Spiritual Things Matter

A good marriage is that in which each appoints the other guardian of his solitude.~Rainer Maria Rilke

Not long ago, I read an article that featured someone saying that one must at least be married for a quarter of a century before one can even begin to understand what love is all about. I thought about that concept for a long time. I also thought about the many who give up on their marriage and their spouse after a few short years because the feeling of love had faded, not realizing that, at that point, the true work of love must begin. I thought about those who would not forgive the other for mistakes that had been made, yet they fail to look within themselves with true transparency. In doing so, it is realized that all of us will be in need for forgiveness during difficult times in our life, and during difficult times in our marriage.

Some of my readers have asked me about influential people in my current life. Perhaps I will write, in my next few blog entries, about people who have touched my life intimately and personally. It seems only fitting that I begin with my husband who, although we have been married for nineteen years this October, we have known one another for over twenty-three years.

My husband is a wonderful musician, playing mostly stringed instruments, but shining the most with his finger style guitar. I have always encouraged him in his music because I have always recognized his love for it and the important role it has played in his life. As much as he is a gifted musician, he also is a gifted scientist, loving the work he does and working hard as he continues to excel in it. I am very proud of all his accomplishments!

My husband also has an understanding of human nature and is not one to put situations or people into a small box. He realizes that human beings are just that - human beings - and that we all change as we grow. During his more reflective moments, I realize a deep well within him, which I have often valued and drawn from in our marriage.

My life with my husband has changed me forever. He has been my truest friend and there is nothing under the sun that we cannot talk about at some point. This has been one of the most valuable and precious gifts in our marriage for which, I have been time and again thankful. My husband is a solid rock with deep convictions on such matters as work ethics, commitment, friendships and love. From the beginning we have given each other plenty of space, which we both have always needed and respected. This has also allowed us a deeper glimpse into each other’s souls and a greater understanding as to the making and molding of who we are. Only time can bring such a gift - and it is to be valued at all cost.

Our choice to rear children together has brought new dimension into our lives. We continue to pray for much wisdom as we instill our love into their hearts and as we continue to commit our lives to spiritual principles and God’s mercy, grace and love.

My husband’s influence in my life will remain as a positive and powerful source of energy as we have grown with each passing year to love and value each other. He has indeed been a very special gift to me!

I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection. ~Sigmund Freud

Being a father is not an easy task. Our men need to be honored in their commitment and their efforts. Pope John XXIII said, “It is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father.” I live in a community where there are many committed fathers who truly love their children.

Today, I want to thank my husband and all those men who are fathers to their children for all the effort and hard work that they provide. I want to also thank them for being thoughtful in what their children need from them and for giving another hour of their time even though they have worked all day long and are very tired themselves.

Thank you for being the visionaries that you are - able to look ahead and plan wisely for your children’s future. Thank you for providing opportunities for a good education in order for your children to grow up having all the chances in the world to succeed. Thank you for being wise and able to think through decisions that need to be made in order to come up with the best solutions for your children.

It matters not if you have one child or if you have many at home, but what does matter is that you take the time to love them intensely and to tell each of them how much you cherish them and care for them. Playing with your children and truly learning to listen to them will bring insurmountable value into their person-hood. Giving them the gift to truly be children for as long as possible will give them a youthful spirit and anticipation well into their adult years and beyond.

You understand the importance of your love for the daughter in your life and know that she will grow into a secure and confident young woman not having to shy away from the challenges that will come her way. She will value her womanhood because you have always valued her childhood with all her fragile and sensitive ways. You will always be her hero if you honor her with tenderness, respect, and care.

From your own boyhood, you understand deeply how important a strong and positive leadership role you must play for the son in your life. As he watches every move you make and listens to every word that comes out of your mouth, you have been motivated to be the very best that you are. You understand that the tenderness you show today will be his ability to be a leader for our future. In your wisdom, you understand that in your corrections need to be valuable lessons that will not be feared, but rather will be honored and respected. It is in these valuable lessons that your sons will grow up to honor you all of their days. They will speak of you fondly as they tell their stories in years to come to their own sons.

