Intensely Turbulent. Currently, that is my life in a nutshell. As I ride the waves of the teenage years with three of my children, I recognize the need for God to calm the storms. Emotions rage as situations eb and flow. My teens are faced with an onslaught of dilemmas as well as new plaguing scenarios in their lives. Traversing these waters is not for the inexperienced, yet isn’t that what all parents are? We aid our children in facing these new challenges despite our lack of expertise and are asked to provide guidance in areas even we have difficulty navigating. If we are fortunate, our adolescents come to us with the most complex situations instead of attempting to manage them independently. With the scope of dangers vaster and the access to all things instantaneous, life is scarier now than it has ever been.
How do we survive?!?! We consider, explore, and review honorable ways to address people and situations, pairing our discussions with prayers that our children can survive these years unscathed, unscarred, all while maintaining their virtues and morals. Lean into the Lord. I find myself encouraged by Father Jean Pierre de Caussade, S.J.’s words in Abandonment to Divine Providence, reminding his readers to allow God the space to work. “In a word, the soul is active in all that the present duty requires but passive and submissive in all the rest, about which there should be no self-will, but patient waiting for the divine motion.”
Each morning, I sit and pray for my children as well as various friends and families experiencing the effects of this challenging season of life. With heartfelt prayers, I beg for wisdom and peace, along with safety and graces to surpass these trials and thrive. I pray the children discover a deeper relationship with the Lord and then allow this connection to carry them through. Surrounding them with virtuous friends and opportunities for personal spiritual growth are important, but the key is surrendering them to the Lord.
My prayers are with you sister, whether you too are riding with me through these tempestuous teenage years, or if you are in a different salty season of life. Regardless, be assured that the Master of All Things is with you and can provide the peace that you seek. Only the Lord can offer you this perfect respite and rest.
“Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you. Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ [Jesus] will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. “1 Peter 5: 7-10
Call To Act: I encourage you sister to thrust your worries at the Lord’s feet and constantly resurrender yourself, your life, and your family to Him. He will calm the storm, whether it be all around you or in your heart. Our God is continually there for us; however, the question is, are we floating on the current of His grace or fighting against it? I challenge you to call on Him and His graces. Ask Him to envelop you with His presence and soothe you with His love and mercy. “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” James 4:8. It may not yet be time for the storm to pass, however, you will always find peace and respite in His gentle, loving arms. Rest there as you wait for the waves to calm. Take repose in Him.
Blessed Carlo Acutis, pray for us as we help our teens to navigate this confusing and electronically saturated world. Beg the Lord to guide them as they traverse the turbulent waters of their teenage years. Intercede for them, begging the Lord to preserve their virtue and infuse their hearts with a burning love for the Church as well as an unquenchable desire for a relationship with Christ. Ask the Lord to open their eyes to the graces available through the sacraments, especially Holy Communion. And finally, Blessed Carlo, ask God to grant us peace, wisdom, and the ability to surrender as we journey alongside our teens, offering them support and guidance. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Blessed Carlo Acutis
Carlo was born in 1991 in London. Shortly after, he and his family moved to Milan. Blessed Carlo was a devout little boy, with a special passion for the Eucharist. He convinced his parents to begin attending daily mass after receiving his First Holy Communion and wanted everyone to receive Our Lord. Inspiring others with his love of Christ and care for the homeless, he turned many to the Church. A defender of His beloved Catholic faith and an advocate for protecting life, Carlo spoke firmly for what he believed in. Carlo also enjoyed gaming and computer coding, being careful to give himself time limits each week. Using his knowledge of computers, he and his family created an exhibition displaying Eucharistic miracles, seeking more souls for Christ. As a teen Carlo was diagnosed with leukemia, choosing to offer all his suffering for Pope Benedict the XVI. Despite passing from this world on Oct 12, 2006, his life continues to inspire many today, building up the Church through increases in devotion to the Eucharist and love for the Church. Beatified in 2020, he will be canonized in 2025. Read more about Carlo here:
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/46048/who-was-carlo-acutis-a-cna-explainer