A Gentle Morning with an Old Prayer

 

Dear Diary,

Last night I made another recording from this very old prayer book—the one Sister and I have been working on together. It was printed such a long, long time ago, back in 1776, in a place called Augsburg in Germany. The pages are worn and soft now, and all the words were written in German, so Sister has been helping me translate them.

This little prayer is called a Morning Prayer, and I like to think someone else once said these same words long ago, maybe just starting their day like I was this morning, trusting God the same way. It makes me feel like we are not alone when we pray…like our voices are joined with theirs somehow.

I think I would like to remember this prayer each morning, the way it was written so long ago, and try to mean it more each day.

Dear God…

I praise You…Father… Son… and Holy Ghost.
I come before You…
with a humble heart…
because You are…
my true… and living God.

I believe in You…
because You are always true.

I hope in You…
because You are full of mercy.

And I love You
more than anything…

because You are…
the greatest good.

Amen.

Jesus Always Keeps His Promises

Dear Diary,

This morning was chilly, about 52 degrees, and the air felt fresh when we walked out to the mailbox. Robert picked us up as usual and right on time, and Mini came along, sitting close to me like she always does. The fields looked quiet and a little gray in the early light, like everything was just waking up.

At Holy Mass, Father LeRoy talked about how Jesus always keeps His promises. He said that when Jesus told His disciples He would see them again, He truly meant it—and He did just what He said. Father explained it in a simple way so I could understand: he said Jesus never forgets, never changes His mind, and never breaks His word. Not even a little promise.

That made me think. Sometimes I say I will do something good—like be patient or say my prayers better—but then I forget or get tired. Father said even the smallest good thing, like giving someone a cup of water, matters to Jesus and will never be lost. That made me feel comforted, like even my little efforts count.

On the ride home, I held Mini and thought about how kind Jesus is to remind us that being merciful and helping others will lead us to heaven. Father said we shouldn’t be afraid all the time, but instead remember that Jesus wants to reward us and help us do good.

I want to try harder to keep my promises to Jesus, just like He keeps His promises to me.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for always keeping Your promises, even when I forget mine.
Help me to be faithful in little things, and not give up when I feel tired.
Please forgive me for the times I have not done what I said I would do.
Make my heart steady and true, like Yours.
And help me remember that even small acts of love matter to You.

Amen.

Love, Kathy

The Lord's Prayer 

Quick Trip to Indian Creek

Dear Diary,

This morning at Mass, Father LeRoy talked about how Jesus told Peter that one day he would follow Him even all the way to the cross. Peter loved Jesus very much, but he was still a little afraid because he remembered how he had failed before. Father said Jesus didn’t tell him this to scare him, but to comfort him, and to show him that his love would grow strong enough to carry even a heavy cross.

On the ride home, I kept thinking about that. Father said there are two kinds of crosses—ones we choose for love of Jesus, like little sacrifices, and ones that come to us that we didn’t choose at all. Those are harder, but they count so much when we carry them patiently. I tried to understand that in my own little way. Maybe it means being cheerful when things don’t go just right, or waiting quietly when I want something very much.

And oh, I am waiting! I am so excited to make more tape recordings of prayers, but I have to wait for the mailman to bring my new tape cassettes. I keep listening for his truck and watching down the road. I’m trying to be patient about it, offering that waiting up to Jesus like Father said. Maybe even that can be a little cross.

Before dark, Mini and I hurried down to the cave. The air was getting cool and still, and everything felt quiet like the day was folding up. Shaggy Coat was there by the water, and when he saw us, he didn’t run away. I knelt down very slowly, and he let me pet his little head. His fur felt soft and damp, and I gave him a carrot which he took so gently. It made my heart feel so warm, like a tiny secret friendship.

Walking back, I thought about Peter again. Maybe loving Jesus means staying close to Him, even when things are hard or when we don’t understand everything yet. Just like following a path through the woods, one step at a time.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

please help me to love You like Peter did, even when I feel small or unsure.

Teach me to carry my little crosses patiently and to offer them to You with a quiet heart.

Bless the mailman on his way, and thank You for the joy of small things, like kind animals and peaceful evenings.

Stay close to me, dear Jesus, and help me always to follow You.

Amen.

Love,

Kathy,

The Lord's Prayer 

The Circling Year

Dear Diary, 

This morning the sun came up soft and golden over the pasture, and Mini and I sat on the old bench watching the cows. The sky looked so wide and quiet, like it was holding a secret. I kept thinking about what Father LeRoy said—how Jesus asked Peter, “Lovest thou Me more than these?”

I tried to imagine Jesus asking me that while I sat there. Not in a big, scary way—but gently, like the sunrise. “Kathy, do you love Me?”

