Marriage brought with it two daunting challenges: managing finances and the prospect of childbirth. Luckily, I won't delve into financial advice here. Instead, let me share my unexpected journey into motherhood.
The path unfolded in its own time, guided by a divine plan. Motherhood wasn't a desire I harbored, so when my first child arrived, it caught me off guard, revealing a profound truth.
To understand this revelation, join me on a journey.
In recent years, there's been much pondering over the essence of womanhood. Yet, amidst this discourse, clear answers are scarce.
During my college years, inspired by the valor of the soldiers in "Band of Brothers," I contemplated femininity's beauty and its contribution to the world. While these men displayed heroism on a grand scale, as a woman, my path seemed less defined.
Raised in a devout Catholic household, I was familiar with the Church's teachings on marriage and motherhood. However, I sought to understand my unique role as a woman.
Amidst my pondering, I stumbled upon Carrie Gress's "Ultimate Makeover: The Transforming Power of Motherhood." Gress's perspective on motherhood intrigued me, reframing it as a path to sanctity through daily sacrifices.
Initially, the notion of sanctity through mundane tasks seemed underwhelming compared to the heroic feats portrayed in war epics. But therein lies the paradox: the ordinary becomes extraordinary in the service of others.
Gress likened motherhood to a refining process, smoothing rough edges and shaping a saintly character. While chopping fruits for a toddler's meal lacks the drama of battlefield heroics, it embodies the Corporal Works of Mercy.
I've come to understand that motherhood isn't merely a vocation; it's a calling to embody the Works of Mercy daily. While priests nourish souls with the Eucharist and sisters uplift through prayer, mothers, particularly those of young children, live out these works in tangible ways—feeding, clothing, comforting, and nurturing.
Though it may seem mundane and draining, the impact of these acts reverberates eternally. For in nurturing our children, we shape souls and contribute to a future where mercy reigns supreme.
Ultimately, it's the hope of hearing these words that drives us forward: