Take Time to Smell the Roses...

Time is flying! Summer is almost over, school is upon us, there are so many things I'd still love to do, and things we have to do to prepare for the school year!  Days turn into weeks, and soon, fun events that seemed to have happened yesterday, become history and beautiful memories of past years.  

Have you ever noticed how much everyone seems to be in a hurry?  It seems we just can't wait for the next day, week, month or chapter of our lives.  Even since we were little, we played games pretending to be mommies, teachers, doctors, astronauts, and so many other  exciting and fascinating grown-up jobs that seemed far away in our futures.  We count time until Christmas and our birthdays, waiting for the next milestone.  Even now I can't wait to turn 17, take on my final year of school, and look to the future of my vocation.  Have you also noticed how companies want to sell you the fastest, most efficient, time saving products?  Consumers constantly look for faster internet speeds, speedier cars, quicker wait times at the DMV, and instant gratification.  But when I take a moment to stop and think, (inconceivable, I know!) I start to realize how much I take for granted.  Instead of thanking God for His marvelous gifts and blessings, I tend to press Him for the next thing.  

"What's your will for my life?" ... "Show me what you want." ...  "Now?!"  

God has blessed me and my family in so many ways.  So I need to take time to smell God's beautiful roses in my life.  You know that saying is so beautiful, since St. Thérèse said she would let fall a shower of roses by her prayers.  That's very special to me since she's my patron Saint, so I need to stop and "smell" the prayer roses that have been showered upon me.  I need to thank God and praise Him for all He has done.  I want to be like the 10th leper, in the Gospel of Luke (Chapter 17:11-19), who is cured, but comes back and bows down at the feet of Jesus to thank Him for His mercy.  

So let us take time to slow down and appreciate God's many beautiful blessings!  Let us thank our good Jesus for everything.  Also, it can really be nice just to look through old pictures, talk with your family about old times, read history books and imagine another time long past, and just think about the good (and not so good times) in our lives.  And finally, as I count my blessings, I count you, dear friends, twice.  Thank you ever so much for your friendship and taking time to read my blog.  You're in my prayers.

God bless!