Spring Time Joy!

    Spring is a time of renewal, a time to shed the old and put on the new.  For a moment think of the many wonders that happen in spring.  New life comes in spring, from the birth of animals to flowers bursting forth from the ground.  The trees, once barren, begin to bud, some with flowers others with just leaves.  The robins return dancing upon the ground and splashing in bird baths.  Bears and other hibernating animals awake from their slumber.  The days are growing warmer and longer with sunshine filling the sky.  All around there is life anew, the dreary days of winter are finally coming to an end.  Easter also comes in springtime, yet for many, the significance of this special celebration is missed. 

    When I moved into the state of Virginia, I had heard about a place in Maryland called the Grotto of Lourdes.  It took several years before I ventured there and it first was a place that had beautiful gardens, statues of angels, Jesus, Mary and many other "Catholic" symbols.  I enjoyed visiting this place but it was not until my second divorce and the deepening journey with Jesus that the truth of this place "hit" me.  I no longer attend a Catholic church, for my relationship with Jesus has moved beyond the teachings of Catholicism.  It was my Catholic upbringing and involvement in the church that paved the foundation for my journey to begin.  When God removes you from one church, He guides you to the next one where He wants to meet you and develop you even more.  So, though I was no longer a Catholic when I began my yearly spring time pilgrimages to the Grotto, it was my deeper relationship with Jesus that I could experience Him in this place.  

     Beginning in 2010, every spring and fall I would journey up to the Grotto of Lourdes, located in Emmitsburg, Maryland.  The Grotto is part of the Mount St. Mary's University.  Over the years it has gone through development, but serenity and peace, I always find.  The pathway begins with the Stations of the Cross.  When you walk along the path and stop at each Station, you are transported into the journey from the courts to Calgary that Jesus took.  The Stations lead up to the Sanctuary, here is were masses are held during good weather but it is what is beyond the Sanctuary that I am drawn to.  I walk the narrow pathway and climb the stairs to be with my Savior.  With the woods all around and a gentle brook just a few feet away, I find my Joy.  There are stone benches for one to sit and be there at the foot of the cross and there is where I have left many of hurts, burdens, triumphs and tears.  To gaze upon my Savior's face, I find my Joy and feel His overwhelming love for me. 

   In my silent moments there with Jesus, I was given poems to write and yes I carry my pen and pad so that when He begins to give them to me, I am prepared.  

   I have been feeling something missing in my life and I as I was reflecting about spring it was then that I realized that I have not been on my pilgrimage for several years.   With this realization, I also realized that I have allowed many of my vital needs to be ignored and I am now determined to make the changes to bring back balance, serenity and peace back into my realm.  Jesus, is putting me back on the path that I slightly strayed.  I chose the wrong fork in the road, but He brought me to another and is showing me the right choice.  

   You may wonder why I stated that many miss the significance of Easter and that it happens in spring.  Spring is about being reborn, shedding the old skin and allowing the new skin to come forth.  To let go of the past, live in today and trust Him with your future.  Jesus, died upon the cross after going through a beating that no mortal could have survived.  He was mocked and crowned with thorns, which they then hit upon to cause more pain and blood to stream down His face.  He was burdened with the weight of the cross beam to carry through the streets of Jerusalem to the Calvary, were they nailed Him to the cross and hung Him to die a criminals death, one that He did not deserved, but chose so that today I could be reborn in Him.  His love for us was so strong, so unconditional that He went to the grave and into hell to defeat the devil once and for all.  He rolled the stone away, reborn to a new life that He freely offers to us, if we chose it.  I chose Jesus and the life He has dreamed and is creating for me.  Bullfrogs and Butterflies by Barry McGuire is a great spring time song and teaches about the story of being reborn and the JOY that is gained. 

    I am sharing one of the poems that He gave to me while I was sitting at the foot of the Cross.  

I Am Here.

I am here

Once again bringing you my burdens

Praying for guidance and strength

For I am so overwhelmed with sadness.

After the many rains

The water rushes down the stream

Eager to reach the river

Just as I am eager to fulfill my dreams.

But what seems like forever to me

Is a mere moment for You.

And I must wait and be patience

For to see the greatness that You will do.

Many of my days are lonely

Many nights I am alone.

With no one’s arms to hold me

The tears freely flow.

You capture each teardrop

Holding them close to Your heart.

As I lay trembling, You wrap Your arms around me

Holding me tightly through the night so dark.

The world will not let me go

I feel myself sinking deeper still.

Until my heart is pierced with the image

Of the cross upon the hill.

A place so long ago

Where God poured out His love.

When on the cross my sins were forgiven

By the death of His precious son.

When the pain is so heavy

To the cross is where I go.

To feel the comfort of the one

Who truly loves me so.

For each day He provides to me

Everything that I need to make it through.

His strength, love and forgiveness

Each day for me is always renewed.

Even though I am not worthy

Of the blood He did shed.

He reigns within my heart to keep me strong

For when the world is attacking my head.

May I be an instrument for you, Lord

Giving me the words to write.

Make them strong and worthy

To share Your glorious light.

May my hands be Yours

To help all those that I shall meet.

May I be given the strength to help them,

Lift them up onto their feet.

May my eyes see clearly

Past the surface of the skin.

And into the heart and soul

That lives deep within.

May my ears hear the sounds

Of the cries that are not heard.

So that when I am speaking to them

They hear Your love within my words.

My voice is Your instrument

To sing Your song of love.

Always in joyful, soulful praise

The gift of Your Glorious Son.

   Written this day; May 2, 2014

Grotto of Lourdes, Emmitsburg MD

By: Darla Palombia

 My prayer; 

      May God watch over you and protect you

    May He bring peace to those who are raging

    May He bring comfort to all those who are hurting

    May God heal our broken land and unify us

    So that His will be done! May we all become like the 

     Bullfrogs and the Butterflies.    

         Amen!

     

March has Arrived

  March arrived today with snow upon the ground and cold in the air.  Today is my love's birthday and though we had planned to celebrate together, circumstances arose that changed the plans.  Was I sad and disappointed?  Yes, because I wanted to wake up with him and look deep into his eyes and wish him a happy birthday.  Sometimes there are reasons that we cannot see or comprehend to why things happen to change our plans, but we must be flexible, understanding and open to when these occur.  Though I was not able to wake up beside him and look him in the eyes and tell him "happy birthday" with my not so lovely morning breathe, I was able to video tape myself singing happy birthday to him and send it via messenger.  We have been able to FaceTime each other and I was able to gaze upon his beautiful and endearing smile as we talked.  I sent him pictures of the cake and other goodies I had prepared, knowing that there will be another time that I can do it all over again, just for him.  I am happy in the knowledge that although we are not able to be together, we are still able to share this special day together through the wonderful advancements of technology.  Though it is not quite the same, there was once a time when all that you had the ability to do was make a phone call.  With the advancement of technology, individuals can now converse with their loved ones that are overseas or across the country and actually see them.  

    This has been a very powerful emotional week for myself.  It actually began with Friday, February 22nd, when I attending the woman's retreat at my church.  Instead of traveling several hours, the retreat was a "local" one held at the church. The theme: Go Be with People.  The guest speaker was amazing.  Our first half was about relationships. and why it is so important to build them.  By building relationships we are expressing the Kingdom of God by expanding our love for others.  God does not call or ask us just to love a few chosen people that enter into our lives, but to love EVERYONE.  While discussing relationships, three key statements about why we develop relationship struck out to me.  The first is that relationships are the sphere of influence in our lives.  That we are influence by and provide influence to those that are part of our lives, our workplace, church, the gym and anywhere we go. The second is that relationships are helpful in keeping us healthy.  Without relationships, one can become prone to depression and loneliness, two major factors that can impact a person's body health.  The third statement, which is my favorite; relationships are the glue in the chaos of life.  Yep, you read it right.  Without relationships and having individuals with whom we can talk and go out with, the chaos of just a normal day could overwhelm us to the point that we would be wearing a straight-jacket or be inches from jumping off the nearest cliff.  I had come to a realization that we truly take relationships for granted and do not realize just how important they are in our life.  God knew that us mere mortals would need binding and loving relationships.  People who would be in our life as parents, husband or wife, life-partner, family and friends.  That there would be those that come into our life for a reason, for a season and for eternity.  As we were finishing up Friday evening, the speaker told a story of a woman talking (praying) to God and asking Him to stop her from being a "door mat".  God told her, I did not create you to be a door mat but to be a "doorway!"  By being God's doorway, I can love everyone that enters into my life as He loves me-unconditionally.  Does this mean that they will love me in the same manner? No, but should that make a difference to the way I love them...NO!  As the doorway of God's love, I can build relationships with all that enter in my life, some will come and stay for awhile then leave, others will turn and walk back out, and then there will be those that come and stay with me for always. 

 Always love people!!!

