Teaching Our Children

If you've just joined us, we're 14 days into the most recent 40 Days For Life campaign. I've been there once alone and once with my family so far this session. Today I've been thinking about the vigil and trying to see it from the other side.

The three times I will attend the vigil with my family will be as part of a larger group. All three groups are Catholic. If you are Catholic, you should know the teaching on the sanctity of human life, from conception to natural death. In our household, that means teaching our little people, from the very beginning, that babies are God's creation and should be treated as such. I know it probably seems like we have to get nitty-gritty about abortion to make this clear. Not so much. We're pretty general actually. Some mommies are scared or worried or "fill in the reason" and they feel like the baby is better off not to be born so a doctor takes it out of the mommy and the baby's soul returns to God. I think the miscarriage has made the older ones grasp this a little bit better. There was a baby here in my belly and now there is not. Sometimes that's God's plan and some times people choose to make that happen. We should never, ever want the latter to happen because that's not God's plan for His own creation. God loves life!

Anyway, you probably already know what we believe and teach if you read this blog at all. My struggle lately is that each and every one of these Catholic groups has maybe one (if they are lucky) person or family willing to stand for each hour of a four-hour shift and witness to life. That sort of boggles my mind. Here is one of the fundamental teachings of the Church (two actually, I seem to remember something about "Thou Shalt Not Kill") and yet the sign-up sheets remain empty.

I have to surmise that people don't want to go into the abortion talk or the baby talk or whatever else keeps them from bringing their family (or even themselves) down to take part. So, here is my alternative. Perhaps, if you find yourself among those who can't witness in person at an abortion clinic, you can still teach your children what a miracle God creates when He deems each and every person to begin life.

Here is an excellent way to do that:
Skiff and AJ's Fantastic Voyage

This "Altar Gang" video takes kids through a voyage inside the mom's belly to interact with the unborn baby. During that time, they see the "breath of God moment" and learn all about what it means when we say that life begins at conception. The music is catchy and moving. I'm fairly certain my kids would watch it once a day if they were permitted. I know they (even the 3-year-old) have most of it memorized.

Yes it's kind of pricey but, if you're looking for a way to introduce these fundamental truths at a kid-friendly level, this is a great way to go. No, I'm not being paid for this endorsement...I just really love this video.

Ultimately, if it's not your style to stand in front of an abortion clinic, that's OK. Still, we have to teach our children, from the very earliest moments, the value of life. Here was the post-viewing commentary tonight:

Kid #1 - I know that each baby is a miracle and that God creates each of us.
Kid #2 - I feel badly for people that don't realize that each baby is a gift from God.

Can you imagine if an entire generation believed that? Perhaps 40 Days for Life would finally go out of business. Since I never look forward to my shift, I, for one, would welcome that day.

Blessings of Our Lady

Today, on the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, I am reflecting a bit on the work of The Blessed Mother in my life. Since making the Consecration to Jesus through Mary in August, I am much more aware of her guidance in my every day life. Here are my "Five Faves" ;0)

1.

Helping others

 

Today we dropped off a meal to a mom who had her newest baby about a month ago. Having just prayed the Joyful Mysteries, we reflected on how that figures into visiting, feeding or praying for others who are in need.

 

2.

Motherly Care

 



Lately, I have been praying fervently for a friend who is in need of extreme protection from worldly influence. If she can be a bit more patient, she can reap the full beauty, not just the momentary satisfaction that comes with the social mores of our land. I think my prayer for her yesterday was "Blessed Mother, wrap her in your mantle and hold her tightly a bit longer." Of course, Mary can no more take away our free will than can God but I think she can hold us strongly by the hand, like any good mother.

 

 

3.

Motherly Example

 

Some days work well around here, some are more of a challenge. Most days I am begging the Blessed Mother to make me more like her - the way she nurtured, taught and cared for her Son. Today she gave me the grace and patience to do just that...20 minutes at Adoration giving thanks to and Adoring her Son in the Eucharist, dropping off meals, doing our schoolwork, taking good naps. Many days I do feel like she is there in my heart and theirs, helping us all work together a bit better.

 

 

4.

Motherly Protection

 

Yesterday we were scheduled to stand vigil at 40 Days for Life from 6-7 PM as part of the Catholic Home School group. About an hour before we left, I realized that the Pirates game would be in full swing so the bars nearby may or may not be full of patrons who had been celebrating for the last few hours. I had a bit of panic, knowing that standing there alone is an entirely different experience from standing there with five little kids (the latter opening you up to new and different forms of abuse). I said a Hail Mary and asked that she watch over my family, protecting us from difficulty. There was one small issue but, considering the time of day and the type of day, it was fairly free from stress.

 

5.

Motherly Love

 

I am constantly praying to Mary to show me more ways to bring my children to her Son...ways to teach them our faith and plant the seeds they will need as they grow and move into society. The answer doesn't always come as something that fits my schedule or my temperament. Pets, for example. We don't do pets...we have a hermit crab...this is the closest I will come to a pet while someone is still in diapers (after that we will have a cat). I will never be a dog person. Sorry, dogs make too much noise and require too much care. I am full-up with noise and care at the moment. So, when the kids asked to attend the animal blessing with Hermie yesterday, we walked through the really HOT (it was crazy-hot for October!) day and stood with LOTS of dogs so that Hermie could receive his blessing. Ultimately, I am thankful that we went. It was time in our parish community and time as a family. They learned that even pets can benefit from blessings. I hope (since we do it fairly often) they realize that even though we had other things to accomplish at home, it's always the right thing to take time out and head back to church - gathering and giving thanks.