God is with you always by Kathy Jo Peterson

I write on the eve of the death of Sister Francelle Clarke.  Sister and I have been working on this letter for about 3 weeks and it did not come together until this past Sunday.

Sister Francelle lived her life for others. She focused on loving people, encouraging them, helping them to know God, serving them and praying with and for them. After Sister Francelle's stroke many of us heard her say, "I am no good." That was a hard thing to hear from someone who for so many of us, was a pillar of faith. We realized that this beautiful woman who had been the strong one for so many years to 100's of us now needed to hear us tell her what she told us so often:

God is with you always. You are created in His image. Trust Him during the storm. He knows every hair on your head. He carved you in the palm of His hand. He will never let go of your hand. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. God loves you. We love you. You are not alone.

We prayed with her, we prayed for her, we encouraged her, we held her hand and we reminded her that she was good. I made my third and last visit since her stroke this past weekend with my cousin David Sachse. As we left she looked at us and she said, "When I die you will smell roses." I looked at her and said, "now Sister, how can we smell roses if you are no good?" She looked at me for a few minutes and then she relaxed and said, "Then I must be good." We left her holding that truth.

On Monday afternoon Sister had another stroke. On Tuesday morning Sister Abbie Kennedy a very dear friend of 50 odd years to Francelle went to sit with her, hold her hand and pray. She read the Office Prayers that as a convent they pray daily. One line reads:

To know you, 0 God, is to possess eternal life.

As Abbie prayed with her, Sister Catherine came and joined them,  After they finished praying, Catherine said to Abbie, "I think she is gone." After I recieved the call that Sister had passed, I called my husband and asked that he bring home roses.  We put 24 small roses in vases all over the house.

I will spend my heaven on Earth doing good..I will let fall a shower of roses....

St. Therese, help me to always believe as you did, in God's great love for me, so that I might imitate your "Little Way" each day. Amen

I am so comforted that when she left this earth that she knew that she was as good as gold and a child of God and that her hand was being held. Thank you for being a part of this circle of love in the family of Sister Francelle.

The wake is Friday night at 7 and the funeral is Saturday at 2.

My cousin David committed to writing the next letter followed by my brother Ed and his wife Emily. I welcome you all to send me any thoughts, stories or letters and with your permission we will share with Sister's big family of God. It could be a discussion with Sister about your walk with God or about your personal faith journey and how Sister was a part of that. Let's keep these messages going!

Eternal rest grant unto Sr. Francelle, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Thank you Jesus! and God LOVES you...

An Update...

As most of you know, Sr. Francelle had a massive stroke on Sunday, March 11, 2012.  Since that time she has been hospitalized at St. Luke’s in Aberdeen, SD.  She was non-responsive for the first day.  Remarkably, Monday morning she opened her eyes and spoke.  THE WORD HAD GOTTEN OUT AND YOUR PRAYERS WERE HEARD.  Her condition now continues to surprise us.  Not only recognizing each visitor by name, but also her speech is getting clearer.    Sr. Francelle still has a long road to recovery ahead of her.  She will be having rehabilitation and is beginning to have movement in her left side.  Your prayers are needed more than ever. She also remembered that she had not sent out her weekly letter, which was written Saturday March 10, and was in her draft box in her email.  She insisted her nieces get into her email to get this letter sent.   Prior to the body of her letter she asked us to say the following to all of you:

·          Kathy Johansen Peterson, my niece in Minneapolis, set up a Rosary conference call with the help of Pat Castle.  From Taiwan to California the voices were a joy to hear. 

·          I am alert and aware of what is going on. 

·          My two sisters, Angela and Rose Anne, came.

·          My nieces, Jackie and Sue, came to visit.

·          Linda, my niece, and Molly, my grandniece, surprised me with coming to visit me.  

·          All of my visitors have been a great joy for me. 

·          As my niece, Sue, said, ‘God wants you exactly where you are.’

·          This is my opportunity to practice what I preach.

·          I offer my suffering for all of you and the nation.

The Power of Forgiving

Dearest Ones,

Clinging to unforgiveness is probably one of the most dangerous heart conditions we can have because the Bible tells us very plainly that if we will not forgive other people, then God cannot forgive us.  If we do not forgive others, our faith is useless.  If our faith doesn't work, we're in serious trouble.

Some people have so much hatred in their hearts that they actually become hatred without even realizing it. I don't think there is anyone who doesn't need to forgive someone.  "But you don't know what was done to me," people say to try to excuse their bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness.  Talking about it constantly doesn't help.  It helps to get busy helping someone else.
 
In Romans 12:19 we are told, "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God's wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,'" says the Lord.  Don't try to get people back for what they have done to you.  Leave it in God's hands.
 
It really doesn't matter how great the offense is - we serve a God who is greater and if we let Him, He will make all things even.  The Lord promises us in Isaiah 61:7, "Instead of former shame you shall have a twofold reward."  This means payback for past hurts will be twice as much.
 
