...INVITATION...

"Don't FORCE the Lord into your life, rather INVITE Him into your life during this Advent Season"

I've been having a difficult time lately keeping the faith and living the life that He has called me to carry out. I continuously choose NOT to follow His ways. It has come to the point where I feel so distant and the feeling of warmth, comfort and peace is nowhere to be found. Yes there are times when I get the "feelings" of true happiness, yet are very inconsistent. What am I expecting and searching for? I guess I'm still at the level of my faith where I am seeking to find the "feelings" I used to experience in the "HOME" that embedded the seed of faith, love and hope. Unfortunately, those aren't the feelings of FAITH, LOVE, and HOPE...Living the FAITH is a lifelong journey of struggles and battles, LOVE is not a feeling, but an ACTION, a LIFESTYLE, and a CHOICE, and HOPE...the desire for FULFILLMENT of His LOVE and PEACE. All of these things are what we as Catholic Christians strive for and struggle with every single day of our lives. For some, conquering the battles and meeting the next is like clock-work, however, there are those who seem to be fighting the same battle over and over again and the progression to the next level is at a halt. That's where I'm at.

I understand that God continues to present opportunities for me to serve Him. I think one of my weaknesses is trying to control the "game" and the emotions that serve as the measurement of accomplishment and victory. I believe I am seeking and FORCING to find something that He does not want of me. I need to have a change in mentation, attitude and lifestyle, so that I could INVITE Him openly and willingly.

This past Sunday, Father said "What is the one thing that you will give back to the Lord this Advent season?" The answer is quite obvious, right? But, how many people LISTENED and HEARD the true meaning of what Father said and how many are acutally going to follow through? One...Two...Maybe three...I pray that I am one of those three!!! I desire to INVITE Him into my life, NOT just for this Advent season, but each and every day that He continues to GIVE us.

AMEN!