Tag Archives: wisdom

Everything in Moderation

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Words spoken out of experience.

March 7, 1911, in a small southern town of Italy, a strong, healthy cry made it known that a feisty, fun, fearless, little girl had entered our world. Her life would be one filled with all the hardships, trials and love that this side of heaven has to bring. Through the Great Depression and World Wars; inventions and change; to watching three of her five children go home to be with our Lord earlier than expected; by way of it all she managed to always add value to the lives of others. Throughout the peaks and valleys of life, she passed-on a legacy as she ever so naturally bestowed the utmost incredible truth about God’s continuous grace.

I love to recall a family gathering when my Dad lovingly wrapped his arm around her and proudly stated, “Woman, you’ve been from the horse and buggy to the calculator!” In a season in time, witnessing ninety-three years of life, Rachel “Rae” (my Grandma) optimistically and joyfully navigated through time, leaving an inheritance fueled with passion and love. Her gift to me was more precious than silver, gold, and all the riches that are untold; when she got down on her knees and taught me how to pray when I was just seven years old.

One day as my Grandma and I sat on the steps of her front porch, and I asked her to share some words of wisdom, her response, “Be sure to get out every day to live the life that you have been given; and, everything in moderation.” Her words echo often in my ears. In part, she left behind some great tools, a beautiful little present of words spoken out of experiences. Although life is not always easy, and we don’t always get what we hoped for here on earth, it’s great to know that there are champions, God-given powerful words, that are meant to strengthen us and keep us on the winning team.

The right word at the right time can elevate our world to a better place. As I think about what my Grandmother said, “Everything in moderation” a well known scripture from the book of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 comes to mind, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heaven..” In this life we will face hardships, trials and of course (hopefully) love and joy. We will also experience, feelings, emotions and choice-making. We are given the ability to make healthier, more positive decision about how to think, feel, and behave when we are given the right tools and the context to do so. Finding the balance and wholeness in due measure all starts with prayer. In life, everything in moderation, has its place.

When a need or circumstance is followed by a course of action it creates history. From beginning to end, there is nothing better for us than to seek God first in all things. After all, Eternity is set in the human heart. There is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. Time is a stepping stone for what is yet to come.

A teacher is not so much responsible for what our students know, but more so for the seeds we plant to help them grow.

Father in the Name of Jesus, by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit, be with us, direct our path, fill us with the riches of Your grace, transform our mind with a healthy balance that is good for our body and soul. Guide us with Your gracious love, that we may press forward to being all that You created us to be. In Your Holy Name we pray… Amen
Sweet blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

Deannadanielle.com 

Proverbs 2:2-5
My son, if you receive My words
and treasure up My commandments with you making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding, yes, if you call out for insight
and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Writing Your Story 2021

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Stories come out of living the life we have been given and sharing that personal account with others.

When it comes to knowledge, we can’t offer more than we have. Nonetheless, it is imperative to share what we can when it comes to the gift of understanding. I learned this as I entered the confessional. In sharing what was in my heart, the priest sitting on the other side of the divided screen offered these words of wisdom, “What you have is not for you alone, but meant to be shared with others.” At first, I did not understand what he meant. Yet, as I walked out the door with the blue sky above my head, I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit fill me with utterance and discernment, as those fifteen words replayed in my brain. This giving me the clarity… my joy in life comes from serving others.

There are open doors and opportunities all around us, through the means of communication, to deliver all that God has entrusted us with. As Johannes Gutenberg, a German goldsmith, was given the knowledge to bring us the printing press and Alexander Graham Bell a Scottish-born inventor, scientist, and engineer, delivered the gift of the telephone or Lawrence Gilman Roberts an American engineer who came through with the Internet; It was Mary a first-century Galilean Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph, who opened the door and gracefully gave birth to our Lord and Savior Jesus, our only true Connection with God.

What is God calling you to do? I may not know what it is, but I do know it is important. From the very beginning when He created this world, He had a plan. God’s Word is a reminder and comforter to this truth. Here are just five Bible verses that prove God’s love for us and that He has a great plan for this life that He has given to us.

  1. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” [Jeremiah 1:5]
  2. “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” [Luke 12:7]
  3. “From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” [Acts 17:26]
  4. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” [Jeremiah 29:11]
  5. “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,” [2 Timothy 1:9]

The next step is up to us. Writing Your Story 2021, is more important than ever. The call to take what we have been given and share it with others is so important. As God does not force Himself on our right to choose, it is my prayer that in our time together God would give us clarity, hope and inspirational-motivation. May we take charge of this life God has given to us with our own God- given gifts and circumstances and unique stories and use them to serve and bless others. May God’s grace enlighten us to be more empowered to move in the directions we may have otherwise avoided or didn’t think possible.

“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.” [Numbers 6:24-26]

A teacher is not so much responsible for what our students know, but more so for the seeds we plant to help them grow.

Father in the Name of Jesus, by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit, be with us, direct our path, fill us with the riches of Your grace, transform our mind with a healthy balance that is good for our body and soul. Guide us with Your gracious love, that we may press forward to being all that You created us to be. In Your Holy Name we pray… Amen

Sweet blessings in 2021 and always,

Deanna Danielle

Deannadanielle.com

Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ The Gift of Christmas ~ IHM Premiere *

What do you want to be when you grow up?

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Encouraged.

