Sunday, May 5, 2013

This Is My Call


This is my call.

This is my vocation.

This is my witness to the world.”


This past Friday I stumbled upon Joy of 9, a blog written by Melanie Jean Juneau. On her blog header is the quote above. That quote spoke directly to my heart. I collect quotes and have several books full of phrases that are meaningful to me. This is the first one that “fit” me so perfectly.


Recently a friend, a young mother, encouraged me to go to work, to do something meaningful and important with my life. She caught me in one of my sleep deprived states. I could barely string a coherent sentence together, much less give her a reasoned defense of my choice to quit work and care for my husband after his second stroke and recently, to move closer to my Mother and care for her as well.


I know my heart. I know this is where I am supposed to be right now. I know I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing. Explaining it is another matter. No matter how I try, the end result sounds “holier than thou.” That is definitely something that I'm not. My faults and failings are all too obvious.



Melanie simply, succinctly and humbly said just what I felt and had been unable to verbalize. At this point in my life I am called to care for my husband and my mother. I am very grateful to be able to do so. This truly is my vocation. This is my witness to the world. It isn't a flashy or popular decision. It probably doesn't look like a particularly smart move to many people. I won't be accomplishing great things or moving mountains. Instead, as Mother Teresa said, “In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.” These small things imperfectly done, but done with love are my witness to the world. Usually it's just a quiet, invisible witness...but it's the one I'm called to make.

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3 comments:

  1. Bless you dear. You are doing what God has asked of you.

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  2. Except you are doing great things and moving mountains. You're exercising stewardship over that which God has given you -- your home, your husband, and your mother who you care for expertly. Perhaps you will eventually have a job in the outside world but for right now, you are where you need to be and what you write has the potential to help so many people dealing with stroke and dementia patients. I know that I would totally pass your blog along to any caretakers I know.

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  3. I am close to tears- thank goodness there ARE mothers who are like me.

    As Mother Theresa also said, "You want to work for world peace? Go home and love your family"

    Love and prayers,
    melanie

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