Girlfriends (A Podcast for Catholic Women)

Author Lindsay Schlegel joins us this week for a show where we discuss how parenting can help us grow closer to God. That is the theme of Lindsay’s book, [Don’t Forget to Say Thank You: And Other Parenting Lessons That Brought Me Closer to God](https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Forget-Say-Thank-CatholicMom-com/dp/1594718091/ref=sr11?crid=3QCGKARKIO9VS&keywords=don%27t+forget+to+say+thank+you&qid=1565968942&s=gateway&sprefix=don%27t+forget+to+say+%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1). You can learn more about Lindsay and her work at her website, LindsaySchlegel.com. Also, look for a new podcast Lindsay will be launching very soon, called Quote Me. I also share feedback from listener Ann-Marie who shared pictures of her Mary garden and a Litany of Kindness that she wrote. Check out her prayer below. Snippet from the Show “All of the things we want for our kids, God wants for us in an even more perfect way.” SHOWNOTES LITANY OF KINDNESS . . . When I meet with those I have an aversion towards, Jesus help me to choose kindness. When I compose bitter responses to others, Jesus help me silence my thoughts and turn to your heart. When I am tempted to bear a grudge, Help me see myself as I am: a pouting, childish weakling. When I am tempted to be envious of others, Help me be thankful and content with the many gifts you’ve given me. When I am tempted to judge another by their outward actions, Remind me I know not of her motives. When I find myself in a difficult situation, Help me to lovingly accept whatever you send into my life. When I am impatient and angered by those around me, Jesus, deflate my pride and help me choose humility. When there is a lack of trust in a relationship, Help me not to be suspicious of him/her, but to turn my thoughts to you. When I am given to over sensitivity, Help me avoid brooding over real or imagined slights. When I am with an overly sensitive person, Help me choose to exercise patience and charity. When I am self seeking and full of pride, Help me remember and consider my own sins. When I perform a kind deed, Help me offer it to you and not dwell or boast about it. When I perform little actions of consideration, Help me remember that God sees my sacrifice and is pleased. When I have pain, sorrow and suffering, Help me hide it in You, and be kind and cheerful to others. When I am irritated by those around me, Help me bear their burdens, as Christ bears mine. When I am frustrated by another, Help me to love them because I love Christ in them. When I am tired and discouraged, Help me choose to carry out my vocation as helper. When I am contentious and find fault with others, Help me cultivate an agreement as it is not all about me. Give me the grace to offer you a heart free from resentment, And the strength to pray for those who have hurt me. Train my eyes to be kind, recognizing faults, but seeing past them for love of you, Jesus. For all I see and hear, give me the grace to put on a kind interpretation, Which will help destroy the bitterness of my judgments. Help me forgo some trifling right, bear offenses, and renounce having the last word, So that I cultivate kind thoughts in my heart instead of an argument. To give joy to others, I must have it myself. Help me possess simple loving thoughts to dispel the clouds of depression, as you are the source of all joy. When I am weary and know not what to do, remind me that my vocation is to put on love and do my own tasks well. When trying to cooperate with others, help me put aside my own views when justice is not violated, in deference to those of others. Give me the grace of heroic self denial. In all occasions, around all people, remind me that I am not bound to speak out at all. Kindness, good will, charity, and forgiveness may run directly contrary to my feelings and inclinations—help me do them anyway. The obligation to undo the hurt caused by my unkind words does not disappear by my ignoring it. Help me to silence my overgrown sense of curiosity and resist the urge to give unsolicited advice. Help me to never say behind a person’s back what I would not say to his/her face, and to mind my own business. Help me remember that harsh words cause wounds that are hard to heal, and that the best remedy to angry words is silence. When I observe human weakness and am tempted to be sarcastic, remind me it does not glorify God. Remind me that destructive criticism is foolish and futile, and that it says more about me than the person I criticize. Help me always look for the good in the world and in your children and speak of it frequently. When I am wrong, help me admit it quickly and emphat...

Can you believe it’s almost Lent? This year, let’s approach Lent without feeling overwhelmed. In this week’s podcast, we discuss the importance of simplicity, small intentional sacrifices, and the power of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. I encourage you to trust God with your Lenten journey and to focus on personal growth and relationship with God during this sacred season.

Takeaways

Lent is a time for renewal and restoration in our relationship with God.

It's important to approach Lent without overwhelming ourselves with expectations.

Small, intentional sacrifices can be more impactful than grand gestures.

Fasting should be balanced and purposeful, not burdensome.

Almsgiving goes beyond money; it includes time, attention, and kindness.

Prayer is a crucial aspect of Lent; find ways to incorporate it into daily life.

Recognize that Lent is not a performance; it's about personal growth and faithfulness.

God has a unique plan for each person's Lenten experience.

