Parenting

Today is the Feast of the Holy Family. A day set aside to reflect on the relationships between of Mary, Joseph and their son Jesus.

I occasionally spend time pondering what it must have been like to raise the Son of God. I wonder how He cried as a baby. Did He ever have any 'terrible two' moments? How did He react when He skinned His knees? Did He get in trouble with His friends?

As parents did Mary and Joseph ever need to discipline this child? Did they need to defend His actions? How did they do this? What sacrifices did they make to raise the Son of God? How can we, as parents, live by their example of selfless giving?

Parenting is one of the most undervalued and yet most important tasks that two people can undertake. Parenting is a form of ministry, or perhaps better described, as a form of service to God. By agreeing to give birth to and raise a child as a gift from the Creator, parents assume this role of service.

I was graced today to observe the actions of parents who, in my opinion, are shining examples of this role of parent ministry.

In both cases weather impacted the travel plans of their children. In both cases, these parents selflessly set aside their own plans to serve the needs of their children. Time is a gift these parents freely gave to their children.

During these travel days driving conditions were less than ideal. If they were traveling for their own pleasure, I do not doubt that these people would not have chosen to travel. These parents did not tell their children to find their own way; they did not suggest that the children take a bus home. Instead, these parents put their own safety concerns aside to serve their children who needed to reach their destinations for work purposes.

Despite the obvious inconvenience, as I watched these parents interact with their children, I saw pride and joy that they could be of service one more time.

On a day dedicated to the Holy Family, these parents upheld that image for me. They embodied in word and in deed the true meaning of parenting as a service to God. Thank you for being such wonderful role models, I pray that we all can follow your example.