I feel like right now, many of us are waiting for a lot of different things to happen soon. Some of us may be waiting for graduation, registration time for our next semester classes, or just for summer to be here already. This week, I want to point out the importance of these times of waiting. For many people these times can cause a lot of anxiety and worry for what is to come. However, sometimes we need to be reminded that these seasons of life can be the perfect time for an abundance of gratitude for how far we've come and what is left to come.
    While you might be waiting for this semester to end, try not wish it away too soon. Think about the things you've learned this year, the ways you've grown, and the good times you've had despite this year being far from normal. People always use the quote, "I wish there was a way to know when you're in the good ole days before you've actually left them," and this kind of season is the perfect time to reflect on that. Have gratitude for the season of life you're in because we are all here for a reason, and everything will fall into place just as it is supposed to. Live for today, and be thankful for it.



Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.    - Proverbs 27:1
Mary Grace D'Antonio
(photo from @morganharpernichols on Instagram)

    We are halfway through the week and about to start a new month! This is the perfect time to set some new goals and plans into action. If you're in need of some motivation to remember to finish the year strong, here it is. Don't stop until your'e proud. You've come so far this year, and now we only have one month left of the school year! Feel free to send me any prayers requests you need to get through this season. I'm so proud of you!




Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through Your word.   -  Psalms 119:37
Mary Grace D'Antonio
​(photo from Pinterest)

    Just today alone I have probably scrolled through countless Instagram accounts, Pinterest pictures, and even Tik Toks of people who I could only dream of being like. From the moment we grab our phones in the morning to when we lay them down at night, social media presents us with images and videos of mostly only the perfect parts of someone's life. We are all very aware that what others post is only the good and happy parts of their day, and we are all probably guilty of doing the same thing. 
    Since International Women's day just passed, comparing ourselves to other women is something I wanted to discuss this week. We compare the good, bad, and even mediocre parts of our lives to only the "perfect" parts of other's. This is not a fair comparison for us to make, and it can cause unhealthy relationships between a lot of women today. The only fair comparison we can make is said very well in this quote, "Only compare yourself to your previous self, no one else." When we compare where we started to where we are now, we see an accurate representation of how much we have grown. This is much healthier than a comparison to someone else where we see a twisted and unrealistic idea of where we think we should be. 
    Each one of us knows that we are not perfect. Instead of trying to pretend and comparing our happiness with other's, let's remind each other to not be discouraged when we believe we fall short and continuously build each other up.



I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.    - Psalm 139:14
​Mary Grace D'Antonio 
(photo from @wetheurban on Instagram)

     Since my classes have all just finished having their first tests, I'm hopefully not alone in saying I'm not feeling my greatest after the past few weeks.  I know it's a little cliche now, but I personally needed the reminder that grades do not define your worth. I could go through an endless list of different numbers and material things that you may also feel define your worth. I'm here to remind you that they don't. They never will. 
    We have all been told that so many times, but we still let grades and scores affect how we view ourselves. I want to be your reminder this week that you're worthy no matter the mistakes you may have made in the past. No bad grade, interview, or anything is able to change that. You are capable of doing amazing things! If you need it this week, continue to remind yourself through self affirmations, different bible verses & quotes, or even a sticky note somewhere that you are and always have been worthy of love. 



Be the light.   - Matthew 5:14
Mary Grace D'Antonio
​(picture from @morganharpernichols on Instagram)

    Worrying is something that comes very natural to us. It seems we're always stressed about something, whether it be for an upcoming test, an interview, or the overload of managing school and a social life at the same time. Everyone feels the weight of the world on their shoulders some days. It's hard for us to face a future that we cannot see or control, and I know that on some occasions no amount of planning or encouragement can help us create the future we desperately desire.
    Peace and contentment are not things that come naturally or easily for us. However, this week I want to remind you that everything that is consuming your thoughts right now will end up how it is supposed to. You have come so far already, and everything you have worried about before now had brought you to where you are today. There will always be unknowns and unexpected turns in our plans. Have faith in yourself that you have made it to this point for a reason, and you will overcome it.
    "Even when we can't control the situation around us, we can always choose where we're directing our attention." This week instead of focusing on your worries, try to remind yourself these are opportunities for growth. If no one else has told you, I have so much faith in you!



