Cane toads.

Returning from my recent trip to Darwin and all the experiences I had there, my reflections lead me to thinking about Cane toads...

It's actually impossible not to think about them in Darwin. They're EVERYWHERE! they're pests.
Interesting story of why they're taking over northern Australia... They were introduced to Australia from Hawaii in 1935 as an experiment to get rid of natural Australian beetles that were ruining the cane crops. Only 150ish were released originally. Now they are over 200million in number and ever increasing, they hurt our natural wildlife and have caused many native animals and reptiles to become endangered AND they didn't even solve the whole beetle problem.

Anyway! There are plenty of them in Darwin, so many they even have this gross game where they pop them by running over them.

What amazed me of how far and wide they spread, just being what they were created to be. Toads. dangerous, gross toads. It's not they're fault they were dragged to a country that wasn't meant for them, but they just thrived!

I think.... we are called to be like toads. not annoying and dangerous and poisonous and stuff... But to grow where we are planted and thrive being who we are intended to be.

As a Catholic, it is hard to think how I can change the world, and how can I not get affected by the worldly things around me. But I should take a note from the cane toads. Be who God meant for me to be, and grow where He has placed me. People may try to pop me by running me over,  people may be scared of what I believe, and there will be many who don't accept me. But with unwavering faith and loving action I can be and bring Christ where I go. First I need to be rooted in Christ, and I need to soak in the life giving water and radiant Son.

We're in the business of saving souls. It doesn't take momentus actions to do it. Just be and bring Christ's love where you are and we'll spread like cane toads.

Prayer 12 by St Catherine of Sienna

Prayer 12 (XXII)*
In your nature,
eternal Godhead,
I shall come to know my nature.

And what is my nature, boundless love?
It is fire,
because you are nothing but a fire of love.
And you have given humankind
a share in this nature,
for by the fire of love
you created us.

And so with all other people
and every created thing;
you made them out of love.
O ungrateful people!

What nature has your God given you?
His very own nature!
Are you not ashamed to cut yourself off from such a noble thing
through the guilt of deadly sin?

O eternal Trinity,
my sweet love!
You, light,
give us light.

You, wisdom,
Give us wisdom.
You, supreme strength,
strengthen us.

Today, eternal God,
let our cloud be dissipated
so that we may perfectly know and follow your Truth
in truth,
with a free and simple heart.

God, come to our assistance!
Lord, make haste to help us!
Amen.

To see a World in a grain of sand...

‘To see a World in a grain of sand,And heaven in a wild flower,Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand,And Eternity in an hour.’                              --William Blake, Auguries of Innocence

So I'm currently writing a year English 7 Unit of work on poetry.
"To see a world in a grain of sand" is what I've chosen as the Unit theme. There is so much in this world that is beautiful, but there are so many times I feel weighed down and saddened by all the ugliness.

My simple prayer today is thank you Lord for sharing your beauty, and may you fill me with your strength that I may never lose hope and fall into despair. May I remember that you are greater than any problems, both my own and the world's.

Just a short, sweet to fill the cup today after my last essay.