By Zoe Cannon, Gratitude for the Gift of Faith
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth” (3 John 1:4).
The concept of the “family of God” is a central theme in the New Testament. It refers to his heavenly family with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the earthly family he created for good. Through our belief in Jesus Christ, we are adopted children and members of his great kingdom of eternal inheritance.
In 1917, the Blessed Mother appeared six times to shepherd children at Fatima, Portugal. Our Lady of Fatima warned that a time would come when the decisive battle between the kingdom of God and Satan would be over marriage and family. Mary shared a vision of hell, spoke of the need for repentance and cautioned that war was punishment for sin.
September is the month of Our Lady of Sorrows in the Church calendar. Our Lady must be sad with the state of the world, because society continues to offend God, has no concern about the fires of hell or the need to repent, and we live in a constant state of war somewhere in the world.
Our society has too much self, money and government. St. Augustine warned in his teachings that wealth and an unhealthy attachment to earthly possessions may lead to greed and dominate the human heart. Children are a gift and by simplifying their life you will teach them more than a device technology creates! The task of making life simpler requires intentionality and often sacrifice!
The importance of marriage and family cannot be understated! It is invaluable for children to witness the influence of the mother and the father’s faith in practice. Recognizing the value of a virtuous life and walking in truth create a healthy home. We celebrate milestones in life such as birthdays, special anniversaries, holidays, sporting events and the achievement of personal goals. What are you most grateful for, and how do you celebrate the blessings in your life?
Finding quality time together as a family is challenging with busy schedules. We gathered as a family for the 8th annual “Camp Cannon” from Aug. 29-31, a time when all our children and grandchildren come to enjoy our place in the woods. The weather was beautiful, and every waking moment was spent outdoors. Our grandchildren range in age from four to 13. I enjoy hearing them build on their memories, create new traditions and share love for each other. We fished and paddled around the lake in the boat, hiked, played yard games, made crafts, read books in the hammock, sat by the campfire and went to Mass on Sunday morning. When the camp experience ended, the house was quiet, the refrigerator was almost empty, the washing machine was full and our hearts were filled with joy!
There never seems to be enough hours in the day, and time flies quickly. By simplifying and prioritizing life, it is possible to make time for those you love. Experience is the best teacher and learning from family members who share the same values and traditions is wonderful. Patience, communication, adaptability, creativity and role models who walk in truth help build strong relationships. Celebrate family every day! There is joy in fulfilling God’s plan for the world. Amen!
Zoe Cannon lives in Morgantown, Indiana, and is a member of Sts. Francis and Clare Parish in Greenwood, Indiana.