It seems to me that there are two ways to view life in this world. One that is taking. (I am sure you have seen this blog circulating around Facebook and prolife websites).
And one that is giving. (For any of you who have not read Jennifer Fulwiler’s blogs, I highly recommend them-they are funny, intelligent and oh so real.)
That first blog absolutely broke my heart, then it made me very angry, and then, it gave a jolt to what I feel my purpose in life is: to inject the dignity of the human person and the Truth into society. But to be honest, though I have prayed for him and his growing family, I still have the desire to smack him…. Lord, give me the grace to forgive.
There were similarities between these two blogs in that both acknowledge the difficulty of parenthood and family life, and both seem to love the idea of finally being past the time of sleepless nights. But the important difference is that one sees his children as a burden that essentially cramps his style. One phrase puts it pretty well saying: “So tell me how this isn’t going to suck.” And the other has decided to accept the struggles her life and family may present while letting go of trying to be in constant control of… well, God.
Our first blogger has bought into the lie that we can control every aspect of our lives- and complain on the internet when our life is more difficult than expected. He seems to think his life should be easy. But what he doesn’t see is that grasping for control ruins our willingness to be responsible and our ability to be happy. Then our second blogger lives with the amazing understanding that difficulty is a part of life, that when I sacrifice myself for another life and love spring forth. I see in this case that a renunciation of universal control has given her ability to truly respond- a responsibility- that brings a deep happiness to life. (Granted, I can’t speak from personal experience since I do not have children, but I have seen enough families to recognize that when a couple sees their life together as a journey of growth and self donation they are deeply happy).
The anonymous blogger at HuffPo reminded me of who I am. I am a woman who feels called to live being the hands, feet, mouth and heart of Jesus Christ. I am a woman who needs to shout from the rooftop that life is sacred, love is giving of yourself and happiness doesn’t come from things being how I want, when I want. I am a woman called to give all of herself to give life to the world.
