Birds of a Feather

You know, I'm not a real "group therapy" kinda gal.  But in this regard, I'll make an exception:  if you are a Catholic homeschooling mother, find yourself a support group.  I mean a good support group.  Christian is good; Catholic is best.  Find a group of like-minded Catholic homeschooling moms who are loyal to the Magisterium of the Church and share the same moral values and goals you do for raising children.

Together, you and these families will supply each other with spiritual cousins and the best possible peers you can find.  You will find that a good support group can be incredibly uplifting and very affirming in your vocation as a Catholic homeschooling mother.

For example, I wish you could have heard our discussion on the playground last week at soccer:

"Believe me," one mother snorted.  "I would NOT be doing this if God hadn't told me to do it."

Another nodded in agreement.  "Yeah," she said.  "I mean, do you think I do this for FUN!?"

(...*agreeable laughter*...)

Now, that might SOUND very negative, but if you were there you also would have seen the wry smiles of understanding and the humorous, loving glint in the eyes of mothers who (essentially) lay down their lives for their children EVERY DAY.  A scientist.  A lawyer.  A fund raising executive.  A real estate agent.  A teacher.  Each of them readily could enjoy a life of gainful employment and luxurious material perks with her additional income.

Instead, these mothers teach several different grade levels of school and make hundreds of anonymous sacrifices daily so that their children intimately may know, love, and serve God in this world and be happy with Him forever in heaven.  After all, isn't that what it's all about?

(...please, do not start singing "The Hokey Pokey" here...)

Kathy, you were right -- this DID wind up on my blog, because the inspiration of fellow soldiers in the trenches was too good not to share!  The remembrance (and laughter!) of that single conversation already has buoyed me up on several occasions.

I hope it inspires anyone reading this also to know that, despite what our culture, the media, and the entertainment industry might tell you, you are NOT alone out there.

Ultimately, however, while the company you keep is important in life, in the final estimation it is up to you.

You.

As our parish priest once wisely pointed out, Judas kept the best of company, and look what happened to him.