On a recent trip to fairly distant shores, I found myself experiencing a myriad of emotions and feelings. My mind and body were truly disoriented, and I learned that this is not always a bad thing. This time and space, away from my home environment, revealed so much about where I am and, God willing, where I am going.

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME

At home, in our ‘natural habitat,’ we are creatures of habit. We become accustomed to the rhythms that guide our days. While every day is a little different, they are all share the familiar cadence of ‘home.’ For me, these days usually looks like hot coffee and morning prayer followed by work, appointments, and caring for my home and family.

Being away from home, jostled out of my daily rhythm, was a welcomed disorientation. When I was younger and traveling with small children, it was mostly about keeping my head above water and not losing anyone (which we still managed to do on one trip, but God be praised, he was a resourceful little guy and was found quickly!!).

Anyhoo, in the present season of my life, travel is more about slowing down, opening my eyes and heart to new sounds, experiences, people, and places. And in doing so, I invite God into the story and ask Him to lead. To show me where He is in it all: the flight delays, the jet lag, the grumpy employee… and also, in the sunrises, the blessed conversations, and the smiles from strangers that remind me that we are all on a journey toward eternity, and we need one another to get there.

HE WANTS MORE FOR US

As human beings existing in the world, our bodies take up physical space. Likewise, our hearts and minds, while less visible to the human eye, are equally important to the space we inhabit. Have you ever noticed that when you are around someone who is grumpy, angry, sad, or frantic that you can tend to absorb that energy? And when you are in the presence of someone who is funny, witty, joyful, or lighthearted, your own heart lightens as well?

We become who we are by imitating those with whom we spend time. This truth is a precious gift to us as Catholics who receive Jesus Christ into our own bodies at each Eucharistic feast or when we gaze at the Lord in adoration. It is also a precious gift to receive those into our ‘space’ who shine their own special light. I am realizing that a gift of getting out of my own personal space and into ‘foreign territory’ opens my eyes to the beauty of humanity.

The media and the Internet so often lead us to believe that our differences define us. And it is important to recognize the diversity that we share as humans. But when we view those differences through a lens of judgment and choose only to see how we are ‘different’- politically, religiously, socially… we miss the important, beautiful truth that we are also the same.

A friend came into my life this week who shared very personal testimony about her life and her faith in the LDS church. We shared traditions, customs, teachings and insights with one another that have truly made me a better human. A better friend, a better wife, a better mother and dare I say, a better Catholic. My heart also ached because I could tell that my friend was hesitant to share at times. She has clearly experienced judgment, shaming, and negativity as she practices her faith.

And I completely understood her struggle. Even though we do share very different beliefs in several ways, we also share something that we too often forget in this world: we love Jesus. We love Him and we want to serve Him and honor Him and live a life worthy of being with Him forever in Heaven. And if that can’t unite us — the fact that we are literally sisters in Christ — then we are missing the mark. Big time.

I am thankful for my friend, for her beautiful faith and her vulnerability and that fact that she trusted me enough to share her heart with me. I do not stand in judgment of her, but awe. And as I return to the normalcy of life in my little Catholic bubble, I remember her in my prayers and thank God for the freedom we have to love and serve Him well. I pray for unity in the body of Christ, which will begin with open hearts and open minds willing to listen, love, and work together to build His Kingdom.

My friend, if you find yourself standing in judgment of other faith practices, I encourage you to take that to the Lord. Ask Him how He desires you to witness and evangelize and love His precious and beloved children. After all, it is not up to us to save the world. He has done that for us. He willingly surrendered his very life and breath so that we may have ours.

And I believe with every breath in my own body that He wants more for us than division and sparring. The enemy, on the other hand… he loves it. He loves nothing more, in fact, than the tearing down: of family, society, and all of God’s beloved children. It need not be so. Love one another, as He has loved us. Let’s start there and see what magnificent wonders He can work in and through us.

THE GIFT OF TEARS

Perhaps the most noticeable thing that happened was that I experienced the gift of tears. A lot. Happy tears, sad tears, frustrated tears, and tears of almost indescribable joy. They fell freely and often, and while I would definitely consider myself a sensitive and emotional person (just ask my husband and kids!), I don’t consider myself a big ‘crier.’

And yet. I experienced tears every single morning as I prayed. I was overwhelmed with such gratitude for it all: the blessings and burdens, fears and trials, weaknesses and strengths. God is good, my friends. All the time. He shows up, without fail, every day. His mercies are new and His promises are always Yes and Amen.

It matters not one bit if we wake up in our comfy cozy bed or in a foreign land far from home. If we are a bit nauseous and tired after a long travel day or just exhausted from a day doing all the things at home. If we are sharing a cup of coffee with a best friend who knows our heart so well or a new friend who courageously reveals her tender heart to us. He is good. He is the One who put the stars in the sky and orients our days so that we encounter such precious opportunities to witness and receive His love. And we are always safe and loved in His steadfast arms, day by day, moment by moment, forever and ever.

For Reflection:

Pray with this song. Ask Jesus to show you the times and places He wants you to meet him, and find joy in the gift of living.

“I can’t believe I didn’t make that connection before!” was a common thread running through my mind this month. I’m so grateful for the gift of dwelling, and pondering, and revisiting familiar things in our life with eyes ready to see what more the Lord has for us.

If you missed the series, or want to revisit it yourself, here are the essays from this series.

Remaining With Ruth

Call Me Mara

She Fell on Her Face (Audio essay here)

Beloved Boaz

Lost and Found (Audio essay here)

Thank you, dear reader, for journeying deep and wide with me. I can’t wait to see what the Lord has planned for us next!

In Love and Loyalty,

Alli

PS- if you happen to be on Instagram, there is a huge giveaway going on this week with Love and Loyalty goodies. Winner will be drawn on 7/31.

I pray it will be an opportunity for all of us to take time to slowly let God reveal His still small voice to us as we sit with the goodness and wisdom He so desires to share with us. So, grab a cup of coffee and take a deep breath as we slow down and rest with Ruth. I’m so happy you are here!

This last week of July, we are wrapping up with a look at the end of the book of Ruth and how it can be a beginning point for us when our hearts feel fragile and lost. May it bless you, and may you be blessed also for journeying with me this month! I am so grateful for each of you!

Lost and found. A friend referenced this little phrase during a morning meeting today. As in, Ruth teaches us what it means to be lost and found. To find ourselves alone and afraid yet somehow comforted and consoled. To be broken and made whole.

We can all relate to this as children of God living in a fallen world. The word itself, fall, is often not used in a positive context.

He fell off a ladder.

She fell down the stairs.

I tripped and fell on the concrete.

But also:

He fell in love.

She fell into the arms of Jesus.

I fell deeper into the mystery of God.

Falling can be scary, because it knocks our sensibilities off balance. In different ways, our minds, bodies, or spirits can be ‘thrown’ into a disorienting direction, emotion or sense of unease. And when we lose this compass that keeps us upright and focused, we feel lost.

Ruth was lost. She was bereft, the scriptures tell us, because she had lost her husband.1 Still, she had a clear path toward restoration and being ‘found.’ She simply needed to go home to her parent’s house. There, she would be safe, loved, cared for.

She could grieve, heal, cry, and rest under the loving haven of her home. She could find a new husband to protect and care for her. This was the practical, safe, and best choice by all accounts. This is what her sister-in-law, Orpah, chose to do.

But Ruth did not choose safety and security when she was free-falling. She chose sacrifice, abandoning everything to go with her mother-in-law, Naomi, to her homeland. In making this unbelievable choice, Ruth would ultimately find herself falling straight into the arms of her future husband, Boaz, who by God’s divine providence was her ‘kinsman redeemer’ — the one who was to protect, care for, and provide for her and Naomi.