     Day two, Saturday, February 23rd...Hospitality!!!  Now everyone that knows me, knows that I love to show hospitality.  Hospitality goes with the lesson Jesus taught about loving people.  We should love God first and then love others second.  By having hospitality in my life, then I am prepared to love on those that are in my life and those that are yet to enter my life.  What is hospitality?  The definition is a friendly and generous reception of guests, visitors and strangers.  How are we to be hospitable?  First; belonging always comes before believing.  Do not be afraid to invite someone into your life, even if it is someone whom you do not like. By bringing individuals into your life, they become the receiver of God's love and through His love, will be transformed.  Second; a welcoming experience can set people free.  When an individual is invited to an event or place where everyone is welcoming and expressing God's love, it is life-changing.  By being warm and welcoming, hopefully the individual will return, even if it is just to see if the welcome is still the same, and eventually God's love will again transform them.  Third; smile!!!  Welcome everyone with a warm and loving smile.  You know the smile that spreads from ear-to-ear and reaches your eyes.  A smile that says,"I am so glad you are here!"   A smile is just a frown turned upside down, so see if you can turn someone's frown around!!  You just never know how your smile could make someone, even a stranger's, day.  Remember that we are not to be the judge of others for you never know what the person may be going through or what has happened within their life or that very same day.  We all know the saying, "Do not judge an individual until you have walked a mile in their shoes!"  Well, I say walk 20 miles to truly discover what is happening in their lives.  My thought was always; "There, but for the Grace of God, go I."  I have been blessed in so many ways, how cannot I not share those blessings with others.  I no longer want to be selfish, but to be giving and fruitful by letting God's love shine through all my cracks.

     Ask yourself this question: "What is on your table at home?"  Is your table full of stuff or is your table ready for to welcome guests, visitors or strangers?  Your home does not have to be perfectly clean, you do not have to be "Susie Homemaker", your life does not even have to be all-together to invite someone in, but having your table ready, you are prepared to show kindness to others and welcome them in.  Invite someone to come to your table for coffee or tea.  Invite someone to your table at lunch or break if you eat in a cafe or cafeteria.  Invite individuals to come to your table so that you can be with them and pouring God's love on them.  When you invite them to your table, already have everything prepared so that you can be with them and not running around.  Play soft music, light candles, be present. Keep it simple, finger foods, a prepared dish, like lasagna.  When you are present and in the moment with people, you learn and see them for who they are.  You are showing them that you truly want to be with them and to build a relationship.  Most importantly, be flexible when inviting individuals into your life, for everyone is different and has different tastes.  By being flexible you are able to go with the flow and expand your life while inviting others in.   Remember these words:  Kindness is the key to hospitality and hospitality is the art of being flexible. No matter what "season" of your life that you find yourself, ask God to use you and to make you flexible, you will be amazed to where He leads you and to whom He brings into your life. 

     Sunday, February 24th was my mother's 84th birthday. In my heart, I knew that she was celebrating in Heaven with family, friends and most of all, the love of her life, my father.  While in church, during the time of praise, I was singing in the back and the prayer team was there to receive those that came to be prayed upon.  One of the members however heard from God to pray for me.  While she was praying, He gave her a message to give to me.  She came to me and told me that God wanted her to pray for me and the message was "I am in Control." I was so overwhelmed that I could not hold back the tears and I felt His presence with me.  I always pray for His will to be done in my life, but lately I have been struggling with some things.  These struggles have been keeping me from my sleep and feeling tense and stressed at work. Though I knew that I was trying to do it all on my own, that I had stumbled off my path and was having difficulty getting back on, He sent the message that I needed to hear.  Those four words got me back on the path and focused on Him once again.  Though the beginning of the work week, I was still being pressured by the world, I knew that He was in control and that all things in His time would be revealed and taken care of . I just had to step back and breathe His name and all was then calm.  I knew that my burdens and worries, He was asking me to hand over to Him and everything will be as He deems in my life.  

   Thursday, February 28th, God showed that in time, all things are going to be put right. My oldest son is going through some difficulties in his life, but through the message I received, he too, is understanding the God is in control and putting things the way He wants them through His time.  We must be patient and let Him be in control.  Which brings me back to today.  The man that God brought into my life was born 55 years ago, today, March 1, 1964.   This man is so very special and though he has gone through many challenges in his life, he has persevered and overcome.  As I sit and look out my window at the bird feeders, today I have had many visits from cardinals.  Not just one or two, but six, then eight, they just kept coming, both male and female. Many came and just sat among the rose bushes and stared into the window at me, while others took in some enjoyment from the feeders.  Among all the other little birds that were flirting in and out to enjoy the food, many just came to sit within the bushes, chirping while resting.  There is a saying that when cardinals come to visit it is our loved ones coming to check in.  Well apparently all my loved ones are visiting today.  My mother, father and grandparents and ancestors that I did not have the chance to meet, it is like a family reunion.  I also believe that  my love's mother is also stopping and visiting.  She wants me to let him know, that she is with him and to wish him a happy birthday. 

 My Prayer for Today:

   Lord, You are greater  than any hurt from others that is done unto me. 

   Your love is greater than any dislike or discord that from others I may see.

   You teach us to forgive daily and to move forward in love.

   While the world teaches us hatred and to push people aside.

   May You use me Lord, to show kindness, Grace and Mercy

  To invite individuals to come through  my doorway and enter in to Your Love.  

     In Jesus' Holy Name...Amen!

Pictures taken on March 1, 2019 by Darla E. Palombia 

Happy Birthday My Teddy Bear!!  I love you with all my heart!