Disciplining my daughters growing up was a natural for me. But my grandkids . . . well, how can you get mad at angels? Jay and I took care of our 7-year-old grandson and 5-year-old granddaughter for two weeks beginning the end of September. They both are very comfortable in our home as we see them often. Full-time parenting on the north side of 50 is quite an experience (did school always start so early in the morning?)! Over the course of two weeks, heads butted only a few times . . . the culprit usually being after-school tiredness. Refereeing between the two required tact and diplomacy. I needed to be strong, despite the watery eyes on the verge of erupting. Talk about heart-wrenching! When time out expired, we talked about the lessons learned and ended with a big hug. Children need loving structure, safety, and discipline in order to become loving adults and parents themselves. As parents and grandparents, we must make sure we are not sending mixed messages which confuse small little minds. If we take them to church, make sure that faith comes home with them. The outside must equal the inside.
In today's Gospel (Luke 11:42-46), Jesus lectures the Pharisees and scholars to practice what they preach:
The Lord said: "Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others. Woe to you Pharisees! You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces. Woe to you! You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk." Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply, "Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too." And he said, "Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them."
In Volume Six, Mary (an unknown saint) asks us to pray to Our Lady to help set a good example for our children:
"I want to tell you that when you attempt to introduce family prayer to those children who have not prayed together in the past, you may experience resistance. Expect this. Also, when you say “no” to a child who has previously been given many material things, you will get anger. It will pass. Your child will object to being forced to pray and having material things taken away. Be brave, mothers. Be strong. Do not think for a moment that your decisions should be based on the anger or resistance of your children. Make your decision, and then impose it. Your children will come around if you are firm. Pray to Our Lady to help you turn your household into another holy family that serves the Kingdom. She will hear you and she will help. Set an example of calm holiness yourself and I promise you that all will be well."
Lay apostles, don't have expectations for others that you don't have for yourself. If you want others to be kind, be kind to others. If you send your children to Christian schools (or you are a Christian), live a Christian life inside and outside the home. Remember, there are many eyes watching our every move.
Thank you, Lord, for giving me the guidance and motivation to live by example. I am so very thankful my daughters turned out loving You so much despite some of my not so stellar choices along the way!
God bless,
Bonnie
In today's Gospel (Luke 11:42-46), Jesus lectures the Pharisees and scholars to practice what they preach:
The Lord said: "Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others. Woe to you Pharisees! You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces. Woe to you! You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk." Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply, "Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too." And he said, "Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them."
In Volume Six, Mary (an unknown saint) asks us to pray to Our Lady to help set a good example for our children:
"I want to tell you that when you attempt to introduce family prayer to those children who have not prayed together in the past, you may experience resistance. Expect this. Also, when you say “no” to a child who has previously been given many material things, you will get anger. It will pass. Your child will object to being forced to pray and having material things taken away. Be brave, mothers. Be strong. Do not think for a moment that your decisions should be based on the anger or resistance of your children. Make your decision, and then impose it. Your children will come around if you are firm. Pray to Our Lady to help you turn your household into another holy family that serves the Kingdom. She will hear you and she will help. Set an example of calm holiness yourself and I promise you that all will be well."
Lay apostles, don't have expectations for others that you don't have for yourself. If you want others to be kind, be kind to others. If you send your children to Christian schools (or you are a Christian), live a Christian life inside and outside the home. Remember, there are many eyes watching our every move.
Thank you, Lord, for giving me the guidance and motivation to live by example. I am so very thankful my daughters turned out loving You so much despite some of my not so stellar choices along the way!
God bless,
Bonnie
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