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The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness shall not overcome it.  - John 1:5
Mary Grace D'Antonio
​(photo from Pinterest)

    "Treat others the way you want to be treated" is a message that was probably written on a poster in your elementary school classroom, yet seems to be so easily forgotten as we've gotten older. As we go through our own seasons, problems, and challenges that come with age, we become so focused about ourselves that we rarely pay attention to what is happening in the people around us. Truly, what has been weighing on my mind recently is why do we always seem to forget when we treat others with kindness and respect, those same things will come back to us? 
    Jesus tells us that above all other things love one another as we love ourselves. When you are praying to Him for things like gentleness and patience for yourself, try and remember to pray for those same things for the people in your life. When we pray for others, God's kindness is being reflected through us. More often than not, the people around us need that strength and kindness more than we know.
    When you treat others with generosity and selflessness, those same blessings seem to flow back into our own lives. You don't have any idea what the people around you are going through. The world we live in right now is filled with so much judgement and selfishness and not enough thoughtfulness. I believe the message we were so strongly taught as children, treat people the way you want to be treated, is something we all could try to remind ourselves to do in our lives today!



Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  - 1 Peter: 4-8
Mary Grace D'Antonio
(picture from @thehoneydesignco on Instagram)

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    I am so proud of you! You made it through your first week back at school! I hope your classes are motivating you to get back into a routine this semester (even if still over zoom.) However, if this week was more difficult for you than you thought, I'm rooting for you! Coming back to school, work, and online meetings is no easy task. Doing the very best you can in the moment, even if it's not as good as you originally hoped, is always enough.
    If you need someone to be praying for you in this transition back to school, please feel free to leave me a prayer request at anytime!!



But the Lord stood with me & gave me strength.  - 2 Timothy 4:17
Mary Grace D'Antonio
(picture from @jacquelinewhitney_ on Instagram)

    I hope everyone has had a great start to their spring semester! Something that I have been thinking about recently is fresh starts and new goals. This might be on a lot of people's minds this time of year, and I wanted to give a few reminders during this season of changes & motivation. New Year's resolutions are something I always do, and I think they're really great to inspire change and offer reflection at the end of the year. However, sometimes I think we get so inspired by our goals at the beginning of the year that we forget life doesn't always make it easy to maintain them. 
    The goals we make at anytime don't always need to be met with perfection. Especially in this time we're in right now, so much is uncertain, and it's okay when a curveball gets thrown into our plans and expectations. We can't have faith in the world that it'll let our goals be met and our expectations be reached. We can have faith in God that allows us to show up and say, "I'm not perfect, but I'm trying." No matter what we achieve, God's grace has already made us perfect in His eyes.
    In this time of resolutions and goal-setting, be reminded to strive for progress and not perfection. Don't keep reminding yourself of the negatives when you fall behind on what you wanted to get done, but look back on the progress you already have made since you started! You were made for His purpose, not for perfection.



Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  - Proverbs 3:5
Mary Grace D'Antonio
(picture from @thehoneydesignco on Instagram)
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Happy New Year!!

I am so excited to start this year as Director of Spiritual Life! I will be reading devotionals at every Council meeting, and you will be able to read them here as well. I will also be keeping this page updated with some of my favorite quotes and bible verses for encouragement and support throughout the semester. I hope to be someone you can come to this year with anything, spiritual or not! I could not be more excited about this position and this new year. I encourage anyone to leave me prayer requests, so I can be praying for you & anything you need!



Be rooted & established in love.  -  Ephesians 3:17
Mary Grace D'Antonio