Mimi, Author at Grace and Mimi

Prayers March 27, 2018

Walk with Him

I can’t quite recall the source of this Prayer, although it very closely resembles the words of St. Patrick, but I love to say this prayer while I’m out for a walk. As I say the prayer, I like to look each direction the prayer mentions and locate something or someone that I am grateful for. Give it a try, it may make your walk a little brighter, too! Dear God, Thank you for the beauty before me, The beauty behind me, The beauty to my left, The beauty to my right, The beauty above me, The beauty below me, and most of all, thank you dear God, for the beauty within me. Amen.

Inspiration March 22, 2018

A Recipe for the Saturday Before Easter

A few years ago I came across this recipe and made it with my boys on the Saturday before Easter. It was a great activity not only because we got to make cookies together (which they loved doing) but it was a great way to talk to them about the true meaning of Easter. The cookie preparation is simple, and each step has a Bible verse that coincides with the ingredients and the Easter story. The best part is the anticipation and joy of cracking open the cookies on Easter morning to find them empty inside. The cookies bring the focus of Easter morning back to Jesus and away from the egg hunts and chocolate bunnies. If you have small children or grandchildren, consider making these cookies (and these memories) this Easter weekend! Resurrection Cookie Recipe Prep these cookies the Saturday before Easter (or whenever you want to share the…

God Moments February 24, 2018

A Turtle Story

The story you’re about to read was written and experienced by Carol Breidenbach. I am forever grateful that she was kind enough to share this story with me, and I am even more grateful that she has allowed me to share it with you. I pray it touches your heart as it has mine. God Bless- Mimi A Turtle Story You never think it will happen to you, but on June 30, 1983, our youngest son, Jerome, was killed in an accident. I remember repeating constantly: “When I am weak, then I am strong.” The morning of his funeral, with faith waning, I asked: “Lord, if you really are with me during this, will you send me a sign? Something I can see?” As the procession approached the cemetery, everyone had to stop as a turtle was blocking the driveway. A good friend of ours, a Deacon, removed the turtle…

Prayers February 19, 2018

A Prayer for Peace

This morning as I walked through our local park, the image of one of our city’s playgrounds brought me to tears. The playground, sitting quiet and empty, covered in newly fallen snow looked beautiful and peaceful. As the backdrop of so many warm and noisy memories of playing with our boys, the empty playground made me think of the parents of the fallen in Florida. My heart can’t bear to imagine the pain and anguish of losing a child, and this beautiful, quiet playground stood out to me as a reminder of their fresh barrenness. As I paused and prayed for their unimaginable grief, I was reminded that this grief is not unknown to our God. Our God loves us SO much, that He sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, into this world knowing full well that he would have to endure the most cruel and painful death possible. …

Inspiration February 10, 2018

God and Google

Today we have the answers to millions and millions of questions available on demand. We can “google” from our computers, tablets, and smart phones. We can ask “Siri” and “Alexa” a question. We can ask a group of friends and family to weigh in via Social Media or a quick text. With all these avenues to find answers, it’s easy to forget that the answers to our most important questions are always available to us: no wi-fi needed. When seeking answers, truth, and guidance, we need only turn to God. At anytime and anywhere, we can close our eyes, open our hearts, and turn to Him. He is always listening. He is always available. He always cares. Far more powerful than Google, God can offer us the guidance that we are truly seeking. Through meditation, prayer, and the Bible, God provides the path to all that we desire. When…

Inspiration January 1, 2018

Look for the Cross

You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. – Jeremiah 29:13 Have you ever played “I Spy” the children’s game? In this game, one player selects an object by color, and the opponent has to locate the colored object the other has spied. During the course of the game, both players take a keen look at their surroundings, and identify objects of this color that they had previously overlooked. It’s only when they “seek” the color selected, that they begin to notice and see that which was there all along. The same is true of the Cross. This visual reminder of our Savior, Jesus Christ, surrounds us every day. It can be seen in nature, in architecture, and in many other unexpected places. Seeking the Cross, the symbol of our salvation, is a simple and easy way to remind ourselves of Jesus’…

Prayers December 25, 2017

A Prayer for Christmas

Heavenly Father, Thank you for the true gift of Christmas, the advent of your Son, our Redeemer, Christ Jesus. Give me the grace to be always ready to announce this good news of great joy. May I profit by His birth and His saving presence by cultivating a generous heart, so as to shine forth your light in both word and in deed, telling all those I meet of your love, while giving of myself to care for my neighbors in most need. I ask this through the Blessed Virgin, Mary, our mother and co-redeemer. Amen.

God Moments December 19, 2017

Taking Flight

The day after I launched Grace & Mimi, a former co-worker and friend reached out to me to share a God Moment that she’d recently experienced. Unbeknownst to her, it also led to a God moment of my own….. It had been an amazing few months. Ashley had recently given her life to Christ in a way that she had never done before. She had started an exciting new job, and she had taken the initiative to love her abusive father from a distance. In every way, it seemed as though her life was finally headed in the right direction. She was full of hope not only for herself, but for her four growing children as well. Everything was going great, until one weekday morning when it all came crashing down. Ashley received word that her recently estranged father had suffered a heart attack. The news hit her like a…

Inspiration November 22, 2017

Food for Thought

As we prepare for Thanksgiving day tomorrow, I find myself reflecting on the numerous times throughout the Bible, when food and fellowship are woven into the story’s centerpiece. It makes me look at Thanksgiving as more than just an opportunity to enjoy delicious food and time with family. It’s an opportunity to honor God, and an opportunity to worship with one another. Throughout the Bible, Jesus used occasions involving food to share His ministry, so why shouldn’t we? Why, even Jesus’ first miracle occurred at an event involving food. Surrounded by His friends and family (and prompted by His Mother) Jesus turned water into wine. “What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” John 2:11 Still later in the Bible, Jesus uses food to share His Father’s goodness to the masses by feeding…

Prayers November 21, 2017

Prayer of Humility

Despite being called to imitate Christ’s Humility, I stumble daily. I complete the tasks that I think are important, and I spend time seeking recognition, rather than serving others. I know the better path is to pause and truly listen to what I’ve been called to do, and to focus my energy as He would. Each day I pray that I’ll do better than the day before, and on the days when I knowingly fall prey to my earthly desires, I say this prayer to change my heart. I hope it changes yours as well. Prayer of Humility O Jesus! Meek and humble of heart, Hear me. From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus. From the desire of being loved… From the desire of being extolled … From the desire of being honored … From the desire of being praised … From the desire of being preferred to others……

God Moments November 4, 2017

Pennies from Heaven

My good friends, the Watson’s shared this story with me this Summer, and immediately I knew it was a God moment that I wanted to share. With their permission, I created this video to tell the tale. I hope it touches your heart the way it did mine.