“Offering Up” the Dog Days of Summer

I am so happy the weekend is here! For some reason this was a long, stressful, exhausting week. The boys have been bickering and it’s felt like one fire alarm after another and that can be so draining. I really try to keep a fun, structured schedule so they boys have a nice mix of learning, playing and doing chores but some days it’s just futile. Couple that with some other personal things I’m dealing with and I have been ready for a silent retreat! Lol. The good news is, we ended on a high note with a fun Friday at the William McKinley Monument and Museum. I went with my friend Jen (we did the Reading and Road Trips together) and her kids and explored the “Discover” museum too. It really is a fun place for the whole family! Here are some snapshots from our day.

Given that this was such a down week, I thought an article I read tonight could not have been timed more perfectly (thank you Holy Spirit)! It is a brief explanation of the concept and meaning behind “offering it up”. If you know any good Catholics, you have no doubt heard that phrase before! It is a practice to be lived with the intention of drawing closer to God through trials, however small or large. Whenever my kids gripe or complain about something I remind them to “offer it up” and they’ve had a bit of trouble understanding the idea. To be honest, it wasn’t until a few years ago I understood it fully myself. I have been doing that a lot lately, especially with my own personal disappointments and although it’s not always easy…it offers immense peace. Also the power to use something bad for GOOD…which is the paradox of the cross of course. From the greatest agony (the Crucifixion of Christ), the greatest good came from it. I understand not everyone will agree with the theology but please know this my blog where I share my life, I’m not trying to be divisive, just be honest about things that have brought me closer to God over the past few years. Faith and Family had a great link that explains “offering it up” so I thought I would post it here. A great one if you want to understand what in the world those Catholics are talking about, or if you want to practice it yourself.:) Click here for the article.