A light way to start the new year

I just can't help it. I really, really like the new Verizon ad with Kevin Hart as an elf (see the link below). It just really cracks me up. There aren't a lot of commercials I find truly funny, but this one makes me laugh every time I see it.

Laughing is a great way to begin the new year, so I thought I would share it with you, in case you haven't seen it. We can become so preoccupied with all of the terrible things going on in this world, it is good to enjoy a light moment. 

I also want to mention how fortunate we are to celebrate 2026 as the Year of Grace. I am including a link with a two-minute video about grace. I am going to try to keep it in the forefront of my thoughts and appreciate the gift that it is. I hope you will do the same.

Happy New Year! 

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

janetcassidy.com
https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/
https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy 
 

To learn more about grace, you can go to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noVGT6MdN7k

Here is the link to the Verizon ad:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QPHArbRFek 

 

 

How to grow in patience

"God can make possible to me which seems impossible to me by nature." 

Boy did Thomas á Kempis say that well! 

Have you ever wanted to be more patient, kind, generous, prayerful, self-less, accepting, tolerant or less judgmental but felt that it is simply not in your nature?

If we open ourselves up to God and become less attached to our own ways, we can be transformed by God's love and grace and counter those things that frustrate us about ourselves.

When our focus is on Jesus, change becomes a possibility. We can become less prideful and more humble. We can learn to put others before ourselves. Possessions can take a back seat to sharing love with others.

During this holy Christmas season, may the birth of Christ make a difference in your life.

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

janetcassidy.com
https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/
https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy 
 

 

 

Don't give up

 

 

I clicked on a tutorial to try to solve a computer audio problem, but I couldn't understand what the guy was talking about. In the first half of the video he gave a technical explanation to help me understand what was causing the problem, and, I guess, in the second half he was going to explain how to solve it.

I wouldn't know, because I gave up on him before he finished his technical explanation; I attempted to solve it on my own.

According to Father Mike Schmitz, reflecting on "The Imitation of Christ", it isn't the greatest approach to say, "I can only accept this when I understand it."  

If I had said that, I would have completely given up. I had to keep digging on my own, trying this way and that, even though I didn't really know what I was doing. 

It's sort of like that when it comes to faith. There are those people who say "I don't get it" and give up, and there are those that keep searching and asking questions until they achieve some level of satisfaction.

The truth is, it is actually prideful, according to Father Mike, to think we can know everything, and it is futile to limit ourselves to only what we can understand.

It is only through humility that we can accept that something may be true, even though we do not understand it.

As we begin this beautiful season of Christmas, I hope you will continue to seek Jesus and accept the love and forgiveness and salvation that he came to give each of us.

You don't have to understand it. Just accept it.  It is the greatest gift of all.

Merry Christmas!

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

janetcassidy.com
https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/
https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy