“Do not be afraid.”
We hear this so many times in the Bible. We are also told: “What you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops” (Matthew 10:27). God is constantly speaking to us; He has so many thoughts and inspirations He wants to share with us—and through us—but what keeps us back? Fear. Fear of not being right. Fear of not measuring up. Fear of being criticized. The list goes on and on. But we cannot let fear keep us in bondage. In the parable of the talents, the servant who is condemned for failing to use his resources well is the one who acted—or rather, chose not to act at all—out of fear. We need to “put out into the deep” (Luke 5:4). We need to trust in the Lord. We need to “be not afraid.”
This is why we are starting a blog. Too often we have listened to the fears that tell us not to: “No one will want to read your stuff.” “You don’t have time to waste on a project that will probably never get off the ground.” “It won’t turn out right.” “You just think God is telling you to do this; it’s really just your own voice you’re listening to.” More and more, however, we have come to realize that we believe God really is calling us to write this blog, and that what we have to share is not just something we would like to share with the world, but something He wants us to share. It is one of the talents the Lord has given us.
So, what is this blog about? While we will cover many topics, this blog is essentially about
Learning to Live in Love.
We have come to appreciate first-hand that life is a journey, full of beautiful vistas, dangerous pitfalls, hard climbs, refreshing streams, and both good and bad companions. We think of ourselves as fellow travelers on the journey, learning as we go and eager to share what we have learned with others we meet along the way. And the hardest and most important lesson that we are learning is, very simply, what it means to love.
Here you can expect to find stories about real life (the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly!), reflections intended to spark conversations, and insights on living our Faith, cultivating relationships, growing together as a family, and making a home. We do NOT want to paint a perfect picture of our family, start arguments, attempt (and fail) to solve all of life’s problems, or fan the flames of hot-button issues and politics. Our aim is to build up, not to tear down.
Who should read this blog? While everyone is welcome to view our content, it will apply to some more than others. We are Catholic. Our final goal is perfect union with God in heaven. Our immediate goal is to enter into that union by living and loving as well as we can day by day. As a result, this blog is most of all intended for anyone who wants to draw nearer to the Lord. It will also speak directly to families, to people who want to deepen their friendships, and to those who seek to live better lives. By contrast, this blog will not be of interest to people who do not want a relationship with God, people who are looking for quick fixes, or people who are satisfied with the status quo. In short, those who share our goal and purpose will be the ones who benefit most from walking with us.
Please be aware that we are “saints-under-construction.” We do not have everything straight yet, and are still learning lots of lessons! That being said, we invite you to join us on our journey. We hear the Lord’s voice calling us to draw nearer to Him, to let Him show us how to live according to His most merciful plan. And it is not an abstract theory, a fluffy castle in the clouds, or a far-off dream. It is concrete, practical, and immediate. He is teaching us how to raise our children, how to express our affection to each other, and how to hear Him in prayer. He is showing us how to use our money responsibly, how to eat more healthfully, and how to make our own laundry soap (yes, even that practical!). He is telling us that friendship is deeply important, that He is speaking to us every moment of the day, and that He wants us to share these things with others—with you!
We are excited to be taking this adventure with you, and we welcome comments, questions, and insights. Feel free to reach out to us through our contact page anytime. God bless you!
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