I can still hear my sweet Grandmother singing "Rose Colored Glasses" in the back of my mind. In fact, every time I hear that song, I think of her. As I grew older, her life was revealed to me more, piece by piece. I always knew she had strong faith, but until I learned about her hardships. I had no idea how strong she was. I know she influenced my faith - there is no doubt. But I honestly did not know how much she influenced my personal family life until I learned of her struggles. They just don't make them like they used to, do they? Well, maybe it's time we did.
I read this morning something along the lines of seeing God through a dark glass, or at least that's my interpretation - it's probably wrong, but what else is new? Yes, I can understand that, but I think I'm going to change that dark glass to a rose-colored one. (or rosé because it's a Friday!)
Our youngest celebrates her First Confession tonight. We were shopping online looking at little dresses for the occasion. I love to let them pick out their clothes. I honestly would not typically choose what they do, but I think it's important for them to feel confident in their decisions and know that I support them. For something as tiny as clothes, I don't think it really hurts much. Oh I do step in with the big guns for the big stuff, don't get me wrong, but for this special occasion I asked her what color dress she would like to find. Without hesitation, she said, "Black." So we looked for black dresses for a little while, and then I asked her, "Why black, Mags - you love bright colors?"
She mentioned that it was a sad event.
"Oh honey," I said, "Confession isn't a sad thing - it's a celebration!" I thought back to our lessons, and wondered if maybe I missed something big. Confession is scary, y'all. I'm not gonna sugar-coat it. For a common person like me, sitting down and telling a priest EVERYTHING you did wrong isn't easy. I'd love to say I was an awesome Catholic who didn't have a problem plopping down face to face & letting it all go, but it still gets to me. Those sins of omission - oh man (see my blog's title??!)
I think sometimes we are so hard on ourselves for our sins. To think an eight year old was so sad about the tiny little sins she had committed just broke my heart. If I could tell her mine - she'd wear neon pink, hold a balloon, and have a party that towers over any New Year's Eve celebration because anything she's done pales in comparison to my 42 years of being um, well, human.
God calls some of the greatest sinners to become examples. Humble me now, but I feel like they're just more relatable sometimes. We're all a bunch of screw-ups after all. I can't get through one single day without a snide comment running through my head. And I feel awful when I say them out loud, and I do say them, especially in traffic or in any check out line. But forever is a long time, and I've got to let that go. I try really hard, but I just get so caught up in the daily grind, that those little thoughts run through my head about being impatient with the faults of others, that I certainly neglect my own. But dangit - it's HARD.
I digress. Confession - back to Confession. I am looking forward to tonight, I have a heavy heart, as it is our last little one's First Confession. I don't think the big, heavy door closes behind them louder on any other day once they enter the confessional for the first time. It's honestly my favorite part - seeing them look back at me, fearful (gosh I wish I could hold their hands through this one), then coming out of the room with the sweetest smile - a sigh of relief, and a fresh start of a continued friendship with God, full of His infinite Mercy. She will see the world in a new way, with a happy heart, wearing those rose colored glasses, which we all should look through every now & then.
That said, I am about to go pick up cupcakes from Maggie's favorite bakery. She found a pretty little green dress, her father's favorite color. I thought it was such a sweet choice, so thoughtful. The house is clean, and some of our favorite company is coming to support her.
And her shoes will be a bright shade of the color rose, a little nod to someone who kept the faith and inspired an entire family to do the same.
Miss you, Sammie. More then you'll ever know.
I read this morning something along the lines of seeing God through a dark glass, or at least that's my interpretation - it's probably wrong, but what else is new? Yes, I can understand that, but I think I'm going to change that dark glass to a rose-colored one. (or rosé because it's a Friday!)
Our youngest celebrates her First Confession tonight. We were shopping online looking at little dresses for the occasion. I love to let them pick out their clothes. I honestly would not typically choose what they do, but I think it's important for them to feel confident in their decisions and know that I support them. For something as tiny as clothes, I don't think it really hurts much. Oh I do step in with the big guns for the big stuff, don't get me wrong, but for this special occasion I asked her what color dress she would like to find. Without hesitation, she said, "Black." So we looked for black dresses for a little while, and then I asked her, "Why black, Mags - you love bright colors?"
She mentioned that it was a sad event.
"Oh honey," I said, "Confession isn't a sad thing - it's a celebration!" I thought back to our lessons, and wondered if maybe I missed something big. Confession is scary, y'all. I'm not gonna sugar-coat it. For a common person like me, sitting down and telling a priest EVERYTHING you did wrong isn't easy. I'd love to say I was an awesome Catholic who didn't have a problem plopping down face to face & letting it all go, but it still gets to me. Those sins of omission - oh man (see my blog's title??!)
I think sometimes we are so hard on ourselves for our sins. To think an eight year old was so sad about the tiny little sins she had committed just broke my heart. If I could tell her mine - she'd wear neon pink, hold a balloon, and have a party that towers over any New Year's Eve celebration because anything she's done pales in comparison to my 42 years of being um, well, human.
God calls some of the greatest sinners to become examples. Humble me now, but I feel like they're just more relatable sometimes. We're all a bunch of screw-ups after all. I can't get through one single day without a snide comment running through my head. And I feel awful when I say them out loud, and I do say them, especially in traffic or in any check out line. But forever is a long time, and I've got to let that go. I try really hard, but I just get so caught up in the daily grind, that those little thoughts run through my head about being impatient with the faults of others, that I certainly neglect my own. But dangit - it's HARD.
I digress. Confession - back to Confession. I am looking forward to tonight, I have a heavy heart, as it is our last little one's First Confession. I don't think the big, heavy door closes behind them louder on any other day once they enter the confessional for the first time. It's honestly my favorite part - seeing them look back at me, fearful (gosh I wish I could hold their hands through this one), then coming out of the room with the sweetest smile - a sigh of relief, and a fresh start of a continued friendship with God, full of His infinite Mercy. She will see the world in a new way, with a happy heart, wearing those rose colored glasses, which we all should look through every now & then.
That said, I am about to go pick up cupcakes from Maggie's favorite bakery. She found a pretty little green dress, her father's favorite color. I thought it was such a sweet choice, so thoughtful. The house is clean, and some of our favorite company is coming to support her.And her shoes will be a bright shade of the color rose, a little nod to someone who kept the faith and inspired an entire family to do the same.
Miss you, Sammie. More then you'll ever know.
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