Intro

We named our blog “Raising Mustard Seeds” after the famous parable in Matthew’s Gospel. We had some mustard seeds of our own laying dormant in our hearts, and finally, the year before our marriage, we began to let those seeds grow. Our journey with Christ hasn’t always been easy, but it has bore more fruit than we could possibly imagine. And through the mustard seeds He planted in our hearts, He opened them to receive little mustard seeds of our own…

While Jesus in this parable is talking about how faith and our relationship with God should grow from something very small to something mighty and powerful, it’s applicable to our children as well. It is our hope that through prayer and proper parenting, our children will grow from small and helpless (tiny mustard seeds) to being mighty in Christ, so that they will be shining lights in the world and people will come to “dwell in the branches” of their faith.

So, this is our little space in the big internet where we will share our most likely crazy experiences as we start our family and we hope those who are close to us will enjoy laughing at us and with us, and maybe even learn something new :)

Monday, December 31, 2012

The Sorrowful Mysteries: The Agony in the Garden (Part 1)

[I've been praying and meditating on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary lately, as they have really been on my mind as I prepare for Gianna's birth. The Mysteries, which include Jesus' agony in the garden, the scouring at the pillar, crowning with thorns, carrying of the cross, and the crucifixion, don't really seem like a traditional kind of prayer for someone who will be giving birth soon (more normal would be "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" or "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want..." etc...), but these meditations have brought me great peace and happiness and I'd like to share bits of those thoughts with you. ]


The First Sorrowful Mystery – The Agony in the Garden (Matt 26:36-41 or Luke 22:40-45)
Following the last supper, Jesus goes to Gethsemane with Peter, James, and John, asking them to pray and "keep watch" with him. Jesus goes further on to pray alone and in agony, his sweat becomes like drops of blood, three times saying "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done."


When I (or any woman, for that matter) go into labor, although I will have people near me and even in the same room, like Chris and my midwives, my experience of this time will be completely different from theirs. Like Peter, James, and John, they may even fall asleep at some point! Although I will not be alone, the pain and emotions I experience will be separate from them. I know there may be many times that I will want to give up or have the "cup" taken from me, but I know that I, like Jesus in the garden, will not be truly alone, because my Heavenly Father will be with me.

Jesus, I unite my suffering with yours in the garden of Gethsemane; be with me at my time of need, most merciful Lord. 

Did you miss the first post? Read my Introduction to the Sorrowful Mysteries here



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