faith

Thank You Friend ~ A Poem by Grace Noll Crowell

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The Gift of Friendship: A Blessing Beyond Words

Some friendships can’t be explained—they can only be felt, like quiet miracles that steady us when life shakes our faith.

Thank You Friend

Grace Noll Crowell

I never came to you, my friend,
and went away without
some new enrichment of the heart;
More faith and less of doubt,
more courage in the days ahead.
And often in great need coming to you,
I went away comforted indeed.
How can I find the shining word,
the glowing phrase that tells all that
your love has meant to me,
all that your friendship spells?
There is no word, no phrase for
you on whom I so depend.
All I can say to you is this,
God bless you precious friend.

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Reflection:

Grace Noll Crowell’s “Thank You Friend” captures the quiet grace of a friendship that strengthens the soul. The poem reminds us that true friends do more than listen—they restore our faith, lift our courage, and steady our hearts. Crowell’s gratitude flows through every line, showing that love expressed in presence often speaks louder than words. We may search for the “shining word” or “glowing phrase,” but in the end, the most eloquent expression is a simple blessing whispered from the heart: God bless you, precious friend.

Question:

Who in your life has been that steady, faith-restoring friend—and have you told them what they mean to you?

Quieting the Mind: Pulling it all Together

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We have the tools to quiet our minds.

We began this series by acknowledging what so many of us know too well: the mind can feel like a restless storm, filled with looping thoughts and anxious worries. Over the past seven posts, we’ve explored practices that quiet this storm—drawing from ancient wisdom, modern psychology, and the simple rhythms of daily life.

We started with the breath, learning how each inhale and exhale is an anchor in the present moment.

We practiced stillness, embracing the healing pause that allows worry to loosen its grip.

We explored movement, recognizing that a walk, a stretch, or a yoga pose can free the body and settle the mind.

We discouvered the power of gratitude, shifting focus from fear to abundance.

We practiced reframing thoughts, learning that we may not control every worry but we can change the story we tell ourselves.

We leaned into faith and surrender, finding courage in letting go of what we cannot control. And finally,

we nurtured self-compassion, quieting the harsh inner critic with kindness.

These are not one-time practices. They are lifelong companions. They remind us that peace is not the absence of struggle but the presence of tools, habits, and trust that guide us through.

The Roman philosopher Seneca said: “True happiness is… to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future.” These lessons are about that kind of joy—the confidence that even when life is uncertain, your mind can be a place of calm.

✨ Practical Step

Take a few minutes today to reflect: Which practice from this series spoke most deeply to me? Write it down, and commit to making it part of your daily rhythm.

Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi

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Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (Prayer for Peace)

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Today (October 4) we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, a man whose life still speaks with quiet power across the centuries. Francis was born into privilege but gave it all up, trading wealth for simplicity, comfort for poverty, and status for humility. He found joy not in possessions but in presence—in the beauty of creation, in the song of birds, in the kindness of friends, and even in the embrace of suffering.

His famous prayer, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,” captures the heart of his message. Francis understood that the world is healed not by force, but by gentleness; not by pride, but by humility; not by judgment, but by mercy. His way of living challenges us to become channels of light in places of darkness, of love in places of hatred, of hope where despair lingers.

In a noisy and divided age, St. Francis still calls us back to what matters most: peace, compassion, and reverence for all life. To live as Francis lived is to trust that even the smallest act of kindness can ripple outward to heal the world. His life is a reminder that true greatness is found not in domination, but in service.

May we, like Francis, walk gently on this earth, carrying peace in our hearts and scattering love wherever our footsteps fall.”

Waiting ~ A Poem by John Burroughs

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Waiting

John Burroughs

Serene, I fold my hands and wait,
    Nor care for wind, nor tide, nor sea;
I rave no more ‘gainst time or fate,
    For lo! my own shall come to me.

I stay my haste, I make delays,
    For what avails this eager pace?
I stand amid the eternal ways,
    And what is mine shall know my face.

Asleep, awake, by night or day,
    The friends I seek are seeking me;
No wind can drive my bark astray,
    Nor change the tide of destiny.

What matter if I stand alone?
    I wait with joy the coming years;
My heart shall reap where it hath sown,
    And garner up its fruit of tears.

