A WEEK FOR SALADS

     Whenever I have to take a dish to a Potluck, I put together a special salad. Most of the ingredients are in my fridge anyway so it's easy. My salad is very exciting and filled with colorful nutritious goodies. A young Pharmacy student approached me Friday at the U. of A. Cancer Center where I had a table for my book. She asked if I was Norma, then asked what was in my salad. We talked for a half an hour on what I had included.

        I was at the Cancer Center because a friend, Bettina Hofacre, was putting on a special program of monthly talks of promoting good health, especially for those with cancer. Several people were asked to have a table with wares. My friend Lindsey Meyer, who hand makes wonderful purses had the table next to me. In lieu of table fee, we had to donate a salad for 10. They have a luncheon with mostly salads, fruits, and desserts.  

        Inside my salad is whatever kind of lettuce I found inviting, celery, cucumbers, carrots, and tomatoes. Then I add crunchy things like sunflower seeds, chick peas, and walnuts.  Two types of cheese gets sprinkled on. I like feta for a surprise bite. A few ounces of cut-up free-range chicken adds protein. Then goes in some fruit like a cut up apple, raisins, or maybe blueberries. My salad dressing this time was Pear Gorgonzola by Litehouse which was mixed with plain yogurt. I prefer getting my veggies at Sprouts Supermarket which has a goodly selection of organic products.

        The second Potluck I went to was a going-away party for friends. How do you handle people leaving you when knowing you may never see them again? Most of us held back tears until the last minute. My daughters and I shed many tears when Lisa left for Chile for a year. We know she will come back for a visit. But how do you handle the knowledge that the people you are saying goodbye to will never come back to Tucson, and you won't be able to visit them?  We gave some Tucson t-shirts and baseball caps as mementos, but that still isn't enough. I have some sadness in my heart today and don't know when it will disappear. I can but put it into God's Hands for Him to heal the hearts of those at the Potluck. I pray He protects and guards all who travel and brings them on a new journey filled with richness and grace.

 

MY DIVINE GRACE ABOUNDS

     Earlier I put this on Twitter and thought I would add the rest here. It is a poem about how magnificent God is in all He does. Where would we be without Him? I saw that with two of my daughters this week. Suzanne and Beth, after reading my book, decided they would try to be more positive in what they say - especially about others - and do. For a while, they were wearing rubber bands on their wrists and would snap them if they said something not positive.

       Suzanne had to deal with a woman at an estate sale who really didn't want to sell the stuff. Several of us went to the house after a sneak preview last week and promises of really good deals before anyone else bought. Then it was: after this man takes what he wants - after this woman takes what she wants. The people who were running the sale should have asked all who had dibs out to come first, take their stuff, and then the shelves could have been rearranged so it looked like no one had removed anything. I saw a super, beautiful change in Suzanne in saying: it's okay, I don't need any of it and walking away. Several years ago she would have been extremely upset and eaten a double chocolate brownie sundae. Now she is juicing and 15 pounds lighter.

     Beth is dealing with a severe case of Restless Leg Syndrome. She has pursued so many avenues and no solution.  She went to another doctor today and he couldn't do anything for her either. He even said he wouldn't charge because no result. Let's pray for her to find something soon as she patiently searches.

    

Here's My Divine Grace Abounds, page 47, Small White Hearts 

 

My Child, how can the tomb be empty

When My Divine Grace Abounds?

 

How can your life be empty

When My Holy Spirit dwells within?

 

There is no hollowness on Earth

But only inside the hearts of unfulfilled people.

 

 

Meditation:

 

Come, Lord Jesus, into my life.

Fill me with Your goodness

To strengthen me for the chores you set before me.

 

Bring me into Your divine grace to give me courage

To speak boldly in and of Your name.

 

Come, O Holy Spirit, to open me widely to Your promises.

May I rejoice in Your holy presence and absorb Your goodness.

