Skip to main content

Our Lady Made of Steel, Heart of Love


Today we visited Our Lady of the Millennium Statue at a nearby parish. Eight thousand pounds of Steel and Compassion, well, it took our breath away.

We picked our intentions and my HH led a prayer, as we all squinted up at her serene face: a mixture of strength, compassion and peace. It struck me at the moment we began to walk to our van, that truly she is our example of those mixed attributes God gives all women: the strength of steel, with the heart of love.

How often we find ourselves, as mothers, finding strength in the most unlikely places, and finding a way to rise to the surface. At times our tendency to rise, with the strength of a hundred men, forces us to cast aside our own femininity, our our softness. And in those moments, we can turn to Our Lady, ask for her lights, in how she remained compassionate, loving and kind, even in the most trying times.

There is so much that can harden us, so much that attacks us, only IF we allow it to penetrate us. Consider the Blessed Mother, in all her pain and wounded heart, she remains strong as steel, yet comfort for us all. It's a beautiful analogy to consider when placing ourselves at the service of those around us. Our convictions, rooted in truth and faith, can be strong, yet, there is that delicate balance that we can learn from Our Lady. She would have never let her convictions, leave a trail of wounded people behind her. It would be exactly that, HER CONVICTIONS, that allowed her to have compassion, and that serene face crafted for Our Lady of the Millenium. She has the strength of steel, and knowing that fact, allows her to be at peace. If I may quote Spiderman, the movie, "With great power comes great responsibility."

Comments

Popular Posts

Domo Arigato Gozaimasu Nihon - Thank You Japan

First, I apologize.  It's almost been a week since my last post, and life certainly has a way to take me over.  Arigato Gozaimasu - Thank You We have many commitments, many places where we have promised our time and energy, and when sickness sets in for me or anyone in our home, life pretty much stops....for little while anyway. Thankfully, the illnesses are down to minor colds, and as of yesterday, I am off the meds to treat a sinus infection.  But that's not all.  It's re-enrollment time at school, and every March we face the same uncertain future in debate...Can we swing yet another year's worth of financial commitment to our Catholic school, for four children. It's a stressful time, it's uncertain, and I have to say, that security is something I thrive on.  Any insecurity, and I tell you, life just isn't right.  With the children unaware of our finessing the budget, we work to keep that calm and peace that assures the children all will be well. 

Words Can Hurt

When we first started having children, like most people, we realized quickly how they often work as a mirror to our own actions. Letting a swear word slip here or there was not uncommon in our home, yet, when our first child was about 18 months or so, and hearing my swear word echo in the house for several days from her little lips, well, it was enough to curb my speech, dramatically. And now, swear words are never spoken in front of the children, and we have adopted a few more words that are unacceptable in the house, even though common place in the world. Just another example at how, as parents, we truly are the domestic church. The world may be on the path of negativity, but the home is where we make the difference. My four year old the other day, said, "I hate tomatoes!" Not the worst thing to hear from her mouth, granted, however, the word 'hate' bothers me a lot. 'Hate' is a very strong word, opposite of 'Love'. Think of how strong that word, 

Little Guys and Big Things

Sometimes, Veggie Tales stick with you. Even when an 8 year old seems too old for Veggie Tale stories, and reluctantly watches a few, the messages do stick.  Over the weekend, my Knight was to serve Mass.  For the past few Sundays he has been serving, and we keep reminding him of the various ways to show reverence while doing his duties.....a bow to the tabernacle, folding of the hands and so forth. Sunday, I happened to be watching Knight lather his gel in his hair to ready for Mass, and I once again, reminded him to keep his reverent ways about him while serving.  He made a distinct face at me, and said, "Ugh, Mom, those other server boys are bigger than me.  I don't want to do something they aren't doing." "I understand, but you could set the example, because you know, what you are doing is the right thing." He shook his head, looked at himself in the mirror, and seeing his own image reflected, said again, "I'm the youngest one there, Mom