Revolution of Love.com
Living As A Woman of God in My Vocation As A Wife and Mother
by Carmen Marcoux
Besides fostering a love for Christ in my children, my time alone in quiet prayer is essential. Adoration time is so precious to me, but alas, not often enough. But I do find time alone during the day, most days, to pray. (Often while nursing a baby to sleep!) I also try to get to a retreat at least once a year. I have taken in different retreats over the years -- all with different benefits. My favorite, though, was a silent retreat. There is nothing like two days spent in silence to help bring Christ back into focus!
I also take every opportunity I can to learn about my faith, either through reading or listening to audio tapes. I have an insatiable appetite to learn - but very limited time. I try to make time to read Scripture - but regrettably don't do enough of that, either.
I am a very sociable person and need contact with others. This is a challenge for a stay-at-home mom. But, I have found the encouragement and support I get from our community of faith is vital to my life as a woman of God… which is where Sunday visiting comes in really handy! I have also participated in FAMILIA for the past two years. In this program we study encylicals of the Church and the Catechism and reflect on the Sunday gospel reading. I've really enjoyed the program and the opportunity to meet and discuss the faith with other Catholic women.
And what is of utmost importance in my life, yet so often overlooked due to the busyness, is taking time with my husband to keep our marriage focused on Christ. We took in a Catholic Marriage Conference last year, with Christopher West speaking on the Theology of the Body. It was an amazing weekend - I strongly encourage others to take any opportunity they can to hear Christopher West speak on "The Good News about Sex and Marriage".
There is always the issue of seeking a balance, as a mother of a busy household: to be a good wife and mother, to be active in a community (both giving and receiving), and to seek time alone in prayer so as to remain focused on Christ. Now I'm trying to add in with all those factors being an author!
It has been more than a challenge to find the proper balance and I certainly do not keep it perfectly. I have ups and downs along this pilgrim journey - but through it all, God remains constant: faithfully, lovingly leading me along as I earnestly seek to do His Will.
The text above was taken from Carmen's interview with RoL. To read the full interview, click Building the Kingdom with Arms of Love: An Interview with Catholic, Canadian Author Carmen Marcoux.
Catholic writer Carmen Marcoux is the author of the novels Arms of Love and Surrender , as well as a wife and home-schooling mother of eight. She and her husband James live in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada with their children - Hannah, Rebekah, Mikaelah, Jacinta, Matthew, Gemma, Benjamin and baby Jacob. She can be reached at www.courtshipnow.com. Carmen's books "Arms of Love" and "Surrender" can be purchased in the RoL Marketplace.