CARLOS MICHAEL ONLINE

  I know I have spoken about this before, but given what is happening today, I believe it bears repeating. There was a time when my mother was angry with me—or perhaps deeply hurt by me. It was a difficult season for both of us. Looking back now and remembering the commandment to “Honor thy father and thy mother,” I wish I had never caused her pain.  On that day, she said to me, “One day you will know what this pain feels like—the pain a parent carries for their child, and how deeply it hurts when that child is hurting, or when that child hurts you.” I believe she was speaking of mental and emotional pain, not physical pain.  At the time, I could not understand what she meant. Today, I do.  Since June 2024—and in some ways even earlier, beginning in 2021, before I understood what mental illness my son was living with—I have been walking alongside him through Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Intellectual Disability, and Schizophrenia. These past two years have be...

  Thoughts for today... Without a single word spoken, and in a moment already heavy with sadness, he left — and did not return. The silence that followed has now been broken by quiet moaning, and soon even that will fade as he moves on. She said, “You’re doing the right thing.” But what does she truly know about the right thing ? She has never carried the weight of being a parent. As Ward Cleaver once said, “Wrong is wrong and right is right no matter how many people are doing it.” Today’s culture would do well to remember those words. Apparently, I missed a payment. A payment for what? No services had been rendered. A friend accused me of being “bossy.” I thought I was simply being assertive. For the second year in a row, I’ve been blessed with an office space that remains unused. I messed up… again. Perhaps that is God’s way of keeping me humble — and He knows I need it. A friend passed away on Friday, July 17, 2026. My niece passed away one week later, on Friday, July 24, 2026...

  ☕ Coffee Break Reflection — “Rain on the Windowpane” Today feels like one of those soft, steady rainy days from my childhood in southern California—the kind where I would stand at the window and watch the drops fall in a slow, rhythmic dance. The rain always seemed to wash the dust from the earth, refresh the air, and then move on—eastward, northward—eventually becoming snow before turning back into rain again. I can still hear the quiet questions that used to rise in my young mind: Why does the rain fall? Where does the storm go when it leaves here? How much life does it destroy… and how much does it renew? What do the animals do when the rain doesn’t stop? How do they protect themselves? Those were the days before girlfriends, marriage, children, divorce, friendships, work, loss, and all the complicated chapters that come with adulthood. Life was simpler then—but not necessarily easier. Just different. And now here I am, in my mid‑60s. Mid‑60s! It is both a joy and a surprise ...

  A charism (pronounced KAR‑iz‑um ) is a special spiritual gift given by the Holy Spirit to a person for the good of others , not for themselves. In simple terms: A charism is a God‑given ability that helps you serve, bless, or build up other people in a unique way. It’s not the same as a natural talent. It’s not a personality trait. It’s not something you earn. A charism is: Given by the Holy Spirit For the benefit of the Church and the world Meant to help others encounter God Often surprisingly effective beyond your natural abilities Examples of charisms include: Encouragement (lifting others up spiritually) Teaching (helping people understand the faith) Wisdom (offering God‑centered insight) Hospitality (making people feel welcomed and valued) Intercessory prayer (praying for others with noticeable fruit) Leadership (guiding others toward God’s purposes) Service (joyfully helping in practical ways) A good way to think of it: Talents make you good at something. Charisms...

  Journal Entry — Coffee Break Reflection Dear Coffee Breaker, This morning has been a difficult one. My son, who lives with schizophrenia, had a challenging night—beginning Thursday evening just after dinner and continuing straight through until Friday morning. When I woke, I found clothes left in the washer, items out of place, and the bathroom carpet soaked. I decided not to salvage it. His bedroom door is locked, and the key is nowhere to be found. I’m not worried; if necessary, I can remove the door. For now, I’m giving him space and time to come out for his morning medication. I ordered a non‑locking doorknob from Walmart—something I should have done months ago. Procrastination… it catches up with us. Alongside caring for my son, my mind feels crowded today. Thoughts swirl without settling, but I refuse to let this mental clutter steal the joy Christ gives. This is His story. He is the Author. I am simply one of many beloved characters privileged to share a small moment in Hi...

  God first. Neighbor second. Self third. Every now and then, a simple phrase carries the weight of the whole Gospel. “ God first. Neighbor second. Self third. ” It’s short enough to fit on a sticky note, but deep enough to reorder a life. Putting God first doesn’t mean adding more to our to‑do list. It means letting Him be the center of everything we already do. It’s the quiet decision to pray before reacting, to choose honesty over convenience, to ask, “Lord, what do You want from me in this moment” instead of letting our impulses lead the way. Putting the neighbor second means remembering that every person— the joyful ones, the difficult ones, the ones who drain us, and the ones who surprise us— is someone God loves. It’s choosing patience when we’re tired, kindness when we’re irritated, and compassion when we’d rather look away. It’s the small, hidden sacrifices that say, “You matter. You are seen. You are loved.” And putting self third doesn’t mean neglecting ourselves. It ...