Week 336

Positive post Sunday, August 6, 2023- Week 336. 

While at a family retreat in the desert this past weekend, Michele, Kendall, Christian and I attended early morning Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Palm Desert.  Although we were hoping to see Father Gregory Elder, we were blessed by the sermon of a visiting priest.  He spoke about the importance of having an understanding and forgiving heart.  

This sermon reminded me of many things, but 3 stand out.  First, a forgiving heart reminded me of the book “Jeremiah’s Angel”, the story of two very special kids who discover the meaning of LOVE and FORGIVENESS that ultimately leads them to the Truth about Heaven written by my brother in Christ, Jay McCall.  Thanks to Jesus, the gates of Heavan have been opened to all who believe in and accept Jesus as our savior with an understanding and forgiving heart and who live a life of love and forgiveness.

Secondly, as I get older, I’m learning to lead with my heart not my head.  Sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell are known to be the 5 basic senses of the human body, but it’s my belief the Lord has also blessed with a sixth sense, feel.  Not feel as in touch but feel as in the ability to experience an emotional sensation.  Just as we have eyes for sight, we also have hearts to feel.  Perhaps if we lead our lives with our sixth sense and with an understanding and forgiving heart, we’d live more meaningful lives and better prepare ourselves for the time our Lord calls us home.

Finally, as I was listening to the sermon (with my heart) I was filled with an abundance of joy and emotion.  

As I reflected on our short and HOT weekend in the desert with many members of our extended family (we missed all those who were unable to attend), I realized how blessed I was to experience all legs of my Triangle of Life (Faith, Family and Fitness), all in just one weekend.  

These family get-togethers don’t happen by chance, and they require a lot of work and planning.  Our family is blessed to have my cousin Bob Rendler as our resident family event coordinator.  Bob coordinates a few family events each year, and I’m grateful he appreciates and values family time as much as I do.  Bob, I can’t thank you enough for creating yet another memorable family experience.  The photo below, which includes many of the family members who attended, warms my heart and represents the value of all your hard work.  

Thank you Bob!!

How are you living your life with an understanding and forgiving heart?

Who is the Bob Rendler in your family?  Have you thanked them and let them know how much you appreciate them?