The Forty-Ninth Chapter
The Desire of Eternal Life; the Great Rewards Promised to Those Who Struggle
The Voice of Christ(part three)
But consider, my child, the fruit of these labors, how soon they will end and how greatly they will be rewarded, and you will not be saddened by them, but your patience will receive the strongest consolation. For instead of the little will that you now readily give up, you shall always have your will in heaven. There, indeed, you shall find all that you could desire. There you shall have possession of every good without fear of losing it. There shall your will be forever one with Mine. It shall desire nothing outside of Me and nothing for itself. There no one shall oppose you, no one shall complain of you, no one hinder you, and nothing stand in your way. All that you desire will be present there, replenishing your affection and satisfying it to the full. There I shall render you glory for the reproach you have suffered here; for your sorrow I shall give you a garment of praise, and for the lowest place a seat of power forever. There the fruit of glory will appear, the labor of penance rejoice, and humble subjection be gloriously crowned.
Bow humbly, therefore, under the will of all, and do not heed who said this or commanded that. But let it be your special care when something is commanded, or even hinted at, whether by a superior or an inferior or an equal, that you take it in good part and try honestly to perform it. Let one person seek one thing and another something else. Let one glory in this, another in that, and both be praised a thousand times over. But as for you, rejoice neither in one or the other, but only in contempt of yourself and in My pleasure and honor. Let this be your wish: That whether in life or in death God may be glorified in you.
I just love this line:
But consider, my child, the fruit of these labors, how soon they will end and how greatly they will be rewarded, and you will not be saddened by them, but your patience will receive the strongest consolation.
This is total parenting...as a mom I stress over the little annoyances...the tedious things that happen over and over again. This is my reminder (as if I didn't already know) that God will reward my small sacrifices and give me the grace to handle anything.
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Wierd sleeping kids:
I shared about our bedtime routine here. Well, my bedtime routine is to go and check on everyone before I go to bed. It is usually anywhere between 9-10pm. Usually it is uneventful. Blankets on, fans off or on..., toys moved off bed, just simple silly things. There is always something exciting happening upstairs with 5 bedrooms and 9 kids.
We actually have 2 upstairs with their own room...2 in 2 other rooms and the college sister gets to share with the 3 & 5 year old when she is home...lucky soul!!! We have two bedrooms downstairs one is ours and my 13 year old has her own till she shares with the babe soon.
Well, sometimes I have to search for a missing child who has decided to fall asleep in someone else's bed, some have fallen asleep in the closet, hallway, or even under the bed...it can be kinda scary searching for a little guy who is not where they are supposed to be...
And our "sleeping puppet" this kid wins all kinds of awards for sleeping anytime, anywhere, and in the strangest positions and places!!!
We actually have 2 upstairs with their own room...2 in 2 other rooms and the college sister gets to share with the 3 & 5 year old when she is home...lucky soul!!! We have two bedrooms downstairs one is ours and my 13 year old has her own till she shares with the babe soon.
Well, sometimes I have to search for a missing child who has decided to fall asleep in someone else's bed, some have fallen asleep in the closet, hallway, or even under the bed...it can be kinda scary searching for a little guy who is not where they are supposed to be...
Recently this is what I found in two different bedrooms:
Yes, that is my three year old daughter with a small umbrella on top of her???
And our "sleeping puppet" this kid wins all kinds of awards for sleeping anytime, anywhere, and in the strangest positions and places!!!Thank God they all make it to bed somehow. Kudos for my oldest daughter who does the much later check up on the kids...turning off teenagers lights, carrying kids half her size back to bed, and all sorts of amazing things most 19 year olds would shudder to think about!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Imitation of Christ: suffering explained
The Forty-Ninth Chapter
The Desire of Eternal Life; the Great Rewards Promised to Those Who Struggle (part two)
The Voice of Christ
I know your longings and I have heard your frequent sighs. Already you wish to be in the liberty of the glory of the sons of God. Already you desire the delights of the eternal home, the heavenly land that is full of joy. But that hour is not yet come. There remains yet another hour, a time of war, of labor, and of trial. You long to be filled with the highest good, but you cannot attain it now. I am that sovereign Good. Await Me, until the kingdom of God shall come.
You must still be tried on earth, and exercised in many things. Consolation will sometimes be given you, but the complete fullness of it is not granted. Take courage, therefore, and be strong both to do and to suffer what is contrary to nature.
