Mother's day contest!

CONTEST! In honor of Mother's day, you can win a copy of YOUR CHOICE of one of my books! Tell me about a sweet childhood memory involving your own mother or grandmother or a mother figure and you will be entered into the contest. It doesn't have to be elaborate and you won't be graded on your grammar, so no worries about that. :) Send your entry to: DMCOBoyle[at]aol[dot]com with "Mother's day book contest" in the subject line. But, do so right away - contest ends April 30th. God bless!

New Family Radio Show!

I will be launching along with host Bob Dunning, a new family radio show: "Food for the Family's Soul" TODAY at NOON EST on Immaculate Heart Radio, 1620am (Sacramento area) and 1250am (Stockton area). Tune in: www.ihradio.com

Is your prayer life lost in housework?

To be like Martha and Mary

Challenging Love!

Back to School at "A Cup of Tea with Donna-Marie"



In my recent radio segment, "A Cup of Tea With Donna-Marie," Cheryl and Jim, radio hosts at Domestic Church Media and I chatted about back-to-school, college, and home-schooling tips from a Catholic parent's perspective. I'll provide some of it here...

When we near the end of August and early September a lot of parents begin to stress out a bit – knowing that they must change gears and even brace themselves for a new school year – whether it be in their own home as in the case of the home schooling parent or back to the school building – public or Catholic schools.

Some young adults have headed back to college or will embark upon that new chapter of their life for the first time while others are stepping over the thresholds of the Kindergarten classroom doorway ready to begin their early education in the classroom.

This all means that the lazy or even busy days of summer have come to a necessary, sometimes seemingly screeching halt (why is summer over?!) and we start getting to bed earlier, we rise earlier and we have to adjust to a new school year schedule.

Change and transitions can be challenging to both the parent and the child alike. For the parent – having to let go a bit when the child leaves for school or college can be tough.

As much as I know that our young adults need to spread their wings and experience life at college, out on their own, or in the work place, after graduating high school, my mother’s heart finds it to be a bittersweet time!

I’ll never forget bringing my fourth child, my son, Joseph to college. I had to wear my sunglasses all the way home to hide the tears that kept welling up in my eyes! I couldn’t believe that this son of mine was old enough to be on his own and to live at a college dorm!

So, Moms and dads, and perhaps mostly the Moms, you don’t have to feel silly or embarrassed if you shed a few tears but try to hang onto the hope and courage that comes through prayer as you usher your children – the little saints you are entrusted with to raise to heaven – off to school.

This same feeling may be experienced by the mother who sends her child off to Kindergarten for the first time too. All kinds of feelings and transitions are going on. As well, of course, we have the feelings of our children to contend with too. So, we prod them forth and give them encouragement.

Within the many educational settings: home, the school building – public, private, or Catholic, and college...

What can help in the transitioning process for the parent and child?

I have about 8 tips to pass along:

1) Prayer goes right at the top of the list.

a) Parents pray together for their children.

b) The family prays together.

c) Children need to be encouraged by parents to pray at home and in school as needed. Even though we are very aware of separation of Church and State, etc., it's important to impress upon our children that they can pray any time they want (silently within their hearts) and no one can take that from them.

2) Communication is paramount: with our spouse, children, and teachers.

3) Planning: for lessons and for schedules, lunches, and more. A little bit of planning goes a long way! Try to get some things done the night before. Try a dry erase board on the kitchen wall and each day update it with the schedule. Add a little prayer, even, “God, help me!”

4) SLEEP: Get enough to better cope with the day ahead – it’s so important.

5) Organization: helps for smooth mornings, stress no technology before school – games, TV, etc., Add prayer and communication instead. Talking things out eases worried little minds – and big ones too!

6) Stick to schedules, but be patient with yourself and your children when a wrench is thrown into the works, a child is sick, the alarm doesn’t go off because the power went off, or any number of things. TRY not to set yourself up for failure by thinking everything will go perfectly smoothly. Sometimes, more often than not, so much grace is discovered in the difficulties, when picking up the pieces and even trying to smile about it. Just do your best!

7) Stay positive! SMILE! A simple smile speaks volumes and makes the best of trying times. As an example, when I was a little girl I got in trouble at school for speaking to a friend in the hallway. I was so shocked to get in trouble! I felt horrible and embarrassed. But when I went home, my mother’s warm and understanding embrace melted all of my sadness. I thought I had failed, but she showed me otherwise. A parent’s love is powerful!