She would go on to give birth to a son, who would not only bless this little family by bringing new life, hope, joy, and peace into their lives, but into the lives of the whole world to come:

Yes, that David. The one who slayed the giant and gave us comforting psalms2 and was a man after God’s own heart. The one who befriended Jonathan with compassion and humility.3 The one who would continue the lineage that ultimately led to Jesus Christ.

All because one woman was lost, and she decided to trust that God (a God she did not yet know!) was bigger than all her fear.

Lost and found.

Grief and grace.

Sorrow and redemption.

Ruth, matriarch of the Old Testament, pray for us.

For Prayer and Reflection

• Pray with Psalm 23 and/or 1 Samuel 18:1 and journal where God meets your heart in these verses.

I pray it will be an opportunity for all of us to take time to slowly let God reveal His still small voice to us as we sit with the goodness and wisdom He so desires to share with us. So, grab a cup of coffee and take a deep breath as we slow down and rest with Ruth. I’m so happy you are here!

This week we are focusing on the masculine virtue displayed by Boaz. I pray this post blesses you!

As I sat down to pray about how to highlight Boaz in our series this week, I realized that I have written so much about him already! He is definitely a keeper, and someone who has captured my heart and imagination time and time again in prayer and the writing of Love and Loyalty.

So, I am sharing my heart for Boaz this week with you in two special ways:

LECTIO DIVINA/READING:

1. If you are curious about this holy and godly man, I highly recommend reading and praying with:

   1. Chapter 3 of the Book of Ruth! Truly life-giving and nurturing, this Book is a balm to the feminine heart as we see Boaz imitating the heart of Christ.

   2. A Love Like No Other: this essay highlights the beautiful, pure and holy love and loyalty that Boaz displays.

   3. Appreciating the Gifts: this essay ponders how we can lean into learning from Boaz and bless others with our own God-given gifts

   4. Wings of Refuge: essay on how Boaz can inspire us as women to slow down and cherish our husbands, fathers, or other strong men in our lives.

VISIO DIVINA/PRAYING WITH ART

2. Grab a quiet spot, a pen, and a journal. Open this link to view the artwork titled “Ruth and Boaz” by Thomas Matthews Rooke.

   1. Let the image settle over your mind. What is the first thing you notice?

   2. What thoughts or words or emotions are coming to mind?

   3. Listen to this audio reflection as you sit and pray with the art.

This was a different kind of post, but I had fun making it, and I pray it blesses your heart and soul as you journeyed in prayer and reflection!

In Love and Loyalty,

Alli

I pray it will be an opportunity for all of us to take time to slowly let God reveal His still small voice to us as we sit with the goodness and wisdom He so desires to share with us. So, grab a cup of coffee and take a deep breath as we slow down and rest with Ruth. I’m so happy you are here!

This week we are focusing on Ruth and how her genuine spirit of gratitude and meekness can inspire and guide us as beloved daughters of a Most High God. I pray this essay blesses you!

Where You Go, I Will Go

These are perhaps the most well known words in the sweet little Book of Ruth. As a young couple, these were the words that we chose for the Old Testament reading at our wedding. I remember being struck by the love and loyalty of Ruth. This woman was making a proclamation that would change her whole world — and the world of her mother-in-law, Naomi. Ruth was professing devotion and heartfelt love as she claimed the God of the Israelites as her own and sought to accompany Naomi on an unknown path forward.

And while I’m still so grateful that we chose these passages to begin our married life together, this book has become so much more to me than those two sweet verses. When I took time to pour into the Book of Ruth with eyes and heart seeking the wisdom of the Lord, He revealed to me treasures far beyond my imagining. These well-known verses were knit together with so many others that revealed to me a woman who was a stunning reflection of feminine genius and genuine godly character.

My Heavenly Big Sister

Ruth has become a beloved sister to me. As I have long considered Mary my Blessed Mother in heaven, Ruth is becoming a dear big sister in heaven. She embodies all the qualities I long to live out in my own life: humility, industriousness, quiet strength, meekness, and gratitude to name a few. The passages that best capture these virtues for me are in Chapter 2. Upon arriving in Bethlehem, a completely foreign land to Ruth, she sets out to find work to support herself and Naomi. She happens upon a grain field and begins collecting the scraps at the outskirts of the field, a practice often adopted by widows who had no husband to provide for them.1 When the landowner of the field, Boaz, discovers her, a beautiful exchange takes place:

This sweet woman, after being noticed and shown godly kindness by Boaz, falls prostrate to the ground in thanksgiving.

Think about this for a moment, my dear friends. When is the last time, if ever, that you were moved to lie prostrate on the ground in thanksgiving?

If I’m being honest, I don’t know that I ever have. I did have an experience that led me to this position years ago when I deep in the throes of depression and drowning in anxiety. I had many small children to care for and a husband that traveled many days per week. I was lost. I was scared. I needed help and I didn’t know how or where to find it.

And I remember walking into my church on a weekday afternoon, empty and dimly lit, and lying down with my face on the floor in front of the crucifix. I was crying, begging God to help me, hold me, release me from the pain I was experiencing.

It was a tender and powerful moment between the Lord and I, one that I came to with desperation and left with rays of hope. I became little and meek before Him, and I felt His strength and love covering me.

But Ruth finds herself in this position not in a moment of extreme grief and pain, but out of sheer gratitude for being given the opportunity to work in a safe environment by a man who sees her and is endeavoring to protect her rights and safety. Yes, she really needed this job. And yes, it was a huge deal that Boaz not only let her work but instructed those around her to look out and care for her.

But I’m gonna be honest here and say I don’t think that would’ve been my response, friends. I think I might have said ‘thank you so much, I really appreciate that’ and then gone back to my work so that I could finish up and walk home, tired and sweaty and super grateful that I had not been abused or kicked off the property by a less gracious landowner. I probably would have thought how cool it was that Boaz took time to make sure I was safe and protected. Whew. Then I would turn my thoughts and energy toward what I would be able to cobble together as a modest meal for Naomi and I that evening, followed by (hopefully) a good night’s a sleep so I could rinse and repeat tomorrow.

A Posture of Praise

Perhaps this is not a common reaction. Maybe you are thinking that I’m a little off base here and you would have responded just as Naomi did. But for me, and I suspect for many of us, I think I could have simply let the moment pass me by.

But not my Ruth. She was utterly captivated and stunned by the actions of Boaz. Why? Because she was living fully in the moment, recognizing all the Lord was doing as pure gift, and choosing radical joy, gratitude, and humility in each moment. Boaz saw her, and Ruth saw in him the eyes and heart of Christ. Boaz offered words of kindness, and she saw in him the tender mercy of God. I like to think that her heart was so pure and so open and so attuned to recognizing the face of Christ in others that when it happened, she instinctively fell into this posture of praise and humility.

Oh, Lord, please, make my heart more like Ruth’s.

Amen.

In Love and Loyalty,

Alli

For Reflection

• Place yourself in this scene. Read Ruth 2:6-12 and really imagine yourself living out this scene. What is your heart posture? Do you feel moved to respond like Ruth did? Where is God in this scene? How might He want to speak to you through Ruth and Boaz?

I pray it will be an opportunity for all of us to take time to slowly let God reveal His still small voice to us as we sit with the goodness and wisdom He so desires to share with us. So, grab a cup of coffee and take a deep breath as we slow down and rest with Ruth. I’m so happy you are here!

This week we are focusing on Naomi, a wise and beautiful woman who has much to teach us about humility and strength. I pray this essay blesses you!

I challenged myself this week on Instagram to describe Naomi from the Book of Ruth in 5 words in 60 seconds. For a long-winded writer who is quite ‘wordy,’ this was no easy task.

In fact, I don’t think I quite nailed it, but after five attempts my patience gave out and I settled. 63 seconds was good enough, am I right??

