Saturday, December 06, 2014

Quote:

“Only when we meet the living God in Christ do we know what life is. We are not some casual and meaningless product of evolution. Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary.”
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI; Homily, St. Peter’s Square, April 24, 2005

Saturday, June 07, 2014

Made it to Thirteen

The Kaz at 13
Today, June 7th, is Kasper’s birthday. Born in 2001 he is now thirteen years old. He isn’t doing so well. The last half year has been rough for the two of us as he became sick last November and was diagnosed with diabetes, which is common to his breed. The first couple of months trying to get the insulin dose right was difficult, but eventually we found the balance point - except that any change in routine can still cause problems. This past month and a half has been the hardest as he has developed separation anxiety and become paranoid about being crated. These most recent behaviors are age related and probably signs that there are more health issues going on; quality of life is deteriorating for him. He still enjoys walks, though they are much shorter. He still occasionally takes off racing around the tables in his figure eight route, but the race is slower and shorter in duration. He still loves people and is as sociable as ever, but often because of hearing loss and dimmer eyesight he isn’t aware anyone is near so his overenthusiastic bursts of joy in greeting them have become more subdued. He sleeps more during the day, but is often restless at night. I make adjustments daily to try to ease his anxiety and meet his needs and I don’t suppose he will be with me much longer.
How grateful I am for the good years we’ve had together. My faithful companion through the worst of times, he’s been there to make me smile and to help keep me going.
❤ Happy Birthday, Kasper. ❤
_________________________

Postscript

Kasper
June 7, 2001 -  June 23, 2014
_________________________
 

Thursday, May 22, 2014

In Acceptance Lies Peace

I've experienced and spoken the words - "In acceptance lies peace" - but had no idea where the phrase originated.  How did we ever find answers to questions like this before there was such a thing as an internet search?

A Poem by Amy Carmichael

Where Lieth Peace?

He said, "I will forget the dying faces;
The empty places
They shall be filled again;
O voices mourning deep within me, cease."

Vain, vain the word; vain, vain:
Not in forgetting lieth peace.

He said, "I will crowd action upon action,
The strife of faction
Shall stir my spirit to flame;
O tears that drown the fire of manhood, cease."

Vain, vain the word; vain, vain:
Not in endeavour lieth peace.

He said, "I will withdraw me and be quiet,
Why meddle in life's riot?
Shut be my door to pain.
Desire, thou dost befool me, thou shalt cease."

Vain, vain the word; vain, vain:
Not in aloofness lieth peace.

He said, "I will submit; I am defeated;
God hath depleted
My life of its rich gain.
O futile murmurings; why will ye not cease?"

Vain, vain the word; vain, vain:
Not in submission lieth peace.

He said, "I will accept the breaking sorrow
Which God tomorrow
Will to His son explain."
Then did the turmoil deep within him cease.

Not vain the word, not vain;
For in acceptance lieth peace.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Quote:

"Strive to see God in all things without exception and acquiesce in His will with absolute submission. Do everything for God, uniting yourself to Him by a mere upward glance, or by the overflowing of your heart towards Him. Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inward peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset. Commend all to God, and then lie still and be at rest in His bosom. Whatever happens, abide steadfast in a determination to cling simply to God, trusting to His eternal love for you; and if you find that you have wandered forth from this shelter, recall your heart quietly and simply. Maintain a holy simplicity of mind, and do not smother yourself with a host of cares, wishes, or longings, under any pretext."
- Saint Francis de Sales