tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post1186270177672333886..comments2024-02-02T05:53:59.845-05:00Comments on Praying for Grace: All about a mother's heartBarbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00747308009364094199noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-17972942424376234702018-01-14T11:49:52.709-05:002018-01-14T11:49:52.709-05:00Just what I needed today. As the mother of 2 teen ...Just what I needed today. As the mother of 2 teen boys who's heart has been btoken several times in the past couple of years by the oldest I feel so inadequate at times and all I can do is cry and pray. This was an encouragement.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-5432791506582228832017-11-15T20:37:45.695-05:002017-11-15T20:37:45.695-05:00I'm so sorry for your pain. I truly believe &q...I'm so sorry for your pain. I truly believe "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6<br />Prayers that your daughter will come back to what she was taught.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00747308009364094199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-72479733260490720932017-11-13T13:49:37.351-05:002017-11-13T13:49:37.351-05:00Thank you for this post. I came across it while Go...Thank you for this post. I came across it while Googling it's amazing how children can break your heart. I always thought my husband and I were good parents but now I feel as though my world has shattered and I can't help but wonder what we could have done differently. My daughter moved out the day after she turned 18, legally changed her complete name and barely speaks to us. I feel so lost and don't know what to do except try to let her go for now and hope she will come to her senses. It's so hard. And the pain in my chest is physical. I don't think parenting gets easier as they grow, as the problems get much bigger too :'(Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-85847962618623573242014-03-28T12:11:12.697-04:002014-03-28T12:11:12.697-04:00The Mary Undoer of Knots novena is a real prayer f...The Mary Undoer of Knots novena is a real prayer for mothers of teens. The words just bring me to me knees (and to tears) because they say just exactly what is in my heart. I read, also, that Pope Francis has chosen Mary Undoer of Knots as his favorite Marian devotions. She is the Mother for our times!Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00747308009364094199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-44863714556229694582014-03-28T12:07:49.185-04:002014-03-28T12:07:49.185-04:00<3 to you, Sarah. Thank you for your really, re...<3 to you, Sarah. Thank you for your really, really lovely note in the mail.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00747308009364094199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-88793334999255261292014-03-28T12:07:08.311-04:002014-03-28T12:07:08.311-04:00Christine, I don't hold back my emotions eithe...Christine, I don't hold back my emotions either, but these kids (at least mine) don't get it!. They might apologize, but heartfelt? um, probably not. These are really hard times.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00747308009364094199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-61397382273664194732014-03-28T10:40:03.763-04:002014-03-28T10:40:03.763-04:00What a beautiful and heart-wrenching post, Barbara...What a beautiful and heart-wrenching post, Barbara. I have never said so many Memorae's as when my sons entered the teen years (two are there now, one to go). And I constantly offer them up to the Lord, placing them in His hands, as they are His.<br />Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07654598135069855441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-13980107599527352432014-03-26T23:30:30.758-04:002014-03-26T23:30:30.758-04:00That was so beautiful, Barbara! And so needed. I h...That was so beautiful, Barbara! And so needed. I hope it gave some peace, some relief just writing it, because I know it has touched the hearts of many, many moms. You are a blessing!! I could write more, but I can't share specifics in comments. Please know that this touched me very deeply, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart that you posted this.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01530114345117741249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-41432664946085875642014-03-26T21:28:53.011-04:002014-03-26T21:28:53.011-04:00I let my son see my tears. I tell him he breaks m...I let my son see my tears. I tell him he breaks my heart. usually his fathers sees that and tells him to apologize to me. <br />I just hope they get through the teens alive. <br />they say trust in God and pray....but we are up against so much in this culture. it is a tough one. Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03030030108671604522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-23299303057770415742014-03-26T17:14:07.548-04:002014-03-26T17:14:07.548-04:00Oh wise woman. Can you come and live with me and r...Oh wise woman. Can you come and live with me and remind me to be a God daughter to our Father? I try to unite my suffering to His, but then I usually just get so wrapped up in suffering. But thank you for the reminder. Maybe I need heavy chains around my waist to remind me. Or a crown of thorns.