Colleen Arnold, MD – Franciscan Media

Are You Talking to Me, Lord?

Colleen Arnold, MD — Tue, 13 May 2025 09:30:00 +0000

Reflect

We’ve all had those days where nothing goes right. We don’t hear the alarm; we can’t find the keys; we forget to take the grocery list with us to the store. As the day goes on, we sink deeper and deeper into our bad moods. But what if instead of seeing these experiences as troubles, we see them as opportunities to listen to God?

Pray

Dear God,
Are you trying to tell me something in the frustrations of my day?
Is my missed alarm a sign I need more rest?
Are the forgotten list and missing car keys your way of pointing out
That I have too many distractions in my life?
Sometimes, it feels like the whole world is off-kilter,
but maybe that’s you trying to get my attention.

Act

The next time you have a frustrating or annoying experience, reframe it to see what God might be saying through it.

I Didn’t Mean to Hurt You

Colleen Arnold, MD — Wed, 07 May 2025 09:30:00 +0000

Reflect

Part of our fallen human nature allows us to hurt others easily. Even if our intent is innocent, the impact can still cause pain.

Pray

Jesus,
You know how hurtful others can be.
Your hometown neighbors and friends turned on you
and sought to hurl you off a cliff; Pater denied even knowing you.
Followers you loved walked away because your teaching was “hard.”
And yet you forgave them all.
Help me to forgive, too, Jesus.
Help me see myself in the flaws of those who hurt me,
knowing I, too, have hurt others.

Act

Think of someone who hurt you, even if he/she didn’t mean to. Now think of someone you’ve hurt—even if you didn’t mean to. Bring these two people to God in your prayer, asking for forgiveness on both sides.

The Water of God’s Love

Colleen Arnold, MD — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 09:30:00 +0000

Reflect

Water is a part of who we are as humans, making up roughly 60 percent of our bodies. It’s also part of who we are as Christians, as by it, we are baptized into our new lives.

Pray

Dear God,
Thank you for the water that fills us, nourishes us, baptizes us, and makes us clean.
Let it always remind us of your love.
Bless those parts of the world where people have too little of it
and suffer from dehydration and drought.
Bless those parts of the world that have too much
and suffer from floods and storms.

Act

During your shower or bath today, picture the water as God’s drenching love pouring over you.

Hiding from Jesus

Colleen Arnold, MD — Sat, 19 Apr 2025 09:30:00 +0000

Reflect

We don’t hear anything about Peter from the time he denies Jesus until he runs to the empty tomb. What was he doing for those three days? Was he hiding from the Lord because he felt guilty? Could he have been watching the crucifixion from afar, ashamed to come close to Jesus?

Pray

Dear Jesus,
Sometimes my shame and guilt make me want to hide from you.
But there is nowhere I can go that you don’t see me.
You love me, and you wait for me. Were you waiting for Peter?
He could have come to you and knelt at the foot of the cross,
and even in your pain, you would have forgiven him.
I have the same opportunity to come to you in the Sacrament of Reconciliation,
to kneel before you and receive your forgiveness.
I can look at the cross and know that, even though my sins put you there,
you forgive me whenever I ask.
Amen.

Act

Go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Help Me Keep Watch with You, Jesus

Colleen Arnold, MD — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 09:30:00 +0000

Reflect

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked the disciples to keep watch while he prayed. He came back to find them asleep. “Could you not watch for one hour?”

Pray

Dear Jesus,
How often have I let you down?
How often have you asked me to do something for you,
only to have my needs and wants take precedence?
You told the disciples, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
How true that is for me too, Lord!
I want to do your will, but the world distracts me and pulls me away.
Help me stay awake to your will, your requests, and your plans for me.
Amen.

Act

Get up 15 minutes earlier than usual. Sit with Jesus, and ask him what he wants you to do for him today.

God Shows Himself

Colleen Arnold, MD — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 09:30:00 +0000

Reflect

A thunderstorm blew up suddenly while I was on my walk. With nowhere to take cover, I kept walking and saw God in the storm.

Pray

Dear God,
The rolling thunder is your voice calling my attention;
the wind is your breath in and around me.
The lightning is your guidance to brighten my path
so I can pass through the dark clouds.
The rain is your love that washes me clean and refreshes me
And when the storm is over, the rainbow reminds me you will always be there.
Amen.

Act

The next time you have the opportunity to watch a storm, consider the ways it reminds you of God.