February 16, 2025
I mentioned in my last post the Blessed Mother pendant I wear and have worn since it was given to me in my twenties. What I didn’t share is that I’m divorced, and it was given to me by my ex-mother-in-law (may she rest in peace). I’ll save the Nullity of Marriage topic for another time, but for now, I share it so you can understand that my path has not been straight. My children are the blessings that God has given me as part of my journey. Which brings me to my point today.
Time: Our most valuable resource as human beings. We often complain there is just not enough of it. Why am I spending my valuable time writing a blog? I am writing for one simple reason… my children.
I was wearing My Blessed Mother pendant in 2016 when I ran my first Reach the Beach race. The race was a 200+ mile relay race that many in the running club I had joined did every year. I had joined the club as a way to meet other runners in the area that shared a commitment to running. A teammate asked what was on my necklace. I had answered The Blessed Mother, but I hesitated to say “I’m Catholic” because I wasn’t practicing, he was a Buddhist. I look back at that one question as my first nudge back to my faith.
I think it was running that got me through my divorce in 2004. I ran my first marathon that year, in Boston, on Patriots Day right before my daughter’s third birthday. After that I was hooked, and my children have grown up and seen running as part of who I was.
Running was a priority in my life. I’d wake up at 5 a.m. to “roll and run,” as I called it. If I got out the door by 5:15, I could be back by 6 a.m., ensure the kids were getting into their school routine, and get myself ready to leave for work by 7:45 a.m.
My daughter ran her first marathon, Baystate, during her freshman year of college and then signed up for the Philadelphia Marathon in November 2024. On one of her long training runs together in October she shared, “I don’t know anyone who runs. I don’t think I would be a runner if it weren’t for watching you run.”
When she said this, I felt deeply convicted. I had just heard the Bible verse:
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children. Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest.” – Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Throughout their childhood, I had demonstrated my commitment to health and professional growth—waking early to run, going back to school for a professional credential—but had I demonstrated my faith with the same dedication? No, I didn’t, gratefully my father did. Somewhere along the line my Dad had returned to weekly Mass and my children saw how he made it a priority. I believe it made a difference. It wasn’t always easy getting them to what I still refer to as CCD, but they knew they had to complete their sacraments.
While my kids see a difference in my faith practices today, they haven’t fully embraced the Gospel—yet. I didn’t make Sunday Mass a priority, I didn’t regularly open the Bible with them at home or teach them how to pray the Rosary. Looking back, I see those as missed opportunities—not as regrets, but as lessons that have shaped my journey. Now, I have the chance to show them, through my actions, that faith is the most important part of life. By reorienting my life and putting God first, I hope to spark a curiosity in them, one that will lead them to seek Him in their own way and in their own time. And perhaps, this journey can inspire you as well.
This Week, I’d Like to Share a Few Things That Started My Journey:
1) The Hallow App
You can get a free subscription for a few months from the Hallow app above. If you’re not sure where to start, Jeff Cavins provides a daily Gospel reflection, usually 10 minutes or less. He’s humorous and engaging—great for a quick car ride or a walk around the block.
2) Father Mike Schmitz
He is also on the Hallow App but if you don’t want to sign up for an app yet, he has so much on YouTube. His homilies are available every week as well as the entire Mass he celebrates at UMD. I like to prepare for Mass by listening to his homilies ahead of time, then I get multiple perspectives on the readings. You don’t have to sign up for anything to watch and you can airplay to your tv for the whole family.
This week’s video:
A few other links:
I hope these resources bless you as they have blessed me.
Cheerfully in Christ,
Karen
P.S. I’m not an experienced website designer or blogger, so if you’d like to help, I’d be thrilled! Feel free to reach out directly via email at [email protected]