<br /><br />Pax,<br />BBarbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00747308009364094199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-71004738902108889852014-03-26T17:11:38.410-04:002014-03-26T17:11:38.410-04:00I'm sorry blogger ate your comment. I'm su...I'm sorry blogger ate your comment. I'm sure it WAS brilliant. ;-)<br /><br />I certainly try to give it to God. It's just that whole "God helps those who help themselves" thing that has me wondering which part is my responsibility. Ya know? So I end up taking it back, and giving it again, and taking it back...Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00747308009364094199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-62331882944276728162014-03-26T17:08:55.608-04:002014-03-26T17:08:55.608-04:00Good to hear you can relate. I think sometimes lar...Good to hear you can relate. I think sometimes large families look like their mere largeness alone fixed all the problems the rest of us have. I have no idea why, it just does. I feel like medium-sized families have some of the problems large families and small families do with few of the benefits.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00747308009364094199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-88654963159041662282014-03-25T21:36:31.017-04:002014-03-25T21:36:31.017-04:00One consolation is that this pain can be offered t...One consolation is that this pain can be offered to Our Lord, united with His passion, in reparation for sins, for conversion of sinners, for grace and strength, for an increase in virtue. All this exquisite, excruciating, heart rending pain is real pain and we can curl up and die with it or offer it all to Him in love and trust. He knows how it hurts our hearts, and He receives the offering of our sufferings just as He does of physical bodily pain. Not a single tear is ever shed in vain, but all can be an offering to Him. <br />And as you said, Our Lady is always here for us. <br />'The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and those who are crushed in spirit He saves.'<br />'Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.'<br />xoKimberleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14980588863109281657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-70504384173942825102014-03-25T21:18:18.958-04:002014-03-25T21:18:18.958-04:00i wrote a long (and I am sure encouraging and bril...i wrote a long (and I am sure encouraging and brilliant) comment yesterday, and it wouldn't post.<br /><br />so....the condensed version???<br /><br />give them to God<br />we just have to give them to God<br />every second of every day.<br /><br />come to CT and we can have coffee and lift each other up and pray together and then break out the wine!!! okay????<br />xoLaurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15985522830610197074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-58546533719691430212014-03-25T09:17:35.240-04:002014-03-25T09:17:35.240-04:00I hope all is well with you, dear. You know, my p...I hope all is well with you, dear. You know, my phone is always on. ;-) I can relate, too. We're in a lull right now, (which I know enough to be extremely grateful for!) but my heart aches for a dear friend. Oh, and the other novena for help is the 31 Day St. Joseph Novena. It's amazing, though I'm not sure they know what a "novena" is. ;-) http://www.101foundation.com/catalog/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=554<br /><br />What a lot of gorgeous artwork to go with this post. It's perfect.Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12072984925282936743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-21353874878405283462014-03-25T07:49:05.628-04:002014-03-25T07:49:05.628-04:00Yes, you certainly have all the ages. Babies and t...Yes, you certainly have all the ages. Babies and toddlers are exhausting, and I hope I did not belittle that. But, in your heart, you can have peace when they are babies. But, you have the exhaustion and the angst of the mother's heart, Aimee. There's a special place in heaven for mothers like you, and others who commented above.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00747308009364094199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-15072276743770317492014-03-25T07:49:00.288-04:002014-03-25T07:49:00.288-04:00Ugh, I meant to write "you CAN'T just squ...Ugh, I meant to write "you CAN'T just squash . . ."