To be honest, Substack is my preferred platform this reason. I don’t do well living in short hits, quick takes, and fast moving reels. I like to dig in, to learn, to savor the people and events and emotions and all the goodness and messiness that life brings my way each day. I want to marinate, not skim across the surface. Perhaps it is my introverted and pensive nature, or perhaps as I approach my fiftieth birthday I just want to slow down and take it all in as I see what a precious and fragile gift this life is, and how very quickly it moves.

I am enamored with the character of Naomi in the Book of Ruth, because she also does not deal in quick takes and instant gratification. Her life was hard. Like, ‘moving to a foreign country because of a famine and then your husband and two sons die’ kind of hard.

Yeah, she was going through it.

And you know what?

She did not give up. She did not give in. She resolved to move forward, one step at a time, knowing darn well that she was a in desperate and difficult spot, and there was no guarantee that she would come through it and survive as a widow living in her times.

But also — Naomi was real. She did not shy away from crying out to God in her pain, and making it clear that she was fed up and exhausted.

This is a critical narrative in the book of Ruth, and one that we learn so much from when we allow ourselves to sit with it.

Some biblical scholars interpret this to indicate that Naomi was bitter and calloused, hardened by life and its cruel circumstances. The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible is clear on their commentary. It offers this perspective: Naomi’s honesty with God was a signal that she trusted Him. That she was so close to Him, so comfortable with Him, that there was nothing she couldn’t share, including raw moments of vulnerability that felt ugly.

I relate to Naomi on a soul-deep level. I cry out to God often, and loudly, when I am facing difficult crosses in my life. As I have grown in my relationship with Him, I find that I don’t need to be so careful with my words, or hide my emotions from Him. I know Him. He is the God of the universe. And He knows me. I am His little one, His beloved daughter. And He can handle my pain, bitterness, temper tantrums, and raw, messy emotions. When I am deep in a “Mara” season, I don’t need to fear that I can’t be real with Him.

In fact, I don’t believe God wants it any other way. He longs to comfort me, as a Good Shepherd who knows and loves His little sheep. He wants to draw me close, hold me and listen as I pour out my heart: fears, doubts, ugliness, and messiness. And then he wants to speak words of blessing and strength over me. I am comfortable now crawling into His lap and letting Him reassure me:

Fear not, my daughter. I am with you. I hear you. I see you. And I love you.

What about you, friend? Where do you go in your “Mara” seasons? Do you trust the Lord enough to go to Him and lay it all bare? Do you believe that your faith is not dependent on an ever-present optimism but rather an honest heart willing to go deep with God in the dark places?

I encourage you to read the first chapter of Ruth and let Naomi’s story weave into yours. She has so much to teach us about authentic strength and courage. Read it slowly. Read the footnotes. Immerse yourself in the Word that God desires to place on your heart.

May God bless you this week!

In Love and Loyalty,
Alli

I pray it will be an opportunity for all of us to take time to slowly let God reveal His still small voice to us as we sit with the goodness and wisdom He so desires to share with us. So, grab a cup of coffee and take a deep breath as we slow down and rest with Ruth. I’m so happy you are here!

My Work Is Done Here?

After journeying through the process of publishing a book, I wondered if once I had journaled, prayed with, studied and eventually written a bible study about the Book of Ruth. would I one day simply take a deep breath and exhale? Would I get the feeling that my ‘work’ with her was done?

My books would be for sale, of course, and I would love to share talks about themes related to this sweet little Book… but I think I expected to be ‘moving on’ to study and pray with other biblical figures and saints as I continue to grow in my own faith life. There are so many that beckon to me from the Bible, and good books, and my own prayer life, after all. I guess I imagined this journey would be a bit like coursework: take the class, study, write the ‘final’ and then move on to the next class.

Funny thing, though — I guessed wrong. I know. Shocking, right?! No, it’s not the first time, or the last for that matter, that I will ‘guess’ wrong about my future. But it is teaching me so much about the gift of slowing down and staying with that which God calls us to contemplate. And He is making it clear that remaining here is exactly where He wants me to be.

As I was experiencing a bit of restlessness a couple months ago, feeling a tug to ‘write the next thing’ or at least to start praying and listening for what might be next, I casually mentioned as much in a quick text to a friend. Her response was wise and encouraging:

Take your time. Don’t rush it. That was my mistake.

I sat with those words and chatted with her a little about ‘taking my time.’ She explained that she, too, had written a book years back and then jumped in a new project with zeal, only to realize that the timing was all wrong. God was not done with her delving into the content in her book, praying with it, speaking about it, and letting God work in and through her. In reality, it was years before she could fully devote the time and attention that she wanted and needed to the new project, because while she was itching to move on to the next thing, God was whispering, “Hold on. We’re not done here yet. Stay a little longer with this one.”

So, here I sit, closing in on 6 months after publishing Love and Loyalty, and I am feeling more drawn to soak in wisdom from Ruth than ever. I am surprised and delighted as I am discovering that I still have more to learn, more to marinate on, and more heart work to do as the Lord leads me deeper into this Book. And as I keep returning to Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz in prayer and reflection, I am seeing them through different lenses. I perceive new angles and perspectives where God is highlighting little lessons that I hadn’t thought about before. I am discovering new things about them almost every day… and this is as confounding to me as it is utterly delightful.

Trust Falling, Ruth’s Way

Lately, my prayer with this Book has led to ponder that Ruth is a woman who lived, loved, lost, and ultimately decided to choose hope. She embraces God fully and completely at the lowest, darkest, and most vulnerable point of her life. Instead of wrapping her arms around herself and retreating inward, she exposes her wounded and weak heart, arms fully extended, and leaps into vastly unknown territory. It is perhaps the ultimate example of a trust fall.

As I pray with Ruth’s unshakable trust in a God she had yet to really know, I am reminded that we as women possess so much more strength than we know. And that strength is holy, and sacred, and worthy of cherishing. Ruth is teaching me that strength is found by staying open, even when it hurts. Because the Lord draws near to us when we become open and vulnerable. It’s where He can do His best work.

Sparkling Gems

And so for me, this beloved Book called Ruth is becoming a sparkling multifaceted gem that is revealing more beauty the more time I spend with it. It’s as if the familiarity is yielding richer, deeper fruit over time, and the layers of understanding and insight are creating a lush and vibrant haven for my faith, imagination, and heart. The writing of Love and Loyalty was a tender work of my heart, and in some ways I see it was only the beginning. I am eagerly anticipating what more the Lord has for me as I remain with Ruth.

Thoughts for Prayer and Reflection:

• Where is God calling you to ‘remain’? Is there a part of your heart, mind or soul that is restless to move on yet you feel a pull to stay? What would it look like to slow down and do the work of remaining?

• Have you spent time in the Book of Ruth? It is a short and sweet yet rich and deep story of God’s providence and protection. Consider praying with this book a little each day for a week. Ask the Lord to show you where he sees you and your heart in this story.

I pray that you also can go deep and wide and receive sparkling gems of wisdom as you open your heart to God’s merciful love for you!

In Love and Loyalty,

Alli

Apologies for the couple of shaky audio moments. My dog wanted to be part of my Substack work today, lol!

Disclaimer: I am not a theologian or biblical scholar, but a girl who loves the Lord and His Church, and seeks to learn, ponder, and pray about how the Holy Spirit is speaking to my heart through this beautiful writing by our Holy Father. This third reflection delves into how my heart was moved after reading Chapter 2 (paragraphs 46-86). I pray it blesses you, too, and I would love to hear your thoughts!

This chapter simply delighted me. I had my highlighter and pen out in full force, taking new notes, revisiting old ones, and allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal the beauty and connect the dots. And the dots connected to display in flashing lights: We are magnificently created beings, and we are made to create havens for one another.

Ah, yes, I know what you are thinking: “You see havens in everything, lady!”

Guilty on that count. I cannot unsee what the Lord has placed in my heart and opened my eyes to: the world is indeed full of havens; safe harbors from the storms of life. And like the best Easter egg hunt, we can find such startling JOY when we look for and find them all around us. So, yes, I see havens all over Pope Leo’s writing, and I want to unapologetically share them with you!

