Write On!

I have written this to make you realize
that you possess eternal life…
1 John 5:13

While editing a chapter in my book (which still isn’t finished!), I realized I was smiling. Though my frustration over not having completed this project remains, strangely enough, I enjoy every minute that I spend writing. This is an odd turn of events because it was extremely difficult for me to receive an “A” on creative writing assignments throughout elementary and high school. In college, I did slightly better only because most papers involved research and the recycling of established facts. No creativity required!

Perhaps this is the reason that I was somewhat shocked when a writing opportunity arose decades ago. My husband and I were helping to establish a new parish in our town. Our new pastor asked me to write “something inspirational that will fill a column or two” for our first parish bulletin. Father Farrell thought my involvement was a no-brainer since I was a teacher. As a former teacher himself, he assumed that I could write anything. I surprised myself when I managed to bury my fear and to compose something acceptable in response.

Every week since, I’ve poured over scriptures passages, my life experiences and my relationship with God to do the same. What began as a challenge has morphed into a welcome opportunity. You see, the subject matter is very important to me. I am who I am because of God’s presence in my life. This opportunity to inspire others to make a place for God in their lives is a dream-come-true!

Now if I ever finish that book, you’ll see…

Generous God, you are a part of all of our lives. Help us to celebrate you in our labor, in our leisure and in all that we do.

©2020 Mary Penich – All Rights Reserved

V… Vision!

Look to God that you may be radiant with joy…
From Psalm 34:6

V is for Vision. The vision of which I write has nothing to do with my ability to see the world around me. The vision to which I refer is that internal sense of direction which guides us when all else fails. I’ve weathered some difficult storms and losses in my own life. Still, these things pale in the shadow of the suffering others endure. I can’t help being amazed as those around me cope. Though situation after situation promises the same, these mighty souls endure. They proceed with hope and grace because of their vision of the God who loves them and remains with them always.

My own experience tells me that each incidence of suffering I’ve experienced has morphed into triumph because of my vision of God’s presence within me. Though I saw only suffering on the surface, I looked further to see God’s loving presence throughout it all. Those who have shared their stories with me are absolutely convinced that they’ve survived every sort of malady unscathed because they remained focused upon God all the while.

V is for Vision, our vision of our Ever-loving, Ever-merciful and Ever-caring God who walks with us and loves us through everything. Even when that vision is blurred by our tears, we see God around us and within us through it all.

Loving God, thank you for remaining with us in everything.

©2019 Mary Penich – All Rights Reserved

And So I Write On!

I have written this to make you realize
that you possess eternal life…
1 John 5:13

One of the most enjoyable things I do is write. This is an odd turn of events because it was extremely difficult for me to earn an “A” on writing assignments in high school. Whether creative endeavors or research papers, I usually just missed that coveted A. In college, I did slightly better only because most papers involved research and the recycling of established facts which involved little creativity on my part. Thirty years ago, my new pastor asked me to write “something inspirational that will fill a column or two” in our first parish bulletin. I surprised myself when I took this challenge. Somehow, I managed to bury my fear and to compose something acceptable in response.

Every week since, I’ve poured over the scriptures and my own life experiences to do the same. What began as a challenge has morphed into a welcome opportunity to spread the good news regarding what God has so generously revealed to me. Truly, I can’t help myself.

As I’ve shared numerous times, this writing adventure has inspired a book. One third of that manuscript rests in a file on my computer and in a “just in case” hard copy. The remaining two-thirds teeter between some sketchy notes and another file lodged in my memory. Today, I’ve reopened all of those files to continue this endeavor. I assume God will be involved with this book as well. It’s the story of our relationship, God’s with me and mine with God. Wish me luck!

Good and Gracious God, HELP!!!

©2018 Mary Penich – All Rights Reserved

V is for…

See! I make all things new!
From Revelations 21:5

V is for Vision. The vision of which I write has nothing to do with my ability to see the world around me. The vision to which I refer is that internal sense of direction which guides us when all else fails. I’ve weathered some difficult storms and losses in my life. Still, these things pale in the shadow of the suffering others endure. I can’t help being amazed as those around me cope with circumstances I could never have imagined. Though situation after situation promises the same, these mighty souls endure. They proceed with hope and grace because of their vision of the God who oversees the grand scheme of things while remaining with each one of them.

My own experience tells me that the incidences of suffering in my life morphed into triumph because of my vision of God’s presence within me. Though I saw suffering on the surface, I looked further to see God’s loving presence through it all. Those who’ve shared their stories with me are absolutely convinced that they survived unscathed only because they knew that God remained with them all the while.

V is for Vision, our vision of our Ever-loving, Ever-merciful and Ever-caring God who walks with us through everything. Even when that vision is blurred by our tears, God remains at our sides.

Loving God, thank you for being with us. Enhance our vision that we may always be aware that you are here.

©2018 Mary Penich – All Rights Reserved

Still Writing On…

I have written this to make you realize
that you possess eternal life…
1 John 5:13

One discovery I’ve made as an adult is that I truly enjoy writing. This is an odd turn of events because it was extremely difficult for me to receive an “A” on creative writing assignments throughout high school. In college, I did slightly better only because most papers involved research and the recycling of established facts which involved little creativity on my part. Twenty-five years ago, my husband and I helped to found a new parish. Our new pastor asked me to write “something inspirational that will fill a column or two” for our first parish bulletin. I surprised myself when I took on this challenge. Somehow, I managed to bury my fear and to compose something acceptable in response.

Every week since, I’ve poured over the scriptures, my faith and my own life experiences to do the same. What began as a challenge has morphed into a welcome opportunity to write. The best part is that the subject matter is very important to me. I am who I am because of God’s presence in my life. This opportunity to inspire others to make a place for God in their lives is a dream-come-true!

Generous God, you inspire all of the moments of our lives. Help us to realize your loving presence in our labor, in our leisure and in all that we do.

©2017 Mary Penich – All Rights Reserved

V… for Vision

Rouse yourself to see it, and aid me,
for you are the Lord…
From Psalm 59:5-6

V is for Vision. The vision of which I write has nothing to do with my ability to see the world around me. The vision to which I refer is that internal sense of direction which guides us when all else fails. I have weathered some difficult storms and losses in my own life. Still, these things pale in the shadow of the suffering others endure. I can’t help being amazed as those around me cope. Though situation after situation promises the same, these mighty souls endure. They proceed with hope and grace because of their vision of the God who oversees the grand scheme of things.

My own experience tells me that each incidence of suffering morphed into triumph because of my vision of God’s presence within me. Though I could see suffering on the surface, I looked further to see God’s loving hand in it all. Those who have shared their stories with me are absolutely convinced that they survived unscathed only because they remained focused upon God all the while.

V is for Vision -our vision of our Ever-loving, Ever-merciful and Ever-caring God who walks with us through everything. Even when that vision is blurred by our tears, we see God at our sides.

Loving God, thank you for remaining with us. Increase our faith and enhance our vision that we may always be aware that you are here.

©2016 Mary Penich – All Rights Reserved