Greetings Parents,
As we look to All Saint's Day - the day from which Halloween got its name ("hallowed eve" as in "night before something holy"), it is a good time to recall those saints who we at some time asked to be an important part of our lives. Helping with a retreat, I searched out home for statues and pictures of saints to borrow. I was surprised - and pleased! - when my one son objected to a picture being moved from his room. "Can you wait and just take it in the morning, Mom? I like having it in here at night." Sniffle, wow! It has meaning for him! A victory!
We never know when what we're trying to teach is actually being recorded and stored in their brains, be it faith, school lessons, home repair, cooking, money management, or other life lessons. We try not to over-preach, but we do want to make sure they remember the most important life lessons and hopefully choose to live by them. At times we might wonder whether anything we say will ever be put to use - at least in a positive way. Will they, in a moment of rebellion, intentionally choose the opposite simply to establish their own independence? Or will they embrace what we share and live by it at all times? We won't know the answer for many, many years, but we give our best in hope - and then can only turn to prayer and fasting, trusting them to God's care!
It can be exhausting and frightening, pouring our heart's deepest desire into trying to protect them from everything the world says is, "Fine, fun, and freeing." Even when all the evidence proves the world's so-called wisdom and "goods" leads only to heartache, we know the temptation of immediate gratification can be overwhelming. Yet we hope!
As hard as it is for us, I can't imagine how hard for God, who does know how people will eventually choose. He will send grace and aid, interventions throughout each person's life - even when He knows they will persist in falling away and in refusing the good so often that by the end of their life, they can't stand to live in His presence. What a tragedy! What heartache for One Who loves us more than any of us love another or ourselves. And knowing all He knows, He still persists in providing the chances He knows will be refused, and opening Himself to the rejecting hurt that He knows will come . What amazing love is this! May this be an inspiration in those frustrating parental moments to persevere, for our prayers and sacrifice can rain graces in abundance, enough to save an otherwise rebellious soul!
Ask your guardian angel for strength and perseverance and remind your children that their guardian angels must live through all the good and bad choices they choose - and that their love never wavers! When they fall, their angel will help them rise again if they but ask. May God's blessing pour upon your family in abundance!
- Linda Bader, CRE, St. Thomas More
P.S. Did you know that the angels constantly battle the demons who throw temptation before us always. At times, however, temptations are permitted to train us for greater battles against evil that will face in the future - all for the glory of God!
