The Vocation of Motherhood
I don’t know about you, but finding time for prayer is like finding the matching sock for my toddler’s sock drawer. Most days, it ‘ain’t happenin.
During bedtime tonight, as I was nursing Clare, I was reminded of some wise words from a very wise priest. I was complaining to Fr. David that I just never have time for prayer. And, then I got even more frustrated that I didn’t make time for it and so the cycle goes. He looked at me dead on and said, (these words I will NEVER forget) “Kathryn, your vocation is motherhood, not religious life. So, pray like a a mom, not like a nun!” Duh. Thank you Fr. David. He was right.
I do my best to find a few moments (nursing Miss Clare is when I do it most these days) during the day to say short prayers. Like, when I put on my wedding ring, I pray that my marriage to Scott will continue to be one of love and fidelity. And, that we may witness that to our children. Or, when I wash the dishes, or do the ironing, or fold the laundry…in thankfulness that our house is an abode of abundance and not scarcity.
I’ve had this “Parent’s Prayer” on my wall for a long time…not sure of the source, but I thought it was worth sharing with you.
A PARENT’S PRAYER
O Heavenly Father, make me a better parent. Teach me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say, and to answer all their questions kindly. Keep me from interrupting them or contradicting them. Make me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me.
Forbid that I should ever laugh at their mistakes or resort to shame or ridicule when they displease me. May I never punish them for my own selfish satisfaction or to show my power.
Let me not tempt my children to lie or steal. And guide me hour by hour that I may demonstrate by all that I say and do that honesty produces happiness.
When I’m out of sorts, help me, O Lord, to hold my tongue. May I ever be mindful that my children are children and I should not expect of them the judgments of adults. Let me not rob them of the opportunity to wait on themselves and to make decisions.
Bless me with the bigness to grant them all their reasonable requests and the courage to deny them privileges I know will do them harm. Make me fair and just and kind and fit, O Lord, to be loved and respected and imitated by my children.
Amen.
Whew…I have lots of work to do. Better get to it…
What a great poem! I may copy that and put it up, as we prepare for little pumpkin.
My mom’s friend did a talk about the corporal works of mercy and how that coincided with being a mom. Here are a few of my reflections – wouldn’t this be a great talk at a mom’s retreat:
Feed the hungry – making lunches, snacks, etc.
Give drink to the thirsty – getting drinks, nursing
Clothe the naked – laundry, ironing
Shelter the homeless – providing a home
Visit the imprisoned – staying with them when they can’t leave the home
Visit the sick – holding them, taking to the doctor
Bury the dead – pets, animals, etc.