Make a FUSS!

Last weekend, I went back to Dubuque to celebrate Mother's Day with my family. It was a wonderful weekend of doting over our mother, Gloria. Several of my sisters, my brother in law, Brad and I took Mom out for a surprise dinner in Galena, IL on Saturday night. On Sunday, my sister, Laura, hosted a family potluck at her home. It's amazing how my parents raised 10 kids and all of us turned out to be productive and good people. They sacrificed much for our family in the 44 years of their marriage; however, that is what love is all about -- especially Christian love expressed through the sacrament of marriage. And as a widow, Mom continues to sacrifice for her loved ones in so many ways.

On Sunday night, I attended the 8:00 pm Mass at my alma mater, Loras College. It was the last time for me to hear Fr. John Haugen preach as he is taking a sabbatical. His homily struck home to the precious moments that are now cherished memories our family created together the past few days.

Fr. John talked about the theme of peace the scripture readings discussed. He recapped the message of the Easter season's previous scripture readings -- to have faith is to have hope; to have hope is to have peace; to have hope and peace is to have love.

Fr. John shared an acronymn to challenge us to discover peace within ourselves and our relationships with others as well as with our Creator. He said it is important for us to "make a FUSS over others." For me, when I heard this phrase, I could relate to it from both sides. For example, Mom's greatest trait is doing just that -- making a fuss over her children, grandchildren and loved ones. She has the knack for making a person feel like they are the only person in the world amidst the crowd!

On the other side of this, it's a challenge for me to allow others to make a fuss over me. I am not one to be in the limelight. However, when these times occur, I discover the gift of humility. I experience hope, peace, love and joy to know someone took the time to sacrifice and be selfless in their love and respect for me. Knowing that my life has made a difference to another is the greatest spiritual gift a person can give to me (and vice versa)! It's priceless!

Thus, to make a FUSS over someone is to live as Jesus taught -- to Forgive; to Understand; to Sacrifice; and to be Selfless. By doing so, we experience a peace beyond all understanding.

Who are the people you'd make a FUSS over in your life? Why? How do you make a FUSS over yourself? Are you self forgiving? Understanding? Die to your needs by putting the needs of others first? Are you selfless in your giving -- or is there the proverbial "string attached" in your motivation to give of your time, talents and/or treasure? What attracts my attention and focus -- spirituality or consumerism? Power? Prestige? All of these add up to whether our lives are peaceful, peace-filled or filled with confusion and chaos. Are our lives based in fear and scarcity or in living fearlessly in love and abundant thinking? Are our hearts troubled or at peace? The more our hearts, minds and souls are at peace, the more we can offer others, as well as attract others, toward us and a life of serenity, hope and tenacity.

In the words of St. Francis de Sales,

"Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life;

rather look to them with full hope as they arise.

God, whose very own you are,

will deliver you from out of them.

He has kept you hitherto,

and He will lead you safely through all things;

and when you cannot stand it,

God will bury you in his arms.



Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;

the same everlasting Father who cares for you today

will take care of you then and everyday.

He will either shield you from suffering,

or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.

Be at peace,

and put aside all anxious thoughts and imagination."


Have a great Wednesday by making a FUSS about the people in your life -- especially the difficult and challenging people!