Need inspiration?

I've been wanting to write this post all week/month after being inspired to by the Snoring Scholar, and I'm sheepish for just now getting to it. It was more because I wanted to make sure I had my thoughts straight, and sometimes it is so much easier to record the mundane in life, than sometimes the pulse that drives life.

May is the month for Mother's Day, which makes it the perfect month for Mary. I know many of my friends may not fully understand the devotion to Mary. Others sometimes claim Catholics make her God, or we worship her as one. I'm not exactly skilled at theology, but I'll simply state it as I have both been taught and have personally felt. She is not God, but she is the Mother of God. It simply makes her special (like all mothers), and what an example to look up to for inspiration. I certainly am not that brave, and can barely make a decision LOL - so wow, such grace! I like how it makes aspects of my faith a "family affair" - Jesus at the right hand of the Father, and many hails to His Mother as a helpmate to us.

Having had many struggles and growing pains at times with the many earthly mothers in my life, Mary has been someone I've turned to daily since I was young. Before I could even read, she was presented as this heavenly mother who always "had our backs" while gently challenging us at the same time. :) Turning to her was calming, and comforting, and got me refocused on leaning on the Big Guy. She's in my corner!

On my hardest parenting days, she reminds me to gently accept myself, accept my children, to say YES to doing what is being called of me to stretch myself for them. She reminds me that I am doing something bigger than myself.

So, this was a month to honor the mothers in my life - and the little Mary moments too. If you ever need some inspiration, just take a second look at one heck of a woman. The epitome of grace.

I think in the coming week, I'll focus on ways to find inspiration. I'd love to hear what brings you grace, positive thinking, and peace.

Much Love!!!