Rosary

I have spent 17 years as a Christian, the last two as a Catholic.

Over the course of those first 15 years I thought I had become as close to Jesus as I could ever possibly be. His statement that those who have much forgiven love Him more deeply I can attest to...I had a life so very separate from Him before 1991, and the enormity of His mercy to forgive me of so much left me with a love for Him that extended beyond any emotion I had ever felt before or have felt since.

After my Catholic conversion I was surprised to find that whenever I prayed the Rosary the depth of love I felt for Jesus grew wider, deeper, stronger. It was quite a revelation! As a Protestant I had looked with scorn on the Rosary - yet, I had not even known what truly lay at it's heart. Jesus.

Look to Jesus.

Meditate on Jesus.

Pray with Jesus.

Suffer with Jesus.

Marvel at Jesus.

Wonder with Mary at the God made man.

Rejoice in triumph with Jesus.

It's all about Him...it all leads to Him. Mary directs us to meditate on her Son, our Saviour.

But my Rosary prayers were sporadic, there were lulls and highs. Finding time was the hardest, time to be alone with Him.

Over the last months my heart was challenged to arise earlier and pray my Rosary before the house awoke. At first this was hard, but within days I could not hold myself from it. Jesus needed me to pray, yes. But more than that the realisation hit me that it was I who needed to pray because sitting there in the early dawn I could be like Mary and sit at His feet, worshiping Him through my prayers and meditations - no kitchen duties, no responsibilities to watch over - just me and He.

Beginning the day with my heart full of Him brought a peace and a joy to the morning.

My children see the change in me, they have told me that I am a far more peaceful person today than I was before...they say I smile more often, I laugh more freely, and I do not stress out about troubles the way I did.

My love for Christ consumes me. I desire that love, with every thought and moment of my day, to consume me wholly for His purpose in this earthly life and then for eternity with Him in Heaven.

If you have not made regular time to pray your Rosary, or you are busy always with little children or others to care for, listen to EWTN as you go about your day and pray along with Father Groeschel, or Mother Angelica. The children can pray with you. Meditate each day on the Mysteries, ask the Holy Spirit to make the meditation personal to you. I have so many vivid revelations of the love and life of Jesus since praying the Rosary daily.

My darling 13yodd made me this beautiful beaded bag to hold my Rosary when it is not in my hands... she is evidence of the love of Jesus in my life. He gives so much more than we deserve.