The theme of this chapter revolves around the principles of social doctrine of the church, and Pope Leo goes deep and broad with his consideration of what this is and what it means for us today. I love his approach to get on a micro-level and examine first the dignity of the individual human person:

Pope Leo is referencing these beautiful verses from Genesis:

Weaving these two gems together, we see a theme developing: God’s creation, love, and attention is very personal. It is as vast as the universe, yes, but also as intimate and deeply close to us as our own heartbeat. We were created to love, by Love himself, and in this rests all of our identity.

As I love to tell my children when they are feeling a bit down on themselves: You are a unique, unrepeatable, stunning creation of God, and there has never been and will never be anyone like you. God dreamed you up and created you — and only you— because He did not want a world without you. He wants you here, and He wants you to love and dream and bless and inspire those He puts in your life.

And so it is for all of us. Pope Leo calls it ‘ontological dignity,’ or “the dignity that belongs to every human being simply by virtue of existing, of having been willed, created, and loved by God.” (Paragraph 52)

In other words, my friends, we are called to recognize that we have the haven of God dwelling in our inmost being, loving, nurturing, and generating life and light within us. And we are called to be havens to others around us: to see and laugh and converse and bless and live fully in the light we are given by Jesus Christ.

It is from this lens that Pope Leo reflects on five principles of social doctrine.

1. Principle of Common Good: Each of us must be recognized for our inherent dignity, and for our interconnectedness as humans striving for a shared vision.

2. Principle of Universal Destination of Goods: All goods, including technological goods, are given to us by God to sustain us. Here we can put into the practice the idea of being wise stewards of every good we have, since they are all gifts from God.

3. Principle of Subsidiarity: Whenever possible, those closest to the issue should be the main source of support. For example, within a family unit, it is always the parents’ first responsibility to educate their children in the faith, with the Church acting as a support system to nurture and encourage family engagement and involvement. Similarly, Pope Leo encourages big tech companies and conglomerates to consider the benefits of bringing smaller communities to the table as AI and other tech emerges.

4. Principle of Solidarity: We are humans created in the image of God, and bound to one other through relationships that require dignity, charity and fraternity. I love this quote in particular:

   Solidarity arises precisely when we decide not to remain indifferent to what happens to our neighbor but instead to transform unavoidable bonds — economic, cultural and technological — into paths of sharing, cooperation and mutual care… -Paragraph 74

5. Principle of Social Justice: Put simply, we are to live the gospel as put forth in Matthew 25 - we are to be His hands and feet to care for the imprisoned, the sick and the lowly in all the myriad ways we may be called to in our varied and particular stages in life. As my friend Cailyn puts it: Be the Light.

As he wraps up this chapter, Pope Leo reflects on something very important. He notes that technology is ‘not neutral’ from a social justice standpoint:

And this is where I will leave you, dear reader, with some questions for prayer.

What does this passage bring to mind for you?

When you think about the tech in your life and how it helps you be more efficient, more organized, more informed or more mobile… or how it impedes your ability to focus, pay attention, slow down, be present or make more real connections… what stirs in your heart?

How is tech a haven for you? How is it a trap or a stronghold that does not deserve the precious space it is taking up in your mind and heart?

Technology is here to stay and we are not going to avoid it touching our lives, nor should we in my opinion. But Pope Leo is giving us an opportunity as a body of Christ — as embodied humans with hearts, minds, and souls — to step back, reflect, take stock, and then take action to guard our hearts and minds in Christ.

My question to you, dear friend, is simply this: Will we?

In this life, we will have trouble, Jesus tells us in John’s gospel. He goes on to share that we must take heart, because he has overcome the world, and saved us by His sacrifice (John 16:33).

It’s comforting to read these words, and for me, sometimes easy to put them into a nice and neat little rubric. Trouble? Check. Jesus saves: Got it. But if I’m being honest, it is another thing entirely to press into a space where I am facing suffering and actually doing the hard work to find meaning and purpose in and through it.

Crying Out in Our Pain

When faced with suffering, we can and should pour out our hearts to our Lord, and cry and yell and beg him to deliver us, heal us, help us, and save us. He wants to hear it all, and he wants to be a safe place for us to fall when the weight of this world is too heavy.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
— Matthew 5:4

And we can lean into our community of friends and faithful sisters, and be real and authentic about our struggles, and receive inspiration and hope that are a true balm to our hurting hearts. There is such consolation in true vulnerability that can be received with love and tenderness from trusted friends.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down, one can help the other one up.
— Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

The Reality of Suffering

But still, suffering exists. It is a reality that we will live with in this world as we walk toward eternity. It will intersect our lives and hearts in many different ways and for some of us it will come very close and hurt very deep and for others we will observe it from afar and mourn the way it affects those around us; but no matter how it manifests in each of our lives, it’s there.

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
— 2 Timothy 3:12

Just as you may be, I am currently in a season where there is suffering close to me and to my tender heart. And just as you may be, I am striving to endure it, persevere through it, and yes, to see meaning and purpose in it. And I really do perceive strength, hope and love flowing from this endeavor, but still, I am faced with the reality that the battle is real.

The Lord will fight for you, you need only be still.
— Exodus 14:14

Learning from Christ’s Suffering

I am very good at rejoicing with the Lord and praising him and falling on my knees in gratitude for the good I see around me. But suffering? Not so much.

I have prayed with the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary for years and marveled at Jesus’ unwavering faith, and of Mary’s. I meditate with deep sorrow in my heart particularly during the Scouring at the Pillar. The scene that portrays this agony in Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ is seared into my memory.

The first time I watched it, my heart felt ripped open. I lost my breath and tears streamed down my face watching our Lord suffer, as His mother was forced to witness the horror. How? How did they experience such intense suffering and not simply break?

With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
— Matthew 19:26

Walking Through the Valley

Perhaps you are in a valley now, my friends. Perhaps your heart is aching because you are suffering as a mother, a daughter, a spouse, a friend… perhaps you are witnessing, or dealing with firsthand, illness, addiction, financial worries, mental health crises… or maybe you are grieving a loss or a heartbreak that is so tender and complex and confusing that it is only truly known to you and God.

For we know he works all things for his good, for those who love him who are called according to his purpose.
— Romans 8:28

And perhaps instead of an action or plan for addressing our suffering, we first need to rest in that space of pain and allow God to be present with us, to gaze upon us and love us in our suffering.

Can you perceive God speaking to you:

Yes, daughter, suffering is so real and so hard. And no, it might not go away anytime soon. Will you come to Me and let me give you strength through my Word and my sacraments and My presence and the presence of those I’ve put in your life? I know the burdens are hard to bear. Can you lean into them and let me help you?

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.
— Isaiah 26:4

The Redemption of Suffering

Suffering can be redemptive, and holy, and purifying. But to reach that point we must surrender. We must live with our feet planted firmly on the ground and our heart gazing toward heaven.

From this posture, we are open and docile to the Holy Spirit. We can accept pain and suffering, and gently and meekly offer it toward heaven.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
— Matthew 5:5

By accepting our crosses, then, we attempt to follow the model of our ultimate Redeemer, who gave all without counting the cost. The Redeemer shows us true redemption through total and complete surrender to the Father.

Come near to God and he will come near to you.
— James 4:8

An Invitation to Draw Near

Draw near to the Father, my sweet sister in Christ. Don’t be afraid to share your broken heart with Him. He wants you to surrender it to His merciful care.

Receive Him in the Eucharist, open your Bible and read His Word, gaze on Him in Adoration. He waits, willing and wanting to hold you close. Ask Him to purify your wounds, to take your lack of understanding and your hurt and your heartache and make all things new.

The Precious Blood of His most Sacred Heart will strengthen, sustain and nourish you in this life, come what may.

