From time to time I veer off the subject of food and health related topics to allow a glimpse into the more personal side of my life. As I awoke today, earlier than usual for a Sunday morning, I reflected upon an email that I received yesterday from a long time friend who had mentioned that she would like to see something about my faith on my blog bio. As I pondered this, it made me think of a quote that my husband shared from a recent funeral he attended. It is a classic quote from St. Francis of Assisi......."Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words."That quote seems to sum up my feelings regarding how I approach the sharing of my faith. Although I do attend church regularly, I don't consider myself to be a religious person. In my life I've observed that religion & religious people, in spite of well meaning intentions, can do a fine job of running people out of the church. Because of this, I try to be sensitive to and respectful of where people are spiritually. I am not one to proselytize, however, I am also not ashamed of my faith nor am I timid to state that I am eternally grateful for my relationship with Christ. I am also tremendously blessed to have a smorgasbord of friends, family and acquaintances from around the globe, many of whom have differing faiths.
In researching this quote, I ran across a number of other quotes by this most beloved Catholic saint and have put together a small selection I'd like to share with you on this lovely Sabbath morning. Regardless of your personal beliefs and faith, I hope that today you'll take strength and comfort in these words from St. Francis' timeless guidance and wisdom.
"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
"While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart."
"Lord, grant that I might not so much seek to be loved as to love."
"Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love."
"If God can work through me, he can work through anyone. "
