I’m so blessed to have a community of friends share the novena to Our Lady of Charity with you and their readers. It really is a devotion for our times.
I prayed for my readers at the shrine
OLC pray for me
Adoration Chapel at Ermita
altar at Ermita
Our Lady of Charity statue on altar
I found my book in the gift shop!
Encuentros Juveniles talk
faith-filled women
entrance to the shrine
The cherry on top was being in Miami for the conclusion of the novena, and of course, making a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity and then speaking to a wonderful group of young people at Encuentros Juveniles. I also had a lovely time hanging out with some beautiful and faith-filled women who got together for a meet and greet. Isn’t it wonderful how the Blessed Mother brings her children together for her Son?
Y’all, I finished reading this book on a plane. Live Big, Love Bigger by Kathryn Whitaker.
Not recommended. The location that is; I highly recommend the book.
no mini horses on the flight
I snort-laughed a couple of times and another time became so blinded by tears that I weirdly erupted into a coughing fit, which made the tears crash down on the pages. I would have welcomed a mini-horse for a distraction away from the scene I was causing. I could feel the judgy lady next to me peeking to see what I was reading. I should have handed it to her on my way out.
All this to say, what a wonderful book. What a wonderful message. And what a delightful read.
Kathryn Whitaker shares an intimate slice (slices) of her life and her faith journey in a compilation of anecdotes and memoir as sweet as that glass of sweet tea I picture next to a BBQ brisket sandwich from Buc-cees. Actually, it goes better with a cold Dr. Pepper in a bottle. But you get my drift — I love the book. And I want to meet Kathryn.
I love that she pulls away the carefully curated photo-essay of the perfect life to show us what a real family looks like today. Not in an instagram story…not on the pages of a parenting magazine. In a real home — hers.
Whitaker shows us Jesus present in her life and in her family instead of positing to-do lists. The result is not just an authentic sharing of a messy, but faith-filled life, but an encouragement to abandon ourselves to Jesus, and follow what works for us. It might not look like the Whitaker home (my kids are grown) but Jesus present in my home brings peace and order…in my case, perhaps accepting that I can’t beat back the kudzu along the fence line, and that’s ok.
Whatever road life has paved for you, consider this: Forget about the destination and focus on the journey. Wherever you go, do it with intention and purpose. Travel with a heart anxious for accompaniment. And remember that drive is always sweeter when Jesus is riding shotgun with you.
Thank you all for praying with us! We’ve made it to the final day! Today’s prayer, Day 9, is hosted by my dear friend Pat Gohn. I’m so happy that Pat is hosting this last day in the novena that has been prayed across many blogs — all written by women. It wasn’t by design — it just turned out that way, but I love that Pat, host of the Among Women podcast, has the final day. What a joy to have been among women in prayer. Thank you Pat, for your generosity and most of all, for your spiritual friendship.
