The first that came is my worth and I became more aware of myself as a daughter of God, a sister of Christ, and a devoted daughter to the Blessed Virgin Mary. My early morning prayer is, "God, everything I do and am today belongs to You. Jesus, my heart is Yours. Mother Mary, help me in accepting all of today, with humility and knowing that God's will is first in all. Today there will be miracles, so lead me Holy Spirit." I don't see myself as worthy of anything, and I am often surprised at how much God trusts me with. The first was my heart, my love. I haven't been on a date in a long time, then suddenly I was asked out three times. Each time I prayed, "By Your will, not mine. I would gladly spend the rest of my days single. I first give my heart and all my love to Jesus." We don't just skip over everything that we want to avoid and everything that is hard, but we are spiritually aware of who we are in every situation, and consciously decide to make every choice with Jesus. Sometimes, it's heartbreaking. Sometimes there's so much joy, it seems as though my heart would burst. Sometimes, I ask God "Where are You?" Sometimes, I even wonder what it would be like if I hadn't questioned who I was and what the purpose of me is years ago - would I be blissfully unaware of everything and wouldn't be held to the consequences? Sometimes, there's only darkness and I'm scared of how long it's going to last. The only way through it all for me is to pray. God is my strength and He has showed me the Light at the end of every tunnel. So when I'm tempted and confused, my prayer is still, "By Your will, not mine." I ask the Blessed Virgin Mary for comfort and guidance in accepting the trials. How will my spirit revive after this? It does so through prayer and I am always provided with what I need. The Blessed Virgin Mary says, "You are never alone. My love will see you through." So in every situation, especially the ones that leave my spirit drained, I don't give up. I don't pretend to be someone else to get through anything. I don't pretend that I'm blind to the darkness that lies in some things. I am always a daughter of God, sister of Christ, and a devoted daughter to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Through Marian consecration, I also became aware of the freedom that I couldn't even imagine of having. I have asked God why He trusts me so much, He has let me know that He is the strength of everything I do. When I abandon myself, when I say, "I'm so selfish, vain, prideful, and I am hateful - take everything I am because I don't even want myself." He does take all that I offer, and He fills the empty space with His love. How does He do that? I am always found with someone who needs more than I, and I am always happy to help. To be filled with His love, we have to see it in everyone and everything that comes to us. When He gives His love, He does so through others, because that is where He is. He is in every person we meet. He is in the annoying one, the sad one, the angry one, and in the one that is too happy. When He shows me where His love is, that is where I want to be. God also knows how stubborn and oblivious I am to subtle messages, so He puts me in the center of where He needs me. I often think, "How did I get here? I will soon find out, because it's where God needs me to be." When I find myself in the center of where He needs me, my own spirit is filled with the love He is always pouring out. Who wouldn't want to share His love? I couldn't keep it for myself. When I abandon myself, I ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to guide me so I'm not lost, and she leads me to Jesus. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. When Jesus becomes our light, He shines on all that is needed for our spirit. It's never a new house, new clothes, new phone, or in my vehicle; but it's in my family, my parents, my boy, my friends, my neighbor, the stranger who dropped something so we pick it up for them. Freedom is knowing that we don't need more than what God provides and how I view myself, and think others view me, does not take anything away from who I am to God. I am His.
The Blessed Virgin Mary is also a great teacher of, "Do not be afraid!" When I finished and signed my name on the Marian consecration paper, I thought, "I have this to show that I am consecrated to Jesus through Mary." But I have never once taken it out of the book, until a few days ago when I began preparing to begin my consecration. The Blessed Virgin Mary has been with me every day, and is always awakening my spirit to the graces that God is always giving. Whenever I have received a small grace, I thank the Blessed Virgin Mary for making me aware of all the goodness that God has for all of us, and that is far more important to carry than a piece of paper. When I am being tempted, I imagine myself hiding under the mantle of the Blessed Virgin Mary. "Hail Mary, full of Grace. How do I walk away from this?" She says, "Do not be afraid to walk into it. Yes, you will always be tempted, but do not be afraid. My Son has overcome it." So I accept the temptation and as overwhelming as it can become, I pray to God for His strength. I am always a sinner, but that doesn't mean that I accept sinning. I am always asking for forgiveness. I still think that I am not worthy of anything, but if God accepts my love, then I make the effort to love also. It doesn't come easy and I've seen how love can be mixed up in the world, used carelessly, and used for greed. I don't claim to be perfect and know God, but He has revealed love to me, as much as I needed it, always for His glory. So I put effort into my spiritual life, into my prayers, and into the services I do because I love God. The Blessed Virgin Mary knew fear when she accepted God's will, but still, fear did not stop her. My devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is very simple: I ask for her intercession in everything, every day, and I pray the rosary as much as I can. I don't worship her, or think of her more than God, but I do ask her for directions and she walks with me to Jesus. She is my constant companion and I love her very much.
These are just my experiences and life after Marian consecration.
The greatest adventure is being a mother, and I'm excited to know that one day my own boy will love Mary and, I pray, consecrate himself to Jesus through Mary.
The love that God has for us is magnified in the Blessed Virgin Mary.
We don't all have a purpose like the Blessed Virgin Mary, but God's love is magnified in us when we live for Him.
If anyone needs help with Marian consecration, don't be afraid to ask.
I will be starting mine on Jan. 9th, so if you would like to join, please let me know and we'll work something out.
Some good humor:
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