— 1 —   This Week’s Post: She Was Just An Option ~ An anonymous guest sent this post to me at just the right time.  Next week, I will share with you the rest of her story along with 5 Red Flags for knowing if you are **not** a priority.  Thank you my anonymous Angel!

— 2 —   Not Alone Series:  This week’s NAS topic was:   Valentine’s Day ~ What are your thoughts about Valentine’s Day? Do you enjoy it? Loathe it? Not even realize it’s a special day? Do you celebrate it in any way? All the girls graciously answered these questions!  Check them out! 

I have to shine the spotlight on new entrant, Trudy Rose, as she shares with us how she spent her Valentine’s Day.  Are you curious??  Head on over and welcome her to the Series!

 —3 —  Spotlight On: This week’s spotlight is once again on Celeste from Sacred Sharings For The Soul. Unfortunately, the word “haughty” has a regular spot in the confessional for me.  She gently reminds us to keep our eyes on our own fries!  Nice job, Celeste!  

“In this manner we will be busy striving toward the Lord with a fullness of devotion and repentance that we will have little time to observe the faults of others. This arrogant observation is often the result of our own pride.”   Celeste

— 4 —  The Economics of Sex:  Sometimes the emails I receive from my readers have a weekly ‘theme’ and this week’s theme was “How do I stop sleeping with him?” I received several emails this week from readers asking this question.  Please do not think it is a silly question. Sex is supposed to attach us to our lover.  That is the whole point.  So, when the attachment is to someone who never plans to make a commitment, then one finds themselves in a heart-wrenching pickle.  They wonder, “How do I detach myself?” and “How do I strengthen myself to say ‘no’?”  and “Is there anything I can say or do to change his mind?” If you are also struggling with this, please feel free to write to me and I can walk you through it.  This also may help:

— 5 —   Pope Francis:  Words of encouragement from our Papa!  Glory be to God, indeed!

“Isn’t it good to know that God is working behind the scenes in your life, today? No matter what you may be facing, no matter what trial you may be going through, God has a plan to turn things around in your favor. You are called according to His purpose; so right now, He is working out a plan for your good. Right now, He is orchestrating the right people to come across your path. He is orchestrating the right opportunities to open up to you. You may not see it in the natural, but look with your eyes of faith today. Show your love for the Father by your obedience to His Word. Come before Him with an open and humble heart trusting that He is guiding you. Keep standing. Keep believing. Keep hoping. Keep declaring His Word and meditate on His goodness, knowing that He rewards the people who seek after Him. Glory be to God.”

— 6 —   Job 1:21  Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord: For those experiencing loss:

“Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb,

and naked shall I go back there.

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;

blessed be the name of the LORD!”

— 7 —Silent Retreat:  The retreat was excellent and, for the most part, was not strictly silent.  We were allowed to talk freely during the first evening and then in ‘hushed tones’ the rest of the time. The first evening started out slow and made me wonder if I was going to get anything out of it.  Then, I realized that if I was going to get anything out of it, then I needed to open my heart up to receive.  

The second day was much better.  The priest focused on the authority of God to help us overcome whatever it is that we are struggling with. He reminded us that God is even more interested and committed to our healing than we are! 

I went to confession and it was very powerful.  Mass was beautiful, as was Eucharistic Adoration.  Hearing over 100 ladies singing and praising the Lord was amazing.  For me, being prayed over by the priest was the best part. I am not sure how to describe it but I felt something….well ‘Someone.’  I felt a shock through my body when the priest first laid hands on my head. 

I am such a doubter though.  I still felt resistant to the Holy Spirit.  So, I do wonder how much my skepticism affected my experience.  Remember, I have a trust issue with God.  Two priests have told me this in the last two confessionals so it sounds like a legit diagnosis.  It is helpful to hear this because now I can put things into perspective.  I can recognize it and bring it to God with the sweet reminder that I have a ‘trust issue.’  Smiley Face. He already knows this but it apparently was important for me to know it.  I can now participate in the healing and more readily recognize the ‘medicine’ that is offered. I would call that a successful retreat!

God love and bless you!

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