The world around you is God's wondrous creation, filled with beauty and complexity that never ceases to amaze. From the towering mountains to the delicate flowers, from the intricate workings of a cell to the vastness of the universe, there is so much to explore and appreciate. There is also much to take for granted. Yet, in the midst of all this, it is important to cultivate simplicity and wonder in your heart. Approach God and the created world with a childlike sense of curiosity and wonder, unencumbered by the distractions, complexities and worries that can burden your mind and heart. It is only when you are able to see God in the world with these fresh eyes that you can truly appreciate His wonder. Set aside your preconceptions and biases and open yourself up to the beauty and mystery that surrounds you. God desires you to gaze upon Him with awe and wonder because fully comprehending Him, His works and His presence is impossible. Wonder is not a lack of understanding or knowledge. Rather, it is a willingness to be humble and receptive, to approach the world with a sense of simplicity, awe and reverence, and to be open to the possibility that there is more to this world than you can ever comprehend. There is beauty in the world that transcends your understanding, and that it is only by cultivating a sense of wonder and awe that you can fully appreciate it with joy and gratitude. Create space for wonder in your heart. A place where you encounter God and His creation for the sheer joy of it with no strings attached. This cultivates simplicity and imagination, giving you permission to wander, stretch and grow.
May We Never Lose our Wonder with Amanda Cook
spiritual My daughter, give me your failings. ~Jesus to St. Faustina, Diary 10 October 1937 Do you feel like you are falling short of your Lenten promises? Do not be discouraged. Give God your failings, your disappointment, and the many ways you fall short day in and day out. This is the heart of Lent...to grow in relationship with God and give Him EVERYTHING so He can draw near to you. St. Faustina told Jesus that she had offered Him all of her life and all she had. Jesus' answer stunned her: "You have not offered me the thing that is truly yours. My daughter, give me your failings." ~Diary 10 October 1937 Have you given your failings to God? Or, is there something you are holding on to? A sin. A regret. A wound. He is waiting for you to to offer your failings to Him so He can give you His Mercy!
self Fill yourself with the 2 types of Living Water: 1) Jesus 2) Water When you get up in the morning, drink (at least) 16oz of water. I fill my cup at night and set it on my bedside table so it is right there ready for me. We are often not even aware of how dehydrated we are in the morning. Starting with water helps rehydrate our depleted cells and fends off fatigue. Some other benefits of water first thing: *kickstarts metabolism *promotes healthy digestion *increases energy level *reduces brain fog Don't stop there! Refill your cup again and again throughout the day to stay hydrated and healthy. Another beautiful option for intentional movement: SoulCore is an invitation to integrate body & soul in prayer, fully orienting the heart & mind toward Christ, while discovering the beauty of the rosary. SoulCore
service Jesus teaches us how love shows up in simple ways. Being present, speaking truth, providing a helping hand, praying. These are all ways we can reach out in love and be Christ to someone who is: sick, suffering, lonely. Take a moment today and plan to do something to help someone you know who may need a helping hand, a smile, a meal, a prayer. Follow through with your plan this week. If you do not know who needs help, call you parish office and ask. Maybe even combine efforts with a friend. You will make someone's day, and you will be glad you did.
today's recipe CHICKEN ENCHILADA SOUP I cook my chicken thighs in batches, keeping them in the fridge or freezer for things like this. If you are vegan or making this on a Friday in Lent, simply omit the chicken and add some black beans or chickpeas. You can also add more of the veggies to make it more like a stew. 1 tablespoon avocado olive oil 4 carrots, sliced 4-5 celery stalks, sliced 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced 1 yellow onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 tablespoons taco seasoning 2 teaspoons sea salt 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper 1can (14-18oz) diced tomatoes 5 cups chicken or veg stock 1 1/2 - 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs, cooked and chopped 2 teaspoons lime juice lime wedges cilantro tortilla chips Directions Crock Pot: place all ingredients in crock pot and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Pressure cooker: Set to sauté mode and add the avocado oil, carrot, celery, onion, garlic, taco seasoning, salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Cancel sauté mode, put the lid in place. Select "Soup" mode and set the timer to 5 minutes. When the timer goes off, manually release the pressure. Carefully remove the lid and stir to combine (use two forks to shred the chicken if necessary). Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and tortilla chips. ENJOY!!
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katie@integratedlife.co
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