An old devotional: short and sweet

I recently found this picture of my childhood bedroom and wanted to share for several different reasons.

For starters, are you kidding me with my sponge paint border experiment in turquoise and mauve? Kills me! Though I gotta hand it to Mom and Dad for allowing me to express myself. Lucky for them their bedroom was downstairs, out of sight, out of mind I guess.

Secondly, the sole purpose of taking this picture was a shot of my new bike that I saved all summer lifeguarding for. At that point in my totally-broke-college-kid life, it was the nicest and most valuable thing I owned.

Thirdly, the purpose of this short and sweet post. If you look very closely in the right of the antique dresser’s mirror, you’ll see this…

A gift from my 8th grade catechism teacher. My sweet niece Jadie bug had her First Communion last weekend and it had me thinking about growing up in the Catholic Church and how special First Communion and Confirmation were.

You’ve already heard the story of Mom insisting we wear the ring of daisies on our head instead of the veil and how DREADFUL this reality was until I decided just go with it Crum- your Sister did it, you can do it.

I remember getting cards stuffed with twenties, the dining room table covered in lace, a huge cake and this “totally awesome” canopy bed for my dollhouse love Grandma and Grandpa that I have saved for Sophia. Banner day on Sheeks Boulevard.

Back to the card. I’ve been carrying it around in my wallet for twenty plus years and to this day I read it often when I’m feeling down and need a reminder of my purpose on this wild and wonderful journey. I think everyone can appreciate the message regardless of your beliefs.

I asked God for strength
that I might achieve
I was made weak, 
that I might learn to obey
I asked for health, 
that I might do great things, 
I was given infirmity 
that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, 
that I might be happy. 
I was given poverty, 
that I might be wise. 
I asked for power, 
that I might have men’s praise. 
I was given weakness, 
that I might feel the need for God. 
I asked for all things, 
that I might enjoy life. 
I was given life, 
that I might enjoy all things. 
I got nothing that I asked for, 
but everything that I hoped for. 
I am among all men, most richly blessed! 




I wonder if my catechism teacher, Mrs. Grabowski,  had any idea that some of us would still be carrying them around today. 

Sophia said it best.…”love never ends”. 

You may not feel it some days but you are among men and women most richly blessed. A sweet reminder. 


kiss kiss,
Jenny from the block