“Pray Without Ceasing”
©Teresa Kogut
I debated whether or not I was going to blog about an experience I had in church last Sunday, but, as I have posted before……this is me……this is who I am, and these are my thoughts and daily happenings in my lil’ world, so here it is……..
I made a Lenten challenge in addition to a Lenten sacrifice this year…..I sketched an angel a day for 40 days during Lent. I really shouldn’t call it a challenge…although it started off that way, it ended up being a blessing and I looked forward to it every day.
Just last week I scanned all of the sketches into my computer and using photoshop, put scripture to go with each angel. I chose the beatitudes from the gospel of St Matthew for a few of them, such as,
Blessed are the merciful
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.
I feel I need to insert a little background here before moving on with the story. I posted back in January (or was it December??) about a book I read, “Rediscover Catholicism” by Matthew Kelly. It really set my soul on fire and made me thirst for knowledge about my faith and the bible. Since then I took a 6 week bible study course where we went into great depth and discussion on the book of Genesis….it was an amazing 6 weeks and can’t wait until the next bible study starts in the fall. I also started praying 10 minutes a day (or more, but at least 10 min)…..a prayer mostly of thanksgiving but also praying for God’s guidance in my life, hoping that what I do is pleasing to Him and I seek to do His will.
I often wonder if God is trying to speak to me but I am too busy “talking” or “doing”….I rarely sit in silence (which is really something I need to do). In the book of Genesis, God sent messengers, or would speak directly to his people and I’ve also heard people say they’ve heard the voice of God. How do you discern if it is God nudging you to do something or it is just something you feel compelled to do because, really, it is what you want to do???
Sorry, I am not a very good storyteller so I hope this all comes together in the end…….but last Sunday after communion as I knelt down and started singing “Blest are They”, I was moved by the Holy Spirit and tears started to fill my eyes…….I couldn’t sing and I couldn’t stop crying. I can’t quite explain the feeling inside………..that was God……..he was there to tell me something……..
I am posting a video I found of the song “Blest are They”………..listen……..
This song is about the beatitudes…….I know now that I am exactly where I am suppose to be in my career…….creating paintings with the talent HE gave me to exalt His name, to give glory to God and to spread the word of His son Jesus Christ. Tears are filling my eyes as I am typing this……..I am still moved…..
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