The waters know their own and draw
    The brook that springs in yonder height;
So flows the good with equal law
    Unto the soul of pure delight.

The stars come nightly to the sky;
    The tidal wave unto the sea;
Nor time, nor space, nor deep, nor high,
    Can keep my own away from me.

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New Podcast: Faith, Fury, and Folding the Laundry: Grieving in Real Life

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Grief isn’t tidy—it doesn’t show up with tissues and soft music. It can arrive with rage, silence, confusion, and yes, even laundry. In this raw and hopeful episode, Ray shares how his deepest loss shattered his faith and his sense of direction, and how—step by ordinary step—he found his footing again. From shouting at God to showing up at daily Mass, from poetic wisdom to the healing power of routine, this story is for anyone walking through the storm wondering if joy still exists. It does. And it may be waiting in the next load of folded clothes.

Small Wire ~ A Poem by Anne Sexton

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Small Wire

Anne Sexton

My faith
is a great weight
hung on a small wire,
as doth the spider
hang her baby on a thin web,
as doth the vine,
twiggy and wooden,
hold up grapes
like eyeballs,
as many angels
dance on the head of a pin.

God does not need
too much wire to keep Him there,
just a thin vein,
with blood pushing back and forth in it,
and some love.
As it has been said:
Love and a cough
cannot be concealed.
Even a small cough.
Even a small love.
So if you have only a thin wire,
God does not mind.
He will enter your hands
as easily as ten cents used to
bring forth a Coke.

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Faith ~ A Poem by Nikola Vaptsarov

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Faith

Nikola Vaptsarov

Here am I-breathing,
Working,
Living
And Writing my poetry
(My best to it giving).
Life and I glower
Across at each other,
and with it I struggle
with all my power

Life and I quarell,
But don’t draw the moral
That I despise it.
No, just the opposite!
Though I should perish,
Life with its brutal
Claws of steel
Still I would cherish,
Still I would cherish!

Suppose round my neck they tie fast
The rope
And they ask:
“Would you like one more hour to live?”
I would instantly cry:
“Untie!
Untie!
Come, quickly untie
The rope, you devils!”

For Life there is nothing
would not dare.
I would fly
A prototype plane in the sky,
I’d climbe in a roaring
Rocket, exploring
Alone
In space
Distant
Planets.

Still would I feel
A joyous thrill
Gazing
Up
At the blue sky.
Still would I feel
A joyous thrill
To be alive,
To go on living.

But look, suppose
You took-how much?-
A single grain
From this my faith,
Then would I rage,
I would rage from pain
Like a panther
Pierced to the heart.

For what of me
Would there remain?
After the teft
I’d be distraught.
To put it plainly
And more directly-
aftre the teft
I would be naught.

Maybe you wish
You could erase
My faith
In happy days,
My faith
That tomorrow
Life will be finer,
Life will be wiser?

Pray, how will you smash it?
With bullets?
No! That is useless!
Stop! It is not worth it!

My faith has strong armour
In my sturdy breast,
And bullets able to shatter
My faith
Do not exist,
Do not exist!

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Grief and the Power of Faith: Setting Sail for a New Life

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In this episode of Journey from Grief to Healing, Dr. Ray Calabrese explores the profound experience of grief and the choices we face in its aftermath. Using the metaphor of a harbor and two boats—one staying put, the other setting sail—he illustrates the critical decision between remaining anchored in sorrow or bravely venturing into the unknown possibilities of healing. Drawing inspiration from poets like Octavio Paz, Taigu Rao Khan, and Czesław Miłosz, Dr. Calabrese encourages listeners to rise above the pain, embrace faith, and trust in the journey ahead.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in grief, this episode offers a beacon of hope, reminding you that healing is not about forgetting but about choosing to live again. Tune in for an uplifting reflection that just might inspire your next step forward. Don’t wait—your new harbor is waiting for you.

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Today’s Thought: It Takes Courage

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It takes courage to get up and do what what you have to do as a man or woman not making any excuses. Taking the day as it comes, no complaints. Finishing the day, knowing we’ve done our best leaving it all on the table. In all actions be honorable. When we live the day with courage and honor, we’ll go to bed knowing we did our best.

Today’s Quote: Making a Difference

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Living by faith includes the call to something greater than cowardly self-preservation. ~ J. R. R. Tolkien

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