Remember 9/11 and Change

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It’s hard to believe that, before 9/11, there was little security at the airport. Anyone could enter the terminal. No one had to show an ID. Families and friends hung around at the gate to hug loved ones coming or going. Parents took their small children inside the airport just to watch the planes take off and land, even if no one they knew was traveling. 

So much changed in an instant. As we remember the tragic events of 9/11, let’s keep in mind that life is fleeting and changing. Anything that isn’t changing is stagnant; that includes us. 

Our goal is to become our best, most loving selves, and inspire others to do the same. We do this by learning and growing in our care and concern for our fellow human beings and our planet. Look back and see how much you’ve changed over the years. If you knew then what you know now, what would you have done differently? But at the time, you didn’t know the changes that would happen, and you couldn’t see the world from the future’s point of view. Now that you’re older, do you still expect things to stay the same? Or do you see that everything must change in order to mature? Do you realize that all of us must change in order to grow into the loving people God created us to be?

Look at today: What do you wish were different? Now, look ahead: What’s one change, big or small, that you can make that will move you closer toward reaching that goal? 

One answer might be simply to live more fully in the present while looking with hope toward the future. Look ahead to what kind of person you want to become and what kind of world you want to live in, and start today to create those by building on what you have now. Believe you can make changes with God’s guiding hand. Believe you can have a positive influence on your corner of the world. ‘Seize the day’ and challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone. Push yourself to be kinder and to do the more other-centered, peace-making, or planet-friendly thing. As much as possible, do everything from the perspective of, What can I do differently today to make a more loving impact on the people around me? How can I give them hope for tomorrow? Also, What changes can I make to more closely follow the Three R’s of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle in order to better care for this magnificent planet our Lord has given to us? 

Let’s learn again from 9/11: Life is fleeting and changing. Let’s strive to learn, grow, and change in positive ways, so that we can look back and see that our days were well-lived and well-loved. 

For the world in its present form is passing away.” – 1 Corinthians 7:31

“Lord, help me become the person You created me to be.”    

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2024 Gina Bedell     Comments are always welcome! 

Please share this with your friends by clicking on one of the icons below. Blogspot doesn’t have a ‘subscribe’ feature and so I appreciate your help in sharing my reflections. Thanks!

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Pray for peace at home, in Ukraine, Russia, the Middle East, and around the world. Donate toward a cause that tugs at your heart. Take care of those around you; take care of our planet. Pray for the families around the globe whose lives have been torn apart by war and natural disasters.

Random Thoughts on Sowing Seeds

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It’s been said that our job as people of love is to sow seeds of hope, faith, love, and peace all around us, and then trust God to make those plants grow. Whether it’s to strengthen our relationship with Him or to show Him to others, every effort we make gives God material to work with. We try to stay mindful of His powerful presence in us and in our world; we do our part and then trust Him to make growth happen.

Here are sayings I’ve collected over the years. Some are my own thoughts, some are others’ quotes. They’re all random thoughts on how we can work with God to foster this growth:

*“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” – Archbishop Desmond Tutu

*‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ means you have to love yourself first. Accept yourself as a work in progress. Be good to yourself and take care of yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

*“The mind is its own place and in itself, can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.” – John Milton

*Pray your prayers, don’t just say them.

*Stay in the moment with gratitude.

*Swallowing your pride sometimes means keeping nasty comments inside your mouth.

*Sometimes the best way to overcome difficulty with someone is to act kindly toward them. Look for something to compliment them on. Look harder. Go out of your way to be friendly to them, say something nice, do them a favor. Be the ‘good guy’ and they won’t have reason to treat you poorly. They still might treat you poorly, but at least it won’t be because you gave them reason to.

*Butterflies and springtime are God’s way of teaching us about heaven and life after death.

*“Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.” – Author unknown.

*Create happy memories today to remember tomorrow.

*Saying a prayer while waiting for the light to turn green takes your mind off the waiting.

*Just as a lake is filled with unseen living creatures, so are we filled with untapped potential. And just as a lake also contains hidden debris of fallen trees, dead fish, and trash, so do we have parts of us that aren’t life-giving and need to be cleared away.

*Prayer opens our heart and mind to the presence of God.

*Turn your back on the devil and turn your face to the Lord.

*Believe in yourself. God has given you a package of gifts, talents, and strengths. Look for these, and find ways to use them to shower love on your corner of the world.

May we sow the seeds wherever we are, however we can, and trust God to work with what we’ve given Him to make those seeds bloom and bring us and the world closer to Him.

“God causes the growth… we are God’s co-workers.” – 1 Corinthians 3:6,9

“Lord, use the seeds I plant.”

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2024 Gina Bedell     Comments are always welcome! 

Please share this with your friends by clicking on one of the icons below. Blogspot doesn’t have a ‘subscribe’ feature and so I appreciate your help in sharing my reflections. Thanks!

