As I have my cup of coffee with Jesus and read my reflections, I am stuck on the word “IF.”

How often do we use that word “IF?” I would have done this or that “IF” this had happened in my life, “IF” things had turned out differently.

“IF” always takes us to the past. Jesus calls us to live in the present, to “BE!”

I love these moments in the morning because they allow me to BE with HIM, to breathe in the newness of life, hope, and peace.

When I live in the “IF,” I am agitated, frustrated, and cannot find peace.

To BE is not a far place to travel to; it is just PRESENT, in this moment.

It is here that we encounter the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the mystery of our faith, the PRESENT…HIS PRESENCE.

Today, I am going to strive to BE, and, IF I do not, that is my own doing.

My first thought is I wonder IF it is going to be 100° here today! Negativity and dread already!

So, I change my thinking; it is going to BE at least 100 degrees?! See how easy that is?

Have a wonderful day!

As I sit out on my porch this beautiful morning, having a cup of coffee with Jesus, I was thinking how important our attitude about LIFE is!

During times of trouble, it is easy to wonder what there is to do, to feel confined, to want your old life back!

Life is not meant to be endured, life is to be enjoyed and embraced!

We all go through trials and tribulations, but life can be exciting if we strive to live in the present moment.

When life slows down, people tend to dwell on the past or get nervous for the future, and they miss the PRESENT.

As I sit here, I try to move my mind from the “should’ve been” or the “might’ve been” or the “maybe it will happen” to be PRESENT in this very moment.

This moment is perfect, and I am here, and God is here.

I must embrace what is instead of merely enduring.

I know that God will bring me some SACRED interruptions (that is what I call situations, people, and plans I did not count on today), and I will embrace them.

Today, Jesus and I may have a second cup of coffee. I think I want to embrace this moment.

Have a blessed day!

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was thinking about the word PATIENCE.

Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Some days I find myself impatient with many things. I might be impatient with my children or my grandchildren, or with people who come to see me, or with the dog, or with my calendar;

the list goes on and on. I’m trying to practice the art of pausing before I act or respond.

During this pause, I take a breath, and try to be conscious of what is actually going on.

So, today I am going to practice the art of being PATIENT, not only with others, but also with myself.

I am going to try to be mindful of the pause that I need to stay present in the moment so I can respond with love and care.

Today, let’s practice the art of being PATIENT and celebrate our Lord, who is very PATIENT with us.

Have a wonderful day!

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was thinking about the things that we HAND OVER.

We talk about HANDING OVER our life to Jesus, and that is a good thing.

However, sometimes I think we HAND OVER our minds to many other entities. We HAND OVER our minds to our cell phones, to television, to social media.

And we let other people tell us what we should be doing, what we should look like, even what we should be thinking!

How many times do you see people in a restaurant who, instead of enjoying a meal with others, are on their phones? Or people taking a walk or enjoying the beach; instead they’re on their phones.

Most of the time, we don’t even know we’re doing this. We are handing over our lives!

We do not let the world control our bodies and we should not let it control our minds!

Today, I am going to think for myself and limit the time I look at my phone. I’m going to let the Lord speak to me instead of listening to the ramblings of the world.

I’m going to HAND OVER my mind to the Lord.

Have a great and free day!

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was thinking about the word PEACE! It is really an amazing word. We can use it to describe inner peace, peace in the family, or peace in our world.

I think that, before we can strive for peace in our world, it has to begin in our own hearts. The world sometimes forces us to slow down. If we can take a deep breath and be present in the moment, we can find HIS PEACE. If we don’t look at the past and don’t worry about the future, but live in the present, in HIS presence, we can find peace!

Today, I’m going to be aware of my own breath. I am going to take time to look at the changing season. I’m going to become aware that, even in chaos, I can find peace. Jesus said, in John 14:27, “My PEACE I leave you; My peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled And do not be afraid.” If we can find this PEACE, then we can pass it on. Have a PEACE-filled day! And remember, Jesus is called the Prince of PEACE.

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was thinking about the word PATIENCE.

Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Some days I find myself impatient with many things. I might be impatient with my children, or my grandchildren, or with people who come to see me, or with the dog, or with my calendar, and the list goes on and on. I’m trying to practice the art of pausing before I act or respond. During this pause, I take a breath and try to be conscious of what is actually going on.

So today, I am going to practice the art of being PATIENT, not only with others but with myself. I’m going to try to be mindful of taking that pause, mindful that I need to stay present in the moment so that I can respond with love and care.

Today, let us practice the art of being PATIENT and celebrate our Lord, who is very PATIENT with us.

Have a blessed day!