jennyjennygenesis
homemaking, homeschooling, and striving for holiness
The Holy Places
Each and everyday there are tiny amazing blooms, buds at least……of growth, change and we get to witness them.
Mama, I can see your heart.
The never ending tasks without checks next to them, the feeling that perhaps you’re doing it wrong, or not enough…..It’s actually okay. The things that are really important we get to and we make space for. We eventually conquer the laundry pile, washing washing….We make the meals, we feed the people. We clean the floors again and again, peeling back the layers of sand, food, minutiae, the endless particles of our existence. Bread, jelly, peanut butter, apples, cheese……….
We pick it up, put it away, we find a space, carve it out, put it where it belongs. We find places of belonging for all the things, we purge, we Konmari, we shop. We hunt for bargains, go to the thrift shops, garage sales. We do all the things to find all the things. We love the children in their many different forms, different sizes, growing, changing. Blooming.
We move things. Constantly. We gently move people. We take the people from the places they once were and bring them to new places to do new things. New experiences: sports, dance, entertainment, interactions. They continue to move, play, practice, grow. It’s a never ending and impossibly long at times. And if you’re in this season of high expectations, I would like to offer you this tiny consolation….
The Saint Andrew Novena which has been our families tradition for several years now, is a beautiful prayer.
“Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment at which the Son of God was born of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight in Bethlehem in the piercing cold. At that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, to hear my prayers and grant my desires. (Mention your intentions here) Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother. Amen.”
Traditionally, this prayer is prayed 15 times each day for the duration of the Novena.
Read more at: https://www.praymorenovenas.com/st-andrew-christmas-novena
This prayer I find very touching because you are meditating on the inconveniences of Jesus’ birth- the location, the weather, who Mary and Joseph were- it’s all so unexpected and so not ideal. It makes me think of my own life and how often, things just don’t work the way I would like. Many times I’m rushed or not ready when I have to do things. A lot of times the weather gets in our way of doing exactly what we would want to do- it makes me feel even more close to the Holy Family and their crazy trip to Bethlehem! My favorite part of the prayer is: ‘in that hour vouchsafe, I beseech thee- to grant my prayers and hear my desires…’ the word vouchsafe (give or grant (something) to (someone) in a gracious manner) isn’t a word we hear everyday- but isn’t that what we are truly hoping for? For friends, family, and especially God to be gracious with us? Isn’t that our biggest call? To try to be gracious with others? I feel often that I am dependent on Gods graciousness towards me.
I filled out the forms, go to the appointments, comfort the crying child, work through arguments, homework, learning challenges, frustrations, books, toys, relationships, illness, teething, trials, sweet little moments, hugs, kisses, and all the things.
As you go into the work of your life today- pray for me, and I will pray for you. May you be as gracious with your self as you are with all the people you love.
jennyjennygenesis 
oh honey- i feel you! amen to all of it! in our last homely on epiphany our priest talked about the importance of the 3 kings- to stay in motion…. to kneel and venerate, to offer up and give…. that about sums our daily life all in all … beautiful picture! i hope to hang one up soon at my house…. ❤
i love you and i am very proud of you! you do amazing, mama!!!
Yes!! Thanks for reading and also for understanding. Your children are blessed by you and all the things you do!! Xoxo
Beautiful reflections, Jen! You are such a gift!
Thank you!! Praising God for these consolations!