Consider the Lilies

Hey there sweet readers. I hope you’re ready for something different on this Monday. I’ve asked my friend, and social media/blogging guru, Cristina Trinidad to share her impression of a project I have been blessed to work on with Elizabeth Foss and other faith-filled women.

She clocks in at 4’11” but you would never know it. We met at a Catholic Women’s Blogging Conference and within minutes we were, and have been, fast friends. I know you’ll just love her.

How do I begin? Consider the Lilies. That’s what I am to write about today. This is what I have been tasked to share with you on Mary’s behalf. I am Cristina. I dabble in a lot of things, and maybe you know me from my since abandoned blog, Filling My Prayer Closet. I’ve been doing a little social media, embroidery, weaving and recently, talking about all things chemical free and oils. I may be tempted to start blogging and sharing my continuing conversion story, that of my (formerly atheist now Catholic for two years on Pentecost) husband, two boys, and two dogs.

For now, I will tell you that Consider the Lilies is a devotional that I look forward to pouring myself into every morning. You know when you get a devotional and you have the best of intentions to write in the margins, highlight, doodle the prettiest flowers and sit with the Word and a cup of your favorite warm drink? I always have this fantasy with devotionals. Always. And I never make it through to the end. I fall short every time. When I received this copy of Consider the Lilies, I was highly anticipating it. I mean, Elizabeth Foss? She writes to the core of my heart in ways I didn’t know it needed to be spoken to.

When Mary sent me a copy to review, I cracked it open immediately. I was blown away, and that was just the introduction. There is a Gospel to reflect upon and you are encouraged to highlight the suggested other readings in your bible. There is a personal reflection, and then journal questions to answer.

Elizabeth Foss softly encourages you to create a space with colored pencils, pens, highlighters and your already open (makes a difference) bible in a place you will use it. Sure, I’ve read that before, but again, she speaks in ways my heart understands and internalizes.

I’ve highlighted every reference and have written every response to the questions in a notebook. I feel as if she is sitting with me, and turning the pages as I read. She is helping me to understand His word deeply and from a place of mutual grief, joy, loss, and hope.

Before I came into the Catholic Church, I woke up every day at 5AM to read the bible, starting from the beginning. Why 5AM? My husband went to work at that time, and I didn’t want him to know I was looking, searching, for, and falling in love with, Him. I had to keep my seeds of faith secret.

When I came into the church, I no longer woke up at 5AM. I didn’t have to hide. If I wanted to read the bible or read a devotional, I could do so right next to my husband in bed. No problem.

Since receiving this devotional, I get up at 5AM again. Not to hide, but because I need to know. I need to know what comes next in my journey, and Elizabeth Foss and her chosen group of other ladies, Mary Lenaburg included, are the ones who, along with the Holy Spirit, are guiding me. It’s even encouraged me to start blogging again.

Stop what you’re doing now, and get this devotional journal. Follow this community Elizabeth has started, on Facebook and Instagram.

Thank you, Mary, for letting share your sacred space today. And thank you, for reading and spending some time with me.

Don’t forget to grab your copy of Consider the Lilies, now on sale at Amazon!