13th response to 3 of 4

Everything that happens in our life is an opportunity for an encounter with God. How do we respond? Do we try to tend towards union with Him?

Group #23 responded:

Be aware of being silent in busy, noisy world. Get away – take a break – make appointment of time to be silent and in prayer.
Life of love, prayer and service. God will give grace to live Carmelite life.
Promise to God – stay aware of promise made to God, mass, adoration.
Responsibility to bring truth to family – pray for them always.
Be aware of quiet space always. Able to go to meet God even in midst of busy life.
How for us to me Martha and Mary – “give me heart of Mary and hands of Martha” – a prayer said each morning. Acknowledgement
Easier to do devotions (prayers) than bringing apostolate to world – service to nursing home. Pray for family who has own lives – apostolate through church service.
Family very positive influence. Worn scapular since age six. Active in church, visiting nursing home and bring Eucharist – lector, bringing Word and go to charismatic prayer group.
Teach family by example can’t talk to family – lector
Work at hospital for service and rectory, health reasons can’t go to Mass, do hours as a couple.
Work full time in 2 different locations – balance prayer – drive to work, morning prayer at work, meditate hours on weekend, Eucharistic minister, sacristan, usher.
For families set example, words turn to conflict.
Work at church, do everything there at work can’t go to daily mass, do morning and evening prayers, do books for hubby’s business.
Continuing formation. God sees effort – fidelity and faithful - give God what you have. Reading breviary, read lectionary, prayer booklets.

We respond to God by listening to Him and try not to control.
Even in difficulties pray to respond in way – wait with patience
Pray to the Holy Spirit for understanding, listen to Sacred Heart radio to things pleasing to God through the Holy Spirit – wait for God to respond.
As cradle Catholic adhere to Jesus, Mary, etc. – brother converted to Born Again Christians – family feel hurt – pray to God for family, brother and struggle with.
Reverence the readiness of people to accept the truth. People get hungry for whole. Plant seeds. Let God’s word come back in God’s time.
Union with God through mass and adoration.
Parents prayer to holy angels for grown children.
Thank God for what happens. Give pain to God – offer it up for God’s purposes. “God you take over”
All prodigals in some way. See God in present moment.
Hard to control impatience. Can’t control all things in life. “Do best you can” Develop deep gratitude to God for blessings when things are going wrong. Dwell on gratitude. Love, trust, surrender.
Aware of wonders of God, don’t whine because of mental, physical, spiritual pains, give it to God.
Think of everything we have as gift or can never see any relief from pain.
Ask “what am I to learn from this tough situation?”
See humor.
Become prayer warriors, person of prayer at the service of the church.