You must put on the new man. You must be changed into another man. You must often do the things you do not wish to do and forego those you do wish. What pleases others will succeed; what pleases you will not. The words of others will be heard; what you say will be accounted as nothing. Others will ask and receive; you will ask and not receive. Others will gain great fame among men; about you nothing will be said. To others the doing of this or that will be entrusted; you will be judged useless. At all this nature will sometimes be sad, and it will be a great thing if you bear this sadness in silence. For in these and many similar ways the faithful servant of the Lord is wont to be tried, to see how far he can deny himself and break himself in all things.
There is scarcely anything in which you so need to die to self as in seeing and suffering things that are against your will, especially when things that are commanded seem inconvenient or useless. Then, because you are under authority, and dare not resist the higher power, it seems hard to submit to the will of another and give up your own opinion entirely.
Lord, help me to accept the small trials that cause inconvenience and stress. Let me offer them up for so many who are in great distress. This meditation calls for great humility. Give me wisdom to serve my husband with love and joy and to raise my children to always look to you for guidance.
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
The Desire of Eternal Life; the Great Rewards Promised to Those Who Struggle (part two)
The Voice of Christ
I know your longings and I have heard your frequent sighs. Already you wish to be in the liberty of the glory of the sons of God. Already you desire the delights of the eternal home, the heavenly land that is full of joy. But that hour is not yet come. There remains yet another hour, a time of war, of labor, and of trial. You long to be filled with the highest good, but you cannot attain it now. I am that sovereign Good. Await Me, until the kingdom of God shall come.
You must still be tried on earth, and exercised in many things. Consolation will sometimes be given you, but the complete fullness of it is not granted. Take courage, therefore, and be strong both to do and to suffer what is contrary to nature.
You must put on the new man. You must be changed into another man. You must often do the things you do not wish to do and forego those you do wish. What pleases others will succeed; what pleases you will not. The words of others will be heard; what you say will be accounted as nothing. Others will ask and receive; you will ask and not receive. Others will gain great fame among men; about you nothing will be said. To others the doing of this or that will be entrusted; you will be judged useless. At all this nature will sometimes be sad, and it will be a great thing if you bear this sadness in silence. For in these and many similar ways the faithful servant of the Lord is wont to be tried, to see how far he can deny himself and break himself in all things.
There is scarcely anything in which you so need to die to self as in seeing and suffering things that are against your will, especially when things that are commanded seem inconvenient or useless. Then, because you are under authority, and dare not resist the higher power, it seems hard to submit to the will of another and give up your own opinion entirely.
Lord, help me to accept the small trials that cause inconvenience and stress. Let me offer them up for so many who are in great distress. This meditation calls for great humility. Give me wisdom to serve my husband with love and joy and to raise my children to always look to you for guidance.
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Imitation of Christ-Meditation of the day
The Forty-Ninth Chapter
The Desire of Eternal Life; the Great Rewards Promised to Those Who Struggle
The Voice of Christ
MY CHILD, when you feel the desire for everlasting happiness poured out upon you from above, and when you long to depart out of the tabernacle of the body that you may contemplate My glory without threat of change, open wide your heart and receive this holy inspiration with all eagerness. Give deepest thanks to the heavenly Goodness which deals with you so understandingly, visits you so mercifully, stirs you so fervently, and sustains you so powerfully lest under your own weight you sink down to earthly things. For you obtain this not by your own thought or effort, but simply by the condescension of heavenly grace and divine regard. And the purpose of it is that you may advance in virtue and in greater humility, that you may prepare yourself for future trials, that you may strive to cling to Me with all the affection of your heart, and may serve Me with a fervent will.
My child, often, when the fire is burning the flame does not ascend without smoke. Likewise, the desires of some burn toward heavenly things, and yet they are not free from temptations of carnal affection. Therefore, it is not altogether for the pure honor of God that they act when they petition Him so earnestly. Such, too, is often your desire which you profess to be so strong. For that which is alloyed with self-interest is not pure and perfect.
Ask, therefore, not for what is pleasing and convenient to yourself, but for what is acceptable to Me and is for My honor, because if you judge rightly, you ought to prefer and follow My will, not your own desire or whatever things you wish.
