On Mother’s Day, Our Husbands Shine

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you wonderful mothers out there!

I don’t know about all of you, but yesterday I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for all that my husband does for our family. Sure, the day was about celebrating mothers, and my husband and children did a great job of making me feel special and loved. I woke up to beautiful flowers, an enormous balloon, sweet cards, and a delicious breakfast, and the day ahead was relaxing and filled with family time. What could be better? But as I sat in church and watched my husband quietly sorting out disputes between the kids, explaining parts of the Mass, and reminding them to genuflect as we left the pew, I felt incredibly blessed. Our priest gave a great homily about honoring Our Blessed Mother, and honoring motherhood/fertility/children in general, and through it all I was thinking that without Joseph, Mary would have had a much harder time being the mother that she was to Jesus. Yes, God chose Mary to be the Mother of our Lord, but I have a feeling that he also hand-picked Joseph to be her most chaste spouse. St. Joseph protected Mary and provided for, and above all, he honored her and allowed her to fulfill God’s call for her life.

When my husband and I were discerning our individual vocations, we realized that God was not just calling us to marriage, but to marriage to each other. This was a very specific call for us, and it clarified many of our questions. I sometimes talk to single or engaged women who tell me that they have a heart for motherhood, but just don’t know if they have what it takes to raise children. I tell them that the grace of the sacrament of marriage provides great strength and direction, and that they will realize once they are married that they, their husbands, and God are a team. God’s call is not ambiguous, and His plan for each family, children and all, is unique and perfect.

So this morning, as I bask in the aftermath of a wonderful Mother’s Day, I am thanking God for my husband, and for the wonderful family that He has blessed us with.

Mary, mother most pure, pray for us! St. Joseph, worthy spouse of Our Lady, pray for us!