Teach us to count up the days that are ours, and we shall come to the heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 from Catholic Online

While reading a great book called The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic, the author postulates a necessary part of raising families of strong faith is a pillar of prayer inside the extended family. This person's prayer can sustain their children, draw grace towards them and be a beacon home to the Lord's wisdom. I closed my eyes, and without any thought saw my mother as my childhood pillar of faith.

I saw my mother with her rosary in hand praying through her asthma attacks when no medicine existed to calm it. I remember her praying when her children encountered challenges to our faith and souls. I always remember her humility when she knew a complex problem exceeded her immediate knowledge, asking the Lord to show her the way through the maze ahead one step at a time through prayer and hard work.

I know she received this the path of prayer from her parents. My Nana told us to pray for the soul needing the ambulance when it raced past her house in Easton, Pennsylvania. My Nana and Pappap said the rosary together every night when I lived with them for their family. So it was generational...and a great gift.

Now the challenge is to be the pillar for my children to remember, and know the way home always starts with humility before the Lord in prayer. Until I get it all right I will know my Mom has me covered...

-ehw