Time for Another Quote!

"Be an instrument of gold or of steel, of platinum or of iron-big or small, delicate or rough.

They're all useful.

Each serves its own purpose.

Who whould dare say that the carpenter's saw is any less useful than the surgeon's scalpel?

Your duty is to be an instrument."

-St. Josemaria Escriva

Lessons in Battle

"Battles, battles, get your spiritual battles!"

I feel like the last few weeks, I've been a walking talking advertising board for spiritual warfare. It's been filled with horrible and wonderful, losses and victories. But if you really want to hear about it, ask me some other time. I'd love to have a good convo about angels, battles, and Saint Michael! But for now, I'll get to what I learned from these battles:

1) What we feel isn't always happening. We may feel worthless; that doesn't mean we are. We may feel like the world is crashing down around us; that doesn't mean it is. On the same note, we may feel everything is fine, but that doesn't mean there aren't problems in this world. If we were all controlled by our feelings 100% of the time, this world would be absolutely crazy. (If you're like me, the thought that just went through your brain was "Isn't it already?!" Well yes....but multiply that times a billion.) Trust me, if what I felt these last few weeks would have actually been happening, I'm pretty sure there would be nothing left standing around me. Everything would have either crumbled, caught on fire, or blew up somehow. What we feel isn't always happening.

2) St. Michael is AMAZING......times a zillion and a half. There is no way I would be here right now feeling strong and safe if it weren't for his constant intercession and help in battle. When I got to the point when I felt I was battling alone, the prayers I asked for were specifically to St. Michael (more to come on the asking for prayers later). I've always been partial to the Archangel, but nothing like I am now. WOW. My freshman year, I picked St. Michael as my patron saint, but not for any reason really-because he was the only one I knew enough about to write my required saint report on. You know how we're all supposed to open the "door" in our hearts to let Christ in? No worries, St. Michael just ninja kicks it down for us.


3) God needs us to be who we are, not who we assume others need us to be.
Did that just feel like a drop-kick in the face? Yeah.... This is definitely the phrase that has been stuck in my mind for the last week or so. Kind of self-explanatory. I don't try to meet others expectations, I just create my own. I try so hard to help others in ways that aren't "me," that I end up hurting them worse. But the guy knows what He's doing. He surrounds us with the people we need, not the ones we want. He knows just how others will impact us, and how we will impact them. This world needs people who find their identity in Him. Song of Songs 4:7. BAM.


I also wanted to use this post as a way to say thanks. To all of you (followers of this blog or not) who have supported me in prayer when I desperately needed it, read all of my annoying texts asking for them, and encouraged me by the way you live your lives...thank you. You are truly a blessing, and you have helped more than you know.


St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do thou,
O Prince of the Heavenly Host-
by the power of God-
cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.