 

 

If this is your first time reading my poetry, read the top part several times, then read the Meditation and try to connect the two. As always, feel free to print and share with others, just give me credit. www.smallwhitehearts.com

     

FAMOUS FATHERS

      Today was Father's Day. My family and I spent time together for some delicious food and gifts. We had two fathers who were celebrating: Eddie, my son-in-law, and his stepdad Jim. Three birthdays were also celebrated: Alexandra, my granddaughter, Eddie and Jim. Some very appropriate gifts were chosen and received.  Wonderful food and fun times were enjoyed by all.

       Earlier, I was thinking about some famous fathers in the bible. At our Marana prayer group, we have been studying Genesis. Noah - the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth - was building the ark for 120 years. All the time Noah's neighbors were ridiculing him. They had never seen rain so how could they need a boat? What was a boat anyway? Meanwhile Noah and God were trying their best to convince the neighbors to repent (kind of like John the Baptist). No repentance unfortunately.

      Abraham was father of Isaac and grandfather of Jacob. Several times Abe strayed from his journey, but finally kept his promises to God. Isaac had trust and confidence in God when he walked with his dad to Mount Moriah. He asked where the sacrifice was, knowing he was the sacrifice. Could you allow yourself to be tied up and placed on an altar to die? I don't think I could have let my dad tie me up, even though I loved him greatly. 

       Probably the most famous dad is Joseph, foster father of Jesus. Once the angel spoke to him, Joseph did not hesitate to become a model for all other fathers. God said take Mary for your wife, so he did. God said, go to Bethlehem - go to Egypt - come back. What patience and kindness he bestowed on all. I often picture him holding the stirrups of the Wise Men as they remounted their camels as I read in Poem of the Man God, by Maria Valtorta.  Joseph was a humble servant. May more fathers be that way.

      Cherish your father if he is still alive. Give him a huge hug and don't be afraid to say I love you. If your father is not alive, know he is safe in Heaven and deserving of all the love that is generated. Adopt a father if you can and bring him joy during the year. You also have a fantastic Father Who will never leave your side. Know He watches over you. Talk to Him personally. Accept the blessings when you hear an answer. I send gratitude to all priests in my life who have given me support, direction, and strength when I wandered far and needed to get back on track. You pastors are holy and pure in His Sight.

        I had most of this written when I received a text from my granddaughter Alexandra. (Yes, we text each other, me at 72 and her at 17.) She asked me to pray for her friend Jeremy's dad today on Father's Day because Jeremy had been in a coma for awhile after a horrible auto accident and, as she said, God claimed another angel. Only 17, he would have graduated next year with her. How vital to say I love you often. Several of my women friends have lost children and they cannot cope for many years. It will be difficult for my granddaughter and Jeremy's dad to find solace tonight. May they feel Jesus' hand holding theirs as I so often do.      

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROMISES

      Hi, it's been a while since I wrote. I haven't forgotten you, just been to the other end of the country in Massachusetts visiting relatives. On my Facebook page I said I was composing a poem on the return flight about seagulls and dandelions, but didn't get to finish it. Instead here are some thoughts on Promises, given to me from Our Lord at prayer group a month ago.

 

 

       "Life, My Child, is full of Promises. Promises that are broken and Promises that are kept. There are Promises between spouses. Promises between parents and children. Promises between sisters and brothers. Promises between aunts, uncles, and cousins. Promises between girlfriends and boyfriends. There are Promises between neighbors, but, unfortunately and sadly, those are often broken.

       "Where are you in keeping Promises to yourself?  To others? To Me? Have you kept them or have you broken them? How are you working on keeping them? What are you doing to change your ways to keep your Promises to Me?

         "Where are your priorities in your Promises? Do you put Me first? Do you allow others to steal your precious time? Do you focus your thoughts on outside activities? Are you so rushed all day that you have no time for Me? Do you listen only to godly music and television shows? Do you give 10 per cent of your time to Me each day?

          "Take time, My Child, to rearrange your schedule and put it into My Hands. Then I will give back to you abundant time to do good for others and spread my blessings before you as you travel for Me to the ends of the earth."

 

 

 

 

           As always, please feel free to share this with anyone, just please give me credit for it. Norma Vieira Morrison, author of Small White Hearts,     www.smallwhitehearts.blogspot.com/     www.smallwhitehearts.com     June 9, 2013