Note: This article originally appeared at catholicwomeninbusiness.com on June 23, 2026.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

Eye Contact in the Ambulance

I walked into the quiet, dark hospital chapel and sat before the crucifix. Still in my dress and flats, I had been prepared for quite a different evening. On my way to lead my parish’s last bible study of the year, I received a call that one of my children was experiencing a medical emergency.

Twenty minutes later, I found myself in an ambulance with my son, holding his hand and trying to reassure him that I was right there with him and he was safe. When his eyes wandered to the equipment, the harsh lights, or the gurney beneath him, I gently prompted him to look at me. When he did, he would have a moment of instant peace, where his body slackened, and he recognized who I was. His eyes met mine, and his body and mind told him that he was safe because I was safe.

Later that evening, hours into an ER visit, I found the hospital chapel. I sank into the chair and stared at the crucifix as I experienced that exact same peace that my son had in that ambulance. I met the eyes of my Father and felt my body, mind, and soul relax. The adrenaline rush gave way to a peace and calm so deep and comforting that I shed tears of gratitude. I was held. I was safe. I was known and seen no matter what chaos was swirling around me.

We are Embodied Creatures

How often do we need to be safe, known, held, and seen as women? Or as wives, mothers, employees, friends, and daughters? We are embodied creatures, and we have an innate desire to experience life in relationship with others. History has shown us that this is the case, as families and communities over the centuries have existed to lift up the individual and provide joy and support. In the church, we are blessed with the examples of saints who knew and embraced the importance and necessity of being close to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Even more than a desire, we have a genuine call placed on our hearts by God to love one another well in community.

“We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.” - Hebrews 10:24-25

The challenge for us as women today is that so many parts of our lives have become siloed. We see each other less in person and more on screens. Remote working has provided so much flexibility for us, but it has robbed us of human connection. Social media opens many doors for extensive marketing and reach, but tempts us with envy, feelings of loneliness, and addictive tendencies. Exercising has become convenient to the point that we can hop on a bike or treadmill in our basement and have instant access to classes online, where a friendly face on a screen encourages us to push for our goals.

But what cost is there in all this “convenience?” What we gain in the way of freedom to live and work more efficiently does indeed have a very real cost. We sacrifice something precious in the name of technological ease. We lose the benefit and blessing – the humanity – of encountering a neighbor walking her new baby, feeling the sunshine on our face, or high-fiving a friend after a great workout at the gym. It is easy to slip away, to retreat inward, and to forget how very much we need one another in the wild adventure called life.

We will never lose the need to connect in person with one another, because this is precisely how we were created to live. The challenge for us as women of faith today is to intentionally find the time and space to connect. Much like the “put your own mask on first on the airplane” advice we all know, it is vital to our spiritual, emotional, and physical health that we take the time to cultivate beautiful relationships in real life.

Let Yourself Be Loved

What can you do today (or this week or this month) to nurture your feminine genius by fostering connection? Whatever comes to mind, I challenge you to do it. Make the call. Send the text. Set up the girls’ night out. Invite a friend for coffee or a walk. Then, lean in. Put your phone away, turn your attention to the present moment, and enjoy the presence of another soul who loves you, cherishes you, and sees you.

We all find ourselves in the ambulance at times. Life is messy and hard. We get frightened and disoriented by the storms of life. When we make eye contact with one another, and with Christ, we will find the peace that we so desperately long for. The peace that Christ longs to give us, that surpasses all understanding, that will never fail to comfort us when those storms blow in.

“He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. And they were glad, because they had quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.” - Psalm 107:29-30

May we be bold enough to step out and find in our beloved friends and neighbors our own havens of gladness, gifted and granted to us by a Father who loves us so much and desires us to share our lives, hearts, and souls with one another as his precious and beloved daughters.

Disclaimer: I am not a theologian or biblical scholar, but a girl who loves the Lord and His Church, and seeks to learn, ponder, and pray about how the Holy Spirit is speaking to my heart through this beautiful writing by our Holy Father. This second reflection delves into how my heart was moved after reading Chapter 1 (paragraphs 17-45). I pray it blesses you, too, and I would love to hear your thoughts!

Core Strength

In this first chapter Pope Leo gives significant attention to the historical patterns, development, and application of social justice by the Church as a way to show us the Church’s constant dedication to interpretation of such events in light of the Gospel. As a history buff, these reflections fascinated me. As a Catholic, I was inspired by the wisdom we have gained as a Church as the Holy Spirit weaves throughout our lives on personal, local, societal, and global levels. Regarding the development of social doctrine, Pope Leo says that:

Yes. This. This is why I love the Catholic Church so much… she recognizes that truth is absolute: in Sacred Scripture and in the Magisterial teachings, we find steadfast and solid ground on which to stand. Period.

In other words, there is no situation we ever face that cannot or should not be viewed through the lens of Christ and His teachings. And also, we are moving through times that are ever changing and evolving, bringing to light new challenges and problems that require vigilant examination, prayer, reflection, and application to these steadfast truths.

Can we pause here for a sec? My head literally spins when I contemplate the goodness of the Lord in all this. In a world that tells us that everything is relative and anything goes, we have the Church saying firmly but gently: No.

True North

My friends, this boundary is critical. And I would suggest it is the reason we are floundering so much as humans. We cannot possibly thrive in a world where there is no up or down, no right or wrong. When we adopt the false notion that we can ‘choose our own truth,’ we get hopelessly lost in the never ending sea of false realities, cheap imitations, and chasing after all manner of things that will never really satisfy the God-shaped hole in our hearts.

Instead of staying close to God and following true North, we toss the compass overboard, and we convince ourselves that any direction will do. And soon, we are lost and adrift, trying to convince ourselves that all is okay. After all, we chose this. We are in charge. Master of our own destinies. Captains of our own ships. But the truth is, my friends, that we are utterly useless without that compass. We need the stability and order and direction that God provides for us in Scripture and Church teaching. We are fools to think that we can do anything on our own. When we do, the very independence we crave enslaves us in chaos and confusion.

The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving. Proverbs 14:8

There is absolute truth rooted in the teachings of Jesus and His Church, and there are cultural, political, social, and ethical issues that arise in each decade of our lives that are unique and demand our attention. Both things are true, and both things must be examined. In this way, we weave the present moment and all its challenges through this ‘core’ of truths and find precious wisdom, insight, and direction for our journey.

Let’s Hear It For the Popes

This has been done time and again with our popes, who have pondered, prayed, listened, and written encyclicals that speak to the current social, political and economic moments. Pope Leo spends a good amount of time detailing these encyclicals throughout the last century or so. To give you a flavor, these are just a handful he touches on: (I’ve linked what is available on the Vatican website if you want to nerd out on papal writing on social justice!)

Pope Leo XIII: Rerum Novarum (dignity of workers/response to Industrial Age)

Pope Pius XI: Quadregesima Anno (principle of subsidiarity/response to global economic crisis)

Pope St. Paul VI: Populorum Progressio (peace viewed from lens of integral human development, not just absence of war)

St. John Paul II: Laborem Excercens (onset of economic globalization, need for fair wages and dignity of human creativity to be upheld)

Pope Benedict XVI: Caritas in Veritate (charity as essential to addressing new kinds of poverty emerging in wealthy countries via exclusion of minority groups)

Pope Francis: Laudato Si (treatment of environmental crisis and care of our common home)

Pope Leo sums up this journey through papal history saying:

Weaving In His Wisdom

We are not living in times that are unique to God. He knows the story. He wrote His laws on our hearts and sent His precious Son to save us. He is truly with us through all the chaos and confusion… through wrestling with war, social injustice, economic crises and technological advances that threaten our ability to live fully and authentically as beloved sons and daughters.

Through our own very personal hardships… grief and sadness, anxiety and fear, disrupted and broken relationships… He is right here. He is woven into our hearts and into the very fabric of our being. He offers truth that is a solace from any storm. And this is a great and mighty gift that I pray I never take for granted.

