Journal of Michelle Smith

Many of you know how busy my life is. I’m a full-time Pastoral Associate at my church, working with youth and young adults and monitoring the budget. As an attorney, I run a part-time Legal Ministry law practice, whereby I provide legal assistance to churches, nonprofits and people who cannot afford an arm and a leg for legal representation. I also serve as Chairman of the Board of Sickle Cell Disease Community Advocates–a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that provides awareness to the public at large and nonmedical services to people living with this deadly blood disease. On top of that, I’m a part-time graduate student at Aquinas. Whew!

With all that, though, it is so good to be back home at Aquinas. My prayer life has improved at Aquinas. My self-confidence has increased as I continue to earn good grades. Not to mention, I am a much better minister to the people of my congregation because I have learned so much about the Catholic faith.

I recently attended a lifelong faith formation conference in Orlando, Florida, entitled “Fashion Me A People.” It was wonderful to be affirmed in some of the approaches that I want to implement in my ministries and to hear of the successes in adolescent catechesis, as well as some of the universal obstacles. Even though it was rough to endure the 78 degree weather, it was good to come home and begin planning to improve how I minister to young people based upon what I learned at the conference and what I am learning at Aquinas.

If the purpose of my being in school is to learn and grow and become a better-formed Lay Minister, then I feel good about the foundation that is being laid here at Aquinas. Although I know I will continue to stay busy, I am sure that because most of what I do is for the benefit of God’s children, He won’t let me get too tired. I know the Lord will equip me to do what needs to be done. Praise God.

My New Year’s Resolution is to not make any more New Year’s Resolutions. They don’t really work anyway…at least not for me. The tradition to me is a lot like giving something up for Lent. People often give up things like chocolate or soda; only to take those things up again immediately after Lent. In fact, I tried to give up swearing; only to curse within the first day and decide to pick something else to do for Lent.

January 1st is a much better day to go to church, which I did, since it was the Solemnity of Mother Mary. If I plan to do anything it is to strive to live each day glorifying the Father. With that as my goal, then whatever I would otherwise “resolve” to do will fall into that category. Let’s try it:

I resolve to lose weight…that would mean treating my body as a temple. Hmmm that glorifies the Lord.

I resolve to be more patient with my earthly father…uhh wasn’t there a commandment about honoring mom and dad? Guess that glorifies God, too.

Give more to charity…didn’t He say, “in as much as you do unto the least of mine…”

Continue to follow my vocation and serve others…I remember something about faith without works being fruitless.

See, if you are trying to do something good, there’s a real strong chance you’ll be glorifying the Lord.

I also want to remember to give thanks to God more often for the good times and the bad because every day is a day of thanksgiving–it being a day that the Lord hath made.

Thanks be to God.