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There’s a saying that goes, “Anything worth having is worth waiting for.” One good example is marriage: a man just proposed to the love of his life and she said “yes!” The man and woman look forward to their wedding day when they will look each other in the eyes and say “I do” with their whole hearts. Or just think about Thanksgiving dinner: the food smells so good while it’s being prepared. We excitedly anticipate the moment when we can finally sit down around the table with our family and friends and share the delicious meal with them.

In both cases, the people are waiting for something. Waiting doesn’t mean doing nothing though. When we wait we have two options: we can sit around and be bored or we can make the most of the time we’ve been given. We should always choose option number two! The bride-to-be may start thinking about who she will invite to the wedding or what kind of flowers she might want to decorate the church with. When we’re waiting for Thanksgiving dinner we might play games, talk with a grandparent, or help Mom in the kitchen. There are so many good opportunities!

The point is that the process is important. The time of waiting is irreplaceable and precious. Though it is good to want the final outcome, we also need to appreciate the journey we take to reach it. Sometimes we get so caught up in wishing we were already in a certain place, or with a certain person, or that it was a certain time, that we miss all the good that God is doing right now in the present moment. He uses everything for our good. He wants to teach us something along the way. He wants to give us things we don’t even know we need. The present time is truly a present—it’s a gift!

Let’s not only thank God in November at Thanksgiving, but let’s thank Him every day for everything He’s done for us. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him (James 1:17). So whether you’re waiting for your paycheck, for your guy friend to ask you to the school dance, or for pumpkin pie, use the time in between as an opportunity to deepen your relationship with the One Who loves you and holds you in His hands. Jesus loves you.

November 2009

Live as a reflection of His love.

Lady in Waiting…

“Watch carefully then

how you live,

not as foolish persons

but as wise,

making the most of

the opportunity

[or time]”

(Ephesians 5:15).

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When it comes to using what you’ve been given for the glory of God,

Francesca Battistelli is a young woman who’s had had some

experience. As a teen she went to a youth ministry where she started

playing guitar and realized she “really longed to bring something

authentic to the scene that even non-Christians could listen to.” She

sings for the One who gave her her beautiful voice and strives to live

each day for Him. She said,

“I have parents who pray and encourage me to be bold and to take

bold steps for Christ. I don’t think that’s common enough in the

Christian culture. We have these big dreams, but many aren’t willing

to take the steps to go after them. Yet this is the moment. We’re not

promised tomorrow. So today’s the day.”

Remember to pray for Francesca, that she will continue to use all

she’s been given—especially her musical talent—to draw closer and

closer to Christ.

Having a hard time waiting? Pray with these encouraging words from the Psalms:

Chapter 37 (especially vv. 4-7, 10-11, 34)

38:14-23

40:1-6

46:1-4

Also check out the Virtue of the Month!

(Song of Songs 2:3,5).

Patience

Has anyone ever told you, “Patience is a virtue”? Well, it’s true! Actually, both the Catechism of the Catholic Church and

Holy Scripture tell us that patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (CCC1832;

Galatians 5:22). An apple tree will only give good apples if it is nourished

properly. We can only give God’s love to others when we allow ourselves to be nourished by the Holy Spirit. One of the “fruits” others see in a person

who lives by the Holy Spirit is patience.

“Love is patient…” (1 Corinthians

13:4)

VIRTUE

of the

month:

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“She is clothed with strength and dignity.” Proverbs 31:25

{Clothing that magnifies your dignity}

“The Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Father, a blessing

by which the Church expresses her gratitude

to God for all his benefits, for all that he has

accomplished through creation, redemption and sanctification. Eucharist

means first of all ‘thanksgiving’”

(CCC 1360).

“For everything there is a season, and a time for

every matter under heaven…

He has made everything beautiful in its time;

also he has put eternity into man's mind, yet so that he cannot find out

what God has done from the beginning to

the end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11)

“But if we hope for what we do

not see, we wait for it with

patience”

(Romans 8:25)

Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself.”

~St. Francis de Sales

fAsHiOn TiP: Looking for something to spice up your winter outfit? Look no further—

MITTENS!