Recently I was listening to the Fountains of Carrots podcast, and one of the ladies on there was talking about becoming holy through folding a pair of pants. This resonated with me. You see, since I don’t work outside the home, I spend much of my time at home with my two little ones. Sometimes I can feel as though I don’t have the ability to have the impact I want on the rest of the world. Can I go volunteer at the soup kitchen? Well, maybe but that would take so much coordinating it would be unbelievable. Can I become a missionary to a different country? No. So what can I do on my path to become holy? What do I have to work with? How can I build up the church? How can I become holy?
I can pray.
I can serve.
I can create.
I can offer up. As a Catholic, I believe in something called “redemptive suffering“:
” Every pain we endure with love, every cross borne with resignation, benefits every man, woman, and child in the Mystical Body of Christ. Those who are chosen to bear a greater portion of suffering than others are called by God to heal the souls of many whose lives are bereft of the knowledge and love of God. Redemptive Suffering not only helps poor sinners directly by suffering for them but edifies and consoles good and holy souls as they journey through life striving for holiness. This dual role of Redemptive Suffering merits for those chosen by God for such a role, a glory and happiness in the Kingdom beyond our concepts or imagination. Like Jesus, their sufferings, united to His, rise to Heaven and obtain grace and repentance for those who are straying from God and His Love. “
Mother Angelica
I have my husband. I can pray about being the best kind of wife I can be. I can pray for my husband. I can treat him with respect and practice patience when I’m upset. I can offer up my feelings of anger when I don’t get my way.
I have my children. I can pray for my children. They give me many opportunities for prayer (read: Jesus, have mercy!) I can share my children with others. I can practice patience and self-control when I teach and discipline them. I can offer up my stress and anxieties for the sake.
I have my home.
I have laundry
I have dishes.
I have meals.
I have writing.
When I really take the time to think about it, God has given me much to work with to become holy.