Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Vocation, Vocation, Vocation

What is your vocation in life? Are you a daughter, sister, wife and mother like I am? Do you constantly care for children every minute of ever day? Do you push everything aside so that you can be there for you children. Do you humbly bow your head and ask the Heavenly Father to give you the strength just to get through one more day. This photo made an imprint on me the first time I saw it. I think that it was a few years ago but I do not remember the exact moment I saw it. What I remember is the feeling it gave me. It made my stomach feel uncomfortable. The worry on this mother's face is haunting. Is she hungry, are her and her children with out a home? Is her husband gone? Then the thought wonders into ones own mind. What if that was me? How would I every handle it. The vocation of Mother is a trying one. We must forgive children when our sinful nature still feels anger for them. We must guild them daily in their learning. We have many sleepless nights staying up with sick children or giving comfort to scared ones. Do you think that I am sounding a little preachy now? Oh, these are things that you must do. You must also teach them the scriptures and the catechism. Plus you must not become angry with them or provoke them. It is a large bill to fill, isn't it. Many of you are saying, "I can not be perfect, I can not do it all". Let not your hearts be troubled. You can not do it all but one was sent who can. He was raised by an imperfect mother yet he was perfect. He could freely forgive the worst of sins while we struggle with minor ones. He gave more than any of us could ever give. His blood washed us and we were crucified with him in our baptism. Jesus Christ the Son of God has lead the perfect life in our place. His blood has washed us clean. In our baptism we died and He lives in us. He is the one fulling the vocation of Mother. We may grumble about our job but he will be vigilant and raise our children under his wings. My nine year old daughter stated it very plainly once for my five year old daughter. The 5 yr old asked me, "Where is Jesus?". Then the nine year old said, "He is sitting right here, and you know what? He made the pancakes this morning." I must say that He does a pretty good job making pancakes.

3 comments:

Kristi said...

I have seen that picture before and it is haunting, in that you really wonder what is behind the worry on her face.

Good thought-provoking post. Thanks.

Barb the Evil Genius said...

Very good post. I love my vocation(s).

Nana Porcupine said...

This post really gives one a lot to think about and be satisfied with our vocation. We are doing the job God has called us to do for His special purpose. I have never seen that picture before. I look at it and think of my Grandmother who lived on a farm during the depression and had 11 children. It was her vocation and with God's help and guidence she certainly did His work.

I was thinking you would have a very serious, thought-provoking post after the BEER POST! LOL