:: a little bit of heaven

Hello sweet friends, have you wondered where I've been? Honestly, I've been doing a little bit of soul searching the past few days. I've been trying to reevaluate my life, and what is truly important to me. I was touched you see....by God.

This Sunday was the first time in quite a while that my family actually went to church, a fact that brings with it some shame. It's not that I think the only way to have a relationship with Christ is to go to church, but that absolutely is a huge part of my walk....and my walk lately has been pretty non existent.

I have to share with you Gods Grace and Love for me and my family....for when we showed up to church this past Sunday we were immediately asked to bring down the gifts (offerings) as a family during mass. What a blessing this was, and a message to us that no matter how far we've strayed that when we come back home we are welcomed with open arms and immediately brought back into the fold. We were the prodigal son, and he loved us and showered us with enormous amounts of gifts and blessings, and gave us a chance for a new beginning.

Every word that was spoken during mass that day was meant for our family and spoke directly to our hearts. Our Priest gave a homily on finding and making little bits of heaven here on earth. About enriching and blessing others lives when they come into our space, and that we have control over our space and how we want to affect those who enter it. We were all so moved and touched by his words, and we were truly filled with the holy spirit...each and every one of us.

One of the things I want to work on for myself is being happy with what I have, and finding little bits of heaven right here every day. 

For too long I've let the things of our culture be too important to me....things like having....well....more things.Treasures built up on this earth, and not the treasures built up in my heart and soul....the things I will take with me when I leave this earth, and hopefully the little treasures I will leave behind in others hearts.

It's all too easy to get caught up in the wanting.... 

We want bigger homes, we want the newest technologies, we want the newest kitchens, we want nice cars, we want to be cool and hip, we want to be fashionable, we want....we want....we want.

Sometimes we want so much that that we forget to be thankful for what we have, and the gifts that God has given us, and those are the gifts that we take with us in our hearts and souls....not the material ones we will leave behind one day. 

My True Gifts & Blessings are:

God

Family

Friends

{ this includes you }

Pets

Nature

I dont' mean to say that it's wrong to want nice things, or a beautiful home, but it's so important to realize that these things don't actually bring us true happiness, they don't actually fill up our souls. Buying something new feels good for a little while, but when the newness wears off and you are left wanting more. Unfortunately our society bombards us with these messages that we need that new car for our kids to think we're cool, or our kids need this and that when what they truly need is just to spend quality time with us doing anything and nothing at all. If we can't acquire these things then somehow we are supposed to feel bad about ourselves as if we are not successful. When we fill up our hearts with God, and doing good things for others, and loving one another, well these gifts to ourselves keep on giving and fill us up for the long run. Our true treasures are within our hearts.

Forgive me if I sound too preachy, but I do care for you, and I appreciate you, and I want everyone to be happy just as I want to be happy. God wants us all to know his love and peace. This message may not be for you, but it is for someone out there who needs to hear it today.....it certainly was what I needed to hear, and I'm so thankful for Gods love, understanding, and forgiveness.

I'm not a perfect person, nor will I ever be, but thankfully God loves me flaws and all....He loves you too. We are all blessed that his door is always open, and he will always listen, and he knows what we need without us even asking.

I hope you all are having a wonderful week, and I appreciate and love each and every one of you. I have met some of the most amazing people through this blog, and I'm truly blessed.  Thank you so much for visiting with me.

:: peace, love & hugs ::

Carrie