Lord, help me to open my heart, give thanks, and advance in virtue and in greater humility, that I may prepare myself for future trials. You are my best friend and I need Your guidance to be the best wife and to raise my children according to Your Holy Will!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
The Desire of Eternal Life; the Great Rewards Promised to Those Who Struggle
The Voice of Christ
MY CHILD, when you feel the desire for everlasting happiness poured out upon you from above, and when you long to depart out of the tabernacle of the body that you may contemplate My glory without threat of change, open wide your heart and receive this holy inspiration with all eagerness. Give deepest thanks to the heavenly Goodness which deals with you so understandingly, visits you so mercifully, stirs you so fervently, and sustains you so powerfully lest under your own weight you sink down to earthly things. For you obtain this not by your own thought or effort, but simply by the condescension of heavenly grace and divine regard. And the purpose of it is that you may advance in virtue and in greater humility, that you may prepare yourself for future trials, that you may strive to cling to Me with all the affection of your heart, and may serve Me with a fervent will.
My child, often, when the fire is burning the flame does not ascend without smoke. Likewise, the desires of some burn toward heavenly things, and yet they are not free from temptations of carnal affection. Therefore, it is not altogether for the pure honor of God that they act when they petition Him so earnestly. Such, too, is often your desire which you profess to be so strong. For that which is alloyed with self-interest is not pure and perfect.
Ask, therefore, not for what is pleasing and convenient to yourself, but for what is acceptable to Me and is for My honor, because if you judge rightly, you ought to prefer and follow My will, not your own desire or whatever things you wish.
Lord, help me to open my heart, give thanks, and advance in virtue and in greater humility, that I may prepare myself for future trials. You are my best friend and I need Your guidance to be the best wife and to raise my children according to Your Holy Will!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
TV
Lots of interesting discussion going on over at Faith and Family on tv watching...
We didn’t have a tv for nine years, and boy do I miss that special time!!! It came home for a baseball game and never left…With baby #12 on the way and my oldest 19, I miss the time I had with my older kids playing games and cards, not to mention how smart the big kids are. They used to read all the time and are so creative…now we have way to many tv’s in this crazy house.
I do say that I like having all the teens hang out at our house!!! We got a Wii for Christmas from all the relatives and it is like a teen magnet.
So BALANCE is the key as usual...
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
We didn’t have a tv for nine years, and boy do I miss that special time!!! It came home for a baseball game and never left…With baby #12 on the way and my oldest 19, I miss the time I had with my older kids playing games and cards, not to mention how smart the big kids are. They used to read all the time and are so creative…now we have way to many tv’s in this crazy house.
I do say that I like having all the teens hang out at our house!!! We got a Wii for Christmas from all the relatives and it is like a teen magnet.
So BALANCE is the key as usual...
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
GET A GRIP!!!
I have been married for 20 years and I am constantly trying to get a grip on housework.
Even when I just had one kid, I wasn't that great of a housekeeper.
Now I have to accept the reality that I will never get a grip on the following:
-being done with laundry (unless we start going naked)
-having all socks matched
-having the entire house clean at once (when I clean one room-they trash the other)
-being able to get my laundry room organized (it never stays clean for more than 3 days)
-having my classroom organized
-opening the van door and not having something fall out when I open it
-having all the bikes and strollers, etc...in the garage well ordered
-being able to walk up stairs and see all five bedrooms clean (nine kids sleep up there)
Of course I will keep trying to get a grip on the housework, but I won't let it get a grip on me...because I wouldn't change my life for anything!!! I am so in love with my husband and so happy that I am expecting my 12th child.
THY WILL BE DONE!!!+JMJ+
Even when I just had one kid, I wasn't that great of a housekeeper.
Now I have to accept the reality that I will never get a grip on the following:
-being done with laundry (unless we start going naked)
-having all socks matched
-having the entire house clean at once (when I clean one room-they trash the other)
-being able to get my laundry room organized (it never stays clean for more than 3 days)
-having my classroom organized
-opening the van door and not having something fall out when I open it
-having all the bikes and strollers, etc...in the garage well ordered
-being able to walk up stairs and see all five bedrooms clean (nine kids sleep up there)
Of course I will keep trying to get a grip on the housework, but I won't let it get a grip on me...because I wouldn't change my life for anything!!! I am so in love with my husband and so happy that I am expecting my 12th child.
THY WILL BE DONE!!!+JMJ+
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