Ringing in the New Year With Joy

I am not into resolutions. I have to take each day at a time or I fall prey to anxiety which is a bad thing. So, today I am reminded of the words of Mother Teresa, "Keep the joy of loving God in your heart and share this joy with all you meet, especially your family. Be holy - let us pray." (I have been asking Mother Teresa for this same joy.)

And to think she suffered inwardly all those years and no one knew that she felt abandoned by God. Yet she continued to be faithful anyway despite feeling so empty. Now THAT is true martyrdom to self and true humility.

Life is so fragile and short. I make no claims to know how to be the perfect parent even after 20 years of parenting. I still do not have all the answers. But what I have learned more than anything in the last few months than I have in my lifetime is the importance of a constant prayer life. Pray for your spouse every day. Pray for your children every day. Pray for them throughout the day. Pray with them. Ask them to pray for others. Ask them to pray for you. Always be in the habit of praying. I am just beginning to understand what it means to "Pray without ceasing." I still fall short, but I do not give up. I have seen prayer do so much in a short time these past few months. It gives me great hope! And it gives one great patience when one's son drives though the garage wall when he returned home from school in November;-) FYI, the break pedal is on the right, gas pedal on the left. Sigh.

 

Have a grace-filled new year accompanied with JOY!