Mary Moments Carnival for May
Mary's role as my mother always leads me down a winding rabbit trail of reflection.
First I think about my parents. Then I think about my children. Then I think about how very unlikely it seems that I'm here, a mother myself.
In the eight years that I've been Catholic, I've learned a lot about Mary. In the last year since I've been writing a column of reflections based on Mary, I've learned a lot about Mary.
But it's been in the down-and-dirty moments of my everyday life where I've learned the most about Mary and her role as my mother. It's been when I'm ankle deep in spilled milk, up to my eyebrows with whiny kids, and trying to figure out what's for dinner that I've learned the lessons in daughterhood and motherhood that mean the most to me.
~ Leave the cross-carrying to Jesus.
Whenever I try to do it all myself, I fail. Mary didn't carry the cross; Jesus did. She teaches me about being a parent in her humility, in her acceptance of her role. Can you imagine what she must have felt, seeing Jesus carrying the cross? What went through her mind standing there, at the foot of the cross, her baby hanging on it? Do you think that she wouldn't have traded places at any time? But God's plan for her wasn't for her to carry the cross.
~ Saying yes yields big blessings. Say no yields big headaches.
Mary said yes when the Angel Gabriel stopped by and asked the famous question. She said yes when Simeon told her a sword would pierce her heart. She said yes to the day-to-day challenges and the ongoing burdens motherhood would place on her. She said yes again and again...and again. Whenever I say yes to God, I emulate Mary. Maybe I'm just saying yes to a game of Candyland or a cheerful afternoon offline. But in that yes, in the grace to follow through with those three little letters, lies the secret to Mary's success. When I say no, when I resist God's will and push back with my big girl attitude, I always end up with a headache.
~ Grace isn't just before meals.
Mary teaches me about the grace that's all around me, as abundant as the air I breathe. If I will only pay attention, she has it before me, in a delightful little nosegay. God gave us Mary as a gift, the most beautiful kind. She's more than happy to help with prayers her Son is sure to hear. All we have to do is cooperate and ask. Grace for the asking. Who needs chocolate?*
*That is not, in any way, to downplay the importance of chocolate. Don't you think the Blessed Mother loves chocolate? (I mean like-love not love-love, of course.)
I'm looking forward to reading your comments and posts about Mary and parenthood. Please leave your link in the Mr. Linky below, or, if it's broken (which seems to be the case a lot lately), in the comments. A few reminders:
1. Make sure the link you submit is to the URL of your post and not your main blog URL.
2. Include a link back here.
Since Mr. Linky is on-again/off-again, I'm copying the links here (including the ones in the comments). I'll keep updating it as I receive links/comments/emails. Thanks to everyone for participating!
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