<br />No coffee yet . . . :)Aimeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16332125903937752882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-59874166176315445812014-03-25T07:48:13.797-04:002014-03-25T07:48:13.797-04:00Also, you are so completely correct that you can j...Also, you are so completely correct that you can just squash all this by being a "good" parent. Free will is absolute, and when you congratulate yourself for being such a "good" parent, just remember that there is another "good" parent out there whose heart is absolutely broken by the choices her children have made. Pray for the kids and pray for the strength to get through whatever may come. Aimeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16332125903937752882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-67492161046503538252014-03-25T07:45:50.806-04:002014-03-25T07:45:50.806-04:00♥ to you, too.♥ to you, too.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00747308009364094199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-50345539815887292262014-03-25T07:45:41.172-04:002014-03-25T07:45:41.172-04:00Oh my gosh, YES! Yes, yes, yes. I am having a har...Oh my gosh, YES! Yes, yes, yes. I am having a hard, hard time negotiating the teenage years and the baby years together. The good side is that I have the babies to cuddle and to remind me that I used to fawn over the teenagers that way. The less-bright side . . . well, you know all about it. I am overwhelmed by the sheer physical work of the babies, but I am crushed sometimes by the mental/emotional work of teens. <br />Just yesterday, I had to have discussions that ranged from potty training to not lying to your parents to "sexting." I mean, really! <br />It's also why, in the off chance that I might ever publish a blog post, I usually never talk about the big kids. <br />Aimeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16332125903937752882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-39190261049823885892014-03-25T07:44:44.305-04:002014-03-25T07:44:44.305-04:00I know you must be feeling more angst than I, Jenn...I know you must be feeling more angst than I, Jenny, so far away. It was hard to write this. Emotions are raw, but I knew my friends would understand.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00747308009364094199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-39356403425438149522014-03-25T06:17:54.593-04:002014-03-25T06:17:54.593-04:00Oh, Barbara. My heart is breaking too. My daughter...Oh, Barbara. My heart is breaking too. My daughter is causing much angst and sorrow. I am sending you a hug and a thank you for writing this post. I have not written much from the heart on my blog lately. It is too hard.Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12537767678040466695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-35174721619555493322014-03-24T22:54:58.633-04:002014-03-24T22:54:58.633-04:00Kelly,
It is not difficult for anxiety to overwhel...Kelly,<br />It is not difficult for anxiety to overwhelm us when our children worry us. I'm sure that trip to the ER last week had a great deal to do with child-induced anxiety, even though I couldn't pinpoint it at the time. I don't want my children to worry about my health, but I have been pointing out instances where their selfish behavior makes me anxious. They need to know their behavior affects those around them. And they need to see us turn to God to lean on Him. God bless you in the years to come.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00747308009364094199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-47768933415583402592014-03-24T20:05:12.749-04:002014-03-24T20:05:12.749-04:00Btw, today was one of those mornings that was a cr...Btw, today was one of those mornings that was a crawl-to-the-bathroom days. I grasped on to anything, any thought that would cheer me. I settled upon baking. Yes, baking makes me happy. Eating does, too, of course, but the actually process of baking/cooking makes me happy. So guess what I did? I went looking for that comforting fall coffeecake that you posted a while back; Pumpkin Coffeecake. Yummy! <br /><br />Thank you, Barbara, for the cheap therapy. ;) xoKellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18076870583313429655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130102521697018241.post-37042667961614894662014-03-24T19:56:38.095-04:002014-03-24T19:56:38.095-04:00I was really struck by that post by Ginny. My fath...I was really struck by that post by Ginny. My father in-law's mother (she had 13) used to say, "When they're little they're little problems. When they're big, they're big problems." Yes, indeed. sigh. I now have 3 teenagers. Two boys and one girl. Yes, I have had my heart broken. Last year was was awful. I was so upset by two of my children that I went through horrible anxiety and depression. I felt sick all of the time and had no appetite. The only other time I've experienced this is when my beloved grandmother was dying/passed away. I would wake up to every day and dread it. A few times I literally crawled to my bathroom and prayed to St. Anne. It's gotten a bit better, but not much. The damage is done, and then there are always developing/ongoing problems…Now I'm dealing with anxiety over the fact that I still have 6 more to go through and I've barely begun with the first three. *whimper* <br /><br />Jesus, I trust in Thee!<br />Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18076870583313429655noreply@blogger.com