Courage

Posted by Ginger

Courage

“I wanted to be the mother I was when they were babies…to shelter and protect and to be their whole world.  And I wanted that to be enough…

Mothering children takes courage, because just as sure the sun will rise, so will there be trouble in the lives of our children. 

And so I am left to storm Heaven on their behalf

 and to thank the Lord for the gift that  they are.”

~Elizabeth Foss,

“Small Steps for Catholic Moms Companion Journal”

When I read this quote from Elizabeth Foss and was preparing for our Mothers Journal group here at St. Raphael’s…I couldn’t help but think of one thing…and that is what an incredible gift it is to be able to pray.

What a great weapon prayer is for me as a mother.  When all my tactics fail, when all my plans fall apart, when all my kids seem to desire everything but what I desire…I know that I can gather courage and peace from just praying and lifting up my fears and worries to our Father in heaven.  For I know that He has a much better plan than anything I can drum up.  He also knows the plan for their lives as well as what’s best for them…because He created them.  So I excuse myself from worrying about things too much and know from experience that praying about things builds trust – even if I don’t get the answer I want.

One of the things we reflect on the Mothers Journal group is what it means to mother to cultivate a heart of God.  When I first heard this phrase “to cultivate a heart of God”, my first inclination was to assume it has to do with Love.  But cultivating a heart of God all that Christ was and is in our lives.  Look what he did for us….dying on the Cross…that took courage.

So in thinking about what courage means to me as a mom…I began to reflect on what Christ carried…not just the cross, but the sins of the whole world for an eternity! Then I reflected on Mary watching her son die and knowing this had to be.  All of it took courage of heart. 

When we face our struggles with fear we seek to control and fear continues to build. But when we step out in courage and place our trust in Him….peace begins to build in our hearts. To develop a heart of courage …you have to claim His promises. 

“I know what I am planning for you’, say the Lord.  

‘I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you.”

Jeremiah 29:11

As a mother who recognizes that it is a reality that our children will struggle and suffer at some point in their lives.  And to develop a courageous heart it helps me to reflect upon Mary…and how she was in the face of watching her son suffer and die. 

Below is taken from “Mary’s Way of the Cross”

“I managed to break through the crowd and was walking side by side with my son. 

I called to Him through the shouting voices.

He stopped.

Our eyes met,

Mine full of tears of anguish

His full of pain and confusion.

I felt helpless;

Then His eyes said to me,

“Courage, 

there is a purpose for this.”

As He stumbled on, I knew He was right.

So I followed and prayed silently.”

Sometimes, our crosses have to be carried alone and call us to suffer silently. 

And just as Mary did…in the silence of her heart – she prayed and trusted in God’s purpose.  For everything has purpose…even Good Friday.

So on those nights where you wonder where God is….remember His promise:

“…I am among you.” 

Hos. 11:9

And what He did for you and I.

So celebrate Good Friday…in remembrance of Him!