3 powerful words for contemplation on Holy Thursday
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I love to snorkel. One of my favorite things to do is go snorkeling in the Bahamas. For those that have snorkeled or went scuba diving in the crystal blue waters then you know how relaxing and freeing it is to float among a world that you really don’t belong.
The fish swim along with no care. They don’t stress about what they will eat or the quality of their life. They just simply live. “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own…look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them” (Matthew 6:34, 36)
One of the amazing things about snorkeling is the ability to float and observe. The calm of floating about and among the sea life gives a new perspective. It allows me to view God in a different light.
God walks and is present among us. “and, lo, I am with you always, even until the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20) God dwells among us, but He also looks down upon us and sees us. He pours down gentle and loving care upon our life. He loves what He sees. He is never disappointed with the view.
When snorkeling, the fish that peacefully swim all around me allow me to experience their world. In exchange, I do not desire to do anything to harm them, and I never want anything else to harm them. I just want to be part of their world.
God never wants to harm us, and He does not want to see us harmed by anything or anyone else. His heart breaks when we are broken. He is hurt when we are hurt. He weeps when we weep. “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35) Jesus knew the pain and heartbreak of experiencing the death of a friend. He saw loved ones crying and tears flowed from His eyes. He sees your tears and He cries with you. His plan never involves harming you.
“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
God sees us. He walks and dwells among us. He cares for us. He loves us. He sees YOU. He cares for YOU. He loves 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
