When the Road Darkens
“Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
Hello Dear friends,
I sincerely hope June treated you kindly and you are faring well at this the halfway point of 2024. June was a month bursting with summer activities for our family consisting of a birthday celebration, book club meetings, a party to commemorate St. John the Baptist with church friends, grandparent sleepovers at our home, and of course, the everyday character training moments. It would seem, from the outside looking in, that June was full of sunshine and happy, peaceful moments. But as every captain (or parent) knows, the ship sails smoothly because of the constant, diligent work of the crew. The vessel may sit majestically on the glass-like surface of the sea, but undoubtably there is much hustle and bustle to been seen below deck. The same can be observed within a family functioning at their best.
Daily routines, character training, chores, and time for play and exploration in the out of doors are a few of the things that keep our family of seven from running a ground. I will witness constant displays of behavioral triggers amongst my children if these necessities are not met within their lives and hearts. The more seasoned of a mother I have become the more I have learned that the nourishing of a child, the true soul nourishing, happens within the heart and mind.
I am often asked how we get our children to behave so well, and it still startles me each time I am asked because I think to myself, “Wait, you just didn’t witness the power struggle on aisle three?” or “Yes, but we diffused a petty argument between siblings not even 10 minutes ago!” No person is perfectly put together all the time, not children, and not even the parents. But we can practice persistence with dependable accuracy and herein lies the key that unlocks the treasures of motherhood.
My biblical role of wife and mother will provide me with pleasures and also with distress. Yet, going about my days knowing that just because I am choosing the role of homemaker, I am not exempt from tribulation, I can keep from growing weary whilst doing good. C.S Lewis’ demonic character known as Screwtape can be quoted saying, “If, on the other hand, he is aware that horrors may be in store for him and is praying for the virtues, wherewith to meet them, and meanwhile concerning himself with the Present because there, and there alone, all duty, all grace, all knowledge, and all pleasure dwell, his state is very undesirable and should be attacked at once.”
Be prepared for the rode to darken friends. If one thing can be found to be certain, it is uncertainty. Bad attitudes among children and spouses alike, financial trouble, vehicle issues, leaky pipes, you name it, and it can happen. Yet, persistence and faith will keep us moving forward.
Stay the course dear friends.