Author Archives: Christina Mead

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Beauty According to Beyonce

By Christina Mead | May 15, 2012

A couple of weeks ago Beyonce was given the title of “World’s Most Beautiful Woman” from People Magazine. I feel like once you’ve got that award in your back pocket you can either:

A) Finally allow yourself to wear sweatpants all the time (at which point you wouldn’t actually have a back pocket), or
B) Gaze at yourself in the mirror for endless hours and let your pride shoot up like jack’s beanstalk.

No really, congrats Beyonce, you are gorgeous and have cleared up any confusion about how far I have to go to reach the plane you exist on.

Stop Comparing: Jesus Doesn’t Like It

By Christina Mead | May 1, 2012

Last week I ran in a race and a couple times I was reduced to the “I feel hot and nauseous; I’m so over this” jog that is very slow (if you’ve never experienced it for yourself). And you know who did NOT motivate me? The 70 year old next to me who was speed walking at the same (if not a faster) pace than me. Come on. Really?

It’s in moments like this, and other times when I feel like I’m not good enough, that I ask myself, “Why can’t I be more like that person? They must be so much better than I am.”

The Miracle of Sound: An Interview With Sarah Churman

By Christina Mead | April 23, 2012

Imagine what your life would be like if you couldn’t hear your phone ring, the microwave beep, or the doorbell? What if you couldn’t go to the movie theater or hear birds?

That’s what life was like for Sarah Churman until last fall. She was born deaf and last fall received an implant that allows her to hear. You’ve probably never heard of her before, but you might recognize her if you were one of the 12 million people who saw the viral YouTube video, “29 years old and hearing myself for the first time.”

Praying for a Miracle

By Christina Mead | April 23, 2012

I begged and cried and begged more . . . “God fix this. You have to. I know you’re in charge but come on, this can’t be what you want . . . right?”

That’s how my prayers typically went when I prayed for Catherine, my friend’s mom, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2009. Catherine’s health fluctuated in the following years and she never left the top of my prayer list.

Her family said it was time to pray for a miracle when Catherine stopped responding to treatment last fall. So I continued to beg God for a miracle. Every time I was miserable about something – the Arizona heat, a hard workout, the flu, or heartache – I offered up my suffering for Catherine.

God and Tennis

By Christina Mead | April 16, 2012

How do you define a miracle? Is it only Jesus walking on water, raising someone from the dead, or healing people? And then there’s the saints – they did some pretty awesome things that are definitely miracles. Those miracles were such a long time ago though. We don’t see too many today, huh? Or do we . . . ?

You see it all depends on your definition of a miracle. There’s this amazing athlete, Emmy Kaiser; she’s 21 years old and the #1 U.S. woman’s wheelchair tennis athlete. She has Spina Bifida but that didn’t stop her from pursuing her dream of being a professional athlete.

Standing Up For Truth: It’s Worth It

By Christina Mead | April 3, 2012

He was laughed at for the things He said. They called Him a liar. They even spit on Him while He was hanging on the cross. What I’ve experienced in my life is that people like to laugh at my beliefs when they don’t conform to what they’re comfortable with. I haven’t been spit on but I’ve been verbally slapped for sure.

Why I Hope We Devour the Hunger Games

By Christina Mead | March 26, 2012

Okay, listen. I really like the Hunger Games. I could not put the first book down this summer and so of course at the first minute of Friday the 23rd, at 12:01am, I was sitting in a theater to see the movie. “But it’s about teens killing each other!!!” This is the reaction a lot of adults have. (At least that’s what my parents said.) Yes it is about killing. And it’s terrible. It’s horrific.

See, this movie is not supposed to be about glorifying killing. The two main characters, Katniss and Peeta, are horrified that they have to participate in the Hunger Games and fight to the death, much like Roman gladiators. Though the governing body, the “Capitol”, finds it enjoyable, the majority (except for three districts) of the population is appalled by these games year after year.

But I found some very inspiring themes in this story . . .

Library Thief

By Christina Mead | March 21, 2012

The idea of stealing something is totally scary to me. I can’t even imagine the amount of fear that would paralyze me if I ever went to steal something like shoes, cash, or a camera. I would be shaking like a wet puppy in winter. But I would be sweating like it’s Phoenix in July. And I’m also pretty sure that the sick feeling in my stomach, the shame, and the guilt would drive me to return the stolen item the next day. I’m a sensitive person.

So, why am I writing about this commandment?

Finding Happiness Beyond Surfing: Pass the Bucket by Vans [Video]

By Christina Mead | March 12, 2012

When this video started I quickly labeled Leila Hurst as “cool” and “popular” and “happy.” I saw a gorgeous, blond, teen surfer who was getting lots of money and fame for doing what she loved. What could be better? As the video went on I saw her close relationship with her sister who has spinal bifida, and how strong the bond of siblings can be if we don’t let our struggles or resentment get in the way. Then I listened more closely to what Leila was saying. This is what I heard: “When I started going forward in my surfing [...]

