Thankful to God for Family

As I am taking the spiritually enriching journey of reading Story of a Soul by Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, I love learning all about her and her Little Way. However, what I find most fascinating is how I find her to be so relatable. Not only is she sensitive in nature as I tend to be, but she has a closeness to her family that I can relate to as well. She even admits in her autobiography that her family life prepared her for a hidden life in the convent to save souls.

Reading about her made me realize how much our family life prepares us for our individual vocations when we set sail to tackle the world’s obstacles and adventures. Having a docking point always to come back to when the seas of life get mighty, stormy, and even worrisome is a true blessing. Having a family that is always nearby to be your support is truly a treasure.

Pondering on the importance of family made me feel such gratitude for my very own family and inspired me to write this article. While I know every family situation is different and special in its own way, I am sure most of you can relate to my piece in some form or another. My family members are my built-in close friends who have been with me my whole life. They have seen me at my worst and best. They have seen how much I’ve grown through different phases of life. They have guided me on the path to sainthood through their encouragement and even in trying times, ultimately helping me strive to be a better person.

Just think. Nothing exists like the loving touch of a mother who cares for you all throughout life’s challenges and gives you the wisdom you need to be your best. As Saint Thérèse said, “The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother.” And, of course, the fierce protection of a father is shown by the advice he gives you when you need him to do so. And you cannot forget that sibling friendship is one of the best kind of friendship to have. Nothing can stand against this bond of friendship where trust runs deep and the ties are strong, especially when rooted in Christ.

Tears will be shed in every family, but moments of laughter and joy will also happen. When your family is centered in God, no greater love exists because the face of Christ in truly in your midst among your family members. A family who loves their Catholic faith and is not afraid to embrace it with crucifixes up on their house walls and prayers on their lips will be blessed abundantly by God. He will place them in His loving embrace.

Therefore, we should make sure we pray for our families every day and with our families if we can. Through that perseverance in prayer, God will increase His love in your home and bring you all, in the end, to His Kingdom. You will there share together the fullness of God’s glory and unending happiness and peace.

You can pray “The Holy Family Prayer” for your very own family so that your family may be holy:

JESUS, Son of God and Son of Mary, bless our family. Graciously inspire in us the unity, peace, and mutual love that you found in your own family in the little town of Nazareth.

MARY, Mother of Jesus and Our Mother, nourish our family with your faith and your love. Keep us close to your Son, Jesus, in all our sorrows and joys.

JOSEPH, Foster-father to Jesus, guardian and spouse of Mary, keep our family safe from harm. Help us in all times of discouragement or anxiety.

HOLY FAMILY OF NAZARETH, make our family one with you. Help us to be instruments of peace. Grant that love, strengthened by grace, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass. May we always have God at the center of our hearts and homes until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with you. Amen.

If you have not done so already, I encourage you to reach out to a family member today. Call one of your siblings, spend time with your parents, or write a handwritten letter to a loved one who is far away telling them how much you love them and are thinking of them. Why? Because God’s greatest gift is love, and love starts in the home. As Saint Mother Teresa said, “If you want to bring happiness to the whole world, go home and love your family.”