And I thought… I do love Him. But sometimes I love other things too—like being comfortable, or having things go my way, or not wanting to do hard chores. It made me feel a little small, like Peter must have felt. Not sad exactly, just quiet inside.

The cows didn’t hurry. They just kept grazing, peaceful and steady. And it felt like maybe that’s how love should be—simple and steady, not loud. Just doing what needs to be done, because you love.

I reached down and scratched Mini behind her ears, and I whispered, “Jesus, You know I love You.” I think that’s the best I can say right now. And maybe tomorrow I can show it a little better.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

When You ask me if I love You, help me answer with my whole life.

Teach me to choose You in the little things, even when it is hard or quiet or unseen.

You know my heart—please make it love You more.

Amen.

Love,

Kathy

 A Little Prayer to our Dear Mother

Third Sunday After Easter

 
Dear Diary,

It was a cool morning, and the air felt soft and a little quiet, like it was thinking about something. Robert picked us up as usual and right on time, and we all rode to Church together—Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and me. Mini sat so nicely, just watching out the window with her little ears up.

When we got to St. Mary’s, we went inside and it felt warm and cozy with the wood stove gently burning. The soft crackling made everything feel safe and peaceful. I held Mini close for a moment before we found our place together.

Father LeRoy talked in his homily about how Jesus told His disciples that they would have hard times, even while the world around them seemed happy. I’m not sure I understood it all at first, because it sounded a little sad to me.

But then Sister Mary Claire whispered to me that even though things can be hard when we follow Jesus, He puts a quiet kind of joy inside us that no one else can see. Not the loud, laughing kind—but a peaceful, hidden joy that comes from loving Him. That made it feel different to me, like the hard things weren’t empty after all.

Father said that God sees those hard things as very precious, even if the world doesn’t understand. I tried to think about that while I knelt there, and I asked Jesus to help me believe it.

On the ride home, I held Mini and looked out at the fields. Everything looked so simple and still, but I started to think that maybe those hidden joys are like little gifts tucked inside ordinary things—like sitting close together in the truck, the warmth after the cold, or even just knowing Jesus is near, even if I can’t see Him. It felt like a quiet happiness, the kind you don’t have to say out loud.

Tonight, I want to try to carry my little crosses without complaining, even the small ones. Maybe Jesus will tuck that quiet joy inside them.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

please help me understand You better,

even when things feel hard or confusing.

Put Your quiet joy in my heart,

and help me trust that You are always near.

Amen.

Love,

Kathy

The Prayer Jesus Taught Us

Dear Diary,

This morning Sister Mary Claire had me record the Our Father. Before I began, she reminded me that it is the prayer Jesus Himself taught us, which is why it is such a beautiful way to begin the day.

She said it gives God first place before all our work and worries. It also teaches us everything we truly need to ask for—our daily bread, forgiveness, and help to stay close to God.

When I recited it, I tried to say it slowly and with love. It made me feel peaceful to think that Jesus gave us this prayer Himself.

Tonight I am thankful that my recording was just the Our Father. It is a simple prayer, but it holds so much.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for teaching us the Our Father. Please help me to pray it with love and mean every word. Keep us safe tonight. Amen.

Love,

Kathy

Jesus Is So Gentle

Dear Diary,

This morning Sister Mary Claire and I walked down to the mailbox, and Robert picked us up as usual and right on time. Mini came along too, trotting beside us like she belonged to the whole trip. It was a quiet sort of morning, and I felt glad we were going to St. Mary’s.

At morning Mass, Father LeRoy talked about the holy women meeting Jesus on the path after He rose from the dead. They were hurrying along, trembling and full of love, and then all at once Jesus came to meet them. Father said that Jesus was so gentle with them. He did not speak in any hard way at all. He just said, “Fear not,” and let them come close to Him and hold His feet and adore Him.

I kept thinking how good Jesus is. He knows when people are afraid, and He does not pull away from them. He understands weakness and does not scold us for it. Instead, He comes close and gives us the courage we need. That made me feel peaceful inside, because sometimes I feel little and unsure too, and it is a comfort to know Jesus is so kind.

Father LeRoy said that Jesus still says “Fear not” to us now, especially when we stay close to Him in prayer and in Holy Communion. I thought about that for the rest of the day. It seemed to me that if I bring my worries to Jesus and lay them at His feet, then He will help me bear them. He is not only our Lord, but our Friend too.

When we came home, I still had those sweet words in my heart: “Fear not.” I want to remember them whenever I start feeling troubled.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for being so gentle and good to me. When I feel afraid or weak, please help me remember Your sweet words, “Fear not.” Keep me close to You and teach me to trust You more every day. Amen.

Love,

Kathy