| The Flight into Egypt |
Matthew 2:13-15
...behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him. Who arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and he was there until the death of Herod: That it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: Out of Egypt have I called my son.
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Relocation
Angie
After a time, I came to love California,
the land my grandfather had loved,
and I stayed on and on
until I had a daughter of my own.
But I also miss the mountains and rivers
of my childhood in Japan.
I miss my old friends.
So I return now and then,
when I can not still the longing in my heart.
The funny thing is,
the moment I am in one country,
I am homesick for the other.
From Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say
I stopped counting my relocations after the fourteenth move in fourteen years of marriage. You see, I never saw myself as a mover. I grew up in the same house where my parents still live. Each move was to be one that would bring us back home to Pennsylvania. I thought my husband and I would move for an education, then move back home. I thought we would move for a job experience, then move back home. I thought we would move across town to save money while waiting to move back home. I was wrong.
Each move, whether across town or across the United States, is difficult. The sheer physical strain is exhausting, especially when the move doesn’t include help or professional movers. Building a new community is a constant risk of putting ourselves out there in the hopes of being accepted. Living out of boxes is chaos! Not having an ordered environment taxes emotional well-being and family relationships. Our memories are not only lost in time, but also lost in space; the workplace where my husband and I met, the homes where are babies were birthed, the parks where our children played. We say good-bye to loved ones too many times, often to never see each other in person again. Each move puts us in a spiritual desert.
Right in this desert, my husband and I suffered. When we were newly married, we were upwardly mobile, barely practicing Catholics, and proud as peacocks! There is nothing like moving to humble the most proud. The day I wept because I couldn’t find a pencil amidst our boxes and I couldn’t find a friend for miles around showed me my true vulnerability. My husband and I needed something solid that wasn’t dependant on staying put. We eventually found that something in our young family and our relationship with God and our Church.
Funny thing, God did eventually answer my prayer for our family to return to Pennsylvania. I thought this was, in part, because we had learned so much through all the moves. We learned that home really isn’t limited to a physical place but is found in the bonds of love that hold us together. We learned that bending to God’s will in all things is right. We learned that our Church is solid and true and supportive, especially in our most difficult times. I thought our move home was a triumphant and perfect ending to our physical and spiritual journey. I was close.
God blessed us with three years in Pennsylvania to be with our beloved extended family. We played, laughed, cried, belly-ached, ate, worshiped, and loved together deeply. Then my husband and I were called to move…again. The heart-break of this move still aches freshly in my heart and brings tears to my eyes. I will never completely understand why God’s will didn’t simply let us stay put with our extended family. Yet, I thank him everyday for our many blessings gained through our recent move and for being by our side through the many moves, losses, heart-break, and homesickness as we journey to our ultimate home, heaven.
"You made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you."
St. Augustine, Confessions, 1,1,1, 400 A.D.
Dear Lord, please bless our sister in Christ amidst her chaos of boxes and swirl of emotions. Help her to tend to her needs and those of her family with patience and perseverance. Most of all help her to grow in trust and find peace in You, her true home. We ask this through the intercession of St. Joseph. Amen.
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Unemployment
When my husband lost his job unexpectedly, I felt as though our life had suddenly been turned upside down. Plans we had made were put on hold, the little things that added flavor to life were cut out, such as trips to the ice cream store or to the movies. There were times that we were without utilities and had little to eat.
My husband's burden was so great. He knew he needed to find work to provide for his wife and family. Understandably, he was worried and the pressure was tremendous.
The uncertainty was so difficult for me as well. Would he find work? How long would it take? Should I go to work and leave my little ones or trust God to provide work for my husband? How could I raise his spirits and those of my children when the future was not clear to me?
I prayed often to our Heavenly Father to meet our material needs and to provide a job for my husband. I asked Our Lady to teach me how to love this man who had become such a stranger to me. My job description became apparent. I was to encourage and love my husband. I called upon God, many times a day for strength and grace. When we run out of love and patience, God gives us more for the asking.
Finally, one day, it happened. My husband was offered a position that sounded promising. What a happy day it was for our family! We made a cake and decorated the house. We celebrated his new job and our bright and hopeful future.
God our Father, I turn to you seeking your divine help and guidance as my husband looks for suitable employment. Guide his footsteps along the right path, and to lead him to find the proper things to say and do in this quest. Help him to use the gifts and talents you have given him and give him the opportunity for gainful employment. Do not abandon our family, dear Father, in this search, but rather grant me this favor I seek so that I may return to you with praise and thanksgiving for your gracious assistance. Grant this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen
St. Joseph the Worker, Pray for Us!
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5
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The Cross of Chaos and Disorganization
Bridget
Our Blessed Mother did not know the sorrow of disorder due to her own flaws and weaknesses. But it is possible she knew them through her poverty. She would not have had servants to help her, or the money to purchase items to ease her workload. Certainly her pregnancy and delivery were less than idyllic. We know she lost her son one time due to a misunderstanding with Saint Joseph. That may have happened because of a chaotic situation with crowds of relatives traveling with them. We can be sure that she will hear our pleas for help and look upon her daughters with sympathy and understanding.
When dinner can’t be made because the sink is full of dishes, when we can’t get out the door on time because someone can’t find clean socks, and the taxes can’t be filed because we can’t find all the correct records... we need our Mother. Ask her to intercede for you and show you the areas to tackle first. Ask her to help you surrender what you cannot change right now.
Take a deep breath. Smile at the child in front of you who claims she can’t do her math because her book hasn’t been seen since last month. Thank God for the opportunity to teach her at home. Laugh and tickle the toddler as you change him into the fourth outfit of the morning because he is potty training... sort of. Offer it as a little sacrifice for the poor souls in purgatory.
You know what to do. Keep it simple. De-clutter. Plan a basic menu; even a repeating one-week menu if that helps. Keep up with kitchen/dish clean up and laundry. Do one thing at a time. Don’t worry about the next. Remember that thousands of other homeschooling moms out there are in the same boat with you. Most will tell you that they can keep house well or homeschool well, but not both at the same time.
Remember the words of Mother Teresa, “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.”
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Damage or Displacement of Possessions
Rebecca
After the floodwaters receded from our basement, we began the clean up which took several weeks. In addition to the larger items which would need replaced, I found many sentimental things that had been damaged beyond repair: my daughter’s beautiful newborn foot prints, my grandmother’s German prayer books, my great grandmother’s widow shawl, many photos and keepsakes from my beloved, deceased father. These were of more value to me than furniture or appliances because they represented a person that I loved.
There was nothing that we could do except to move ahead. We mourned the things that are lost. It was important for us to do so. But even amidst the damage, we were grateful for that which was left, that which had been spared. In the end, we had our family, which was most important. We may have lost many tangible, sentimental items but we still have the memories of happy times ingrained in our minds, where no flood, fire or storm can damage them."
"O God, we remember when the disciples of Jesus were terrified after a long night on a turbulent sea. When they cried to you for help, you stilled the sea and brought them to safety. We ask now that you comfort and still the hearts of those suffering from the effects of fire, storm, flood or other devastation. We pray for those who have been displaced and who now must return to homes destroyed or damaged. We pray for those whose valued possessions are gone. While we wonder why such devastation can occur, where lives and property can seem held so capriciously in the hand of what is uncontrollable, we know, O God, that you count every hair on our head and that our names are written on the palm of your hand. Let your loving grace wash over those who must now face damaged lives, homes, and possessions. Hold them close to yourself until they are sure of the security of your loving embrace. Calm their hearts and still their souls, O Lord. We ask this for the sake of your love. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN.
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