I've met people who have put religious events or extra prayer times ahead of everything thinking that is what God would want. Although I am the first to say that I do not know what God wants and struggle much like everyone else to discern my place in His scope of the world, I do think that, sometimes, we have responsiblities that supercede spending time alone in prayer. As mothers, we should know this beyond a shadow of a doubt yet I often hear mother relate how they had to get fast food for dinner because they wanted to do some extra devotion, etc. I think Padre Pio had it right:
“Duty before everything, even something holy” ~St.Padre Pio
If you think about it, doing your duty by your family and husband IS a form of prayer that you give and gift to them.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Some of my favorite memories . . .
Although my son and I were totally blessed to have been able to go on our recent trip, we both found some instances that will forever stand out in our memories.
Since our primary tour was of the Battlefields of World War II, we visited a lot of battlefields, churches, and cemeteries which all played, naturally, major parts in the war. On one tour of a Catholic Church, our guided tour was almost like being in a movie. As our guide took us around the church, the church organist was practicing his music on the massive pipe organ. The old churches are huge and stone so the music sounds heavenly in that setting. As we were preparing to leave the church, our guide said something to the organist who immediately started playing the entire Star Spangles Banner for us . . . on a beautiful pipe organ! We just stood there in awe and appreciation for the compliment that was paid to our country. When the last note sounded, there wasn't a sound but many discreet tears and emotional feelings at this gift we had been given on our trip.
We visited several American cemeteries overseas and were told often that the ground our brave soliders were placed in was considered American soil. My son spent most of one free time visit just wandering from cross to Star of David tombstone reading the names and thinking about what it all meant.
When we arrived in one cemetery, a group of people were gathered for some reason or other, possibly visiting a grave. They suddenly broke out into a couple of patriotic American hymns which sort of drifted in the breeze over the fields of crosses and Stars of David. It was one of the purest forms of patriotism I've witnessed in a long time.
A special event took place on our tour. One of the people in our tour was the first person in his family to ever visit the grave of his uncle who died in the war overseas. The cemetery officials personally took him out to the grave and then a 21-gun salute was heard along with Taps. Another moment when tears were hard to keep back!
Since our primary tour was of the Battlefields of World War II, we visited a lot of battlefields, churches, and cemeteries which all played, naturally, major parts in the war. On one tour of a Catholic Church, our guided tour was almost like being in a movie. As our guide took us around the church, the church organist was practicing his music on the massive pipe organ. The old churches are huge and stone so the music sounds heavenly in that setting. As we were preparing to leave the church, our guide said something to the organist who immediately started playing the entire Star Spangles Banner for us . . . on a beautiful pipe organ! We just stood there in awe and appreciation for the compliment that was paid to our country. When the last note sounded, there wasn't a sound but many discreet tears and emotional feelings at this gift we had been given on our trip.
We visited several American cemeteries overseas and were told often that the ground our brave soliders were placed in was considered American soil. My son spent most of one free time visit just wandering from cross to Star of David tombstone reading the names and thinking about what it all meant.
When we arrived in one cemetery, a group of people were gathered for some reason or other, possibly visiting a grave. They suddenly broke out into a couple of patriotic American hymns which sort of drifted in the breeze over the fields of crosses and Stars of David. It was one of the purest forms of patriotism I've witnessed in a long time.
A special event took place on our tour. One of the people in our tour was the first person in his family to ever visit the grave of his uncle who died in the war overseas. The cemetery officials personally took him out to the grave and then a 21-gun salute was heard along with Taps. Another moment when tears were hard to keep back!
Back in the USA . . .
Arrived home on American soil yeterday afternoon but still seem to be on European time. My son couldn't even get to sleep as it was our 'former' time frame to be wandering around Munich deciding on what pastry to have for breakfast! Anyway, back on line and hoping to get some adventures posted when the local time and my mental time finally merge. In the meantime, I discovered these in clearing out my e-mail files and wanted to share them.
"A short saying oft contains much wisdom."
-- Sophocles
"Against logic there is no armor like ignorance."
-- Laurence J. Peter
"You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do."
-- Henry Ford
"A short saying oft contains much wisdom."
-- Sophocles
"Against logic there is no armor like ignorance."
-- Laurence J. Peter
"You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do."
-- Henry Ford
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