Last Friday, my staff and I were involved in a professional development that would help us focus on the essential questions in the four core subjects for grades 9, 6, and 3. We began with looking at our own lives and what is the essential question that we would like answered personally. As I listened to my colleagues, I suddenly came to the conclusion that my question was so personal that I wondered if I should share.
I began thinking it would have something to do with my kids and grandkids. I've always been worried that my children would not follow Jesus. Then as the grandchildren started coming, I worried that they would not come to know God unless I was personally involved. I bought them gifts that hinted at bedtime prayers; I prayed for their parents to baptize them and take them to church, etc.
Therefore, originally I thought my question would be something like "will my children come back to the church?"
Imagine my surprise when it was my turn to share and I blurted out, "I think my essential question is "am I the parent God wants me to be?" I choked up and found that I had to explain that this revelation just happened. I do worry about the kids and the grandkids, yes, but I know that they will do what's right.
My question is "Am I doing things right?"
Color Clinic Coming to Evendale Cultural Center
8 years ago
Mom,
ReplyDeleteTrue, we may not be as pious as you would like us to be. Our Catholic upbringing may not see us attending church much, but it certainly influences our lives in ways you might not fully appreciate. For example, my kids are named Noah and Evie. More importantly, I feel you gave us a solid moral foundation from which to make decisions. I will pass this on to my children, and them onto theirs.
You cannot have done anything more to make us more religious. Our choices were never in your hands. Catholic teachings state that God gave us the free will to choose. Thus, our choices do not reflect upon your abilities or decisions as a parent. You're doing things right; you're doing the best you can.