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Knitting a blanket of prayer
Monday, May 3, 2010
*Angelique Ruhi-Lopez
“A day hemmed in prayer seldom unravels.”
When God’s plan was to bless my husband and me with four children in less than two years’ time, I asked myself if I had the patience and fortitude to raise four children – and any others God might send – without having my mind unravel. And the truth is, I alone am not capable of doing it; it is a team effort, of working together with my husband but above all, of coming to the feet of our Father and humbly asking for His guidance.
Whether you have one child or 10, whether you are a single mom or you are still waiting for God to bless you with a child, the common thread that binds us is our human need for prayer. But taking time for prayer amidst working, chauffeuring kids to music lessons, cooking and laundry and the myriad other activities we do daily is no easy task.
Hillary Ottensmeyer, a Benedictine monk of St. Meinrad Archabbey said, “Until you are convinced that prayer is the best use of your time, you will never find time to pray.” As a mom who often feels like life is going by as fast as thread on a spinning wheel, I am more convinced than ever that prayer is the best possible use of my time.
Here are some suggestions on how to weave prayer and the practice of our faith into our vocation of motherhood:
1) Wake up earlier than the children and take a few minutes in prayer. I am not a morning person (just ask my husband) but I find that just five minutes in prayer really sets the tone for the day. Stay-at-home moms: pray for a half hour or more while children are in school or toddlers are napping. Working moms: pray during your commute, break or lunch time. Pray at night with your children before they go to bed. Pray with your spouse before you go to bed. It’s hard to get started, but I have now grown to look forward to my daily personal prayer time while my little ones are napping, and to praying with my family.
2) Read daily prayer guides such as Word Among Us, Magnificat or Sacred Space. From personal experience, listening to the readings at Sunday Mass is virtually impossible while trying to keep four tots quiet. Reading the readings beforehand helps me to be prepared and understand the snippets I catch of the homily because I can place them within the context of the readings.
3) Pray the Rosary, a reminder of Mary’s ultimate example of motherhood. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says: “The Son whom she brought forth is he whom God placed as the first-born among many brethren, that is, the faithful in whose generation and formation she co-operates with a mother's love.” (501)
4) What books are on your nightstand? Are they ones that will ultimately bring you closer to God and to strengthening your vocation of motherhood? There are many books out there geared toward Catholic moms – The Handbook for Catholic Moms, by Lisa Hendey; Beloved and Blessed, by Kimberly Hahn; and Small Steps for Catholic Moms, by Danielle Bean and Elizabeth Foss, are just a few.
5) What are you reading on the Internet? Is what you’re reading helping you be “clothed with strength and dignity”? (Proverbs 31:25) Visit www.faithandfamilylive.com or www.CatholicMOM.com for uplifting articles and ideas on how to bring faith into your family.
6) Spend time regularly with friends who challenge you, build you up, share your faith, and with whom you can pray. If you don’t have a tight-knit group of friends, seek or start a mother’s support group, such as the Ministry of Mothers Sharing (MOMS), found at some local parishes.
7) Stay or get involved in Church ministries. This can serve as a tremendous example to your children. But if you’re not able to, remember that being a mother and wife, ministering in your own home, is your most important ministry.
Truth be told, I am an amateur ‘prayer crochet-er.’ I wish I could say I do all of these perfectly every day but I am a work in progress and I try not to beat myself up (too hard) whenever I fail to do these, knowing that tomorrow is a new day and offers a new opportunity to pray and serve the Lord in earnest. When I do pray consistently, I am more fully able to recognize His presence, both in my family and within me.
With Mother’s Day coming up this weekend, I am thankful to God for the gift of faith that helps me get through diapers and discipline, from “Now I lay me…” to “Lord, allay me….” As I tuck my children in at night (and as I chuckle whenever one asks us to bundle him up “like a taco”), I am reminded that faith and motherhood are just as intricately woven together as the hand-knit blanket in which my children are snuggled. And the comfort this blanket provides is the love and warmth God offers me in prayer, too.
Comments from readers
What a treat to stumble upon your blog this morning by accident...It was no accident, God was answering me. I struggle with this daily and your words really helped motivate me and focus me. I loved the shout out to MOMs ministry too!!! Many blessings for you and yours this Mother's Day always!!!!
Thank you for sharing your spiritual wisdom with all of us especially with mothers. The prayer suggestions are true and good for all the faithful. I second Martha�s suggestion: In a world full of business, it is great to give moms the opportunity to read your article which will help them to get connected and find God�s love and strength in their daily lives. May the Lord continues His good work in you. Love,
Sr. Claudia, rmi
Te deseo muchas felicidades en el Dia de las Madres y siempre y que tu familia continue creciendo en fe y amor. Que Dios y la Virgen los colmen de bendiciones!!!