THE SPIRIT IS WILLING BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK.

“The Spirit Is Willing But The Flesh Is Weak.”

This saying is so true. There seems to be a right time for everything, however, we have to be ready and willing to take action for what we want in life. The call from God can be strong but with all the clatter, whims and fancies, the call is only a whisper. God has to give us the Grace to know Him, so we should always pray for this Grace.

My life from age 12 - 19 was rather hazy, I can't remember very much, perhaps I said a prayer every now and then. No one in my family was religious with everyone doing their own thing until 1957, when my grandparents became Catholics.

My grandfather, a cripple and bedridden for 15 years, had great faith. He prayed for a peaceful death after all the years of suffering and he died in his sleep a year later. I was only 17 then, still not sure where I was heading in life. Dad used to drive my grandma to church but would not allow my mother to go. I often wondered why? In all this confusion, no one told me to follow them to church or told me more about God.

I recall going to church a few times with my grandma and younger sister, especially grandma with her tiny pillow for kneeling as the wooden pew was too hard for her old bones.
At age 18, I married a man who was not too keen to talk about God or the church, so it was another ‘cooling down’ period.

It was only when we moved to our first home that I came to know more about God, thanks to my neighbors. This couple (who later became my Godparents) was, in my mind, a ‘God fearing’ couple who went to church every Sunday, rain or shine, making Novenas and praying daily.
There aren’t many churches in Malaysia, so if you live close to one, it’s a real blessing. Often people had to drive at least half an hour to get to a church and most services are packed. The church I went to, ‘The Sacred Heart’ was only 15 minutes walk from my home.

The first time I went on my own, I couldn't find the back entrance! I thought, maybe God was not ready to show me the way? So the following week, my neighbor took me and this time, we went through the front entrance! I was later told, when going through the back entrance I had to look for a small gate, (the first time I went to the wrong side of the church, hence I couldn't see the gate!).

Eventually, my neighbor arranged for the priest to come to my home to give me catechism lessons. Thanks to this couple, I was baptized with my son and daughter in March 1967. I must also thank my cousin, his wife and family who played a big part in helping me on my journey to God. To all these people, a big Thank You!

The road home to God is not a smooth one but if you give Him thanks for all the Blessings in your life, pray for peace of mind and understanding, you'll get there.

The prayers I’ve learned and collected over the years are now passed on to my grandson.
Here are some I would like to share with you:
This is a prayer I heard from my goddaughter's 6 year old son. He was saying it so fast I couldn't really make out what he was saying so I’ve added in some of my own words.

As we were just about to eat our breakfast, he bowed his head, put his 2 hands together and said:

“Thank you God for the food we eat,
Thank you God for the friends we meet,
Thank you God for the sun so bright,
Thank you God for day and night,
Thank you God for the birds that sing,
Thank you God for everything,
Amen.”
What a sweet prayer!

This one I picked up from a show.
“Angels east,
Angels west, do your best,
Watch over me, guard me, while I rest.
Amen.”

This prayer was said to be chanted by Marie Antoinette on her way to be executed. We should say this prayer every morning and night.

“Jesus Mary and Joseph I give you my heart and my soul.
Jesus Mary and Joseph assist me in my last agony.
Jesus Mary and Joseph may I breath forth my soul in peace with you.
Amen.”

Another simple prayer upon waking and before sleep.

“Thank you Lord for taking care of me through this day/night.
Pray take care of me through this night/day and may I live or die in your Grace.
Amen.