Hopeful. Mom&Dad 1945.

"Those were the days, my friend, we thought they'd

never end. Those were the days, oh yes those were

the days." Days of hope, dreams, anticipations.

God Alone Is Enough

Claudia Mair Burney has a new book out! God Alone is Enough.

A sincere look at St. Teresa of Avila's prayer warrior life journey with God. This is published by Paraclete Press.

I have been chosen to blog on the second chapter of this book. I've not read the entire book... yet. I have read Chapter 2 three times, and I love it!

This chapter has been a revelation to me. Selah. I have often wondered what that word meant while reading and rereading the book of Psalms for most of my life. I would gloss over the word and keep on reading. That wonder about the word would disappear for a while, then I would read at a different time and think, "I've got to ask someone what "selah" means." Then, I would be shamed to ask, thinking it was such a silly question. So, I just stayed 'stuck" in my "wonder what selah means" mode. (No, it did not cross my mind to google the word.)

Voila! I got it. From reading Chapter 2, the words jumped off the page. Selah means, "let those with eyes to see and ears to hear, pause, rest and contemplate." It's kind of like a BIG comma---not a period! Thank you God!

God Alone Is Enough is written to help us find God's home, which is inside of each and everyone of us. How will we get inside? He has already paid the fare, and it is stamped "paid in full!" All we have to do to enter His home is to pray.

Claudia Mair calls this book a prayer pilgrimage, looking at Teresa of Avila's major teachings on her troublesome prayer life and hopefully learning from her experiences.

A light bulb moment for me. Prayer does not have to be complicated? Go to your own private space and just be there. Simply and honestly. She says, "This is your Father you are dealing with and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply." Sure, I have read these words before; however, this time I saw and heard the words.

Claudia quotes from Mike Yaconelli:

"A Terrible Prayer"

I have always been terrible at praying.

I forget.

My Mind wanders.

I fall asleep

I don't pray enough.

I don't understand what prayer is

or what it does.

If prayer were a school...

I would flunk praying.

And, so would I.

I am looking forward to spending time with this delightful book and learning from St. Teresa, who also thought she was a prayer failure. Claudia has a wonderful way with words.

I have enjoyed reading her books and her blog, Raggamuffin Diva. I am so glad our paths have crossed. Pick this book up and join us on this prayer pilgrimage.

Thank you for being here and reading.