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” asked my junior high school counselor, as we pieced together my high school schedule. You see, I was my own kind of Amelia Bedelia, struggling to learn, with no talent whatsoever and fearful of my own shadow. After pondering the direction of my future for a few seconds, I responded, “I’d like to be kindergarten teacher.” With a respectful smile, he replied, “I don’t recommend that for you. You don’t like school and teaching means you would need further education. I don’t see you doing that.” Eager to know his thoughts, I replied, “What do you think I should do?” “Do what your mom does” he said, and that afternoon, I watched carefully as my mom cut and styled her client’s hair. Clueless yet curious, thoughts of, “The apple never falls far from the tree” came to mind. After telling my mom about my conversation with my counselor, she blessed me with words of wisdom, “If this is what you want to do, then I want you to get a job this summer in a salon to make sure it’s right for you…”

In sharing this story, many people are offended by my counselors dispirit. However, to me his recommendation was a truly valuable puzzle piece to my life. Like an angel in disguise, he helped guide me to dig deeper into becoming all that I was created to be. We all have a purpose in life and God gives us exactly what we need in order to accomplish all that we are called to do. We may not always hear what we want to hear, or get what we want when we want it, nevertheless, the direction we take with what we have been given is up to us. For me, it wasn’t that I couldn’t be a teacher; it just wasn’t a good fit at that time. Truthfully, styling hair has been a tremendous gift to me. 

Life doesn’t always do what we want it to do, but it is comforting to know that God’s love remains steadfast for each and every one of us everyday. We don’t need to lose faith when we see others receive answers to their prayers, while we feel like we haven’t yet received our own blessings. We can rest assured knowing that our time is coming, and when it hits the ground, the earth will feel it. My mom recently shared with me this motivational story:

“An elephant and a dog became pregnant at the same time. Three months down the line, the dog gave birth to six puppies. Six months later the dog was pregnant again, and nine months on it gave birth to another dozen puppies. The pattern continued. On the 18th month the dog approached the elephant questioning: “Are you sure that you are pregnant? We became pregnant on the same date. I have given birth three times to a dozen puppies and they are now grown to become big dogs, yet you are still pregnant. What’s going on? The elephant replied: “There is something I want you to understand. What I am carrying is not a puppy but an elephant. I only give birth to one in two years. When my baby hits the ground, the earth feels it. When my baby crosses the road, human beings stop and watch in admiration. What I carry draws attention. What I’m carrying is mighty and great!”

The key to mighty and great in the word of God simply teaches us that God is our Hero. The question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” is an on going question, that continues to grow within us no matter how old we may be. As I look back over the years, I can appreciate God’s intimate love in the details of all things. Our path is designed by God and bound to be glorious if we are willing to follow Him. Everyday is a stepping-stone of grace to use as a tool to move forward in the grand puzzle of life.

Be encouraged and committed as you take bold steps and healthy risks. Remember, without the struggle, it’s difficult to find your strength. While serving others, we will see more clearly the bigger picture. At the same time, recognize the little blessing that come to us daily. “Say your prayers” were the closing words my Dad would speak as he hit the light switch after tucking us into bed every night. Years later, I am still praying. It gives me great pleasure to share the word and love of God with others. As a catechist (teacher of the principles of Christian faith) my prayer for everyone I meet is to come to know and feel the love of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who traded it all in for the Cross; giving His life as a sacrifice to set us free from the spiritual chains of slavery that trap us in a web of confusion, addiction and sin. The Bible is filled with so many treasures and tools. The Word of God is our sword and shield as we all travel or wander like a pilgrim on this journey through life. Here are a few scriptures to ponder:

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. [Luke 16:10]

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. [Hebrews 13:2]

A teacher is not so much responsible for what our students know, but more so for the seeds we plant to help them grow.

Father in the Name of Jesus, by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit, be with us, direct our path, fill us with the riches of Your grace, transform our mind with a healthy balance that is good for our body and soul. Guide us with Your gracious love, that we may press forward to being all that You created us to be. In Your Holy Name we pray… Amen

Sweet blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

Deannadanielle.com

Michael’s hands: My 3rd grade student 2020-2021

The Sound of Music

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As my class has gone on summer break, I am excited to write once more, until we start up again in September. In addition, I am even more excited to write about such a wonderful subject. Dads!

Dads come in all different shapes and sizes, with many different personalities, careers and hobbies. As I think about the word Dad, I know I’m very blessed to have one who is such an awesome reflection of our heavenly Father. My dad has always been there for me, showering me with the greatest gifts of his love. Throughout the years, he continually brings me peace. He is a great protector, and his wisdom and sense of humor has always filled me with a joyful heart and laughter.

When I was a teenager, my dad would often come home and knock on the locked side door. It only drove me crazy because he walked past the front door which was open, and now I would have to stop what I was doing, to get up and open the door. One day, a friend called. She told me that the night before, her Mom and Dad were at a wedding, and her dad had a heart attack on the dance floor and died. She was very sad, knowing that she would never see him again. As we hung up, there was that knock at the door, only it sounded so different this time. It was now the most beautiful music I ever heard. There was my dad at the door.

Each and every day, our heavenly Father knocks on the door in the same way, waiting for us to get up, open the door, and let Him in. In the book of Revelation 3:20 we read, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Jesus taught us in Luke 11:2, that when we pray, we should open our prayer with, “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.” He also asked a question in Luke 11:11-13, “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, sinful people, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

 It is my prayer that this Father’s Day, we all open the door to the most beautiful sound of music we will ever hear. That is the sound of our heavenly Father who loves us more than we could ever imagine. The One who cares for us more than we ever could deserve, whose words are true, faithful, and trustworthy. The One who made all the delicate, inner parts of our body as He knitted us together in our mother’s womb, as said in Jeremiah 1:5, “I knew you before I formed you in the womb,” Our Father in heaven is all deserving of our praise and worship. Holy is the Lord God Almighty. Yes, the earth is filled with His glory. So, open that door, and together let us celebrate a Happy Father’s Day!

Blessings always,
Deanna Danielle

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