Yesterday, I had this odd notion to go outside and cut down some picker bushes. The idea was a good one considering it would make it easier to see coming up and going down the driveway. As I was having the time of my life snipping at the entangled mess and pulling them out, I would find a few would catch to the back of my shirt, and I would automatically start to think of what Jesus suffered when he was being whipped. How his flesh was literally being bit into by a weapon to cause such pain. Anyway my little adventure with the picker bushes brought home to me how much Jesus really loved us to undergo such torture, so we would not have to undergo it ourselves. His suffering is a reminder of how he paid the ultimate price of freedom. I look at my arm that looks like I was in a fight and offer my minor scratches up to my Father. Then I reminded myself when I was talking to a few people; no matter how strong our Faith is we sometimes falter. I was thinking about myself in that regard because I’m not perfect, and there are times my thoughts are not 10o percent on God, as I would like to have them. But I can say with absolute certainty that it’s close to 24 seven. I guess what I’m trying to say is, as you become more and more thoughtful of God, the easier it becomes to keep Him the first in your thoughts. From waking up to going to sleep, to having conversations with others and just being absolutely silent. For me it’s so easy to have God first in my thoughts, and then to have Him be a part of my everyday living. I think back on my own life and how at times I didn’t put God first. Then I think about all the families today who put everything else first but the most important one, God. I can honestly say growing up Catholic does have many good points, when we choose to follow the right way. Even I found putting God in 2nd, and 3rd place in my daily living. After my intimate encounter in the Eucharist, I burned with the desire to share what I was seeing. Unfortunately I was my own obstacle, because I had such a hard time believing that I could be chosen to receive such a very special Gift, that others probably wondered why her, a sinner. I think it took me close to a year, plus some, to come to the full realization. Then it took some drastic things to happen in the last year to bring home more fully a truth I was not letting in. Where does my picker bush story fit in, well it’s about suffering. Sometimes we go through a little to learn nothing or everything. Sometimes we go through a lot of suffering, only to give much more of ourselves to others so they may learn how to Love God with All their Hearts, Minds, Bodies, and Souls. God Bless