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DominaCaeli
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stellamaris wrote:
I think for myself that one of the problems with simplifying my life is my own pride. Why do I want my house so clean? Because someone might stop over...and WHAT WOULD THEY THINK? Why do I sometimes "lose it" with the children...because I feel I ought to be spending my life doing something more significant than picking up toys and mopping floors...because my heart is not humble or rejoicing in service to God and others.
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You are so right, Caroline--I definitely see myself in your words here! 
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Celeste
Joyous Lessons
Mommy to six: three boys (8, 4, newborn) and four girls (7, 5, 2, and 1)
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Sarah M
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DominaCaeli wrote:
I often have to remind ourselves that if the salvation of my children's souls is my true goal in running our Advent/Christmas home, not much is required. My children can get to heaven without having ever done a Jesse Tree or an Advent calendar. These are extras, and if they don't happen, it is unlikely there will be eternal consequences!
If God wants me to bring a tradition into my home, he will give me the time and energy to do it. If I don't have time to do it because I spend too much time on the computer and not enough time with my children, then perhaps I should turn off the computer and get to it. But if I don't have time to do it because I've been fighting a chest cold for the last three weeks and our water heater is on the fritz, I don't think it's what God had in mind for me this year. |
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Yes, yes, yes! I'm so with you here.
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stellamaris
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Might I add here that one of the difficulties that occurs over the years is the accumulation of traditions. The children come to expect the same rituals, food, and events that they have enjoyed in the past, and this can really become a source of more and more stress over the years. Part of Mary's simplicity seems to me the ability she had to let go of the past and live in the present which she knew God had willed for her. She didn't feel any guilt because things "weren't the same" as they had been; she accepted the changes of life from the hand of her God as gifts. Funny that we often think of simplicity as implying little change, but, in fact, the more I think on this the more it seems to me it implies the ability to make just this kind of change...accepting the will of God in our lives at this moment in time even if it is different from our previous situation. I wonder if it was at his Mother's knee that our Lord first lisped the words, "Thy Will be done."
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In Christ,
Caroline
Wife to  dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
Flowing Streams
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Helen
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This has been a great thread Becky. Thanks for starting it.
When I first thought of answering your question regarding simplicity, "poverty" came to mind. The extreme poverty practiced by the Holy Family would necessitate a great simplicity and also a tremendous amount of physical labor. The cave of Bethlehem is all about poverty and simplicity.
Lindsay and Caroline mentioned great points to consider during this Holy Season. We can elevate the work and traditions associated with Christmas by linking them with the physical labor the Holy Family. The Lord didn't have to be born into such poverty but He chose it and the labor associated with it.
Jenn makes great suggestions about practicing short prayers when surrounded by chaos. In situations like these, it seems the Lord is so far away. But those are the prayers with the most merit --when we really stretch out in faith to touch the hem of the Lord's garment.
I think I posted something to Mary Vitamin about Our Lady's simplicity. Let me check and bring it here in another post. Thanks for sharing your Faith Ladies. It is truly inspiring.
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Ave Maria!
Mom to 5 girls and 3 boys
Mary Vitamin & Castle of the Immaculate
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Helen
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I did find something at Mary Vitamin
simplicity is linked with guarding yourself from curiosity.
Don't look around to see what others are doing -- keep your eyes on God like Our Lady.
St. John Eudes
“If you would imitate her simplicity, guard yourself from curiosity, suffering in your heart only one design and pretension; namely, to know God and to please Him, and to attach yourself inseparably to His Divine Will. Above all, detest and abhor lying, artifice and deceit, as sworn enemies of Christian simplicity.”
The Wondrous Childhood of the Most Holy Mother of God, (PCP Publications), 251.