8) Finally, be firm – but loving. Kids can try to wiggle out of their responsibilities at home and at school, but your keen eye and loving encouragement will keep them on task.

 Prayer Tips

Regarding correcting our children and keeping them on task, I’d like to point to my prayer on pg. 26 of my Catholic Mothers Prayer Book, entitled Mother’s Prayer to Correct a Child Properly…

Dear Lord, along with the incredible gift of motherhood, comes the sacred rand weighty responsibility in teaching and correcting my children. Help me to never shirk from my duty of correction according to Your holy will. May I realize that I take the place and speak for You, so may I be worthy of that trust. Help me never correct my children in anger but always in a calm and motherly manner and punish with a gentle firmness born of mother love. Amen

As well as my prayer in the same book, The Most Essential Teachings…

Dear Lord, help me to see that some of the most essential teachings to my impressionable children are in my example and actions. My actions are much more articulate than my words can ever be. Some of the most important lessons in life are learned when watching one whom is respected and loved. Help me to be mindful of my choices and the critical examples I give my children. Remind me, too that my prayer life spills over into my family and will help to enhance their grasp of prayer and their understanding of what is most essential. Amen.

Get involved if you can with your child’s education at school. You are already very involved if you home-school your children. But, if they go off to school, see if you can volunteer in some capacity, which is great for both you and your children.

Naturally, as a Catholic parent, you are very responsible for your child’s education and our Church considers you to be the first and foremost educator. So, be sure that everything is kosher with regards to the material being taught – investigate – speak up if you have to, but be sure your child is getting a sound and safe education.

Let's keep in mind what our Church teaches" "Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children" (CCC # 2223).

And, "The role of parents in education is of such importance that it is almost impossible to provide an adequate substitute" (CCC # 2221). And there are many more references to the great importance of a parent's involvement in their children's education. Pick up the Catechism and take a look.

When trying to discern what committees to join, perhaps a prayer from my book A Catholic Woman’s Book of Prayers may help on pg. 31:

Help Me to Find Balance, Lord

You have given me the heart of a woman,

which wants to stretch beyond measure

to ease the pain of others.

Remind me, Lord,

to fix my eyes on my family first,

and fulfill their needs

according to Your holy will

before I attempt to look elsewhere.

Help me to know when to say "yes"

and when to say "no"

so that I don't over-commit

and can properly serve

You, my family, and others,

remembering that "love begins at home."

Finally, I think Blessed Pope John Paul II’s beautiful words to mothers can help to uplift our spirits: He said (on pg. 15) in A Catholic Woman’s Book of Prayers…

"Thank you, women who are mothers! You have sheltered human beings within yourselves in a unique experience of joy and travail. This experience makes you become God's own smile upon the newborn child, the one who guides your child's first steps, who helps it to grow, and who is the anchor as the child makes its way along the journey of life."~Bl. Pope John Paul II (Mulieris Dignitatem: On the Dignity and Vocation of Woman)



Review: A Catholic Woman's Book of Prayers

Author and blogger Kate Wicker offers her kind words about my book: A Catholic Woman's Book of Prayers...

As a busy and sometimes frazzled mom of littles, I may desire long blocks of time devoted to contemplative prayer, but life as it is right now is messy, noisy, and full of interruptions. Plus, I have the attention span of a housefly, which makes a contemplative prayer an even greater challenge, but I am working on that. (I was up prayer journaling at 5:30 a.m. this morning. Right now that seems like one of the best formats for prayer time for me because it doesn’t set me up for failure so much as just sitting and being still does.)

Most women – mothers or not – are multitasking mavens. We’re on the move. We’re busy. But we’re also hungry for God. A Catholic Woman’s Book of Prayers is one of Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s most recent releases, and the diverse collection of prayers for Catholic women offers just the kind of quick, spiritual bites we crave.

I admit I haven’t read the book cover-to-cover or at least not from start to finish (I think I’ve probably covered most of the text by now). Instead, I have tucked the petite book into my purse. It’s the perfect size (it’s smaller than my wallet!) to bring along with me during my daily activities as a wife and mother of little ones. I know it’s there so when I’m blessed with a free moment – maybe I’m stuck in a long line at the grocery store or perhaps my child is busy dribbling a soccer ball during practice – I pull it out and use its wisdom and prayers to help me connect with God.

