Things My Mother Taught Me

When I become famous and am asked to write my memoirs, I’ll have to include a chapter called “Things My Mother Taught Me.”

It’ll be a thick chapter.

She’s imparted a lot of lessons, using wisdom and example, humor and anecdotes – even some occasional sharp words and strict discipline when situations warranted it.

Like most mothers, she has employed the power of guilt, when I could sense her disappointment seeping deep into my soul. And she has been known to drop funny little notes or encouraging newspaper articles in lunch sacks, purses or on top of bed pillows. 

There’s a lot she’s passed on about the faith. One lesson I’d have to include would be the way she models trust in God, especially in tough times, and her ability afterward to see how the Lord had been at work bringing graces and blessings.

There was the time my dad lost his position at work and had to settle for a lower-paying one with less consistent hours, especially in the winter. At the time, his job loss seemed devastating for a large family. But my mother prayed and trusted.

And in retrospect, she saw how everything fell into place. Her youngest child had just started college, freeing her up to enter the work force. She’s a nurse, and nurses were in high demand at the time. She happened to see a newspaper ad offering free refresher training and jobs for nurses who had been away from their profession. She took up the offer to supplement her family’s income.

But more importantly, my dad’s time was freed up. He was able to care for his dying father, often spending the night with his parents and delaying the painful task of putting him in a nursing home. For my father, those hours with his dad and away from work were precious.

Looking back, my mother was able to see that what seemed like a bad thing was actually good – that God had provided. But she needed the eyes of faith to see.

I am forever grateful to her for sharing her gifts and lessons of faith. And I’ll pray that God will continue to bless her as she celebrates her birthday this week.

May she continue to grow in trust and wisdom.

Inspired by the Year of Faith, Susan Szalewski began writing weekly columns for us. Although that year is over, we liked them so well that we asked her to keep writing. Thankfully, she said yes. So watch for these on Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.

Half Full

"Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.

Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light."

-- From the hymn "Be Thou My Vision"

The glass really is half full.

One of the secrets to joy, I've discovered, is perspective.

I woke up this morning grumpy as usual. I was still tired and didn't want to wake up. It was cold inside and way colder outside. As I stumbled sleepily through the house, I glanced around to see kids' clothes and backpacks all over, a sink full of dirty dishes and a wet spot on the floor from a puppy. I asked God: Can't I just go back to bed? Why me?

But my perspective was wrong.

I woke up in a warm bed, next to a wonderful husband. I had shelter from the cold. I had a houseful of great kids who are kind, and for the most part, helpful. The puppy who left me the mess also licked my face incessantly. At least she knows how to wake up happy -- and how to spread that happiness to others. I, on the other hand, woke up family members with yelling and complaining.

George Bailey, Jimmy Stuart's character in the movie "It's a Wonderful Life," was in despair, about ready to commit suicide when his guardian angel intervened. Clarence, the angel in the movie, gave George perspective by showing him how the world would be if he had never been born. George was shown, that despite his current setbacks, he had a wonderful life.

As Christians we have the ultimate reasons to be happy and joyful. We know our sufferings and inconveniences have purpose and are only temporary. We know we are destined for greatness and victory in Christ.

When we lose our joy, we lose sight of Him and need to draw closer through prayer and the sacraments. He then becomes our Vision, where we see everything in proper perspective.

Children, the poor, and others who are close to Christ tend to be happy and grateful because they are like Jesus, meek and humble of heart. They have the right perspective. They have Vision.

"High King of Heaven, my victory won,

May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heaven's Sun!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all."

Inspired by the Year of Faith, Susan Szalewski began writing weekly columns for us. Although that year is over, we liked them so well that we asked her to keep writing. Thankfully, she said yes. So watch for these on Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.