Jesus taught us that we are to forgive those who hurt us, pray for those who despitefully use us, and bless those who curse us.  That is hard, but there is something harder - being full of hatred, bitterness and resentment.  Don't spend the rest of your life hating someone.  The entire Bible is a story of forgiveness.  Jesus had to forgive for the shameful way He was treated, so He knows how hard it is to forgive, that's why He said He would help us.  He knows we can't do it alone. 

 We will probably never forget the damage done to us, but that isn't necessary to forgive.  Jesus will probably never forget what Judas did to Him.  When we do not forgive as Jesus did, we cause Him so much pain.

I heard about an 11 year old boy, who saw his mother stabbed to death, while he, himself, endured 18 stab wounds.  However, he did live.  It took him a long time to forgive - he said he was only able to do so, when he finally realized he needed God to help him.  After he was able to forgive, at the age of 35, he wrote a book called, "Stabbed for Life,"  in which he helps others on the path to forgiveness.  The book is available at libraries and book stores.   

Prayer:  "Dear Lord, help me to remember I will never be like you, unless I forgive."

 

I wish I could tell you how much I love you!
Sister Francelle  sisterfrancelle.blogspot.com

God is in the Storm

Dearest Ones,

We all have storms and trials in our lives.  The thorns of life come to every person.  Most of the time, we think God is in control when times are going well - the kids aren't sick, our job is going well and everyone is happy.  But the same God is in control in the tough times as in the good.  God will not allow a storm to overtake you.  God will allow the winds of the storm to blow you where He wants you to go.  At times, we may wish to say, "I can't believe this is happening to me"  but if you stay in faith those winds will blow you to a new destiny.   

God can make that storm move you to a place of greater blessing.  A lot of people say they have great faith, but in the tough times they fall apart, they feel like God's abandoning them but they have to realize that God is in control of that storm.  Nothing is happening without God's permission. Instead of using our faith to pray away every difficulty, instead if we can just believe that when the winds stop blowing we'll be exactly where God wants us to be.  Most storms we can see the end but there are some storms where you don't see any sign of the end - it looks like it is never going to turn around.  You're never going to get out of this one.  

God will never take you to some place where He won't sustain you.  When you stop losing sleep over it and say, " God "I trust You, I know you control these storms, they can either blow me backwards, sideways, but one thing I'm confident in is where you take me is where I'm supposed to be."   When we're praying desperately for someone to get well, and then God takes them anyway, this is not defeat, because our loved one is right in the arms of our heavenly Father.  The storm took them home, which is where we're all going, anyway.  It's easy to get bitter and give up on our dreams.  

When the storm is coming against you, it's easy to get frustrated and start trying to change things you were never meant to change.  Be a believer by saying,  "God I trust you."  When you come back to that place of peace, knowing that God is in control of the situation, then those winds that were meant to push you down will end up pushing you higher and higher.  God wouldn't have allowed the storm if it was going to keep you from your destiny. 

Quit fighting and say, "God, I'm going to quit fighting and let this storm take me to where you want me to go."  If we can just shake off the discouragement and the self-pity, then we will rise above every obstacle and rise above every storm.  You will accomplish your dreams.  

 

I love you all so much,

Sister Francelle sisterfrancelle.blogspot.com

Why Worry?

Dearest Ones,
 
Last week I attended the funeral of a dear Christian friend, Terri, who died of lung cancer at age 44.  She was a non-smoker, leaving behind a husband and two daughters, age 17 and 14.  Terri had the cancer for three years, but handled it in a unique way; she didn't battle the cancer, rather she looked at it as a friend.  Terri is the first person I've ever known who looked at her disease this way.   She didn't let it ruin her life.  Although she suffered a great deal - she remained cheerful and accepted the devastating effects of chemo and radiation as part of life.  Terri's attitude taught me a lot - whether it is cancer or anything else life brings, it doesn't help to rebel against it.  It helps more to embrace it, rather than indulge in self-pity or depression. What an example of hope and courage she gave her family and me!

 

When we worry about the future we ruin the present moment.  But we've all done it.  If we truly live in the present moment there can be no fear of tomorrow.  Jesus told us:  "Do not worry too much about your future."  Nobody knows how much future there is ahead of time and nobody knows the future.  It's a good thing we don't - we probably wouldn't be able to face it.  The only one who knows the future is Our heavenly Father.  Can't we trust Him?  How can you possibly change your future conditions by worrying about them?  

Be not of little faith.  Our Father tells us not to worry about who shall take care of us when we are old.   When we worry we sound like we don't have a Father in heaven who promised to take care of us.  We know He loves us so we know He is going to take care of us.  Trust Him.  We are to seek first what is really necessary:  faith, goodness, love and mercy.  If we do this, don't you think God is going to do His part?

Do not worry about tomorrow.  Tomorrow will take care of itself and you will take care of it when you live it.  Why worry today?  Is your life already filled with the sadness of yesterday?  Why should we feel the need to add the nightmares of what could happen tomorrow?  Leave to each day its own trouble!  There will always be in this life more pain than we would wish, without adding the present pains to future ones!  God wants us to live TODAY.  We are His children, created in His likeness.  He wants to take care of us.  Why not leave it to Him?

