Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Giving from the Top

Living life by ideals does not always look like the picture of perfection. My heroes are people in the world who serve when it does not benefit themselves and stand for truth even in the face of great adversity. Beauty is not only a superficial exterior feature, but is most inspiring when revealed through unexpected encounters. It is the simple things in life that I appreciate the most: life itself, running water, tea in the afternoons, and a book read aloud with my children. My husband inspires me through his ability to create beautiful artwork while balancing life as a busy father of six boys. My life is rich with a healthy family, great friends, and a love-filled home. Ideals do not just happen. Goals and vision must be consistent with a life based on the things that matter most: God, love, and humility.


How does a person make God a priority in life? Life is busy these days -- too busy in fact. As a wife who works a job outside of the home and attempts to stay involved in my six sons’ lives, I have little time or energy to devote to much of a prayer life or practice of faith. Mass as a family always happens on Sundays -- that is my foundation. I am trying to get to Mass at least one other day during the week. This is what I call the mid-week checkpoint to help me drive over the speed bump to stay focused on finishing the week’s race. It’s my spiritual vitamin shot that gives me the added dose of grace that I need to stay strong. There are many things I would like to be doing to add to my spiritual health and strength. My spiritual “To Do” list includes, but is not limited to:


* A weekly holy hour in front of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
* Reading of the daily mass readings
* Participating in a weekly Bible study
* Praying the rosary daily


Most of all I long for moments with God to sit at his feet the way that Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and “took it all in”. There is no doubt about it that Mary chose the better part and Martha’s anxiety over the whole thing was really envy over what she was missing. I have often wondered what would have happened if Martha had joined Mary and sat at the feet of Jesus. Would everyone have helped the host to feed the crowd that had gathered at the home of Lazarus and his sisters? I imagine that everyone would have gotten hungry at some point in the discussion and there would have been a natural transition to getting the guests fed with everyone doing his or her part. I know that in my life I am too much like Martha and not enough like Mary. What am I doing to change it? I am going to give God from the top instead of giving Him the leftovers. I will schedule my time with Him at the beginning of my day instead of hoping to get it accomplished sometime before I go to sleep. I never have the energy at the end of the day to do anything other than thank Him for the blessings of the day and ask for His forgiveness for my failings. A working mom with six children is no excuse for forgetting my precious Jesus. He is knocking on the door of my heart and I only need to open the door and invite Him to come in and stay a while.

1 comment:

  1. What a beautiful post Wendy! You are such a good mom and example for your family. Your sons are certainly living gods grace through the kindness and compassion that they portray to others. If you ever need someone to go to mass with you midweek, let me know, I will try to come!

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