However, it will do us good to nurture our spiritual life as well. Recently I spent a weekend on retreat. Though I missed my family, I knew this is what I needed. It was a whole weekend of celebrating Mass, going to Confession, learning more about our faith, and participating in prayer sessions. A chapel was always down the hall, accessible at any hour of the night. It was a weekend for nurturing my relationship with God. I came back from the retreat feeling lighter than air. I felt all around giddy and happy.

Most of us might not have the opportunity to go to a retreat right away, but we can still do little things to foster our spiritual growth. In our busy day, we can sneak in a decade of the Rosary, offer thanks to God for a grace He just bestowed on us, or spend a half hour before bed reading the Bible or other spiritual books on the Catholic Faith. My nightstand is overflowing with books from the saints and other Catholic writers in addition to the Bible.

Often during the day if I hear someone take the Lord’s name in vain, I follow in my head with “Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Sometimes, if a chore comes up which I don’t “feel like” doing, I can take that opportunity to “do it for God.”  All these little things help keep our relationship with God alive by involving Him in every aspect of our daily lives.

Perhaps the greatest and simplest way to make God part of our lives is to invite silence. When we are silent, God speaks to us. He’s that gentle knock on the door of your heart. He’s the soft whisper you hear in your soul.  When you hear him calling, answer the door and invite Him into your heart. With God as your nurturer, you are sure to grow.

Copyright 2010 Jennifer Gladen

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In the book of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, we read about how there is a time and a place for everything: “There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.” This goes on for eight verses. I find this suitable for every day – for we all have routines in our lives and certain times to do things. On a deeper level, as I continue to hear all the news and the attacks on our Pope and Church, I think now is a time “to speak” as it says in Ecc 3:7.

When Jesus established His church before He ascended into Heaven, He also gave us our first Pope. Now Peter’s successor is under great attack. As I watch him go through these tough times, I’m humbled by his faithful service to the Church. Right now he needs us – the faithful – to stand together. He needs our prayers. Prayers for perseverance and prayers for strength.

In addition, let us remember Pope John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization. This is the time: our time to speak. There are lies spread about our Pope. So let’s spread the truth. There is hatred against the Pope and the Church. So let’s spread love. There is persecution against the Pope and the Church, so let’s spread prayer. With all the faithful gathered together in support of Peter’s successor and the Bride of Christ, we can defeat the darkness. Now is the time to speak.



Copyright 2010 Jennifer Gladen

I suddenly felt the anxiety some of the children were likely feeling. When Father was talking to them, I felt God was using his words to speak to me as well. He reminded us that there aren’t many sins they haven’t heard before. It’s better to confess them and feel the peace of God’s forgiveness. So I got in line and waited. When it came time to confess my sins, I took a deep breath and let it all out.

Then something amazing happened. As the words left my mouth my soul felt like a large stone wall had exploded. Father gave me absolution for my sin and I felt free. I was sure my soul was so lightened that I could have easily floated away. I often don’t get emotional after confession, but this time I did. It was worth it to humble myself in order to gain absolution.

This Lent, make it a point to go to confession. Go even if you go every month.  And go especially if you haven’t gone in years. Take advantage of this grace God has waiting for you. It’s His gift custom designed just for you. The minute the words leave your mouth you will feel much better.  When your priests urge you to take time out to go to confession more, listen to them. They are leading you to a deeper spiritual life. Why not start now – in this season of Lent? It is the perfect opportunity – we just have to grab it.

Copyright 2010 Jennifer Gladen

One short clip, taken from the “Passion of the Christ”, was of the guards dragging away a battered Jesus after the Scourging at the Pillar. I admit, I am not strong enough to view these scenes. When I do, they often bother me for days. But, I am often consoled by God – usually in a dream.

This time it was last night. I had a dream I was among the crowds just before the crucifixion. I remember feeling distressed and I wanted to stop it. Then the events took a different turn from what we hear in the Bible. Everyone disappeared for a moment – or at least it seemed so. Then, as Jesus carried the cross, He turned to me and told me that this is God’s plan for our salvation. He then led me to the exact spot where His cross would be placed.

Once again as in the dream I had over a year ago, I don’t remember the words. It was like watching a silent movie and yet I understood everything He told me. I came away from the dream with the understanding that this is the way God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit wanted it.

