Going From Classroom to Lab

While trying to soothe an irritated baby who was quite indignant about going to bed, and quiet a howling cat (whom I am beginning to sincerely believe God sent me in order to help me get into Purgatory)- I began to think about how God always answers our prayers, but not always in the manner that we hope for.

For example, there are many people who pray to become more holy- to become saints or martyrs. It can be easy to offer a fervent prayer on one's knees, but when God presents the opportunity, it can suddenly become very difficult. Some become angered by it, or even try to run away from it. I call this phenomenon "going from classroom to lab."

I realize this because I was presented with several opportunities this week- and most of them occurred during my "Sacred Hours." However, I regret to say that most of them ended in what my former students would coin as "epic fails."

And then, a dear friend happened to post an amazing sermon of Facebook by St. Leonard of Port Maurice entitled, "The Little Number of Those Who Are Saved." In it, he warns that there are many Catholics/Christians who won't make it to Heaven and gives several reasons and anecdotes that illustrate how these souls fall into Hell. (I could give an entire summary here, but my words could not do it justice- I highly suggest that you read it.)

With so many souls falling into Hell, it is vital to pray for opportunities to grow in holiness- to become saints- to search for little offerings and mortifications that can be offered as a balm to soothe the Wounds of Our Lord's Sacred Heart. Why should we run away from these opportunities, when they are poured from the fountain of Our Lord's Mercy? Embrace these things- these people. Be especially kind to the person who slanders you the most. Pick litter up off the street and throw it away and offer it as a sweet flower to Our Lord.

And if you are blessed enough to have a cat that was especially sent by God in order to launch you closer to Purgatory, endure his howls and imagine that he is singing praises to God. Much easier said than done, but I know this is something that I'm going to try! God in His Infinite Mercy has given me another week, I know I'm going to try and make the best of it. What about you?

Dignifying Dishwater

Growing up, my method of cleaning was taking all the hills of clothing on my floor and shoving them into my dresser, and then shoving whatever else I could under my bed. Needless to say, if one were to peer into the dismal abyss under my bed, a wide array of dust bunnies, clothing, books, papers, and perhaps another ecosystem(s), could probably have been found.

This pattern continued into college, where papers and notebooks constantly cluttered my dorm room. And then, I met HIM.

My future husband.

Opposites attract. My husband is one of the neatest people I know. Shirts are always neatly pressed and hung on his side of the closet- and even the medicine cabinet in his bathroom is immaculate and organized. He even enjoys the fine art of vacuuming. He is logical- a philosopher. He didn't believe that my messiness could be attributed to my artistic genius. (And lets be honest, I didn't quite believe this either!)

Needless to say, I've been striving to become neater since we have been married- and even more so since we've had our son. But lately, a sort of quasi-miracle has happened. I enjoy cleaning and organizing.

Now, for some reason, I've always found it easy to be organized in my professional life (when I was teaching...) But my home life was another story. I dreaded doing piles of laundry and scooping the litter-box. However, the chore that I have always detested the most was doing the dishes. Stacks of plates in the sink, bits of food that cling onto them and refuse to be scraped into the trash- you get the idea.

But lately, I've been thinking about the Blessed Mother and how she always completed the same tasks. How she cooked and cleaned everyday, and never complained- and what a gift this must have been to Our Lord and to St. Joseph. Little offerings of love given silently, and with humility. What a beautiful thing to contemplate- and how much sweeter it is when these things go unnoticed!

And so I'm thankful that I now have a little mortification to offer up to Jesus- and something I can do for my husband that will make him happy. It's amazing what an empty kitchen sink can accomplish, isn't it?