He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. And they were glad, because they had quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. Psalm 107:29-30

So as we ponder our Holy Father’s approach to laying a groundwork that gives gravitas and credibility to his reflections on AI later on in this document, I encourage you to ponder and pray:

• What current tricky, difficult, or puzzling circumstance in my own life can I expose to the light of the Gospel?

• How is God at work bringing His light to this circumstance? Do I trust that He is bigger than even the biggest cross I carry?

• Name a current emotion that is bubbling up and causing your peace to be disrupted (fear, anxiety, worry…) Look up bible verses related to that word and write down one that speaks to your heart and life right now. Remind yourself that God is everywhere, in everything, and that He desires to draw close to you always.

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He Made Us Good

Pope Leo’s new encyclical is, as the cool kids say, a banger. (Do the cool kids still say that? Probably not, if I’m saying it. But I digress.) I was excited to dive into it, as I tend to geek out over papal documents. It’s one of my many fascinating (strange??) quirks. As a former teacher, avid reader, Catholic writer, and human living on this planet in the year of our Lord 2026, I was hoping it would be full of wisdom and spiritual food for thought.

Alas, my hopes were not met. Instead, they were vastly exceeded. I took the better part of a week to soak in the Holy Father’s words, with pen and highlighter in hand. I read, took notes, stopped to think and ponder and pray, and something happened by the time I finished reading the conclusion.

I found myself going deep into a hidden space in my heart between God and I, where the little girl in me desires to be safe, known, and held. There was an interior movement, a reminder that I am indeed safe and known and held by God, and that in the vastness of time and space He put me (and you!) here for such a time as this. It gave me a renewed sense of being rooted and grounded in God’s love for me, for you, and for humanity. Pope Leo’s words came across to me as a balm of hope and steadfast love from a shepherd who knows the Lord intimately, and desires for his sheep to know Him as well. As I pondered the introductory paragraphs, my heart raised up a song of praise: God made us good, and so we are. And He made all things under the sun so that we can live and move and have our being in Him and through Him.

You Must Choose

In my opinion, this encyclical is not about AI so much as it is about the beautiful, wonderful, mysterious, glorious life that we are blessed to live in communion with Christ. It is about leaning in to wisdom from the past, interpreting Sacred Scripture and Church teaching in light of the problems in our current age, and perhaps most importantly, it is about believing in this great journey called life. Believing that we can take our God-given gifts and talents and use them for His good and glory, and thus make the little space we inhabit, and the people who inhabit it with us, full of more wonder, goodness, dignity and creativity.

In the Introduction, Pope Leo begins by presenting us with a choice as we move through this era of technology: are we going to build recklessly without regard for our identity as His beloved, or will we build carefully, with prayer and intention, seeking wisdom from God and listening to one another as the body of Christ?

In the former case, Pope Leo explains, we are simply building another ‘Tower of Babel,’ focused on our own needs, wants, and desires for efficiency with no regard for God’s plans, or for our identity as His children (ref Gen 11:1-9). In the latter example, Nehemiah chose to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem by engaging the entire community, praying, fasting and inviting God into every part of the project (ref. Neh 1-2). And thus the model of Nehemiah and Jerusalem’s walls involves engaging each person, community, region, nation and ultimately the entire world. We all play a part, and God is the master architect from whom we draw inspiration, guidance, hope, and wisdom. In fact, I would argue that it is quite impossible to build in this all-reaching and grand fashion without the Holy Spirit at work, guiding and inspiring humans to build with care and intention.

The question thus arises: what choice will we make? Forge ahead in a spirit of self-affirmation, desire for control and efficiency, and lack of concern for the common good, or build strong walls on a foundation of shared responsibility, collaboration, and attentiveness to the dignity of every human being?

As Pope Leo puts it, “Technology has the power to heal, connect, educate and protect our common home; but it can also divide, exclude, and generate new forms of injustice… technology is never neutral, because it takes on the characteristics of those who devise, finance, regulate, and use it.” (Paragraph 9).

This is a critical point that we would all do well to pay attention to: technology is never neutral. It can be used for good, and it can be used for evil. Those who devise and promote and develop technology bring their own biases, worldviews, perspectives, and goals to the table. So we must always be aware that technology will bear the weight of bias in some capacity, because it is created by humans who are inherently flawed and biased. Thus it becomes our role and responsibility as Christians and members of society to help navigate and steer the winds of technological innovation in a direction focused on the dignity of all of humankind.

Maxxing Out

To this end, I would encourage all of us to remember that we are not, as humans, merely objects that need to be refined, fixed, or made to function at maximum efficiency at all costs. The current culture of ‘maxxing’ online comes to mind here. If you are not yet familiar with this trend, ‘maxxing’ is a lexicon used online to describe extreme interest or behavior in one particular aspect of life.

For example, the ‘looksmaxxing’ trend has captured the Internet recently with a philosophy built around the idea that we maximize human attractivness. At its most extreme, there are cases where men smash the bones in their face with hammers in hopes that they will gain a more chiseled face. No, I’m not making this up.1

‘Protein-maxxing’ has consumed the collective minds of both middle aged women and teenage boys alike– we are obsessed with packing hundreds of grams of protein into our diets because we are told that we must do this to avoid the many pitfalls of aging bodies, or to develop ultra-toned muscles and maximum agility for sports. Or perhaps we could point to ‘sleepmaxxing,’ whereby one must at all costs generate optimal sleep environments, habits, and timing or else be rendered unable to function in daily life.

The problem with such trends is that they push us toward extreme postures and viewpoints. “Maxxing” out on anything is not natural or ordered toward our good, be it obsessive weight lifting, ice-cream eating, or bingeing shows on Netflix. In truth, we humans are not, and never will be, projects meant to be maximized. We are embodied souls with hearts and minds naturally oriented to seek greater good and purpose in life - endowed with dignity and desire to care for one another.

And that leads us to another noteworthy quote. Pope Leo writes,

In the era of artificial intelligence, when human dignity is threatened by new forms of dehumanization, ours is the pressing duty to remain profoundly human. We must lovingly safeguard the grandeur of humanity bestowed upon us…the splendor which no machine can ever replace (Paragraph 15).

Let’s just sit with that for a moment… To lovingly safeguard the grandeur of humanity bestowed on us. Wow. This is the mission to which we are called, my dear friends. And this is the context in which we will continue to explore the moment we currently face as humans in an ever-evolving world. What a comfort to our hearts to know that we do not journey alone, but with a loving God who wants to root and ground us in the truth of our belovedness as His sons and daughters as we endeavor to use our gifts for His good and glory.

For Study and Reflection:

1. Read and pray with Genesis 11:1-9 and Nehemiah 1-2.

2. Read and pray with paragraphs 1, 7, 8, 9, 15 and 16 of Magnifica Humanitas, asking the Lord to guide your reading and provide clarity and application for your own life.

3. Journal Prompt: Use the quote below as reference to answer the following: What is my role in building up the common good? How can I be a light in my home, family, workplace, church, or friend group that will help others see God dwelling in me?

   With the heart of a shepherd and a father, I ask everyone to abandon the construction of yet another Tower of Babel and join forces in building up the common good, so that humanity will never lose its beauty, and the world once again will come to recognize the human heart as the place where God desire to dwell. (Paragraph 16)

The most common question I get asked as an author of a new Bible study and a mom of seven is, “How did you do that?” At first, this question made me a little uncomfortable and reminded me of the ones I would receive constantly when my kids were all littles:

“Oh, I only have (insert number) kids, and I can’t keep up. How do you do it?”

“Seven kids? Are you crazy? I have my hands full with (insert number).”