I’ve also, of course, used the book when I’ve been searching for the right prayer for a particular challenge I might be facing or to cope with an emotion that’s taken a hold of me. Chapter 3, Challenges Women Face, is particularly helpful during these times. I’ve prayed the “Help Me to Find Balance, Lord” on more than one occasion!

The book not only includes traditional as well as original prayers but also brief reflections on sundry topics that speak to a woman’s heart. Inspiration from the saints and other spiritual greats are sprinkled throughout the pages as well.

This book is a wonderful resource for any woman trying to lead a faithful life and desiring a closer union with her Creator.

_____________

Thanks so much, Kate. God bless you and your beautiful family!

You can see Kate's review here at her website/blog: http://katewicker.com/2011/08/dont-leave-home-without-this.html

Review: Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers

Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers

by Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle's delightful pocket-sized volume, Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers, is like all her work in that it comes from the depths of her heart. But it is so much more. Yielding her days, moment by moment to God through the example of Our Lady, and guided by the extraordinary teachings of the Catholic Church, Donna-Marie has received along the way the luminous and enduring grace of a mother’s wisdom, which she shares with affection and humility.

I always light up under the influence of this wise and tender friend to women; one who has prayed, suffered and rejoiced with Our Lord through all of life’s varied moments in an attitude of trust. This little book makes me think of a garden, with its smaller beds of ferns and flowers, overflowing with life and beauty. In each chapter, you’ll discover small blossoms of scripture, quotes from popes, saints, and the Catechism, traditional and original prayers and poems, and personal thoughts for meditation.

This compilation is a wonderful gift for every mother or grandmother who needs a reminder that her hidden life of dedication to her children is “an integral part of the means to their salvation,” and that God’s grace is available to her in abundance for their every need. Like the author herself, the Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers is here “…to assist you in keeping your heart always lifted up toward Heaven, communicating with the Divine, even as your hands are occupied with household and motherly tasks.”

~Lisa Mladinich

Author, “Be an Amazing Catechist: Inspire the Faith of Children”

Founder, AmazingCatechists.com

*******

Thank you very much for the wonderful review, Lisa!

May God bless you and yours!

Donna-Marie

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day! I hope your day is truly beautiful! May God bless ALL mothers in great abundance!

I will be back soon to share some inspiration, but right now I am being beckoned by my "ducklings" to celebrate this beautiful day with them!

Talk to you soon...

Love and prayers,

Donna-Marie

Mother's Day is tomorrow!

Thinking of ALL mothers...

Take a look... http://donnamarieembracingmotherhood.blogspot.com/2011/05/with-mothers-day-fast-approaching.html  

A Mother's Prayers are powerful!

Did you ever doubt the power behind a mother's prayers? Here's some food for thought for you today.

"It moved her to tears..."

A note from a Catholic mother who said I can share...

"Every Wednesday night, I gather with a small group of mothers, and we talk about ways to grow in holiness through our vocation as well as swap practical tips on dealing with everyday crosses. One of us shared that she finds it hard to pray a full rosary.

The next morning, I opened your book: Catholic Prayer Book For Mothers to the prayer about praying the rosary one decade at a time! I emailed it to the her (as well as the rest of the group) and she said it moved her to tears. She felt that it captured her life exactly - that someone understands - and found peace knowing that it's okay to split it [the Rosary] up.

From all of us, thank you! :)"
Jenny Sharpe from Tennessee


Thank you very much, Jenny, for sharing. I am so happy that Our Lord touched your friend's heart through the words of my prayer.

God bless you and your group!

hugs,
Donna-Marie

The Rosary, One Decade at a Time

Because caring for my family
Demands my full attention,
Please Lord, accept my Rosary
One decade at a time.

When the children are fed and dishes washed,
And baby is asleep,
I can borrow some time now to kneel down
And pray a decade of the Rosary.

And later, as I sit and rock and nurse my baby,
My heart goes out to You, my Lord,
As I recite the second decade.

When my baby cries and I attempt to calm her,
By walking with her,
My fingers will be a substitute,
For the next ten beads of the next decade.

After dinner, I can gather together my flock,
To kneel together for family prayer.
We will recite a decade along with our evening prayers.

Finally, when the day is finished,
And al are in bed,
With a quiet sigh,
I settle down to complete my Rosary to You.

From Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers (Our Sunday Visitor Pub. Co, 2005)

A Wondrous Season of Hope and Love

Advent, A Wondrous Season of Hope and Love in which to Discover the Mystery of Our Lord’s Simplicity and Humility Wrapped in Swaddling Clothes

By Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Advent is a wondrous season of preparation as we make ready our homes and beautify our churches; decorating for a beautiful upcoming Christmas celebration. It’s not all about the decorations, wrappings, and music, though. It’s easy to get caught up in the exteriors. Yet, we must also take the time to prepare our hearts to receive the Christ Child. We can purge ourselves of some of the clutter that constantly fills our minds and our hearts to make room to allow Jesus in. “O marvelous exchange! Man’s Creator has become man, born of the Virgin. We have been made sharers in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity” (Antiphon I of Evening Prayer for January 1st).

We read in the Catechism of the Catholic Church “When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming. By celebrating the precursor’s birth and martyrdom, the Church unites herself to his desire: ‘He must increase, but I must decrease’” (# 524).

As we renew our “ardent desire” and prepare for the celebration of our Savior’s birth, in this period of waiting and anticipation, let’s take some time out to pray, meditate, and recall that Our Savior, Jesus was born in a simple stable into a poor family. We know that His mother, Mary and stepfather Joseph led a challenging life and were initially shunned because of Mary’s pregnancy and then turned away from a suitable place in which to give birth; being forced to seek shelter in an animal’s home instead.

                    Ironically Simple and Quiet

For centuries, prophets, succeeding one another in Israel, had announced Jesus’ coming. Yet, our Savior’s birth took place very humbly and quietly; hardly what one would expect for a King’s birth—a holy occurrence of extreme magnitude. Humility, simplicity, holiness and silence surrounded the Holy Family in Bethlehem. Baby, Jesus rested His Sacred head on a bed of straw in a simple manger when He was not on his mother’s breast. Common shepherds were the first witnesses to the breathtaking awe-inspiring event of the birth of the Messiah.

Heaven’s glory, so deserving of a posh setting and splendor with trumpets sounding, was made manifest in sheer poverty. Amazing! And as we await our Lord’s birth in this season of quiet and anticipation, most of us are surrounded not with the blessing of simplicity and silence, but instead, with glitz and glitter, noise, bold advertising, and even shoving and fighting for parking spaces at malls in a race for sale items, the latest iPod, or cell phone. Our holy season has been reduced to a preoccupation about whether or not we can manage to get our hands on a Wii Nintendo system or some other “needed” electronic item before it’s sold out, rather than striving to come closer to Our Lord in prayer—such a severe contrast to the reality of Jesus’ birth—of the true meaning of His coming to us in the form of an innocent Child.

                     Focus on the Essential


We do know that to enter the kingdom of Heaven we must become like a child. Jesus did this literally for us. We need to humble ourselves to become little. We absolutely need to make time for prayer. Visits to the Blessed Sacrament will bring us very close to Jesus and give us amazing peace, grace, and strength for our journey. When we cannot get out, prayer within our domestic churches is just fine and pleasing to God. Retreating deep into our hearts, seeking our Lord throughout our busy days of Advent will keep us in communication with Him and help us focus on what is essential during a season of hustle and bustle.

While we take time out during what is meant to be a season of quiet, to pause and contemplate, what will we learn about the mystery of our Lord’s simplicity and humility wrapped in swaddling clothes and laying in a manger? What can we do to recapture and rekindle this holy time of year amid the chaotic atmosphere of our time? Let’s begin in our families, slowing down to pause and pray, seeking moments throughout our days to offer our hearts fully to God. Taking the time to give of our time which is really a priceless gift and not something we will find at a shopping mall.

Parents should make the time for prayer within their families no matter how busy they feel they are. Teaching children to take even a moment out each morning to greet our Lord, thanking Him for a new day, offering it all to Him, and asking Him to use them, will help transform an ordinary day into opportunities for grace and redemption. Parents should make use of the dinner table as a time of coming together, lighting the Advent wreath, praying together and enjoying each other’s company away from the busy world outside the doors of the home.

                   Lighting the Way

We can be a light to the world, to all around us, much like the star that drew the Magi to the Christ Child. Let’s think about what can we do or what changes we can make to become a light and lead the way for others. How can our words and actions, by God’s grace, help to convert hearts? Let us pray that we will draw others to Jesus because they see Him living in us. The light within us—Christ’s light—will draw others to the blessedness of our Christianity.