Confession in Boots

By Christina Mead | March 6, 2012

There’s a hole in the side of my parents bathtub and it’s all my fault.

I was 11 years old. We had only lived in our newly built house for 2 years. On this particular evening my siblings and I were getting ready to go to a square dance. Yes, I just said square dance. Leave me alone. It was cool.

Catholic Advice for Every Girl

By Christina Mead | February 28, 2012

It’s such an honor to be able to write just for you girls this time. I love being able to share with you some of the most important lessons I’ve learned over the past couple years about being a woman and being a Catholic. It took me a long time to learn these things! I hope you can put this advice to good use in your own life.

10 Ways to Get the Right Guy to Like You [Video]

By Christina Mead | February 27, 2012

Hey girls, have you ever wondered if there’s a secret to getting a guy to like you? Well . . . there’s not just one, there’s 10!

They’re an easy 10, but there is a catch. This list isn’t just to get any guy to like you; it’s a list to get the right guy to like you. Why? Because you are awesome and beautiful and that’s what you deserve. You don’t deserve just anyone who’s going to take you for granted and mistreat you. You deserve the best.

I hope and pray you believe that too.

Don’t Sit So Close to Me

By Christina Mead | February 7, 2012

One of the things I hate about flying is the discomfort and awkwardness of sitting very close to a stranger for 4 or more hours (the typical length of one of my flights).

I’m an introvert, but I’m not anti-social. I like talking, but I hate small talk – which is what plane conversations often are. (For me, at least)

It’s my luck to always get stuck next to: the creepy, flirty man, the smoker or perfume over-doser who gives me a headache, chatty Cathy who ignores the book in my lap, and many others who have left me with the opinion that I’d rather sit alone.

It Still Hurts

By Christina Mead | February 1, 2012

I want to share a video that has an powerful message of hope for those who’ve suffered through an abortion.

This is a video of a woman named Lisa who dealt with abuse, divorce, and had three abortions. She has an incredible witness about the healing she received. The beauty of being Catholic is that besides counseling, we have the Sacrament of Confession where Christ Himself forgives us. Lisa experiences peace when she stopped hiding her abortions in the dark. Her shame was wiped away.

Men and Abortion

By Christina Mead | January 30, 2012

I asked a handful of men some questions about abortion and I was deeply moved by their answers. It convinced me that it’s not just women who are hurt by abortion. Men have strong feelings about it and want to stand up for life. They are affected too.

Read for yourself.

“11 years ago my girlfriend at the time told me she was pregnant, but because she already had one fatherless child and I was a drunk and an addict she told me she was going to abort the baby. I was not practicing my faith back then but I knew it was wrong. I fought for her to keep the baby but in the end I gave up . . . “

Why Am I Alive?: And Other Thoughts on My Birthday

By Christina Mead | January 24, 2012

I’ve been thinking about life a lot lately. Mostly my own, really. This past weekend I celebrated my birthday.

It was an awesome day. How could it not be great? There was a Boston Cream Pie cake, calls from all my favorite people, and Facebook notifications endlessly popping up on my phone from wall posts.

I can’t help but thank God over and over again for the gift of my life, especially at this time of year with so much talk about abortion. A lot of our generation never made it out of the womb, let alone into their 20’s. Why me?

Fear Factor: Will You Eat Beetles in the New Year?

By Christina Mead | January 4, 2012

What if during this new year we tried to accomplish just one or two things we’re afraid of? And not slightly meaningless things like sky-diving or beetle consumption. I mean things that have a ripple effect into eternity.

I’m afraid of wearing bright red lipstick. But I’m also afraid of seriously praying about a vocation to the religious life. I’m afraid of sushi. And I’m afraid to let go of resentment and love my enemies.

I think you can tell which ones are under the “slightly meaningless” category.

A Love Letter From a Martyr to His Girlfriend

By Christina Mead | December 27, 2011

Yesterday, December 26th, we celebrated the feast of St. Stephen. He was the first martyr. Isn’t it interesting how the Church has placed the feast of Christmas and the feast of this saint right after one another? I feel like we’re supposed to learn something here . . .

Accepting Jesus as our Savior and following Him costs a lot. Blessed Bartolome knew that and wasn’t afraid of death even though it meant leaving his beloved behind.

Below is a letter that Bartolomé Blanco Márquez wrote to his girlfriend from prison the day before he was executed during religious persecution in Spain in the 1930′s.

There’s No Such Thing as “Impossible” for God

By Christina Mead | December 20, 2011

We have a God who deals in the impossible. This is huge, life-changing, and has everything to do with Christmas. I think we’re so used to the story of “Christmas” that we can easily forget to spend time just letting ourselves be amazed by the story.

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