God Loves a Cheerful Giver!

By Caroline Andrews

    Up and down, up and down. Lissa swung, her feet dragging on the  grass. Grasping the handles of the swing, she hung her head back and stared up at the blue sky, trailing her blonde hair behind her.
    "The sky's so beautiful today," she said to herself. "I wonder who lives up there?" She watched some clouds float by. "Whoa, that one looks like a princess! Naw, there's no cloud in the world that could look like a princess!" She giggled, and then glanced at another one. "And that one....hmm. That one looks like..a puppy dog! A little one...maybe a Bichon." She smiled at the thought of a Bichon cloud! For a few more minutes she gazed at the puffy white cloud, and then a voice startled her and drew her out of her reverie.
    "Lissa! Melissa! Come inside now! Have you finished your chores? And cleaned your room? And fed your hamster for today? And I need to make dinner now so you need to watch the baby now. Come on, hurry up and come in!" Lissa's mother directed from the porch door. Lissa sighed, sat up on the swing, and dragged her feet until the swing halted. She stood up slowly and ambled inside, thinking.
    "Chores chores chores. It's always 'Lissa do this' and 'Lissa do that'. I never have any time to myself! There's time for Emma to do things and go places. Just because she can drive she can do whatever she wants, and I'm the one stuck at home babysitting and cleaning up and always helping Mom. It's just not fair!" Lissa pouted as she walked into the house. About three steps into the doorway, the work began. Lissa had kicked off her shoes and headed up for her room, but before she could get anywhere Mom pelted her.
    "Here Lissa take David. I can't make dinner with him crawling up my leg! And why don't you take him up to your room and clean up."
    "But Mom...I can't get anything done while I'm watching him!"
    "Oh sure you can. Just put him on the floor and let him crawl around while YOU clean up. Just don't let him into the bobby pins or the nail polish! And watch your phone too...it doesn't take much for him to break it! Oh and careful of your school scissors...he could cut himself! And the corners...watch him closely if he gets up and tries to walk! You know he falls down easily..." Lissa stormed off as Mom finished giving instructions. She stomped up the stairs dragging David behind her.
    "Ugh. Mom just doesn't get it! I have my own stuff to do too you know! I can't spend my whole life just watching David, cleaning up, and basically being the Molly Maid!" Reaching her room, she yanked open the door and glared.
    "AAH! It's a mess!! My life is horrible. Everything is wrong and it's all a disaster. I can't stand it! Mom's driving me crazy and my room's a mess and I have too much to do!" Lissa flopped down on her bed and started to cry. Little David remained on the floor, watching Lissa with a puzzled look on his face. Suddenly he brightened up and said,
    "Wissa! T'OK! Jesus hewp!"
Lissa looked up, smiling through her tears. She answered, "David, you're right. I'll pray about this." So together they knelt down, big sister and little brother, and Lissa prayed while David looked cute with his hands folded and trying to keep his eyes closed. When they were finished, David crawled over to a  book on the floor. He got behind the book and pushed it to Lissa.
    "Wissa! Here! Cwean up dis book! Dis on de floor! Dat's not good." Lissa giggled and grabbed the book from David.
    "Thanks David. Should we clean up my room together?" David nodded, a big grin on his face. He had cheered up Lissa! The little boy was proud of himself, and in hopes of another smile from Lissa, he hurried to get another book.
    "Here Wissa. Cwean up dis one too!" Lissa took it from him and put it on the shelf.
    In about twenty minutes Lissa's room was looking spik-and-span again. She brushed off her hands and reached for David's little fingers.
    "C'mon David, let's go downstairs," she smiled. David grabbed her hands and they went down the stairs again, into the kitchen.
    "Mom?" Lissa asked.
    "What?" her mom replied, busy at the stove.
    "I'm sorry," Lissa shrugged pentiently. "I was complaining and I should've just taken the jobs you gave me and served joyfully. I'll try to do that in the future."
    Mom smiled and put her arm around Lissa. "I forgive you. And I'm sorry too, for giving you too much to do and expecting more out of you then you could handle. I'll try to respect that from now on."
    Lissa smiled, "I forgive you too Mom."
    Then Mom's eyes twinkled, and she said playfully, "How about a break for my hard working daughter? This Saturday, why don't you invite some friends over and do something fun? Maybe you could go swimming or something?"
    Lissa gasped, "Really Mom?!"
    Mom smiled at her bright-eyed daughter. "Really. You go have fun, and I'll get Emma to babysit if I need it. Enjoy yourself honey."
    Lissa jumped joyously and hugged her mom. "Thanks Mom! I'll ask them right away. I can't wait!! And from now on- I'm not going to be a complainer anymore, because all my hard work and joyful service is rewarded."