Embrace simplicity and focus on what truly matters during Lent.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Go beyond the podcast! For bonus podcasts, weekly columns, exclusive live events, and more, subscribe here!

Contact:

Email Danielle Bean

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

We all deal with annoying people sometimes. Whether the annoying person is a stranger at Mass, a co-worker, or your own husband, here are some ideas for ways we can answer God’s call to love every human being, even if they are getting on our nerves. 1) Pray to see them as God does. Every person is a precious child of God. It can be hard to see that when they are getting on your nerves, though. Ask God for the grace of seeing each person as he does, in all their dignity and worth.
2) Recall a time when you were annoying. We all have bad days. It can help you be kind to someone else who is having an “off day” to recall a time when you were annoying yourself. We all need love and kindness and an extra dose of mercy at times.
3) Know they are probably hurting. Hurt people hurt people. Especially if someone is being angry, rude, or unfair in a way that does not make sense to you, recognize that they are probably wounded and suffering. It’s not an excuse for bad behavior, but it can go a long way toward helping you be more patient with it.
4) Offer to help. Are they complaining or acting up about something you can help them with? Find a way to help them with whatever they are struggling with, or at least offer to help so they know they are not alone.
5) Ignore what you can. If you can possibly ignore their annoying behavior, DO IT. Keep pulling your mind away and onto other, more important things.
6) Remember what you can control. You cannot control others’ words and behaviors, but you can control how you respond to them. When faced with a challenging person, reciting your Morning Offering or using the Jesus Prayer can be a great way to offer up the challenge to God.
7) Reduce contact with them if you reasonably can. You can always give someone space when they are in a bad mood, or reduce the amount of time you spend with someone who is a negative influence in your life. Resources and Announcements

• At the start of the show, I mention that the March for Life in Washington DC is an official Pilgrimage site with the opportunity for a plenary indulgence attached to it. Here is more information about that.
• This week I also share my response to an email from listener Jessie who is struggling with using NFP to space pregnancies in her marriage.
• My newest book, Giving Thanks and Letting Go: Reflections on the Gift of Motherhood is available for pre-order. Until January 31, 2020, use code “BEAN” at checkout and get twenty percent off!

Events

• February 20-23, 2020: Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, Anaheim, CA
• Saturday, March 7, 2020: You’re Worth It Retreat at Precious Blood Parish in Jasper, IN
• Saturday, March 14, 2020: Women’s Conference, Fresno, CA
• Saturday, March 28, 2020: Women’s Conference in Norwich, CT
• Want me to come to your community to speak or give my retreat, You Are Enough, based on the themes in my book? Get all the information here!

Subscribe

• Text the word GIRLFRIENDS to 33-777 to get the shownotes!
• Subscribe to Girlfriends in iTunes
• Subscribe to Girlfriends in Stitcher

Contact

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In this conversation, Curtis Mitch, co-editor of the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, discusses the purpose and features of the study Bible, his personal journey with Scripture, practical tips for incorporating Scripture into daily life, the role of Scripture in prayer, and how to teach children to love scripture. Our conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding scripture within the context of the Catholic faith and provides insights into making Scripture a central part of daily life.

Takeaways

The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible serves as a catechetical tool to instruct and strengthen faith.

Study Bibles provide essential context and annotations to help readers understand scripture better.

Practical ways to incorporate scripture include studying liturgical readings and focusing on one book at a time.

Scripture is a dialogue with God, enhancing the life of prayer.

Teaching children to love Scripture can be done through family reading and personal copies of the Bible.

Understanding Scripture requires humility and reliance on God's guidance.

The interconnectedness of Scripture helps illuminate Catholic doctrine and teachings.

Learn more about this unique edition of the Bible!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Go beyond the podcast! For bonus podcasts, weekly columns, exclusive live events, and more, subscribe here!

Contact:

Email Danielle Bean

Danielle Bean on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Voxer

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe

Have you ever felt like what you do isn’t enough? Like your work, your prayers, your quiet service just... doesn’t count in a world that celebrates the loud, the visible, the impressive?

In this live session, we explore the deep spiritual truth that small is not insignificant. We talk about what it means to live a life hidden in Christ, to serve faithfully without fanfare, and to find peace in knowing that God delights in the little things we do with great love.

Join the Grace & Growth Community.

Sign up for the free webinar: From Stuck to Started

This conversation is especially for anyone who feels unseen, overlooked, or weary of chasing worldly expectations. Plus, you’ll walk away with three simple action steps to help you start living this message right now.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Go beyond the podcast! For bonus podcasts, weekly columns, exclusive live events, and more, subscribe here!

Contact:

Email Danielle Bean

Danielle Bean on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Voxer

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daniellebean.substack.com/subscribe