If you or someone you know would like to receive these writings directly, please email me at ginabedell1@gmail.com and I will add you to my ‘BCC’ email list.

You can also find my posts on Facebook!

P.S.

Pray for peace at home, in Ukraine, Russia, the Middle East, and around the world. Donate toward a cause that tugs at your heart. Take care of those around you; take care of our planet. Pray for the families around the globe whose lives have been torn apart by war and natural disasters.

What's Your Superpower?

 

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Seen on t-shirts and coffee mugs in a back-to-school sale: “I’m a teacher. What’s your superpower?” Teachers definitely have superpowers that I don’t have! 

One superpower all of us possess is the power to affect the world through our prayers and our faith in our loving God. It’s up to us to use this God-given power. Here’s how prayer and faith have changed lives:

Through prayer, Saint Monica convinced God to get through to her wayward son and inspire him to give up his reckless lifestyle. Augustine was raised a Christian but abandoned his faith while in his teens and led a wild life. Monica prayed for him fervently for many years. Her friend Ambrose, bishop of Milan, assured her that “It is impossible that the son of so many tears should perish.” Through the prayers of his mother and the influence of Ambrose, Augustine abandoned his lifestyle, sold his belongings and gave the proceeds to the poor, and wrote important works on philosophy and theology. He was canonized in 1298.

Through prayer, Moses got God to change His mind! In the book of Exodus, God was angry at the Israelites for turning away from Him and worshiping a golden calf. God threatened to destroy all of them but Moses pleaded with Him, and “God changed his mind about the punishment he had threatened to inflict on his people” (Exodus 32:14).

In Luke’s gospel (Luke 5:17-26), a paralyzed man was carried by his friends on a stretcher to where Jesus was teaching. They couldn’t get near the house because of the large crowd, so the friends lifted the man up to the roof, removed some of the roof tiles, and lowered him down in front of Jesus. What happened next? “When Jesus saw their faith He said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.” Then the Pharisees accused Jesus of blasphemy: “Who but God alone can forgive sins?” and Jesus replied, “What’s easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Rise and walk’?” He then told the paralyzed man to get up, pick up his stretcher, and go home. The man did so, and he and the astonished crowd began praising God. 

It’s important to notice that Jesus commented on the faith of the man’s friends, not the faith of the man himself: “When Jesus saw their faith He said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’” Because of his friends’ faith and tenacity, the man was healed.

Do you know someone who seems lost, or who’s on a stretcher, literally or figuratively? Take them to Jesus in faithful prayer. God loves you; He hears you. Imagine the awesome influence we could have on the world if we believed in the power of our prayers for each other! 

So, here’s your superpower: Changing lives by praying with faith for the people you care about.

“We always pray for you..”  2 Thessalonians 1:11

“Lord, I know You hear me. Bless (this person) with whatever they need most from You.”

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2024 Gina Bedell     Comments are always welcome! 

Please share this with your friends by clicking on one of the icons below. Blogspot doesn’t have a ‘subscribe’ feature and so I appreciate your help in sharing my reflections. Thanks!

If you or someone you know would like to receive these writings directly, please email me at ginabedell1@gmail.com and I will add you to my ‘BCC’ email list.

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P.S.

Pray for peace at home, in Ukraine, Russia, the Middle East, and around the world. Donate toward a cause that tugs at your heart. Take care of those around you; take care of our planet. Pray for the families around the globe whose lives have been torn apart by war and natural disasters.

How Will We Know?

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How will we know if we don’t ask?

In Matthew’s gospel (Matthew 19:16-22), a young man approached Jesus and asked, “What good must I do to gain eternal life?” The man said he had observed the Ten Commandments his whole life. Maybe he wanted Jesus to praise him for following the rules. Maybe he was going to congratulate himself on being such a good person. Or, maybe he sensed God wanted more from him than just to obey those rules, but he didn’t know what. Maybe he saw peace in Jesus’ followers and wondered why he didn’t feel that and also how he could attain it. His heart must have been unsettled; he was clearly searching for something more because then he asked a bolder question: “What do I still lack?”  

In reply, Jesus challenged him to live by the Spirit of the law instead of simply obeying the letter of the law. He told him to love his neighbors in concrete, radical, and generous ways. This would bring him the profound peace he was longing for and eternal life. Christ’s answer wasn’t what the young man wanted to hear, though; when he heard Jesus say this, ‘he went away sad.’ 

