Easter Blessings

This might seem a mushy little note to my husband but I really would like to take this time to let him know I am so proud of him. I met Mike almost 13 years ago and there is not a day that he ceases to amaze. As many of you know, Mike is going through Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) through the Catholic Church. He decided that it was time for him to study and explore the Catholic faith. In truth, he wanted to convert for Alex's sake. He wanted our children to see that their parents were of the same religion. Simply, he felt that it would unify us more as a family. So since September, he has been attending three hour sessions every Sunday at our church. There he studies scripture, reflects, and meditates on their meaning with other candidates and catuchumens. He also learns important historical events that formed the Catholic faith. The most amazing and inspirational part is that Mike is not simply attending these sessions to "become" Catholic but it is serving as a stepping stone for him to understand himself and his relationship with God. I think Mike himself was surprised at how much he has learned and how it has affected him. I am often taken aback when he has a thought or comment that is obviously influenced by the teachings he has just learned. I am truly blessed to have a husband who understands the importance of God in the family. It gives me comfort to know that when we make decisions in our life, we both will look to our faith for guidance. This Easter is especially momentous because Mike will be formally initiated into the Catholic Church. On Saturday, we will be attending Easter Vigil and there Mike will be finally able to take part in the Holy Eucharist! We are so excited!

I'll leave you with a poem I found on our church's website under the RCIA section.

Unfolding a Rose

A new Christian was walking with a friend one day. He was feeling a bit insecure about God’s will for his life, and he asked his friend what he should do. His friend walked up to a rosebush, handed him a bud, and told him to open it without tearing off any petals. The new Christian looked in disbelief at his friend and tried to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the WILL OF GOD for his life. But because of his high respect for his friend tried to unfold the rose. . . It wasn’t long before he realized how impossible it was to do so. Noticing the younger Christian’s inability to unfold the rosebud while keeping it intact, his friend began to recite the following poem. . .

It is only a tiny rosebud,

A flower of GOD’s design;

But I cannot unfold the petals

With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers

Is not known to such as I.

GOD opens this flower so sweetly,

When in my hands they fade and die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,

This flower of GOD’s design,

Then how can I think I have wisdom

To unfold this life of mine?

So I’ll trust in Him for His leading

Each moment of every day.

I will look to him for His guidance

Each step of the pilgrim way.

The pathway that lies before me,

Only my Heavenly Father knows.

I’ll trust Him to unfold the moments,

Just as He unfolds the rose.