The Secret Sauce

These questions seemed to imply that I was either insane or somehow possessed some kind of superpower that a “normal” mom did not have. As I struggled to process a response that conveyed an authentic and genuine answer, I recognized an important truth: I am just as “normal” as any other mom, because I am often overwhelmed, impatient, tired, and oh-so-imperfectly human. God uses it all, even the mess, inadequacy, faults, and failings. He calls us to use our gifts for His kingdom, and when we do, He always provides. The “secret sauce” for all of us as women living in the light of Christ is to be attuned, first and foremost, to our identity as His beloved daughters.

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is God from of old, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives power to the faint, abundant strength to the weak” (Isaiah 40:28-29).

My journey of writing a book began, continued, and ended with Him. In the middle of listening to The Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz, I experienced a deep longing in my heart to go deeper with the Book of Ruth. I couldn’t get her story out of my mind. She was brave and faithful, meek and strong, and everything I wanted to be as a woman, wife, and mother.

She wouldn’t let me go, so one day I sat down and started journaling. The journaling turned into questions, and the questions led me deep into prayer with God as He revealed how He wanted to work on my heart. Within a couple of months, it was clear that this was a full-on passion project that animated my spirit and gave my entire vocation of mother, wife, and homemaker an infusion of grace. I was learning about Ruth, and I was learning to live like her, too.

Pockets of Time and Tension Points

My writing work became a part of who I knew God was calling me to be — part of my story as His beloved daughter. When I was living fully in this space of truth, the time to write came and paired seamlessly with my vocation as mom and wife. I wrote in the “pockets of time,” sometimes on quiet evenings or weekend afternoons, and occasionally during the day in a coffee shop (dreamy!). There were times when my Ruth project sat patiently on my desk as weeks passed and my attention was needed elsewhere. When I felt antsy or unsettled about not having time to write, I would sit with the Lord and let Him remind me that I work on His time. He knits the fabric of that time and ordains how I am meant to spend it with care and intention. It was His work, ultimately, and so I focused the longings of my heart on surrendering my time to Him.

Like any journey in life, there were tension points. Looking back, I am genuinely grateful for all of them. As I endeavored to launch this little book into the Catholic publishing space, I was met with the sting of rejection from multiple Catholic publishers who were not interested in taking on my project. This painful stripping away of opportunity after opportunity drove me to my knees in prayer and ultimately to a realization: I did not need the stamp of a big publisher to bring this book to life. As it turned out, self-publishing was the perfect path for this book, and I am so grateful now for that rejection. It made way for a beautiful and blessed path that I had not been able to see.

Feminine Genius in Action

As the months of writing “Love and Loyalty” drew to a close, and as I navigated the publishing process, I was blessed to connect with a Catholic writing community. PraiseWriters opened my eyes to the wisdom and insight found in the world of writing alongside fellow writers who shared similar goals. Through this community, I found a branding strategist, editor, and book designer who understood my vision and possessed the skill sets to help me cross the finish line as a published author. I also connected with women whom I have long admired as Catholic writers and who have become treasured friends and mentors. They gave me encouragement, affirmation, space to worry and vent, and the confidence to keep pushing forward with my dreams.

From a personal perspective, those final months of editing, refining, and designing provided tremendous growth for me as a mom, wife, and writer. My children saw their mama strive for a goal that required hundreds of hours of quiet, faithful work, and they became my biggest cheerleaders. Seeing their enthusiasm and pride in my writing convinced me that no matter how many copies of this little work of my heart were sold, the true measure of success was showing my precious children what can happen when we pursue our dreams with passion, tenacity, and our eyes on Christ.

I held close the reality that we, as women, are uniquely gifted to witness maternity, generosity, and receptivity throughout all the creative work we do in our lives, whether at home or in the world at large. Instead of striving in vain to “do it all,” we can allow our God-given feminine genius to serve as the nucleus from which our work derives its energy. Much like the sun serves as a generative light for the earth, Christ is ever-present with us, animating and guiding our work.

“And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever possesses the Son has life” (1 John 5:11-12).

In the weeks leading up to the book’s release, I wrote this:

“As I navigate the absolute privilege of releasing my first book, I hold the light of Christ close and give gratitude and praise for this one crazy, amazing, wild ride of a life. Doubts and fears and all, I know one thing for sure. All will be well, and I will resolve to enjoy every minute of the journey because it always leads me back to Him — the only author any of us ever really needs.”

Looking back on this project, one thing is abundantly clear: I am loved, cherished, and delighted in by God, and He is a generous giver who never ceases to amaze me. My vocation is, and always will be, firmly rooted in a deep appreciation of the gifts He has given me. “Love and Loyalty: Heart Lessons from the Book of Ruth” is a work of my heart that I am privileged and grateful to share with my fellow beloved daughters of our truly awesome God. May He be praised!

Alli Koscal is a Catholic wife, mom to seven, author, and the voice behind Finding Havens. With a warm, authentic style, Alli writes to help women discover sacred spaces of peace and faith in their everyday lives. Inspired by the quiet strength of biblical women like Ruth, her writing blends deep spiritual insight with gentle encouragement. She recently published her first book, a bible study titled Love and Loyalty: Heart Lessons from the Book of Ruth. When not writing, Alli can be found with a good book and a cup of coffee, spending time with her beautiful family, or dreaming up new ways to help women create havens of beauty and grace.

For more information on Alli’s ministry, writing, speaking and more, visit allikoscal.com or follow her on Instagram @findinghavens7.

Be sure to read to the end to learn more about Haven Circles!

The Girl Who Captivated My Heart

Women in the Bible fascinate me. I absolutely love to dive into their stories and imagine the time and space in which they were living: the trials and joys they faced, the small heroic moments that went unseen or unnoticed, the way God used them to shine His light through displays of feminine genius.

One woman in particular, Ruth, captivates my heart, imagination and curiosity more than most these days. We encounter her in scripture at a point where her husband, brother-in-law, and father-in-law have all died. Ruth is left alone and widowed in a time where being widowed was truly devastating. It is here that we really get to know the character of this woman.

Brilliant Selflessness

Having quite literally lost it all, Ruth does not retreat into self-pity or self-protection mode like I would be tempted to do. No, our Ruth is completely other-focused and instead perceives the extreme vulnerability of her mother-in-law, Naomi. Naomi, after losing all the men in her life, and thus all sense of security, provision and protection, has decided to travel back to her hometown of Bethlehem. This journey alone will be incredibly dangerous. Like many mothers would do, Naomi insists that Ruth and her other daughter-in-law, Orpah, return to their own homes, with their own mothers, to seek safety and shelter.

But our girl Ruth is not having this. In a brilliant display of selflessness, Ruth insists, over and over, that she will not leave Naomi alone.

But Ruth said, “Entreat me not to leave you or to return from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God; where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if even death parts me from you.” Ruth 1:16-17

Finally, Naomi relents and allows Ruth to journey with her to Bethlehem. Ruth gracefully and forcefully surrenders all of her own needs here: to be comforted by her own family, to be safe from the dangers of her own widowhood, to be consoled and cared for through her own pain and heartbreaking loss.

It’s Giving Havens

It begs the question: What drove Ruth to embrace this type of sacrificial love for her mother-in-law? How does one forgo personal pain and heartbreak to lean into a mission to provide a safe haven for another person instead? I believe Ruth was driven by a love that transcended self, and time, circumstances, and fear. Ruth loved the way St. Thomas Aquinas framed love: she willed the good of another.

When we love on this level, my friends, the game changes. We are empowered to give without counting the cost, to sacrifice willingly, and to forgo comforts because we are motivated and buoyed by the God-given desire to love another with intention. Deep in the wellspring of our soul, we recognize that this is precisely how God loves us, and when we draw upon His love for us, there is no limit to the love we can pour out.

I pray that you, and I, can draw deep from that well today. And tomorrow. And every tomorrow after that. Ruth held a key that unlocked a fantastic and beautiful truth of life: Love gives. Love is active, and living, and present in our souls because we are endowed with the ability to love by our Father. He pours unending love into our hearts, and in His perfect design for us, we can pour it out to others. Over and over and over again, Amen.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life”. John 3:16

Do you want to experience more of His love, poured into your heart, surrounded by women you admire and trust on the journey?