God designed us to have a deep longing for Him. We feel unsettled in this life because this life isn’t our final destination; eternal life with God is what we were made for. As Augustine of Hippo said, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” 

To gain this peace we’re all searching for, we can ask Christ the bold questions: “I’m a good person and I follow all the commandments; what do I still lack that will bring me eternal life? What’s blocking me from You and the joy and profound peace I’m longing for? What’s missing from my life, from my daily routine, that would bring me closer to You and the people around me? In what ways can I put more time and energy into strengthening my relationship with You and my relationships with those I care about? How can I love my neighbors in concrete, radical, and generous ways?” 

During our day, we can ask ourselves questions like, “Is what I’m about to say or do the most loving choice I have? Will what I say or do build up this other person, or tear them down? Do my choices reflect the love Christ has for me and the love He wants me to show to others?” 

The young man in Matthew’s gospel approached Jesus for answers. May we also courageously step toward Him for answers on how to attain peace, joy, and eternal life. How will we know if we don’t ask? Ask, then listen, and then act.

“The young man said to Him, ‘All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?’”

–Matthew 19:20

“Lord, what do I need to gain eternal life with You?”

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2024 Gina Bedell     Comments are always welcome! 

Please share this with your friends by clicking on one of the icons below. Blogspot doesn’t have a ‘subscribe’ feature and so I appreciate your help in sharing my reflections. Thanks!

If you or someone you know would like to receive these writings directly, please email me at ginabedell1@gmail.com and I will add you to my ‘BCC’ email list.

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P.S.

Pray for peace at home, in Ukraine, Russia, the Middle East, and around the world. Donate toward a cause that tugs at your heart. Take care of those around you; take care of our planet. Pray for the families around the globe whose lives have been torn apart by war and natural disasters.

"Turn and Become Like Children"

Some of my favorite photos are of parents walking with their small children. There’s serenity in that scene. Secure in their parents’ love for them, the children are worry-free, humbly going wherever they’re taken, trusting their parents to care for them. Though they sometimes protest, they know deep-down that their parents want to give them what’s best for them.

When Christ tells us to become like children, He’s inviting us to adopt the humility and innocence of children and abandon our fearful, cynical ways. Secure in His never-ending love for us, we can trust Him to care for us. We can believe that He will guide us toward what is best for us, what will bring us closer to Him, and what will bring us the happiness and peace we’re constantly searching for. He will do all this and more, if we ask Him.

Listen to Christ speak these words to you:

Do you trust Me?

Do you believe that I love you?

Do you trust Me to always be with you?

Don’t be so self-sufficient.

Don’t try to do it all by yourself. 

Trust me to guide you and strengthen you.

Trust Me to show you the way through your difficulties and decision-making.

Trust Me to either heal you, remove whatever is causing you to suffer, or give you the strength to bear those burdens. 

Just ask Me.

Trust me to give you all you need, and more. 

A child trusts her loving parents to give her what she needs to stay healthy and safe, not necessarily what she wants. Trust Me that I love you and want to give you not necessarily everything you want, but everything you need.

Some parents fail their children, but I will never fail you.

Recognize that everything is a gift. Without My love for you, you would have neither water to drink nor food to eat. Your very life is My gift to you. I’ve given you all of it so that you could see how vast My love is for you. And if I have given you so much already, know that I will continue to give good things to you when you ask Me to.

Trust in My promise that you will be with Me in My Kingdom, in this world and the next, if you trust Me to care for you. Make a deliberate choice to change. Turn from the fears that cause you to be self-centered, boastful, and cynical, and trust in Me. 

Christ promises to be with us at all times. Let us trust Him and take Him at His word. Let us become like children before Him: humble, trusting, and joyful. 

“Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” 

–Matthew 18:3-4

“Lord, I believe You love me. I trust You to give me everything that I need.”

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2024 Gina Bedell     Comments are always welcome! 

Please share this with your friends by clicking on one of the icons below. Blogspot doesn’t have a ‘subscribe’ feature and so I appreciate your help in sharing my reflections. Thanks!

If you or someone you know would like to receive these writings directly, please email me at ginabedell1@gmail.com and I will add you to my ‘BCC’ email list.

You can also find my posts on Facebook!

P.S.

Pray for peace at home, in Ukraine, Russia, the Middle East, and around the world. Donate toward a cause that tugs at your heart. Take care of those around you; take care of our planet. Pray for the families around the globe whose lives have been torn apart by war and natural disasters.

Accumulate Lasting Treasures

This has been a summer for simple pleasures. For example, in July, all of our kids and grandkids were in town, together, for a couple days. Hearing the adult kids’ voices and laughter was music to my ears. When we explored the Gorge Trail, it was refreshing to see the little ones’ eyes widen when they saw the fast-moving Cuyahoga River. We cheered for them when they managed to climb onto massive rocks. We stooped down with them to study cool-looking mushrooms. Then, after their visit, one of my dear friends invited me to go kayaking with her. We enjoyed a happy afternoon together paddling those kayaks around a beautiful lake. 

I savor these kinds of activities; they let us cherish time with each other and the natural wonders God created out of His immense love for us. 

