How Big Is He?
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Faith on Friday, August 20, 2010
We were waiting to go to confession before Mass, and it looked like the line was too long for everyone to make it through in time.
Then one of the parish’s deacons, already vested, came down the row, whispering to us. “Father has asked that when you go into the confessional, you just list your sins. Don’t waste time trying to explain them. Keeping it simple makes confession better, and quicker too.”... READ MORE
She Shouldn't Be Afraid
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Faith on Friday, June 25, 2010
For years my daughter was terrified to have clothes put on over her head.
We’d become resigned to it, become experts at sliding shirts and dresses over her small ribs, at maneuvering shoulders through necklines.
Then a few months ago, she finally responded to my coaxing and agreed to try putting a shirt over her head. I promised her that the hole was big enough, and she summoned her courage, grabbed... READ MORE
Coming Up for Air
Posted by Danielle Bean in Faith on Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Ever feel like you’re just treading water? Or (worse) that you’re sinking below the surface?
I woke up yesterday morning gasping for air.
I couldn’t pinpoint my problem exactly, but off the top of my head I could tell you that I was away last weekend, we’re finishing up our school year, we’re transitioning into summer activities, we’re going full-force (at least 2 games a day) with baseball, we’re... READ MORE
Miracles in the Moment
Posted by Lisa Hendey in Just me on Wednesday, January 13, 2010
It happens to me about once per month - and it happened again Monday night. God took my breath away!
It was a busy day—as they all are. I had picked Adam up at school, run three errands with him, and was racing to get him home in time to eat and go to fencing practice. I was in a hurry, so much so that my head literally hurt.
And then I looked up at the sky and saw it - the most perfect sunset... READ MORE
Rejoice Always
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Faith on Tuesday, January 05, 2010
I was a little stunned when I hopped over here a few days ago and caught Rachel’s post about one-word resolutions for the new year, because before I’d already independently decided on one word that is my resolution for 2010.
Joy.
Our pastor once mentioned in a homily that the shortest verse in the original Greek New Testament is not John 10:35’s “Jesus wept” but 1 Thessalonians 5:16: “Rejoice always.”... READ MORE
Packing the Boxes of My Heart
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Faith on Monday, December 14, 2009
My childhood home is in the footprint of an upcoming public works project. In September, the state bought it from my parents, and they were given 90 days to vacate it.
As my parents looked for a new house, my mom began a daily prayer, “Lord, please send us the right house at the right time.”
We assume God answered her prayer, but he did it in an interesting way. My parents closed on their new house... READ MORE
Double Stuff Theology
Posted by Robyn Lee in Faith on Wednesday, November 18, 2009
I teach confirmation prep to ninth graders at my local parish. The confirmation requirement for the students is to meet for an hour twice a month: once in a classroom with me and the other hour in homes with their peers. I don’t love the model, but that is why I decided to become a teacher. Instead of complaining about the system and doing nothing, I joined the system so I could influence those 25... READ MORE
My Favorite Small Things
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Family on Tuesday, November 10, 2009
I sing to Camilla at bedtime, and one recent night the song “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music popped into my head, so I sang it for her. My solo a cappella stylings are nothing impressive, but she was instantly hooked on the tune, and has asked for “the raindrop song” every evening since.
Then yesterday I had a brilliant idea. On our way out the door I downloaded “My Favorite Things” onto... READ MORE
Finding God in Infertility
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Faith on Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Infertility is not often a much-talked-about topic in the Catholic community.
Based on the responses I’ve gotten the times I’ve written about it here at Faith & Family, though, I think there are many of us who’ve been touched by fertility struggles.
Recently I got an email from a reader of my personal blog who’s going through infertility herself. While responding to her, I went looking for an article... READ MORE
The Paradox of Perfection
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Faith on Monday, September 14, 2009
I have a problem with perfectionism.
If I read an inspiring thought, but the sentence communicating it has a glaring error in it, it will be nearly impossible for me to focus on the thought rather than on the error.
Having high standards can be useful. It gets things done. It gets things done well. But obsession with perfection can be a liability. It can cause me to miss the forest because I’m... READ MORE
