A few months ago, I took all seven of my kids to First-Friday adoration. Some of them were not exactly being model children in church, and there was loud whispering and lots of shifting and elbowing. Though we only stayed for 10 minutes or so, I was afraid we were disturbing others; I was afraid people might be annoyed with us; I was afraid bringing them was the “wrong” thing to do. But in the middle of all that, while standing in the back of church with my playful toddler, I felt Jesus giving us all a big, joyful hug. He let me know how happy he was that we visited him.
It’s a memory I hold on to and have revisited often because taking the kids to church is hard and doesn’t often come with good feelings. That memory for me is a confirmation that the kids visiting Jesus delights him, and that he wants us to bring them in spite of our doubts and discouragement. Even if all we see are wiggle-worms eager to be free to play, in the presence of the Holy Eucharist, the Lord is touching their souls in ways we can’t see. And they are delighting his heart.
This has brought into focus for me how so much of what we do as parents doesn’t come with blissful feelings, and how important it is to pray for faith. Often we can’t see good results until many years later, and we can spend a lot of time doubting our decisions, second guessing ourselves and our spouses. Frequently the only way to get through each day—each hour—is purely by trust in God’s Word. “For we live by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 4:7).
May our trust in God’s goodness and his love for each of us grow daily. May he encourage and strengthen us, especially in times of discouragement and doubt. We have Jesus’s promise that we will be richly rewarded for persevering in these times: “You have seen me, Thomas, so you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (Jn 20:29).
Be encouraged, mamas. The discouraging times will not stay forever; they will pass. And then, maybe, carefree times will come. Or maybe they won’t. But keep doing what you believe is best for your kids and families—and yourselves—simply because it is the truth of God’s Word, and you believe it.
Liz,
this is a fantastic tale of God’s delight in us and our children. I know God loves having the little ones in His presence! And now that my teens are choosing to visit the Blessed Sacrament on their own time, I am reminded that all those short visits to Jesus with them as squirmy youngsters were worth the sacrifice!!
Thanks for sharing.
That is so good to hear, Susanna! God bless them – May we all be saints!
Oh Liz! I have to show this to my daughter who often takes her little ones to Adoration but worry’s about bothering others! What a treasured gift Our Lord has given to you on that visit! This story will help all mothers of little ones who worry about bothering others!
As a grandmother of 12 & myself being from a family of 11 children, I have such a profound respect for any and all mothers who bring their little ones to Adoration (&Mass). Children BELONG there. I always feel such a gentle joy at seeing little wiggle worms trying so hard to be quiet while waiting to run free when Mom says it’s time to go! You young Mothers and your little ones are precious in God’s eyes. He LOVEs it when you come!