Reflections

:: Family
So much going on here.  Like everyone, we celebrated Father's Day.  Lot's of food and fun and grandchildren!  Just what I like.  Today we celebrated two more birthdays.  My oldest son in law and what would have been my mother's 83rd.  I make the trip to the National Cemetery about twice a year.  I love leaving flowers from my garden that mother would have picked.   Cailtin has left her job and is now free lance writing.  I am praying about this constantly.  Would you? Rachel has ear surgery early this morning.  Over most likely before many of you read here.  Prayers for her as well?

:: Catholic Faith
I am enjoying reading The Little Oratory, but have also delved deep into some writings from Pope Benedict.
This book caught my eye in the library and I brought it home.  I am feeling the need to dig deeper into understanding.  Do we do this as we age? Wanting to really have all the answers?  I am also deciding whether to search for a spiritual director.  I'm not sure how to proceed. I may make a phone call or two this week.

:: Scripture/ Prayer
I am back listening to the Divine Office.  I like hearing the prayers spoken rather than reading for my self.  It seems to hold me longer.  I love the prayers of the Church. Knowing that so many are joined together at once is not only astounding, but it is comforting.

::Knitting
I love this Chevron blanket.  The pattern is simple to memorize and I am knitting with my favorite cotton.  Look for a picture tomorrow!  I ordered a different color of lavender for the next one.  I will preview that on Yarn Along as well.

:: Drawstrings
Ladies...bags are selling everyday and there is usually a sale of some sort.  Currently, if you want a large bag, they are 25% off with the coupon code  LARGEBAG.  I have new fabrics just today and a wedding now to do.  Look for a post this week just on these new ventures!

:: Garden
Most of the weeding has been done and now the heat has started to set in.  Watering will need to happen twice a week.  Blooms will come from the heat loving plants that are native to our area. It is always sad to see our short Spring fade away.  We are just days away form the Summer Solstice.  Another mark in time.

:: Home
I am beginning to get into a routine now that I am home most days.  I love homekeeping.  The rhythm of chores that give me some control. Being able to work from home and dash off to transfer a load of laundry or feed the birds outside my studio window is very pleasant to me. I was made to be at home. I was created to nurture that is for sure.

I would like this week to offer up intentions for each of you.  While I am sewing or housekeeping, please let me lift you up.  Would you leave me a comment and allow me this privilege?

Wanda

Saving the World Though Our Families and Our Homes. A Visit With Leila Marie Lawler

It was a very early rise for me. Four-thirty in the morning is an hour ealrier that my usual start to my day.  But, Leila Lawler of the blog Like Mother Like Daughter and author of the new book The Little Oratory, was speaking at her daughter's parish three hours north of me and I wasn't going to miss it. When would another chance present itself?

Leila and I have developed an aquaintance through her blog and then through Facebook and Instagram. She is known for her Catholic dose of wisdom and humor.  Women young and old flock to her blog for advice on every topic. She keeps a running list on her sidebar.

I arrived at the church right on time.  Traffic had not been an issue that early in the morning.  As many of the young women of the church were readying the breakfast buffet, Leila was sitting quietly at a table reading the day's Magnificat.  I very quietly stepped over to her to test whether I should just wait, but her head popped up and her face broke out in a smile.  "Wanda", she softly said.  And I replied. "Leila".  We hugged, stepped back and then hugged again. Don't women do that?  Speak each others names as if affirming that we belong.

As Leila began to talk she spoke with such confidence and passion about her topic. We know from her writing that her faith is the center of her life and family, but to here her speak about all of our families with this same passion brought me to the edge of my seat.

Saving the world through our families and our home. What does this mean?  As she began to link it to The Little Oratory, I began to understand. This visible sign of faith that we experience in church, the altar, where The Eucahrist, the most visible sign of prayer, is offered to us. Our homes become a sanctuary, just as the church, where all should feel welcome.

I have pondered for years the relationships in the home.  My daughters are beginning their own families in a very different world than I did.  For some of them, there is no option to not work.  So how does this role of husband and wife, father and mother, stand strong and traditional?  How does this family maintain the structure God meant it to have?  Leila reminded us that the devotion to the home is usually the responsibility of the mother.  She has the desire and the gift of creating an environment of comfort and peace.  She makes the home.  The husband is the spiritual leader, protector and provider. In marriage, he leaves his mother and clings to his wife.  If this doesn't happen, then there is discord in the relationship God created.  Man changing God's plan to fit his own needs has a history.  All you need to do is read Genesis.

Leila's theme ....our homes will be the way we save the world.  Being the domestic church, living our lives in cycle with the church, praying the Liturgy of the Hours....this is how we evangelize.  With gentleness and reverence we become missionaries of our homes.

Concluding Genesis

Tonight was my last  bible study class for the year.  Our study has been the book of Genesis and I have learned so much this year about my faith. But, what has really touched me about this study is being able to look into the dysfunctional families of Genesis, at God's continual work in them, at all the sin with the first man and woman who chose to disbelieve and disobey God, at the promises God made and how through sin He kept them, and as Joseph learned that in injustice and evil God will use it for good.

This last statement resonates with me.  There has been much injustice in my life in the last few years and I have not responded to it the way God intended.  This study has shown me what God wants me to do  Now I must continue to pray for the strength to follow through.

You see, our first reaction when we are treated badly or offended is to lash out at the offender. I certainly have done that in the past.  But the message of our Father is to not repay evil with evil.  This was the lesson for Joseph when he was thrown into the well by his brothers ( and family can be the most hurtful can't they?).  The lesson was to repay evil with good.  When we are mistreated it is in preparation. There is a higher purpose. You must triumph by your confident trust in God in injustice of suffering. God will prove Himself sufficient in every need.

This trust does not make the suffering easier.  There are still tears, lashing out in anguish, sleepless nights and ugly thoughts.  But submitting to God will make you more beautiful and God will equip you for His great work.  Your external response will be seen and this can lead others to Him.

So how did the study of Genesis change my thinking and character? 

I planted seeds as a mother.  Not all of those seeds grew as I hoped.  I still have time to plant new ones and nurture again.  But this time I have a wholly sovereign God at my side.  And he is turning the spade.