Kid altar questions

I put together a 'kid' friendly altar for my Liv. So far I used a t.v. tray, covered it with blue cloth, put a Crucifix and statue of Mary on it and now I want to do something to personalize it for Liv. I want her touch to be on it so she feels like it is hers. Then the goal is to say a morning prayer and an evening prayer in front of it. We always remember night prayers but rarely remember morning prayers... and what better way to start the morning then with prayer.

So does anyone have any suggestions? Maybe a good craft? Does anyone else do this?

Martha Martha

Part II of my rather long delay at the airport led me to another article of interest. This one about Martha. For all the times I have read Luke 10:41-42 I never really saw it in the light I did at the airport in Tennessee. I felt like reading Jesus' words to Martha could be directly spoken to me. He says,

"Martha, Martha you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her". Luke 10:41-42

Now Martha is someone I can relate to. She is hardworking, focused, and manages an entire household. All the while she is completely missing the mark. And Martha had Jesus right in front of her and she was still missing the mark! It is just amazing to me to think of Jesus saying, 'You (Martha) are anxious and worried'. First of all, how did He know? Was her face worried? Was she scurrying about trying to get things done? Maybe biting her nails?

I know that mindset; anxious, scurrying about in order to get things done. And I can almost hear Jesus specifically talking to me. What is important is the next line. Jesus says to look to Mary. To look at what she has embraced and see that her peace will always be with her because she has chosen the Lord. And truthfully, I am sure Martha thought she was doing well, doing the right thing. But she was so busy getting things done that she forgot to turn her heart over to the Lord. Fortunately for her she had the actual Lord to let her know what she was doing wrong!

Lord, help us to put the things of non importance aside and always keep our hearts open to You. Help us to embrace Martha's servitude and Mary's heart.

Holiness through laundry

While enjoying my two hour plane delay on the way to Florida I read an interesting article in the St. Anthony Messenger. It was an article about St. Hunna who is known solely as the 'Holy Washer Woman'. What?! The story says that St. Hunna was of a higher social standing and washed the clothes of the poor. I guess I could consider my life and St. Hunna's life as one in the same... pre-canonization of course. I often feel that I should be getting mani-pedi's but instead I am resigned to washing juice stained shirts. I envision a personal masseuse but instead I am attempting to match socks that may never have even had a mate in the first place.

But there is something heart warming about knowing that our beautiful Church recognizes the holiness of a woman who is only known for washing clothes. What love she must have shared with the community with every shirt and pant she washed. And even more amazing is knowing that sanctity can be obtained through such a mundane task. This in itself is a moms dream as this information lets us know that all our efforts with laundry, dishes, etc. will not be unnoticed. We can be saints through our washing machine. The secret is doing so with love in our hearts; knowing that all things can be done for the greater glory of God.

Of course, this is the part that I forget: to 'wash in love'. Maybe it's time to put a picture of Jesus next to the washing machine. Then I can keep my eyes on Christ no matter what may be doing.