This appreciation is something money can’t buy. Christ warns against letting the stuff we own give us a false sense of security and get in the way of our relationship with Him. He reminds us to trust Him, and to accumulate riches that have lasting value – that will bring us closer to each other and to Him.

What are some of these lasting treasures? 

Experiences, for one. When you share your time, talents, the things you own, or a meal with the people you love, the happy memories you create and the loving bonds you strengthen are more valuable than any tangible item. 

What else has lasting value? Your friendly phone call or visit to someone who needs a listening ear. Your generosity when you donate something of value to a cause you care about. Your kindness when you hold a garage sale and give the proceeds to a local charity. Your prayer time, whether at home, in church, in your car, or anywhere. Your love when you teach your child to pray. Your patience when you teach them to count or play a game. The treasure you give to school kids when you lead a club, coach a team, or help them learn to read. The love you give by listening to someone whose viewpoint is different from yours. The respect you show in your friendly gestures toward the school janitor, delivery person, or trash collector. The peace you give, and receive, when you forgive someone. The joy you bring when you share your talents; I and the beautiful women in our a cappella group see this first-hand when we sing for others and look out at their smiling faces. 

Let’s treasure time together, and accumulate treasures that last.

“Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” – Luke 12:32-34

“Lord, help me seek treasures that will last forever.”

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2024 Gina Bedell     Comments are always welcome! 

Please share this with your friends by clicking on one of the icons below. Blogspot doesn’t have a ‘subscribe’ feature and so I appreciate your help in sharing my reflections. Thanks!

If you or someone you know would like to receive these writings directly, please email me at ginabedell1@gmail.com and I will add you to my ‘BCC’ email list.

You can also find my posts on Facebook!

P.S.

Pray for peace at home, in Ukraine, Russia, the Middle East, and around the world. Donate toward a cause that tugs at your heart. Take care of those around you; take care of our planet. Pray for the families around the globe whose lives have been torn apart by war and natural disasters.

Encouraging Words of St. Teresa of Calcutta

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Saint Teresa of Calcutta’s words assure us that God uses all of us for His work:  

“Sanctity is not a luxury for the few. It is a simple duty for you and me. I have to be a saint in my way and you in yours.” 

“Start by making your own home a place where peace, happiness, and love abound.” 

“Even if you just sit and listen to someone… or bring a flower to somebody… God sees everything as great. There are many people who can do big things. But there are very few people who will do the small things.”

“What we are doing in the slums, maybe you cannot do. What you are doing… in your family life, in your college life, in your work, we cannot do. But together you and we are doing something beautiful for God.” 

“To the cast of a musical performance in Calcutta I said, ‘Your work and our work  complete each other…. You are giving them joy by your action and we are doing the same by service…. You are filling the world with the love God has given you.’”  

“A rich man came to me and said he wanted to give up something in his life. I suggested, ‘When you go to the store to buy a new suit or some clothes, instead of buying the best, buy one that is a little less expensive and use that extra money to buy something for someone else, or better still for the poor.’ He looked really amazed and exclaimed, ‘Oh! Is that the way, Mother? I never thought of it.’ When he left, he looked so happy and full of joy at the thought of helping others.”

“Pray at home for only five minutes. Prayer is simply talking to God. He speaks to us, we listen. We speak to Him, He listens.” 

“You can pray while you work. Work doesn’t stop prayer and prayer doesn’t stop work. It requires only that small raising of the mind to Him: ‘I love you, God. I trust you. I believe in you. I need you now.’ Small things like that. They are wonderful prayers.” 

“What kept me going during so many years? Jesus. We do it for Jesus. I take Jesus at His word and He never lets me down. He said, ‘Ask and you will receive.’ So I ask. If it is for His glory He will grant it; if not, let us forget about it. God knows what is good for us.” 

“I do not think I have any special qualities. I don’t claim anything for the work. It is His work. I am like a little pencil in God's hand; that is all. He does the thinking. He does the writing. The pencil has nothing to do with it. The pencil has only to be allowed to be used.” 

“Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in My hand.” – Jeremiah 18:6

“Lord, mold me for Your work.”

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2024 Gina Bedell     Comments are always welcome! 

Please share this with your friends by clicking on one of the icons below. Blogspot doesn’t have a ‘subscribe’ feature and so I appreciate your help in sharing my reflections. Thanks!

If you or someone you know would like to receive these writings directly, please email me at ginabedell1@gmail.com and I will add you to my ‘BCC’ email list.

You can also find my posts on Facebook!

P.S.

Pray for peace at home, in Ukraine, Russia, the Middle East, and around the world. Donate toward a cause that tugs at your heart. Take care of those around you; take care of our planet. Pray for the families around the globe whose lives have been torn apart by war and natural disasters.