 

One of my favorite poems goes like this:

 

   Said the sparrow to the robin:

     "I should really like to know

  Why these anxious human beings

     Rush about and worry so."

 

   Said the robin to the sparrow:

      "Friend, I think that it must be

   That they have no Heavenly Father

       Such as cares for you and me."

 

May you be happy and at peace,

Sister Francelle   sisterfrancelle.blogspot.com

Consider it Pure Joy...

Dearest Ones,

St. James 1:2-3 tells us in his letter:  "Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials."   What did James really mean?  Does anybody really consider it pure joy when they are faced with trials?  I don't know of anyone who does.   James is teaching us how to deal with things that take away our joy.  We have all been hurt, disappointed, challenged and overwhelmed by the many different trials that come our way, but if you're like me, many of these things take away my joy.  I'm learning how they can be the opposite - there must be a way for them to become a source of joy.

I want a joy that is real, that can pass all understanding, the kind that comes from God.  God must feel that we need trials or He wouldn't permit them and cause us to suffer.  It's my job to trust Him and try to find that joy that he promised.

How can God expect us to feel joy when we wake up in the morning and find someone has stolen our car, or we have lost our job, or our son is selling drugs, the doctor's report says you have cancer, etc.?  Nothing bad that happens is so bad that God can't bring good out of it.  Suffering makes for endurance.  Endurance brings patience and patience brings us nearer to God.  I haven't got much patience - it's hard for me to wait - but I know I must have patience because without it I'll never have joy.

St. Paul tells us to "thank God in all things."I believe God is telling me to thank Him in all circumstances, instead of grumbling and complaining.  How many opportunities I pass up to let God teach me how much he loves me.  Most of us go around carrying these opportunities as heavy burdens, but God has said that all these burdens can pass through us as joy!

 

How glorious to know that at this very minute God wants to fill our hearts with overflowing joy.  It depends only on one thing - believing in the Lord Jesus.  When we really believe, the power of God begins to break loose in our life.  That's what Jesus tried to explain to us when He said,"Leap for joy when they persecute you.  When you have sorrow."   There is great power in giving thanks.  Give thanks for all things!

 

No matter how difficult it may seem to trust God when things go wrong and with every detail in life, I must cling to thanking God, no matter what.  Paul says to not worry about anything, but "In everything by prayer with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

 

I'm still working on this, believe me, it may take a lifetime.

 

Prayer:  "Lord, I want to know you more this Lent.  Show me how to purify myself and draw closer to you this season."

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday we are to fast.  No meat and one full meal.  Also no meat on Fridays during Lent. 

In God's love and mine,

Sister Francelle sisterfrancelle.blogspot.com

Lent - a Time to Change

Dearest Ones,

Wednesday, February 22 is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.  Instead of saying, "Here it is Lent again - I wonder what I have to do now?"  Why not change that to say, "I want to do something for you this Lent, Lord.  I get to change something - what will it be?"   We don't have to do anything, rather, Lent is an opportunity to get closer to God in our daily walk. 

 

We can all fall into a rut.  We can get up in the morning and either be glad to have another day to serve God, be happy we have a job, enough to eat and say, "What can I do to make life happier for others?"  Or we can look forward to the day with boredom and dreariness, saying, "Poor me, I am so miserable with my life."  It's easy to drag others down with a bad attitude.

For me, Lent is the time to take seriously what Jesus meant when He said, "Follow me."  These two words have changed everything for me.  Jesus promised enormous blessings if we will only take the chance and believe He is leading us along the right path.  Jesus is not pleading or begging.  He is lovingly inviting us.  It's not because we're perfect or good or holy.  It's what we can become.  We are following someone who is good and holy.  We can't go wrong.  What you are now isn't an obstacle to what you can become.  God has a vision for each of us from the moment we were conceived.  It is a blessing.  Jesus asks us to surrender and give Him a chance to lTRUST Him!

 

When we were growing up, my parents taught us to give up something for Lent because it reminds us of what Jesus gave up for us.   Often, we gave up sweets.  Ask the Lord what he wants you to give up.  Maybe some family member needs us to give up bullying. Bullying doesn't just happen on the playground - grownups are guilty of bullying in subtle ways, such as taking advantage of a younger sibling, too much bossing or refusing to speak to a hurting family member.  Maybe the Lord is asking you to stop talking so much, and instead do more listening.   People need words of encouragement, ridicule.  Ask the Lord how you can make a difference to someone who is struggling.   Encourage others to share their pains, admit their fears, and how to draw strength from their tragedy.

We all know that following Jesus has its ups and downs.  But no matter what challenges we may face, we can always face them knowing that we belong to Jesus, and that He will never abandon us.  He is leading us always with words of love and peace.   

Prayer:  "Yes, Jesus, I will follow you.  I want to walk with you every day of my life.  Please let me know what you want me to do for Lent that will bring me closer to You.  May I bring your compassion and love to someone who is hurting."

My love and prayers,
Sister Francelle  sisterfrancelle.blogspot.com