God's Gift; Family

Dear Sisters,

It occurs to me that so much of society doesn't understand the treasure we have in our families.  I read a comment to a pro-life article the other day that made me sad.  The young woman wrote that she had no interest in stretch marks or in the sacrificing necessary to be a mother.  She wants abortion on demand, any time for any reason without apology.  I applaud her honesty, but can you imagine anything sadder than a woman who denies her biology, her Feminine Genius and her vocation as a mother?  For surely someone with this view wouldn't 'mother' anyone under any circumstances.  The emphasis is all on her wants, her desires and how her body looks.  Her selfishness will never allow her the intimacy of any relationship other than a physical one.  Can you imagine her bewilderment when someday she finds herself alone in an assisted living facility?  No one will visit her, no one will care if she lives or dies.  Maybe with her world view, once her physical attributes start to go, she'll simply 'check-out' and commit suicide.

So many of our dearest sisters for one reason or another do not have children.  Yet, these sisters are some of the most loving, understanding and motherly ladies I know.  They mother each of us with their concern for our well-being.  They pray for each of us and give of themselves to offer what they can for our comfort.  These ladies understand their role as Spiritual Mothers to those they know. They are aware of their Feminine Genius and have rejected the societal view that the perfect human is a male one.

In so many ways, these ladies have become extended family members in a world that really doesn't understand the truth family.

For those of us with children and grandchildren.  How rich are our lives?  How full of a million little deaths-to-self to reveal to us the goodness of a God who truly died for us.  In our children we see the future, in their children we can see into eternity.  Doing for others, putting another's comfort and dreams first comes so naturally for women who understand our precious and pivotal role in society. We see a whole person and we can see their journey.  We rejoice in another's triumphs and cry with them in their despair.  We look to do what we can to keep peace in our families, at work, in all of our pursuits.

Selfishness in either gender is sad, but particularly so in a woman.  It denies at such a fundamental level that call to 'help mate'.  From our Endow studies we understand with great clarity that this call is not one to washing dishes or cleaning the house, but a call to help others see the transcendent light of God.  This is lived most truly in each of our families, whether they are in blood-relative relationships or the ones we form in love.

The very sadly misguided young woman who doesn't want to give up her selfishness and body image will one day find herself looking back at a life lacking in intimacy. Only a denial of the self can truly lead to that level of knowing another and through that knowing, understanding ourselves.

Pray for the women ladies!  We need to follow Our Lady in bringing our societies back to God.  And dare I say...it all starts in the family.

Blessings to all!