Stefan Rybak

My son ordered Chinese takeout last night.

It came with two fortune cookies.

He handed one to me.

"Be prepared to face your fears and conquer them."

Not many of us enjoy facing our fears.

I know I don't.

The conquering part, though...

There was a time I crawled.

Head down.

Slow.

Doing the work no one saw.

It didn’t look like progress.

Most days, it didn’t even feel like progress.

But that’s where the transformation happened.

That’s where the wings were built.

And one day, without even realizing it, you stop looking at how far you have to go…

#CorpusChristi

#JesusInTheEucharist

#HealingPrayer

#BreadOfLife

As long as I can remember, my sister Jane has told me that Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary come to visit her.

When I ask where they are, she points across the room and says,

"Right there."

With complete certainty.

When I ask what they're saying, she always answers the same way:

"They're saying, 'I love you.’"

Jane is 76 years old.

She was born with cerebral palsy, and has faced more physical, mental, and emotional challenges than most people could ever imagine.

I don't see what she sees.

I don't hear what she hears.

But I do see her peace.

And I do hear her joy.

The beautiful hibiscus blooming in my sunroom.

Growth.

New life.

New possibilities.

#SaintJohnPaulII

#PrayForUs

#HealingPrayer

#FaithAndHope

Once the storm is over...

you won't remember how you made it through.

You won't even be sure the storm is really over.

But one thing is certain.

When you come out of the storm...

Quiet morning.

Cup of tea.

No rush. No noise.

Perfect day outside.

Feeling calm, grateful, and blessed…

#SaintMartinDePorres

#PrayForUs

#HealingPrayer

#FaithAndHealing

Saw this rabbit hopping around the yard

this morning.

He paused for a second to consider his next move.

Then took off like a rocket!

There are people reading this who have days when the weight of their burdens feels impossible to lift.

In the 68 years of my life, I’ve had some days like that…

…so I know how it feels.

What I’ve learned - slowly, and not always gracefully - is that peace doesn’t arrive when everything is fixed.

Vicki made her world-famous thin crust pizza.

Olives.

Pepperoni.

Mozz.

#GodSeesYou

#YouMatterToGod

#LovedByGod

#FaithAndHope

It's Saturday.

The lifeguard is off duty.

#NothingIsImpossibleWithGod

#Luke137

#GodIsFightingForYou

#FaithOverFear