I remember feeling better, but still concerned. Then He showed me what it might have been like even if everyone felt like I did. He showed me Him teaching the crowd that he must be crucified to fulfill God’s plan. I think it was a dramatic display of God confirming that this is all part of His plan. Logically, I know that and always have. It’s seeing Him in such a state that gets to me sometimes. He is our King and our God and that was what we did to Him.

But once again, God consoled my soul and brought peace to it. Just like the last time, I can’t remember His words, but I’ll never forget the peace He left me with. And when I let the peace fill my heart I remembered that the Crucifixion was NOT the end of the story. Jesus rising and opening the gates of Heaven for us was the final outcome of the Crucifixion. Now He lives in Glory forever – as our God and King should be.

(originally presented at www.randomthoughtsaboutgod.blogspot.com)

Copyright 2010 Jennifer Gladen

In this world there are many unbelievers, atheists, people living without God either intentionally or not.  There’s always scientists and theologists out to prove their beliefs. However, we needn’t look very far to see God in our lives. He manifests Himself everyday.

Did you ever stop and notice a tree? A tree is many things to many creatures. For us it generates oxygen and a wonderful scenery. For  animals it provides a home. On a hot day it provides cool shade.  This was all part of God’s plan for us.  This ordinary tree is really a wonderful gift from God.

We see Him in other areas of our lives as well. Have you ever caught yourself thinking “Thank God” in a certain situation? He gives us graces everyday to help us get through our lives. We just need to acknowledge it. For instance in this economy there have been times our family was short on cash. However, inexplicably, we somehow had just enough to cover our basic needs – diapers for the baby, food for the table, warmth for the house.  There have been several times when someone gave us an unexpected gift or card which provided us enough to meet our needs.

This reminds me of the verse in Matthew  6:26  “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?”

I recommend opening the Bible and reading Mt 6:26 to at least 6:33.  Jesus tells us precisely that God provides for us and not to worry about these things.  He graces us with these gifts everyday. When we open our eyes to see the gifts God gives us, it is overwhelming. I often feel unworthy of all He does for us.

Once I started acknowledging the gifts He has given me and my family, I noticed them more and more. Pretty soon, I began to record them in my “Journal for God.”  It’s wonderful to flip back the pages and remember all He’s done for me.

So remember, even if things aren’t going as planned or you’re feeling low, God is there to provide for us. He won’t force himself on us. He’s counting on us to seek Him out. “Count your blessings” and you’ll see He’s right there next to you more than ever.

Author’s Note:

To start your own Journal for God, get a journal or notebook from your local store. Decorate the front if desired. I like magazine cut outs of religious images.  Think of one thing today with which God has blessed you. It can be anything that made your heart smile or say “Thank God.” Try to do this once a day or at least once a week. Pretty soon you will “see” Him everywhere.

Copyright 2009 Jennifer Gladen

Why is it that by the time she was five she had two liver transplants?

Why did I  hemorrhage at twenty weeks when I was pregnant with my youngest, Anthony?

I can’t tell you the answer to these, but I can tell you how I got through it.

In a word, it was God.

When I thought I would lose Anthony, I prayed my baby would be safe.

“Dear God,” I said, “this is my son. I’m strong enough to care for him if he’s ill, but it would take a much stronger soul to handle losing him.”

A few months later I gave birth to a baby boy. Later he was diagnosed with a chronic kidney disease. He, too may be a future transplant candidate.

Someone once asked, “Do you still believe in God after all this?”

Such a question threw me off guard. All my life, including now, I’ve never had a doubt God was real. I never once feared that He’d left me.   With all the things happening to Jacqueline, especially at the time of diagnosis, I never felt more like He was with me.

Many others, my husband included, would feel abandoned and ask “Why did God do this to me?”

That thought never occurred to me. I knew in my heart I’d be fine, even if I lost Jacqueline or Anthony, because God was right there. He was holding my hand and walking me through the toughest times of my life.

For every needle that pierced their skin, God was whispering in my ear, “I am with you.”

For every surgery they had to endure, God was there drying my tears.

For every late night trip to the Emergency Room, He was my light guiding the way.

Yes, I was scared, but also never felt more safe. I knew no matter what, there was a reason and I’d be okay.

