Tulip Garden2

We all have days where our daily duties seem to hold us down.  We wish we were at the pool on a summer, sunny afternoon or meeting up with friends for coffee instead of doing the work that is involved in family life.

Consequently, running a family in this moment in history requires a lot of planning, sacrifice and work.  Society has never moved at such a fast pace where with so many opportunities calling out our name.  Most women are squeezing more in one day then what we ever thought was possible! We try to do it all, but the question is: what is our attitude about our duties?

We must remember to smile and find joy in whatever stage of life we are in. Joy is more then our desire to have fun, but rather a glow from within thanks to our faith in Christ.  St. Faustina writes in her Diary “It is from the face of God that this joy flows.”  (Diary 1592)  So don’t begrudge your vocation, but rather embrace it and see its value!

Pope Francis said “And here the first word that I wish to say to you: joy! Do not be men and women of sadness: a Christian can never be sad! Never give way to discouragement! Ours is not a joy born of having many possessions, but from having encountered a Person: Jesus, in our midst; it is born from knowing that with him we are never alone, even at difficult moments, even when our life’s journey comes up against problems and obstacles that seem insurmountable, and there are so many of them!” (Source : Homily of Pope Francis, St. Peter’s Square, XXVIII World Youth Day Sunday March 24, 2013)

Christ has come to set us free, not from work and the tasks that are hand but to set our souls free for we know who to put our trust in. When we know our tasks have eternal merit and value we can accomplish amazing things, not through “I” but through Christ”.

Let us pray: Dear Jesus, please help us not to begrudge our tasks at hand but rather see the value you have for it. Help us live with Joy. Amen.