"...few words and many deeds..."

"Remember that the Christian life is one of action; not of speech and daydream.  Let there be few words and many deeds, and let them be done well."
 - St. Vincent Pallotti

I was going to write something profound to go along with it, but the tornado sirens just went off so I should go downstairs.  God bless you and have a good day!

Blessed Micheline of Pesaro

Editor's Note: Bl. Michelina's feast was yesterday, when this was supposed to be posted, but I ran out of time and am posting it today instead.  Sorry for any confusion!

Today is the feast day of Blessed Michelina of Pesaro. Most of you have probably never heard of her- I hadn't until I discovered that it was her feast! Though she lived many centuries ago, several lessons she learned apply to our lives today.

Michelina was born to the noble and wealthy Metelli family in the year 1300. Her family was devout, and she also grew up loving God and serving Him. When she was twelve, she married the Duke of Malastesta (all you twelve year olds out there, isn't that strange to think about?!). Unfortunately, her husband died when she was twenty, leaving her with a little son to care for. At this point, she searched for happiness in the world. Neglecting her religious duties and her prayer, Michelina attended parties, grabbed at new luxuries, and immersed herself in the culture. However, she didn't find the happiness she was looking for. Realizing her need to spend more time and energy with her son and accepting her responsibilities, Michelina settled down and befriended a holy Franciscan lay woman in her home town of Pesaro.

Her friend Syriaca changed her for the better. This Tertiary, who lived in her home but took vows under the Third Order of St. Francis, led Michelina to pray and care for the needy. This spiritual guidance was just what she needed, and after her son died, she also became a lay Franciscan. Michelina's sudden change surprised her family, who thought she was insane and locked her up. They couldn't believe that she gave away her beautiful clothes and started eating cheap plain food. When they realized that she had become such a holy women, her family freed her and let her continue her prayer, fasting, and good works.

Throughout her life, Michelina practiced self-mortification but gave generously and with love to others. Later when she was quite old, she took a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to experience Christ's life and the places He frequented. At the age of fifty-six, in 1356, she received her heavenly reward and went home to her King. The citizens of Pesaro considered her a saint, and she was canonized in 1737 by Pope Clement XII. She is the patron of mentally ill people, widows, and the patron against the death of children and insanity. Slightly morbid, don't you think?!

There are two lessons we learn from the story of this wonderful lady. First, Bl. Michelina fell away from God because she tried to immerse herself in the culture to find happiness. Fashion, food, and parties didn't satisfy her, and they won't satisfy us either. It's important to stand strong against this evil culture and its lies- just like our motto “Blooming Through Fire” promotes. Happiness is found in loving God and obeying Him through our thoughts, actions, and decisions. Don't turn to the world and its pleasures to satisfy you. Draw closer to God and develop a strong relationship with Him through prayer and good deeds of love for others. The second lesson is that Michelina's life changed drastically because of a godly mentor and friend. If you want to become holy, it's important to have friends and mentors that are strong Catholics, pray daily, and strive to be saints. Choose your friends carefully, because they have sooo much influence on who you become, especially in the junior high years.

Blessed Michelina of Pesaro, pray for us!
-Hannah

Something to think about:

"God, who 'dwells in unapproachable light,' wants to communicate his own divine life to the men he freely created, in order to adopt them as his sons in his only-begotten Son. By revealing himself God wishes to make them capable of responding to him, and of knowing him, and of loving him far beyond their own natural capacity." (CCC 52)


Thank you to Hannah for finding this!

Quote for the Day!

Hey Girls.....

Today remember to endure trials with love, and to serve joyfully! James 1:12 says,

"Blessed is the one who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him."

You are loved!

Caroline