselves up and speak to no one, or we can choose to face the day. If you have never looked into the lives of any Saints, then you wouldn't really know they too are just ordinary people. They never asked for greatness or gratitude for their life works, no they did it out of love for our Lord Jesus Christ. They didn't want the fame and notoriety, or their names to be recited over and over, no they wanted it to be known that all they did came with help from above. We too are ordinary people, we too struggle, maybe not as greatly as some of them have, or heroically, but we have the same choice to live our lives just as God has given us. With the ups and downs, with the highs and lows, we have to keep moving on. The Catholic Company has this beautiful once a day email called "Morning Offering", in it today I received words of wisdom:

"We know certainly that our God calls us to a holy life. We know that he gives us every grace, every abundant grace; and though we are so weak of ourselves, this grace is able to carry us through every obstacle and difficulty."- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

These are beautiful words that are hard to recall when we are in a moment of struggle. Some times we share this struggle with loved ones and friends, some times we just keep it within and share it with no one. Or we could just share the pain with God, he knows about pain, he knows about suffering, and he knows about mercy. Some prayers I like to pray in times of despair are The Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Rosary. Both are beautiful and can be very emotional.

"Praise to you, saving sacrifice, offered on the wood of the cross for me and for all mankind. Praise to the noble and precious blood, flowing from the wounds of my crucified Lord Jesus Christ and washing away the sins of the whole world. Remember, Lord, your creature, whom you have redeemed with your blood; I repent my sins, and I long to put right what I have done."
- St. Ambrose

A beautiful document on the  Rosary, Apostolic Letter, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, from St. Pope John Paul II can be read online.  Mary's love for Jesus is unparalleled, something that is so apparent this time of year.

I also love this prayer, by St. Francis. It is beautiful to remember when we are feeling out of sorts, it can help us to have direction in our life when we are lost.

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy. 

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.

Last but not least, another beautiful prayer, Veni Creator. Come Holy Ghost in our times of need, strengthen us to make it through whatever lies in our path that day.

Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest,
and in our souls take up Thy rest; come with Thy grace and heavenly aid to fill the hearts which Thou hast made. O comforter, to Thee we cry,
O heavenly gift of God Most High,
O fount of life and fire of love,
and sweet anointing from above.

Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known;
Thou, finger of God's hand we own;
Thou, promise of the Father,
Thou Who dost the tongue with power imbue. Kindle our sense from above,
and make our hearts o'erflow with love;
with patience firm and virtue high
the weakness of our flesh supply.
Far from us drive the foe we dread,
and grant us Thy peace instead;
so shall we not, with Thee for guide,
turn from the path of life aside.
Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow
the Father and the Son to know;
and Thee, through endless times confessed,
of both the eternal Spirit blest.
Now to the Father and the Son,
Who rose from death, be glory given,
with Thou, O Holy Comforter,
henceforth by all in earth and heaven. Amen.

No matter what happens in our lives, know that God has a plan. It may not be our plan, it may not be a plan we even like, but He has a plan for our lives. One that leads us closer to Him. Do not turn away, do not worry, just find the strength to keep on going forward. Even as I type these words, they are easier to type than to follow, but I pray for all of you to Never Give Up. Peace be with you.