Our Domestic Church » Mother Teresa http://ourdomesticchurch.stblogs.com Being a missionary for Christ starts at home Tue, 12 May 2009 13:51:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1 en hourly 1 Family Life and Prayer http://ourdomesticchurch.stblogs.com/2008/07/09/family-life-and-prayer/ http://ourdomesticchurch.stblogs.com/2008/07/09/family-life-and-prayer/#comments Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:41:50 +0000 ourdomesticchurch http://ourdomesticchurch.stblogs.com/2008/07/09/family-life-and-prayer/ “Jesus was born into a family and stayed in Nazareth for thirty years. He had come to redeem the world, yet He spent thrity years in Nazareth, doing the humble work of an ordinary person. He spent all those years just living out family life.”

Just think about that. Jesus dedicated himself to family for most of his life. This is an excellent reminder that ordinary, everyday family life is where we need to put our energies. The individuals within the family should do what is needed to improve themselves and support the family but we always need to create a good balance. Work * good – workaholic * bad. Clean, happy home * good – stressed, magazine cover home * bad. Outside activities * good – no time to sit down to a family meal ever * bad. Friends * good – friends 24/7 * bad. It’s always a balancing act but if we keep our eyes on what is most important, God and family, we will do well.

“Bring prayer to your family, bring it to your little children. Teach them to pray. For a child that prays is a happy child. A family that prays is a united family.”

This is an excellent reminder of how to create that happy, united family. Not only balancing family life with the outside world but also with prayer. I am slowly adding more moments with God to my day and I am slowly adding more moments with God as a family too. As I tell my son, I just need to stay focused.

mother teresa no greater love Both quotes are from ‘Mother Teresa No Greater Love’. Great book! If you have a chance, check it out.

]]> http://ourdomesticchurch.stblogs.com/2008/07/09/family-life-and-prayer/feed/ 0 Love is in the Little Things http://ourdomesticchurch.stblogs.com/2008/07/08/10/ http://ourdomesticchurch.stblogs.com/2008/07/08/10/#comments Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:01:41 +0000 ourdomesticchurch http://ourdomesticchurch.stblogs.com/2008/07/08/10/ “Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.” Saint Therese of Lisieux

“Prayer is in all things, in all gestures.” Mother Terersa

“Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” Jesus, Matthew 25:40

These quotes came from Mother Teresa, No Greater Love. I think they are perfect reminders for any mother. I spend my day caring for others. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and resentful of my lack of ‘me time’ as the world says. Since I’ve started the day with prayer, my days do seem easier. Daily, I have to remind myself that all I do, can be offered to God. Every meal I cook, bathroom I clean, question I answer, argument I resolve, bored child I occupy, hug I give. I will keep these quotes in my thoughts as we go through our day.

Today I will try to remember I am lucky to be able to:

Feed the Hungry, Give Drink to the Thirsty, Clothe the Naked, Instruct the Ignorant, Council the Doubtful, Admonish the Sinners, Bear Wrongs Patiently, Forgive Offenses Willingly, Comfort the Afflicted, Pray for the Living and the Dead

St Therese of LisieuxSt Theresa of Lisieux                        Mother Theresa Mother Theresa

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