“Only when Christ is formed in us will the mystery of Christmas be fulfilled in us. Christmas is the mystery of this marvelous exchange,” we learn from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (# 526.) Let us pray that Christmas will be truly fulfilled in us all as we strive to become “little,” allowing Christ to live through us, lighting the way to Heaven.

[this article appreared at Catholic Mom.Com]

Something fun!

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

A "Cup of Sympathy"

I've been down with the flu here and recently put a message on Face Book about gathering together to have a cup of "cyber" tea while praying for one another. Face Book friends responded and loved the idea. I then made another suggestion and I'd like to put it out here for all of you too.

I said, "Okay, here's the thought I woke up to this morning. Everyone who visited here (that was on Face Book) for "Cyber" tea is being asked by me to send some love, tea, and sympathy to someone, anyone. This will NOT be cyber tea. I'd ask that you take an actual tea bag, any kind and put it in a sweet note that you will send in the mail to someone who can use a little cheering up or someone you admire or someone who you get the sense could use a warm note and a chance to sit down, put his or her feet up and enjoy a cup of tea. Perhaps you'll write that in your note - suggest that he or she take out a few moments to wrap their hands around a hot cup of tea and savor the moments with their feet up and possibly even ponder and pray.

Of course, you don't want to force your Christianity on the person with directions to pray while drinking the cup of tea. But you know who you can say that to and who you maybe should not (but you will pray for that person!) Imagine their delight when they open up their mail and find a sweet note and even the thought of sitting down to that cup of tea. Mother Teresa always said that it's the simple things, a smile, a kind word, etc. These kinds of things work wonders, by God's grace.

And even better is if you have the opportunity to visit that person and have tea together! Let me know what you think and ask others to join in here. All are invited. And watch for my next suggestion. :) Oh, and try to send out your loving cup of tea within one week from today to make sure it happens. :)

God bless you all!♥"

So, if you feel inspired to send a cup of sympathy to someone, please do!

Jesus at the Post Office and the Christmas bread recipe!

Here is a segment from a past Christmas segment in which I chat with Teresa Tomeo about meeting Jesus in the Post Office. Just click here to listen to it as well as some other Christmas reflections we talk about.

The recipe for the Overnight Christmas Bread coming up!

While I have two minutes...a bit about my new EWTN show coming up!

Well, I never got a chance to catch up with you last night. So, I will now. I'll be giving a retreat in PA this week end, entitled, "Thirsting for the Living Water" which I posted about recently. My new book, as many of you know, Mother Teresa and Me: Ten Years of Friendship will be coming out very soon. My calendar is filling up with events and book signings. I am also finishing the book I told you about, The Heart of Catholicism.

Not too long ago I mentioned that I would be doing something on EWTN television. I'll finally fill you in now. I'll be an honored guest of Doug Keck on EWTN's Bookmark show once again. We'll be talking about some of my recent books. It'll be great to see Doug again, as well as his wonderful producer Lee. Everyone at EWTN is really incredible to work with.

In addition to the honor of being featured on EWTN's Bookmark show with Doug, I will also be taping 25 segments of a show, actually it's my new show, called "Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms"! They will be short segments and will be on various topics pertaining to a Catholic mother's life. I feel honored have worked with EWTN's wonderful program director, Peter to get this show from an inspiration to a reality. And I have had the pleasure of working with a wonderful producer, Michael who is producing this particular show. I look forward to meeting him in person very soon. Like I said, the people at EWTN are such a pleasure and blessing to work and pray along with.

I'll be sure to let you know when the shows will premiere. I am very excited to be able to offer this inspiration to Catholic Moms as a further extension of what I strive to do through my books, talks, and retreats for Catholic and Christian mothers.

If you can spare a prayer or two, please pray for me as I work to get all of this accomplished, by God's grace to help inspire and encourage mothers within a vocation that is filled with both great joys and difficult challenges, while raising our little saints to Heaven.

Thank you in advance for your prayers!

God bless you!

Donna-Marie

My Retreat Next Week End in PA

If you click here you will see the brochure of the retreat day I will be giving in PA next week end.

The Retreat is called: "Thirsting for Living Water:
On the Dignity and Vocation of Women." and it will be held in a lovely setting.

Throughout this retreat day my talks will be:

1) Meeting Jesus at the Well
2) The Perfect Woman: Dealing With Society's Demands
3) Awareness of a Mission: Our call to Evangelization

God bless your Saturday!

hugs,

Donna-Marie

PS Go on over to Embracing Motherhood to see another brochure for October for a retreat day at an Abbey.

