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Seeking the will of God for Family
Recently, my 4-year- old son came barging into the bathroom while I was taking a shower. “What do you need baby?”, I asked with hair soaped up, eyes squinted shut, secretly hoping he didn’t need anything very important. “Mom, I was just checking on you.” “Thanks, babe.” “So, mommy, are you alright?” “Yeah, I’m good baby.” “Ok, bye!”
That small interaction made my entire day. I felt so incredibly loved and taken care of. I can tell you where he learned that from, his father. My husband is always doing little things to check in with me, asking me if I’m okay or if I need anything. Our little boy has started to mimic that behavior and it has become a part of who he is. Now, I’m blessed with two men in my life that are empathetic and selfless.
In today’s scripture reading, Jesus says that his actions are based upon what the Father has shown him. This is so incredibly true! We, as parents, are constantly trying to show our best selves to our children so when they go out into the world, they can show what they have learned.
Each one of you, sweet sisters, have different ideas of family. Some of you may be like me, married with children. Others, young and in college. For some of us, our friends make up our family. However family is defined for you, God the Father should be the center. Just as my son has learned empathy from his dad, so may we learn an abundance of Godly characteristics from the Father.
It can be difficult to put the Lord first in your family. Baseball practice, midnight feedings, early morning class, someone is fighting with another member of your family. Getting all caught up in the drama and responsibilities that comes along with being in a family can at times get in the way of our view of the Lord. However, if we take the time to listen to
Christian music on the way to practice, get up 5 minutes early before class to pray, pray for the people within our family that are fighting, we can center ourselves and our family again. The more time we spend with Christ, the more we are apt to emulate him.
My family and I have experienced so much life together-good, bad, and the downright terrible.
Each time, we have tried to rely on Christ. We are currently going through a trial now, one that has really shaken me. We were recently told that expanding our family even more is no longer a possibility due to health concerns. I have cried out to the Lord multiple times “Why?” He has reassured me with early morning snuggles with my babies and encouraging, thoughtful messages from my husband throughout the day. I will never know “why,” but I can be comforted but the people that the Lord Himself gave to me.
Each family will have trials and tribulations that will shake the core. It can destroy your faith if you’ll let it. However, the Lord has got this. He really does. You have to listen closely to His whispers. They are sometimes hard to hear, but a family life that is centered in Christ will help you to hear those whispers more clearly.
Prayer for Holiness
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love only what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me so, O Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy. Amen.
Saint Francis Prayer
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master,grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life. Amen
