Lead Me to the Cross

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Master, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later."  {John 13:6-7}
What I am doing now, you do not understand now, but you will understand later...

The cross.suffering. is not something I understand in my life right now. Sometimes to be honest I freaking hate it. Its scary and uncertain. I ask questions, wrestle, and ask God "Why?!". I beg, plead, and cry wondering what possible good can come from deep pain and suffering. It feels lonely and dark. It is so easy to ask "What's the point?!" What could possibly come from this in my life?!.    And yet what is most painful and awful in life is what saves us...suffering. Jesus didn't redeem us by his miracles or teachings but by that. And in doing this, He has radically transformed all my sufferings. They have a place to go, on the cross. In my broken humanity, I see the answer as I look at Jesus. The answer? To the best of my ability to actively unite whatever the "it" is in life to the cross, even if I never understand or see the fruit from it in this life.
  I have a sticky note on the bedroom wall right now, that every time I walk into the bathroom I glance at it. It reads: My sufferings are no more in vain than the cross was. What can possibly come from my sufferings? A chance to participate with Him in the salvation of the human race. At a glance that can sound like an overly romantic, fuzzy idea...but it certainly doesn't feel warm and fuzzy as you walk through living it. But the challenge is to hold on, persevere, and believe (even if I don't feel like it) that the most painful moments in life have a great, mysterious purpose.  

I have been devouring a new book over the past two evenings, and it has been an insightful read on so many levels. God's way out of the mess sometimes leads us further into the mess. He draws us in deeper, because He wants to take us deeper. Suffering brings repentance, and the greatest lessons in life often do come in the hardest of ways.

 

Tonight Christians around the world will enter the three most sacred days of the liturgical year, the Triduum. We enter Jesus' most active moments of His life, when He was hanging there. And in the darkest, most difficult moments in life, that is when we are most alive, most active; when uniting it to Jesus hanging there on Calvary.
  What God is allowing in life now, I do not understand...but someday I will. 

I'm just trusting in Your promise, all will be used for Your purposes and plans.

Podcast Lovin'...What's Filling My Bucket

I am late to the game on the wonderful world of finding new podcasts to follow. I mean seriously, who knew have something interesting and thought provoking could make the dusting and vacuuming 10 times more enjoyable!? Wellll I still don't like having to dust and vacuum but that's another story for another time...
Here's some of my favorites I am enjoying these days:
1. The Dave Ramsey Show Oh Dave, how thankful I am that you have ruined life for Jim and I. I started listening a few months ago, when my gazelle-like-focus to kill debt was lowering a bit. Listening Dave share his practical advice is an extra dose of encouragement I need to stay focused and keep my in the debt-is-dumb-cash-is-king game. I LOVE listening to the families that come into his studio to do their debt-free scream live on the show. Talk about inspiration to stick with it!!!  Whether or not, you ride the Dave Ramsey train or not, give a listen. You'll learn something new and definitely get a good laugh:)

2. The Influence Podcast I have been hearing about The Influence Network for awhile now and really like the mission behind this group of women: to inspire and encourage women to make their online life mean something for the glory of God. Going to their annual conference in the fall is on the things on my list of stuff to save for. But for now, the podcast is a good free option. they interview all kinds of women with tons of different topics each like blogging, spiritual growth, how to balance life, and creativity.

3. Catholic Stuff You Should Know Talk about the New Evangelization! This show is hosted by a couple young priests and deacons who talk about any and everything related to the Catholic faith and culture. My favorite episodes so far have been on the best(and worst!) of the incorruptibles, How the Media is Hijacking the Pope, and How the Vatican City Works. The only thing I'm not a huge fan of is how often sometimes the hosts make jokes about drinking and alcohol...not really the most prudent image to give folks of Catholic clergy. Other than that, still a good show! Thanks Bonnie for telling me about it too:)

4. MUD Stories I happened to stumble on this one merely by accident. Jacque's mission through her podcast is to bring hope and encouragement to make it through the muddiest moments of life. She interviews all types of women with heartfelt, unique stories that share their own faith and hope on how they worked through the mud in their own life. If you're looking for something inspirational, give a listen!

5. The Art of Simple I am new to this podcast after reading Tsh's books Organized Simplicity and Notes from a Blue Bike, which were great. What I love about Tsh is her mission to simplify life in the midst of chaos and making time for more of what matters. On her podcast, she talks to all kinds of guests on things like simple living, food, family traditions, good books, traveling, etc. This one has quickly become one of my new favorites, and always seems to hit the spot when I listen after a crazy, busy day.


Are you into podcasts? What are the favorite ones you follow?  Share with me? :)

Homemade Natural Produce Wash

I have started getting really interested in more natural living and clean eating. I am counting down the days when I have saved enough cash to buy an oil diffuser, but until then, I'm having fun looking at simple ways to bring more natural living into our home.

recipe source

I first came across this natural produce wash from one of my new favorite blogs to read, Live Simply. I know many fruits and vegetables are sprayed with pesticides and chemicals, and honestly I have never been one to thoroughly wash/clean produce. I guess I always thought a quick rinse of warm water meant they were good to eat? As I learn more about natural living, I am learning where simple ingredients are effective and simple as those fancy shmancy chemical products from the grocery store. Who knew just plain, old vinegar and lemon juice where such a combo to kill germs and pesticides off our produce?? #themoreyouknow

Ingredients

2 cups of water

1/2 cup white vinegar

 1 lemon, juiced

1 bottle (I used a plastic spray bottle)

 

1// In large bowl, combine all ingredients. Pour ingredients into a bottle using a funnel (don't spill like I did ;). Store produce wash in the fridge until needed (to allow the fresh lemon juice not to spoil).

 

 

2// When Using: Spray produce with DIY wash and then wash the food under warm water. OR, pour 1/2 cup of wash in a sink of water or large bowl and soak the produce for 5 minutes. Then, rinse produce with clean water.

 

Now you can enjoy fresh produce free of nasty chemicals and pesticides! 

Any tips you in your home for simple, natural living?