A Story for Moms

I'd like to share a little story about a boy named Andy and his Mom. Andy's mom had a hard time of it. She was a devout Christian, but her husband didn't approve of her faith. Her wouldn't let her have her children baptised and he didn't approve of her praying all the time and giving to the poor. She persisted in her faith, and although her husband didn't like it, he was secretly impressed.

Growing up in a mixed-faith home tends to have bad results, and as Andy grew up he never really took to his mother's faith, despite her very best efforts. Eventually he turned away from her faith completely and lived a hedonistic lifestyle. His mother's heart was broken. She prayed for him every day as hard as she could without ever giving up.

She received some comfort when her pagan husband converted to Christianity shortly before his death, inspired by her lifelong unwavering faith. But her heart continued to break for her son. She poured it out to God.

Shortly before her death, the Holy Spirit got a hold of Andy, and he gave his life to the Lord. He went on to be baptized and become one of the great writers of the early church. His real name is St. Augustine, and he and his mother lived a happy time together before her death. St. Augustine wrote his Confessions in the aftermath of her death.

As a mother and a wife, I find this story to be deeply inspiring and comforting. My children may reject me and my faith. They may turn away from God. But I will never stop praying for them and I will never give up on them, because prayer does bear fruit. God is good, and he loves our family even more than we do.

Today is the feast day of St. Monica, and tomorrow is the feast day of St. Augustine. Let's all remember today to have faith in God for the health, happiness, safety, and salvation of our children and husbands!