Haven Circles: Overview

The world is increasingly noisy, and we are craving respite from the chaos. Social media is a revolving door of images, feeds, and content that overwhelms our senses and throws off our nervous systems. It is a useful tool, and part of the fabric of the way we live and work, but we cannot ignore that as a culture, we are literally drowning in loneliness, anxiety and unhappiness.

What if there was a way to step away from the overwhelm?

What if you could find moments throughout your life to pause, pray, and spend time with the Lord AND with women who want to go deep in friendship and their faith lives?

The truth is that we all have a God-shaped hole in our hearts and when we draw near to Him and live with intention and purpose among other women on the journey, we experience havens of rest, peace, and deeply nourishing connection.

Haven Circles were created to foster this need for authentic connection. In small groups, women can gather to pray, speak and receive truth, and love one another in an environment filled with authenticity and the love of Christ as they journey through Love and Loyalty: Heart Lessons from the Book of Ruth.

• Learn more about creating or joining your own Circle here.

• Submit your info via the ‘Contact Me’ link at allikoscal.com to begin receiving support for your Circle today!

• Or, email me at findinghavens7@gmail.com with any questions!

In His Love,

Alli

I love to frame my Sunday obligation as an invitation. I am obliged, yes, and happily so. But I am also invited by my Lord Jesus Christ, and that is the best invitation any of us could ever receive!

Fr. Dave issued a different sort invitation to us all during his homily. He spoke on how we sometimes think we have to do BIG things and make a HUGE impact on the world that seems to be in a constant state of spiraling — we need to do more, give more, serve more, volunteer more… the tension to do more builds until ironically, we feel less and less capable of helping at all. But Father encouraged to think smaller:

As he spoke these words, a collective, quiet, audible sigh resounded through the space. I could actually feel the energy in the room shift for a moment: we all leaned in and delighted in this notion. All of us recognized the longing we all hold for this ‘eyeballs to eyeballs,’ soul nourishing ritual that has fallen so far from the norm in our present age.

We tell ourselves all kind of things that prevent these little haven moments of light and joy from actually happening. We are busy, after all. Things to do. Places to go. People to look after. Screens to scroll. We laugh at Instagram reels that mock the notion that we don’t have to do ‘all the things’ as lip-glossed and sunglass-clad influencers sitting in their pretty SUVs remind us that that if WE don’t do it all, then no one will. These women remind us from behind the screens: We are the ultimate boss babes. Getting it done. Conquering the world. Saving the day. You are welcome.

But what if we don’t have to do all the things, or even the BIG things? What if trying to do this is slowly ripping apart our feminine hearts, that were made to love and serve first and foremost the ones right in front us, without expectation, agenda, bitterness, or score-keeping?

What if what is necessary is in fact the very little things? The quiet things that ripple through our homes and local circles of friends and neighbors and spread peace, and joy, and a sense that we are not alone? What if we all put down the phones and the insane pressure to have a spotless home with yummy smelling always folded and put away laundry while a candle burns as we cook a restaurant level gourmet meal with herbs cultivated from our Joanna Gaines-worthy garden? What if we let the floors stay dirty for a minute and threw some chicken in a crockpot with salt and pepper (my favorite meal- trust me on this one) and saved some energy instead to sit down with someone for a cup of coffee and just cherished their presence?

I honestly think we would change the world, ladies. I am absolutely not exaggerating. I believe that if we lived like we are called to be salt and light to one another and really, intentionally made time for small little coffee talks or neighborhood walks or Diet Cokes and conversation as we lean into one another as the beautiful sisters in Christ that we are, we would find a level of soul rest that we scarcely dreamed possible. I think we would find more peace, more patience, more calmness deep in our soul, and more docility in our vocations as wives, mothers, and employees. Because something happens when women love and support one another in spaces of spiritual friendship. Love grows. It expands beyond our own capacity because we recognize in another sister that we are loved. Held. Cherished. Safe. And free to go live as the beloved daughters we are all called to be, because we are.

We have many gifts, my friends. And we should use them for God’s glory, to take care of our home and families and workplaces. But who we are — that is worthy of the highest attention. We are daughters of the Most High King who wants to lavish His love on us, and created us to share this mission by witnessing His goodness to each other.

So I challenge you: Do the small thing. Make the call. Send the text. Set up the coffee date. Step into the freedom you have as a beloved daughter to live and love in His light. Leave the laundry unfolded.

I promise, it will be there when you get back.

I turned and met the kind eyes of a bellman the hotel front desk.

“Oh, it’s been great!” I replied.

He paused for a moment and then commented,

“I’ve noticed that all these ladies are so happy, and friendly, and they smile at me… in my job, I just don’t see that much anymore.”

My eyes welled up with tears and I was speechless. Gathering my composure, I replied.

“Yes, we are so blessed to be here together. And yes, there is far too little smiling in the world today. God bless you, have a great day.”

Walking back to the ballroom, I mused and prayed. Lord, how did we get here? How do we exist in a world where this man sees hundreds of people each day, passing by him like ghosts, not noticing him, not seeing him, not glancing his way for a nod or a smile?

Standing there in the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, a masterpiece of architecture and history and gorgeous remnants of a bygone era, I wondered as I looked at this kind gentlemen with soft eyes in his full bellman uniform, complete with red cap and shiny black shoes: if he were standing post in this train station so many years ago, would he have felt so alone and unseen? Would the passengers have noticed him, made eye contact, had a conversation, nodded, waved… something?

I’m betting they would have. Because back then, they would not be so numb and distracted and deadened by the screen in their hand and the incessant drumbeat of chaotic noise it produces that they would be unable to bring themselves to be bothered by something so mundane as acknowledging the person in front of them. They would have shaken hands, commented on the weather, the train schedule, or their travels. They would have seen each other, and expressed in that seeing a knowledge that we are unique souls on this earth meant to bless each other with presence and kindness.

Back in the hotel ballroom, hundreds of women lifted their hearts and voices and souls to God as the session began and praise music flowed through the speakers. Some stood quietly with closed eyes, some sat peacefully as they listened, and some lifted hands high and swayed to the beat. But all of them, every single one, was there for the shared purpose of connecting with the Lord and with each other as sisters in Christ. These women were there to experience true fellowship with one another and the profound joy of doing what that sweet bellman didn’t see nearly enough: look one another in the eyes and say,

I see you. I love you. You are my brother or sister in Christ.

In those precious moments of praise and worship after my bittersweet encounter, a feeling of deep safety and peace flooded my heart. I prayed for that bellman, that he would encounter more and more people like these women around me, who meet his eyes and smile at him because they know who he is: a beloved son of the Most High God. And they do this without thinking, naturally, because they know who they are: beloved and precious daughters — safe, held, known, and free to walk with joy, even when life is dark, messy, and hard.

My friend, do you know that you are seen, held, known, free and safe to walk with God today? There is power in this that allows us to break the chains of sin that we inherited as daughters of Eve. Because we are fully known as daughters of Jesus, whose love never fails, never runs out, never falters. It’s the truest form of a sure thing you will ever experience in this life. It’s pure and good and holy and it’s the glue that binds us together as humanity. What it is not is a numbing out and pulling away that seems to be so very much a coping mechanism in our world today that is utterly tearing us apart.

So I ask, dear friend: is something holding you back from going all in on your relationship with the Lord? Is there something that stands in the gap between your heart and heaven that is not focused on Jesus Christ? Will you place that at the cross, confident that your Lord and Savior can and will use all for good — that he will take the sinful tendencies and distractions and unhelpful coping strategies that you release and bless you with more joy that you can imagine? His Word assures us that we are safe to do this.

He is good, my friend. And steady and faithful and so very strong. Will you trust Him?