God didn’t abandon me. When he wasn’t holding my hand and walking beside me, He was carrying me like the Good Shepherd carrying the lamb.

An open heart to God, no matter how bruised, is never in danger. We’re all in the same place during our trials. We’re in the palm of the Hand of God. We’re vulnerable, yet the safest we’ve ever been. Terrible things happen in life, but God is there to pull us through.

Copyright 2009 Jennifer Gladen

After making my last confession, I asked myself how would I be able to avoid this sin in the future. What is the perfect balance between being Christ-like and being permissive?  I know as a parent I am not serving God or my children if I don’t bring them up correctly.

I have found several things to be effective. The first and foremost is asking the help of the Holy Spirit. The fruits of the Holy Spirit will guide us: wisdom, understanding, counsel, piety, fortitude,  knowledge and fear of the Lord.  We need all these things to not only raise our children, but to get through life.

Another thing I do is remind myself of and pray the Rosary. I notice my patience is shorter if I haven’t prayed the Rosary in a while. Why is that? When we pray and meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary, we are filled with peace. A purifying, holy peace. And when we’re filled with peace, there is no room in our hearts for anger. As Jesus once said, ” No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. ” (MT 6:24 .  While He was speaking of money, I think this could be applied in this situation.

One last thing I try is to ask myself, “If Jesus was standing in the room, would He approve of the way you are handling the situation? Would it make Him happy or would it hurt Him?” That is the ultimate goal in our lives – is to serve God and to please Him. He loves all of us more than we know.  It is our duty to treat each other with charity and guidance.

Will all these things in mind, I pray the Holy Spirit will guide me daily in raising my children.  And as I grow in God’s grace, I hope to avoid these words in my next confession: “Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has been one week since my last confession and I’ve already lost my temper with the children.” God Bless.

Copyright 2009 Jennifer Gladen

One night, my 4-year old son was having a hard time going to sleep. I chose to stay in the room with him until he settled down. I tried reading four of his favorite books to him. It worked for a second, but he was determined to stay up. His older sisters were awake. Why couldn’t he stay up too? After attempting to read to him, I turned down the lights and sat very quiet. However, he took that time to try to convince me to let him stay awake.

Then I decided to say my Rosary. I started to say it quietly in my head, but it was hard with my son’s fussiness. So, I said it aloud. I was up to the first decade when I decided to say my prayers out loud in front of my son. By the time I got to the second decade, he was silent and calmed down. He was amazingly peaceful for the entire Rosary. He listened intently, and became relaxed.

It’s hard to tell when he actually fell asleep, but to be sure, I started a second set of mysteries. After the second decade I stopped, for he was surely asleep. Since then, I have done this several other times and it always has the same effect – peacefulness.

I pray the Rosary as often as I can and it never ceases to amaze me. This is the most powerful prayer in the world. It has calmed me after severe hurtful situations, it always brings peace to my heart, and now I’ve witnessed it bring peace to my son’s heart.

If you’ve neglected your Rosary (as I have until about 1 1/2 years ago), consider picking it up. You’ll be glad you did.

Copyright 2009 Jennifer Gladen

Then one Holy Thursday I was in church. The songs were beautiful and all at once everything clicked for me. We were in Jesus’ presence.  I looked around to all He went through for us.  Then another thought hit me.  Many Catholic children, including mine, tend to have a hard time enjoying the Mass.

For them, it’s more time that they have to sit still and listen. I didn’t want my children to waste one more Mass and ignore their relationship with God. I knew it wouldn’t be easy. Every week we go through the “DO WE HAVE TO?” song and dance. If there was just a way I could get them to sit and listen.

After some thinking I’ve come up with a few ideas. The first thing I decided to do was sit as far up front as we could. I would point out and explain what the priest was doing and why he says that looong prayer before Communion. Last year my daughter and I both joined the choir.  But the one trick that got them to really pay attention? I reminded them how Holy Jesus’ name is and that we should really bow our heads when ever we hear His name.

Pretty soon, I noticed the children bowing their heads when they heard Jesus’ name.  While we still often go through the “DO WE HAVE TO?” dance, these tactics helped get them to listen. Only after they listen will they fully appreciate the Mass.

Copyright 2009 Jennifer Gladen