1) Dust. That's all. Dust.
I live in the desert. Being "in the desert" has incredible spiritual meaning; it also has a lot of dust!! Which reminds me that "dust" has incredible spiritual meaning, too. I resolve that when I look upon the dust which surrounds me (as a bad housekeeper), I will ponder my own mortality, knowing that I was made from dust, and to the dust I shall return. That is humbling!
And when I bring myself to get the Swiffer and face that lovely assortment of dead skin cells, dust mite corpses/feces, and tiny clothing fibers, I will recall to mind that even the most loathsome vocational tasks are infinitely valuable if done in humble obedience, for love of God.2) Pulling myself away from my blog, and turning towards my family.
May I ever remember that I am primarily responsible for ten very specific souls: my husband's, my eight children's... and my own soul, which is sanctified when I lovingly and attentively fulfill my vocational duties for the first nine.3) Losing large, crucial pieces of clothing into thin air. Like, oh, my only decent black skirt which is a staple that I cannot live without since it took me months to find one that I liked, and a brand new blue sweater that I have only worn twice and could not possibly be anywhere except somewhere in this house!!!
I must not be attached to material things, nor be concerned with what I wear. I must also realize that having to spend more money (aaackk!) on clothes that I shouldn't need is yet another lesson in detachment, and a reminder that I am not ultimately in control.
One quick thing before I go back to more contentious topics: There is a new Catholic (secondary) IF blogger on the block! Nicole is the relative of very dear friends of mine, and she also happens to be the President of Delaware Right to Life. She's been thrilled to find the IF Catholic bloggers, and I hope you will give her a warm welcome! She's over at Mom & Then Some.
