How to survive – and thrive – during the holidays
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Mistakes happen and the Lord knows we are not perfect. He knows we are filled with imperfections and sins. Despite our best efforts, we continue to fail. We tend to beat ourselves up over our stumbles and falls. We allow Satan to get into our head and tell us we are worthless. He whispers we are a failure, and we listen to him. Give yourself some grace for mistakes. The Lord showers you with grace and mercy.
The Apostle Paul knew we all sinned when he penned, “all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). St. Paul also knew what it was like to struggle with sin and failure. He continues in his letter to the Romans and admits he struggles with sin. “For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” (Romans 7:19-20)
You must realize that mistakes are part of being human because of our fleshly and sinful nature. You were created by God in His image. You were destined to love God and walk with Him. You were meant to succeed. The difference with how we often see ourselves depends upon what reflection for which we choose to gaze. If you continue to look through the rear-view mirror, then you see the falters and failures of the past. If you look at Christ then you can see your reflection in Him and be reminded of your dignity, value, and worth. Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out. A life of faith is a life of one moment at a time. It is a life of one decision at a time.
It is in Christ that we find our hope. It is in Christ that we find our value. It is in Christ that we find our purpose. Child of God stop looking in the rear-view mirror and start seeing through the windshield at all Christ has waiting for you.
Amelia Monroe Carlson graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. Being raised as a Methodist during her early years, it was not until she entered college where she began to take her faith seriously. She was baptized as a Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals, AL and began immediately serving in international missions and in the church.
During college, she became the Co-founder of an International Ministry, where she spent time traveling and speaking to church groups and in large conferences. She authored a Bible study and traveled abroad on mission work. She sat on the Mid-South Interfaith Conferences in Mississippi, where she defended the faith and discussed beliefs with leaders of various religions.
After a business trip to Washington D.C., where she was introduced to a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church, she was placed on a journey to enter into the Catholic Church.
Amelia is a military wife and currently residents with her husband and daughter in Tennessee. She is a nine time award winning journalist, receiving press awards for various categories including investigative journalism, best news coverage, and best single feature. It is her desire to help Catholics, particularly Cradle Catholics, see the beauty in their faith which converts see and appreciate the fullness of truth which the Church has held and guarded throughout history. It is her desire all Catholics fall as much in love with Jesus as she is, and love the Church to a greater capacity than they could imagine.
Amelia taught PRE for 4-6 grade at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar, Tennessee from 2014-2016. She served as Youth Director at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville, Tennessee in 2017-2018. She now teaches 7th grade (1st year Confirmation) PRE class at St. Philip. She's also a writer and frequent podcast guest on Our Warpath.
She has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis de Sales, St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
To contact Amelia for speaking inquiries at conferences, retreats, or parishes contact her via social media on Facebook (Amelia Monroe Carlson), Twitter (@2_catholic ) or send a text to: (731)518-6923.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliamcarlson
Twitter: @2_catholic (Catholic ministry account)
Twitter personal account: @ameliamcarlson
