Abba Father, please make all families
another Nazareth where love, peace, and joy reign.
May they be deeply contemplative,
intensely Eucharistic and vibrant with joy.
Help them to stay together
in joy and through sorrow in family prayer.
Teach them to see Jesus
in the members of their family,
especially in sickness.
Make their hearts meek and humble like Jesus'
and help them to carry out
their family duties in a holy way.
May they love one another
as You love us, Father God,
and forgive each other's faults
as You forgive us.
Help them to take whatever you give
and to give whatever you take
with a big SMILE.
We make this prayer through Jesus the Risen Lord.
Amen.
-Mother Teresa
Today is my husband's 28th birthday. As we celebrate his life, I keep thinking about how lucky our little family is to have him. Preparing for life with a son makes me revel in the strength and gentleness Reed will provide as a dad. He's brought so much to our family of two - I can only imagine how he will love us as we grow into three.
I found this prayer a few days ago, but I knew I had to save it for a night of good reflection. Becoming a mom makes me think a lot about the kind of person I want to be for my son. I feel this urgency to find steadiness and contentment in Jesus so that I am able to model such things for him. Plus, it would just be great to have all my junk together before a significant portion of life changes so abruptly. Wishful thinking, I know, but that's where my mind keeps going.
The words of this prayer bring me back to priorities, though. I want to be a family of peace and joy, a family of prayer. I want to see us grow into reflections of Jesus, and I hope to see forgiveness all over the place. Mostly, though, I want to be a family of humility and trust - whatever you give us or wherever you lead us, we will listen. We'll trust and obey.
Reed already exemplifies this kind of family. He brings me back to joy when I need reminders of God's faithfulness, and he sits with me in times of sorrow. He forgives quickly. He rests in God, and trusts him with unwavering assurance. God has been faithful, and he will continue to be. As husband and soon-to-be father, Reed is already walking towards this picture of a family that pleases God. He leads in gentleness and patience, and at the same time, he encourages me to take our family closer to God in other ways. Where Reed is laid back and full of peace, I can be passionate and discontent with the status quo. When I am eager to process what God's teaching me through books or writing, Reed asks challenging questions. We are learning to give and take, to trust Jesus with each other and with this expanding family.
Mother Teresa's prayer is a humble request for God's presence in our families. I'm echoing these words tonight. In our homes, in our closest relationships, let your character and love show up most clearly, Father. This is my desire for the Lyons family. This is my desire for Reed's life and for mine. As individuals, and then as a small picture of the Body, let us be completely yours.
Amen.