In your fatherhood, you will discover yourself. You will grow in your own manhood and you will discover that you have been enlarged and enriched as you tirelessly give of yourself. May your own desires be realized and may all your needs be met. May you express yourself in many endeavors to fulfill your dreams and longings. Most of all, in your searchings, may you come to know your God intimately so that your children will follow you in a more excellent path of honor, peace and joy.

Let love always guide your mind and your heart. Life will prove to be much easier that way.

Wishing you a very Happy Father’s Day today!

May you never tire of giving of yourself as you reach deep within to find your true Source of Wisdom. May you value your motherhood above all responsibilities as you realize the true gift that you are to your children. May you continually find new ways of expression as you teach your children truths that will bind to their hearts.

I pray that even as the wind blows seeds to remote places you will also blow the seed of love into the deepest parts of your children’s hearts. I pray that this love is strong and unmovable that they may never doubt that you love them each with unfailing love.

I pray for insight into each of their hearts, that you may understand them and show compassion with truth. Let each prayer that you say be a dome of protection for them. Let each kiss that you give be warm and tender, flowing deeply into the unseen and mysterious areas of their hearts. Let each kind word and deed be a beacon of example for them. Let each warm embrace be as the fruitful branches of the trees giving bountifully with unending generosity.

Listen carefully to your own heart as you give correction, giving heed that it is done with thoughtfulness and care - never to injure but only to build up and heal childish and foolish ways. It is in your wise corrections that they will thank you in days that lie ahead, for you have taken the time to be their guide and their teacher. Then, as tears are shed, recognize the potential for the birth of laughter as life’s most meaningful gift’s come through pain.

It is my prayer that you will find others like you who share the joy and challenges of motherhood. It is my prayer that you will gain wisdom from others and that you will deal kindly with those who might see it a different way.

Let motherhood be experienced with such intensity that your capacity for compassion will be enlarged, becoming even as Mother Earth herself so that others may come and drink from the deep well of love that so richly abides in you.

May your days be blessed and fulfilled in every area of your life. May your children rise up and call you blessed. May you always see and feel the tenderness of God as your children embrace you with purity and trust. May you never feel alone in the rich expression of your mother-heart. May you continually realize that God’s abundant faithfulness and presence will refresh you and multiply your giving.

And, I pray that at the end of our journey, all of us mothers will have realized how much we have grown. That we may understand that it was our children who have taught us to love through their need for love. It was they who taught us to look beyond our tears and see the hope in every situation, for they needed hope to grow healthy and strong. It was they who taught us to keep the flame of passion burning because life’s diversities bring endless opportunities. Finally, it was they who taught our hearts to look deeper into the heart of God, finding yet again that love is the only answer for our world to be a better place.

I wish each of my dear readers a very Happy Mother’s Day!

Let the innocence of youth stay pure as they grow and mature.
Let their laughter echo around them that others may find hope for joy.
Let their purity be guarded as they wander into the world.
Let their sensitivity grow into greater awareness of You.
Let their hunger to understand lead to knowledge to assist mankind.
Let their mystical hearts gain wisdom and a discerning eye.

And as they grow older with each passing year,
protect them in Your loving care.
And as we teach them to be kind -
let that truth go deep into their beings,
as they will realize the pain and sufferings of others.

As they shed their own tears,
Breath upon them Your Holy Spirit and comfort them.
Show them that in their pain Wisdom can be found.
Guard their hearts from the foolishness of this world
and bring awareness and curiosity of that which matters most.
Let a passion arise within them to seek You -
experiencing the wonders of Your Love.

As You have given us our children
So we give them back to You.
Give us wisdom to love them-
teach them, and guide them with tender care.
With deep gratitude - we thank You
for the gift of Yourself - as we behold our children.