My one-year-old didn’t sleep well, waking up multiple times throughout the night, and awake and restless for over an hour in the wee hours of the morning. The cinnamon rolls didn’t make it in the oven as I had planned, instead, I was putting finishing touches on my children’s All Saints Day costumes as they rushed out the door to get to school on time. I walked into Mass late with my one and four-year-old and it seemed I spent the rest of my time trying to distract my one-year-old from escaping the pew.
After Mass, an elderly lady came up to me and put her hand on my shoulder as I sat collecting everything that had been scattered about. She told me that I had a busy job and it looks like they keep me on my toes, to which I chuckled to myself, because my youngest is not the calm number six I thought she would be. I could see now her eyes welling up and she continued, “You are doing an amazing job, you are a wonderful mother.” Somehow she knew that was exactly what my heart needed to hear.
As parents we strive and labor to shape and mold our children, even more importantly to make sure the faith is passed down and instilled in their souls. We spend countless hours praying and sacrificing for them, because our greatest desire for them is heaven. That they know the God who made them and the everlasting love and mercy of Our Savior.
Whether it’s containing a toddler in the pew, preparing our children for the Sacraments, hoping our teenager will make virtuous choices, or praying our adult child back to the Church. Our hope for holiness for our children and for our family never ends. While at times we may feel alone in our struggles and parenthood, may we never forget the gift of the Holy Family to guide, inspire and intercede for us. While they are given as the perfect model of family life and holiness, we must not forget that their life was not easy. Rather it was filled with heartache, sorrow and uncertainty, needing to completely trust and surrender to God’s divine providence.
As we approach Advent in just a few weeks let us still our hearts and minds, all of our worries and concerns as parents, and journey through the holy season of preparation with the Holy Family. Reflecting and meditating on their trials, their joys, their hardships, and their triumphs. Uniting our hearts with theirs and surrendering our family to the Holy Family. Despite our shortcomings, allowing Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to work in the lives of our spouse and children, because truly then will our hearts be perfected.
“The family finds in the plan of God the Creator and Redeemer not only its identity, what it is but also its mission.… Each family finds within itself a summons that cannot be ignored and that specifies both its dignity and responsibility: family, become what you are” (Familiaris Consortio, #17).
Join the Family!
During Relevant Radio’s “Join the Family” Pledge Drive this week for a gift of $1,200 and higher you will receive an incredibly beautiful dimensional plaque of the Holy Family, which is perfect for both indoor and outdoor display. This plaque features subtle outdoor finishes to ensure that it will be treasured for years to come.
If you give to Relevant Radio at the $1,200 level TODAY ONLY, you will receive this Holy Family Plaque! Don’t miss your chance to Join the Family!
