In a previous post, I shared examples of answered prayers. While most of my prayers are answered quickly, some take time before they come to be and others remain unanswered.

I've been struggling with my emotions the last few weeks. It's been extremely challenging staying calm in stressful situations. Within the last 5 days, I've had some trying times at work and with a home improvement project I'm working on at my Ma's house. It feels like I keep encountering roadblock after roadblock and can't catch a break in either arena. I've shed tears, yelled, said some bad words, slammed doors, etc.

Even during the times when I wasn’t focused on growing spiritually, I would say my prayers every night before going to bed. Most times, they were pretty basic. I’d recite The Our Father, ask for forgiveness, say good night and tell God I loved him. When I would be going through a difficult time, I’d pray for God’s help. When a family member was sick, I’d pray for their healing.

I was raised in a Catholic family. We attended the early mass every Sunday morning and, afterwards, I would go to Sunday school. My Ma read my sister and I stories from a Children’s bible while we pretended to be hairstylists, combing and curling her hair. I attended vacation bible school and youth group at a church my Ma’s friend belonged to. I went to confession, completed my 1st Communion and Confirmation rites and renewed my Baptismal vows while attending Baptisms of new