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What am I grateful for today? Many things, but this in particular: to be a member of the CatholicMom.com family and work alongside women like Lisa Hendey and Sarah Reinhard. I am also honored to host the blog tour kickoff for the newest book in the CatholicMom.com Book series, Small Steps for Catholic Moms, by Danielle Bean and Elizabeth Foss. It’s a perfect prayer companion for busy moms. More on that in a moment.
First, a favor. Can you Think, Pray, and Act with me today? Will you join me in completing these three small steps?
Yes? Great! Let’s get it on, friends!
Small Step 1: THINK. Think about the follow quote from St. Bernard of Clairvaux
“Prayer is a wine that makes glad the heart of men.”
Por favor, repÃtalo.
“Prayer is a wine that makes glad the heart of men.”
Small Step 2: PRAY. With that quote in mind, reflect and offer the following prayer.
I seek happiness in many things, God: human relationships, food, work, sex, and money. I am sorry for the times I have put these things above you. I want to give you the first place in my heart always.
Small Step 3: ACT. Agree to set in motion the following call to action.
Add more family prayer time to your day today. Even if you usually pray together at bedtime, add something more — an afternoon Rosary or the Angelus. Rejoice together in God’s presence.
That’s it. Wasn’t so hard, was it?
The text above comes from the January 19 entry in the book Small Steps for Catholic Moms: Your Daily Call to Think, Pray, and Act by Danielle Bean and Elizabeth Foss. Originally published years ago, the book has been updated and republished under the CatholicMom.com Books series in partnership with Ave Maria Press.
Small Steps offers daily prompts and suggestions — three small steps — for every day of the year. Each day’s entry includes:
- Words to contemplate from a saint or Scripture;
- Daily words of prayer written by Danielle and Elizabeth, and
- A small call to action — a little something to do.
When the book arrived in my mailbox I thought: God love Danielle and Elizabeth! How did they know I needed just this very resource at this exact moment? New baby to arrive any day, in the throes of first-year homeschooling, Joel’s upcoming ordination to the permanent diaconate, and heck, might as well throw in a move and new job while we’re at it. Just kiddin’ God. So yeah, I’m craving balance.Â
Breathe, girl. Small steps. Small steps.Â
As narcissistic as I may be, Danielle and Elizabeth didn’t write the book just for me. They wrote it for moms like me … and you, and you, and you, too. It’s for all of us hardworking mamas, journeying through a myriad of stages and phases, as we collectively call upon God’s graces to balance our active lives with contemplative ones. One small step at a time, friends.
It’s Giveaway Time!
I’m thrilled to offer a copy of Small Steps for Catholic Moms to one lucky reader. I’m feeling a little 37-week-pregnant-spunky, so I’m trying out a new giveaway format. Simply trying to manage my giveaways a little better — we’ll see how it works.
Here’s how to enter: You can see the fancy Rafflecopter form below. For those who’ve never used these forms, the gist is you get to collect more points for completing the various tasks provided. For example, if you “like” The Practicing Catholic’s Facebook page, you get two points, follow us on Twitter and you earn two more, leave a comment below and you stack up another two, etc. More points equals more chances to win the book. If you already follow and like us on our social media accounts, give yourself credit. We appreciate your loyalty! Now if you want to enter but find the form confusing, drop me a note and I’ll walk you through it in small steps. Get it, small steps!
Better sit down. More awesome news ahead!
Now for the mutha of giveaways. Here’s your chance to win a signed set of all the CatholicMom.com books. That’s six terrific books by Catholic moms who are walking the walk and talking the talk. Here’s the lineup:
- The Handbook for Catholic Moms by Lisa M. Hendey
- A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms by Lisa M. Hendey
- A Catholic Mother’s Companion to Pregnancy by Sarah Reinhard
- Imitating Mary: Ten Marian Virtues for the Modern Mom by Marge Fenelon
- The Catholic Baby Name Book by Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur
- Small Steps for Catholic Moms by Danielle Bean and Elizabeth Foss
Head over here and enter to win all six books in the CatholicMom.com Book series. You’ll even get an extra point in my Rafflecopter contest if you do.
Use the form below to enter and win Small Steps for Catholic Moms from lil ol’ me here at The Practicing Catholic. You’re going to love this book. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I have an older version of this and it´s WONDERFUL! In the beginning the authors give busy mom´s an “out” that if they skip some days it´s OK. It´s there as a help not something else to feel guilty about :) It´s a quick way to refocus your thoughts for the day. This busy mother of 3 boys recommends it!
Hey guys, thanks for the book giveaway. Hope you all have a blessed day!!
Thank you for the inspiration!
Pretty excited about this. Been watching Mrs. Foss’s posts about it on FB. Thank you for the opportunity!
Small Steps Blog Tour, Day 1: Joy | CatholicMom.com
[…] find today’s “small steps” over at The Practicing Catholic. We invite you to join us throughout the day in offering a rosary reflecting on the Sorrowful […]
I still haven’t read this. Thanks ladies!
Great book! I hope to win a copy to bless a friend with!
i have a copy and am hoping to win one for a friend.
would love to win this book!
*THANK YOU!* for such a beautiful giveaway!!!!!
Oh, I would love to win!
Would be a wonderful book to read!! Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway!
Would love to win this!
I love the books that are being offered. They’ve been sitting on my wish list for a while. No matter what happens, I know that these books will eventually end up on my nightstand.
What a great giveaway! Thank you!
Five Minutes Alone and Small Steps, Day 1: Joy | CatholicMom.com
[…] if you haven’t already join us at The Practicing Catholic for some Small Steps. And don’t forget to enter the “Five Minutes Alone” contest […]
love the small steps; perfect for St. Therese’s feast day and her little way!!!
As a mom of four little ones, I love this book!
Hi! I am a mom of 3 ages 5, 3, and 9 months. This book is amazing!
I have been wanting to read this for a while and just when my husband decided to buy it for me it went out of print. So if I don’t win it he is going to buy it for me for Christmas.
This book has been on my reading list! Thank you for the opportunity!
Sounds like a wonderful book! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Hi. This book sounds really awesome!! Looking forward to reading it :)
I would love to win to share with friends!
I bought the book as soon as I heard about it. But I sure would love to win it to give to a friend.
Blessings,
Em
Teaching religious ed to 9 yr. olds this year for the first time. I would love to share the library with the parents of my class.
I’d love to read this one! Thanks for the opportunity.
Loving this giveaway!
I started crying when you were describing you life. Sounds like mine minus a few things and few things added in. Just need more balance.
Hello!! Would love to get my hands on a copy of this book!!
These books would be great to own!
I would love to own these books!
Pray, Work, Rest and Play (Vol. 2) | The Practicing Catholic
[…] that day when I finally had a quiet moment for prayer, I opened my daily devotional and read the […]
Holy Spirit, you who makes me see everything and shows me the way to reach my ideal, you who gives me the divine gift to forgive and forget all the wrong that is done to me and you who are in all instances of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank you for everything, and affirm once more that I never want to be separated from you no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with you and my loved ones in your perpetual glory. To that end and submitting to God’s holy will, I ask from you..(mention your favour). Amen
This prayer should be said for 3 consecutive days. After the 3rd day, your sincere wish will be granted no matter how difficult it may be. Promise to offer thanksgiving by sharing it and expressing it on granting of your favour. The idea is to spread the wonder of the Holy Spirit.