Following His Difficult, Loving Way

Today, on the Feast of the Holy Family, I am grateful. Particularly because I am reminded by our readings today that above all, my call is to put on love above and beyond all else. And the truth of it is this: that's not always easy—especially with family.

And yet the Holy Family teaches us many things. The Blessed Mother shows us her fiat, her heartfelt 'yes' that blessed our world, making way for our redemption. Saint Joseph's demonstrates an unfailing trust in the mission God had for him: to lead his family with unceasing love, though so much was unknown. And sweet baby Jesus gives us everything, the Child born in a manger, the Child Who would save the world and our own worlds with His sacrificial love.

These lessons in love and trust aren't always easy to live out. In our own lives and in our own families, sometimes loving people is far from easy. Perhaps we witnessed sharp elbows over the holidays this year. Perhaps we felt anxious or nervous about the unknown of what family time would bring. Perhaps we ourselves had to have hard conversations with those around us, trusting that what we had to say was for the good of the other.

Love is difficult. Trust is difficult. Following His way is difficult.

But we are strengthened always by His grace along the journey to which Love calls us.

On this day, the Feast of the Holy Family, may we listen carefully to God's voice in our hearts. May we dig deep and truly reflect on the ways in which He calls us to love our family more purely and selflessly. May we call on the Holy Spirit to carry us through the difficult moments, the unknown, the challenges, the hurts, and the wounds within our family.

And may we remember that the Holy Family has gone before us—trusting in love and acting with love for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.

May we listen carefully to God's voice in our hearts. // Shalini BlubaughClick to tweet

We are not alone! Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, pray for us!

Shalini Blubaugh is a Minnesota transplant living in Denver, Colorado with her sweet husband, Matt, their gal pal, Callan, and quite large GSD pup, Sully. She runs her own Activewear 'biz and is a soon to be Certified Personal Trainer. She also loves pizza because #balance. Shalini graduated from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, served with NET Ministries, and went on to attend Law School. She graduated with her J.D. and happily leaves all things Law behind! Some of her favorites include travel, re-connecting with old friends and making new ones, the ways in which God so beautifully brings all things full circle in His time, and a good, loud thunderstorm. Find out more about her here.