Meditation:
St. John Eudes
“Consider how pleasing to God is the virtue of Christian simplicity. The divine Word assures us that He takes His complacency and delight in those who walk in simplicity before Him: ‘Voluntas ejus in iis qui simpliciter ambulant.’ This virtue shuns multiplicity in thoughts, desires, affections, words and actions, and employs all the efforts of the soul, mind and heart in pleasing God. It causes moderation in speech, it retrenches useless actions which serve to dissipate the mind and distract affections. This virtue detests that curiosity which is eager to see, to hear and to know things that are not at all necessary to render it more pleasing to God. It is the sworn enemy of duplicity, artifice and disguise, of lying and deceit. It causes the soul to pursue the straight road of candor, frankness, and dove-like sincerity, turning neither to the right nor the left. It chooses by preference simple and common ways of eating, speaking, walking, dressing, etc. and has a horror of the novel fashions of the world, which are vain and frivolous.”
St. John Eudes, The Wondrous Childhood of the Most Holy Mother of God(PCP: 1998), 268.
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Ave Maria!
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Mary Vitamin & Castle of the Immaculate
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Veronika
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I just wanted to add my thanks for starting such an inspiring and helpful thread. I admit I read this as I sit down for the first time all day. The gifts are prepared and finally wrapped, the baking is done, food prepped, outfits for church complete for all seven of us, etc. etc. etc.
I did my best to prepare spiritually as well, yet, as usual, I lament that I once again fall short. Of all the evenings that I needed these inspiring words, tonight is the perfect night! Thank you all! I pray that we all can celebrate this upcoming feast in the peace and simplicity that was meant to accompany it...the peace you all describe. God bless you all and Merry Christmas!
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Veronika
devoted wife and Apostolate of Holy Motherhood Mom of 5 precious children: daughter '94, son '96, son '98, and twin daughters '02...
and one little girl in heaven
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drmommy
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Um, the quote by St John Eudes hit me between the eyes like a two by four...my gosh, this was wonderful and is helping me this season, or rather today.. The moderation in speech is what really hit me.
Thank you for this.
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molly
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Perhaps this will help. I imagine this to be clear direction of how Our Mother lived)
Blessed Christmas 
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Chris V
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molly wrote:
Perhaps this will help. I imagine this to be clear direction of how Our Mother lived)
Blessed Christmas |
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I'm not sure if it is my computer, but I cannot get your link to follow through. Perhaps you could try again? Thanks so much Molly!
I too, want to thank you all for taking the time to provide your thoughts as well. After my post, a couple of days ago, I hadn't kept up with the subsequent posts until this morning (we've been traveling). I've got a long, long day ahead of me as we hit the road again, and having all of your hearts and thoughts with me, will give me the opportunity for spiritual growth. I don't necessarily want "10 hours of spiritual growth to be gained in the car as we're driving", but a blessing this could be. Maybe you all could say a prayer for patience (for me), a robust tummy (so I don't get sick in the car), a safe drive, and a family that still loves each other after spending the entire day stuck in the car!
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Helen
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drmommy wrote:
Um, the quote by St John Eudes hit me between the eyes like a two by four...my gosh, this was wonderful and is helping me this season, or rather today.. The moderation in speech is what really hit me.
Thank you for this. |
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I'm glad you liked this quote. I love St. John Eudes. One of my favortie books is _The Wondrous Childhood_
His meditations on the Immaculate Heart are also wonderful.
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Ave Maria!
Mom to 5 girls and 3 boys
Mary Vitamin & Castle of the Immaculate
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Sarah M
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Chris V wrote:
| Maybe you all could say a prayer for patience (for me), a robust tummy (so I don't get sick in the car), a safe drive, and a family that still loves each other after spending the entire day stuck in the car! |
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You got it Chris. Get that bucket handy, just in case.  And we'll pray that your beautiful family makes it to your destination with smiles on their faces. 
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Willa
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molly wrote:
Perhaps this will help. I imagine this to be clear direction of how Our Mother lived)
Blessed Christmas |
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Fixed the link
I can't read it until I get my glasses though
Been appreciating this thread very much!
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Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
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4Real Forums : Hidden Treasure
Topic: Simplicity of Mary