Mother Teresa novena - Fourth day

Today is the fourth day of a novena to Blessed Mother Teresa.

Please take a moment to look at the official Mother Teresa website here and also look here for the novena here. The novena will end on Mother Teresa's feast day which is September 5th.

Back to school supplies and an Angel?

In continuing our back to school theme here this week, guest blogger, Karen shares a recent and touching back-to-school shopping adventure which turned out by God's grace, to be a very interesting and spiritual experience indeed.

School supplies, serendipity, ice cream and tears

By Karen Edmisten

"Yesterday we went shopping for school supplies. After picking up a few essentials, and because we were celebrating the fact that none of us had any cavities (this was a known fact, not just a guess, as we'd been to the dentist in the morning) I decreed it to be an Ice Cream for Lunch Day.

We stopped for our treats, and settled down to enjoy them. As the girls were slurping their way through Oreo- and Reese's Peanut Butter Cup-laced concoctions, an elderly man approached our table.

"I just wanted to say," he said rather slowly, "that you just have some very nice girls there, and you all remind me of our family a number of years back. We had three girls, too."

I responded with something like, "Isn't that nice?" and said it was kind of him to compliment the girls. Then he went on to say, "I've got kind of a sad story, though ...."

Oh, no, I thought, who are you, and what's coming next?

"We, um," he said, looking troubled. "We lost our youngest daughter to cancer."

Oh, my. I was jolted, but managed to relay my shock and sympathy. I asked when it had happened, thinking it must've been years ago.

"Just last month," he said, tearing up. "She was 41. I was there when she died. And it just ...."

He trailed off, as tears filled his eyes. (And mine.)

"I'm so sorry," I said feebly. I looked at Anne, who was also tearing up.

He continued. "She had the Lord as her Savior, and she told me that. She said she wasn't afraid ... so, you know, that's my consolation. But," he choked, "it just tears you up inside."

"I can't even imagine," I whispered.

The surrealness of this scene didn't really occur to me. Somehow it seemed perfectly right that I was sitting here, listening to this stranger who stood next to my table as he shared his grief with a family who was willing to listen.

He shook his head, as if to recollect his thoughts, and said, "I just ... I really wanted to stop and say something to you, because I just saw that you look like such a nice, happy family. I saw your three girls talking and laughing, and I thought, 'Why there's Suzanne and Maureen and Ginger!' Just like my girls ...."

He shook his head again, and since I probably seemed unable to say anything at that point, he finished up by saying, "I just wanted to say that you all just reminded me of our family, and I could tell that you have somethin' special. You know, not everyone has that these days ... it's a rotten world, and not everyone has what you have ... and so, I just wanted to say that."

Through a few more tears, I thanked him. I told him again how sorry I was that he had lost his daughter, and that I appreciated his kindness at taking the time to stop and talk to us.

"God bless you," I said softly, feeling once again that my words were sorely inadequate.

When he left, Anne-with-an-e was crying. I comforted her, and said that although his story was a sad one, and that he missed his daughter very much, it was comforting that they had their faith (and that we have ours.) I told the girls I was glad we were there -- glad we could listen to a man who needed to talk about the daughters he loves so much. But, also, his little visit to our table was a blessing for me, I said. I was touched that he could see how much we love one another, and touched that he took the time to say it.

When we got home, I told Atticus about it -- about how it felt as if an angel had stopped to talk to us. This angel reminded me of our abundant blessings, our abundant love for one another ... of all that's really important.

Then, Atticus said, "Do you remember that last phone call we got for the Rosary Crusade? It was about a month ago. They asked us to pray for a couple who had just lost their 40-something daughter to cancer."

I had forgotten, but Atticus was right.

Though I can't know for certain, this stranger -- this "angel" -- who had felt compelled to approach an ice-cream-eating mother and her three daughters was quite possibly the man for whom I had prayed anonymously last month.

And once again, I feel awed by and unworthy of the love and mercy of such a God as we have. He intertwines our lives in ways we cannot predict, often do not see, and most certainly cannot fully comprehend on this side of heaven.

Serendipity? It's such a lovely and whimsical word for grace."

Visit Karen at her blog here Also, there's a great interview of Karen today over at Sarah's place! Interesting "coincidence." It's "Karen day!"