Given the ever increasing attack on the family, I just couldn't pass up this great meditation I found this morning in my "In Conversation with God" book.
"Our family life should be warm and affectionate, free from arguments, criticisms or complaints. We should make ourselves available to play our part in taking care of the home and tending to the material needs of our chidren, our brothers and sisters or our parents. Our weekends and vacation time should be made good use of to avoid laziness and time-wasting pastimes. We should be serene in the face of difficulties, modestly simple in our manner of celebrating, sensible in an entirely Christian way while sanctifying holidays, preparing family excursions or planning vacations. There should be respect for the freedom and opinions of the others, along with appropriate and opportune advice. We have to be interested in our children's (or younger siblings') studies and human development. We should be ready to make sacrificies for those who require more loving attention and understanding.
Chrisitan ideals and noble human desires will be maintained if the home atmosphere is cheerful and the practice of the natural virtues is given an important place. Then the family will become a privileged place in which is carried out the constant renewal of the Church, and the new evangelization of the world to which the Pope calls us."
I believe it would be like Heaven on Earth if all families could even follow half of the ideas that are contained in here.
Speaking of attack, I would just like to ask everyone who reads this to stop and say a short prayer for our homeschool conference that will be going on today and Saturday. The attacks and difficulties have been numerous, so it looks like it is going to be a great time! Please pray for the health and safety of all the people who will be participating and that all will go according to God's design. We have been praying the Memorare for these intentions for the past few months so please feel free to join in, or feel free to offer up your own prayer for our intentions. Thanks.
Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to they protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.
God Bless!
