Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

As I take my daily walk these spring days, I come across lots of wildflowers--Texas blue bonnets, Indian paint brushes, pink primroses, and a host of others that I can’t name and in various colors.     They pop up in unexpected places.     That’s the thing about wildflowers, they pop up wildly.     No one planted them, no one takes care of them, and some of them can actually be found in very unkempt areas and scraggly areas.     Not only are they beautiful, but they are abundant and carefree.     What are they telling me about life?  About the world?  About God’s grace?   LouAnne Willette Austin, TX

About a year ago I shared a reflection about the practice of living mindfully. Here I am choosing to share more about how mindfulness has challenged me to live more compassionately. I look at life through the lens of compassion. What a difference this makes! The goal of mindfulness in its essence is to live compassionately. Each breath I take is an opportunity to consciously breathe in the love of our God, the Source of all life and love, and to intentionally receive that love and breathe out the gift of “loving-kindness” to self and others. My prayer intention for each day is that I may live compassionately. My awareness of being an instrument of compassion for our world has made a significant difference in my life.  At times I focus only on breathing in God’s love for me and sending that love out from me. Other times I breathe in God’s grace and send it to people I love, to those I may find difficult to love, and to places in our world in need of grace. On occasion whe...

For me, September always feels like the beginning of a new year.  It might be those years spent in a classroom where I absolutely loved getting ready for school, setting up my room, eagerly preparing for a new beginning. But it’s the change of the seasons that makes me truly feel a new year is starting.  I loved my years ministering in Alabama and Louisiana but this Minnesota girl always ached for the change of seasons.  That first day I smell autumn, feel it in a cool breeze, savor the warmth of jeans and sweatshirt, I know – it’s time to begin again, it’s time to be open to change, to letting go. The trees teach me this, as do the shorter days, the harvesting of crops I’ve watched grow all summer long, the long shadows at sunset. I can’t stay in the past, but how I need God’s grace to help me move forward!   What challenges do you face this new year? What does Autumn ask of you?  And where do you find the grace that always finds us?...

Recently, I was at a funeral for a family member of a friend.  I never knew the person who had died but wanted to be present on the friend’s behalf. Toward the end of the service there was a eulogy given that painted as inspiring picture of the life of this beloved family member. As the life story unfolded, it was apparent how my friend is now one who inspires others with her generous heart.  She had been mentored since her birth within her family. I came away up lifted and inspired as well.  I got to know someone whom I will never meet.  This person’s life story returns to me and encourages me to seek God’s grace for growth.  Interesting how one life may touch another without ever having met. Oh yes, there are lots of celebrities or “rock stars” that have an impact on our lives.   There may be a big name person who inspires us but there are many others whose quiet lives have the capacity to bring beauty and grace to the world.  ...