“Now I understand well that what unites our soul more closely to God is self-denial; that is, joining our will to the will of God.” (Diary of St. Faustina 461)
One of the most difficult parts of parenting for me is dealing with a strong willed child. I cannot tell you how many times I have been humiliated by public outbursts from my children over things like insisting they strapped in the car seat; not allowing them to run across the street with out holding my hand, or simply by telling them “no.” One time my 3 year old marched up the aisle of church towards the altar screaming because the priest did not offer her a special blessing when we went up to communion! These moments can be very humbling.
When I reflect back on these outbursts, I often wonder if that is how God sees me, as a strong willed child. Every day he asks me to do simple things, yet my desire to do things my own way sometimes wins over. Molding my will to His is not an easy thing to do! One of my favorite pages in the Diary of St. Faustina (Diary 374), Sr. Faustina writes “From today on, my own will does not exist.” A large X covers the entire page of the Diary. On the next page, the only thing written on a blank page is “From today on, I do the Will of God everywhere, always, and in everything.” (Diary 374) Now each morning when I grab my morning coffee, I make it my prayer and ask God to help me make my will conform to His. This simple act each morning helps me focus my day.
Let us pray: Dear Jesus, I surrender myself to you. Help me to do the Will of God everywhere, always and in everything.
Copyright 2015 Michele Faehnle
Photo copyright 2015 – Tomorrows Memories by Christi. Used by permission. All rights reserved.