Those wise words still echo in my head. They were spoken to me by the priest during confession several years ago. It was Lent and I’d finally decided to get my act together and celebrate the Sacrament. In preparation, though, I had been beating myself up about my lack of a prayer life. Everyone kept telling me, “Just carve out 15 minutes a day” or “Make time to pray the Rosary.” With three children under the age of four, if I had an extra 15 minutes then hell would’ve frozen over. Every waking minute was filled with diaper changes, dinner preparation, playing nurse to my older two boys’ escapades, nursing a newborn and refereeing fights. I tried to fit sleep and a shower in there, but I was poorly lacking in those departments, as well.
In the confessional, Fr. David spoke those words to me and it’s like the burden was lifted, some imaginary yoke I’d put on my shoulders was no longer there. I’d had it all wrong. I was trying to pray for a lifestyle I wasn’t living.
You see, today, as the busy mom of five, ages 11-2, I needed to find a way to meet God where I was. Funny thing is, He was already there, waiting on me.
When I was wash the dishes, I give God a shoutout for his vast abundance of food in our home.
As I fold the laundry, I offer it up for a friend going through a rough time.
During bedtime, as I read books to my children, I always make note to find at least one religious one so we can read about our faith.
When we are headed to one of 15 million after-school activities, I tune the radio to the Christian station or pop in a TobyMac CD and we all sing along. Or, if the kids are particularly cantankerous I make them pray five Hail Mary’s to themselves. Works everytime.
After school, when the neighbors are out playing and I head out the door, I say a quick (as in ten-second) plea to God to allow me to witness to my friends in whatever way He sees fit.
My husband and I have made it a priority to head to confession every three months and take the older two children with us.
As I kiss my children goodnight, I feel the flood of thanksgiving for my many blessings and say a silent, “thank you” to their Maker.
The thing is, my life doesn’t allow for me to pray Liturgy of the Hours every day, say a rosary on a whim, attend daily Mass or spend an hour in adoration every day. That doesn’t make me less of a follower of Christ. No, I actually think knowing my limitations and finding God throughout the day allows me to be the kind of Mom he envisions. I like to say my prayer life is organic. It changes every day, depending upon where I’m called as a Mom.
I know that someday, in the not too distant future, there won’t be any more diapers to change, food to cut up or little people to herd. My children will be more self-sufficient and I’ll get some time back in my day. Regardless, my vocation is and always will be, motherhood. We pray differently than a nun. And that’s okay.
Same here, Kathryn! I am also a mother of 5, ages 5 months to 12 years and find myself praying a lot this way. Being always on the move taught me to pray wherever I am and whatever I am doing. I just feel that God is always with me no matter what I am doing at the moment. My mind is for Him.
Great post Kathryn. I’m definitely sharing it with my wife right now!
are you Erin’s brother? I was a yell leader in 94-95 and know John.
As usual, Kathryn, you have a beautiful way of expressing your faith. You are a gift to all who know you and all who get to read your words.
This is wonderful. I especially appreciated that you included Confession in your article. I’ve recently returned to going to Confession, and as a mom of 4 kids, 6 years and under, I can literally feel the grace that the sacrament offers wash over me as I leave the confessional. I try to get to Confession once a month now, and boy, does it help with my parenting at home! I encourage all moms to get there often! God is so good and merciful.
Fantastic! I whined to my confessor just last week about wishing I was a contemplative nun because of my lack of an organized prayer schedule amidst the demands of homeschooling and family life. He gave similar advice which included pointing out the obvious – that I am not, in fact, called to life the live of a contemplative nun. Praise God for his wise and holy confessors and for the fact that He meets us in the midst of the crazy!!!!
Perfect!
When my children were small, they were born every other year. It was monthly confession that kept me sane. It is ok to start a rosary, but not complete it. It is okay to try to read at least the Sunday Gospel for the week over a number of days of the week leading up to Sunday leaving the Bible open and marked at the bedside. These things kept me connected to the community in which I worshiped as well. A wise older lady once told me if you fall asleep saying your Rosary your Angel Guardian will finish it for you. There are helpers all around. No we are not Contemplatives in the real sense, but we are in the Active sense. Ora et Labora…right now you are actively Labora. Work and participation in your vocation IS a prayer. Life is prayer.