Beautiful. I had the gift of this very experience in my years teaching sixth graders. God gave me the mind and heart to see each of them as my "favorite"-- which is, of course, how God sees each of us. I told each of them over and over, "You're my favorite.". And, by his grace, they each came to be convinced. Years later, they still ask me, "Am I still your favorite?"
I remember that feeling as a child! Just having this realization that it was a miracle that I was alive and here! It was so startling and wonderful and fleeting. I could never put words to it. I love the idea of trying to capture that same awe in our own children and others. We are all wonderous gifts from God.
I often reflect on this observation by Charlotte Mason in her book School Education (pg 33)
Serenity of a Madonna.––It is not for nothing that the old painters, however diverse their ideas in other matters, all fixed upon one quality as proper to the pattern Mother. The Madonna, no matter out of whose canvas she looks at you, is always serene. This is a great truth, and we should do well to hang our walls with the Madonnas of all the early Masters if the lesson, taught through the eye, would reach with calming influence to the heart. Is this a hard saying for mothers in these anxious and troubled days? It may be hard, but it is not unsympathetic. If mothers could learn to do for themselves what they do for their children when these are overdone, we should have happier households. Let the mother go out to play! If she would only have courage to let everything go when life becomes too tense, and just take a day, or half a day, out in the fields, or with a favourite book, or in a picture gallery looking long and well at just two or three pictures, or in bed, without the children, life would go on far more happily for both children and parents. The mother would be able to hold herself in 'wise passiveness,' and would not fret her children by continual interference, even of hand or eye––she would let them be.
I have had such a similar experience via motherhood. I find myself considering the child that each person I encounter once was, and it has helped me be more compassionate and merciful. Thank you for articulating this experience so beautifully.
As usual, your words are so beautifully penned, and touch the heart. I have said such things to myself, my children, about others, they were children once. So many, one wonders, happened to that child. To see others as Christ. This is key, and Mary shows us how. All women have this in them, physical mothers, or spiritual mothers, which is such a gift. And, as we are brothers and sisters of Christ, Mary sees us all as her children. She is also my Mother who cradles me. Thank you, Sarah, for sharing this tenderness.
Your writing, Sarah, is so rich with MEANING (that I can recognize!) that reading you has made a wonderful difference in my life. Because so much in this world is dark and meaningless, I LONG for these deep and significant meanings (and ‘knowings’ as you have expressed them in your book, This Beautiful Truth). By attending to the richness of what you write, as well as other things that speak of God, it’s become much easier for me to stop attending to worthless things online, and on my TV screen. For this I am so Thankful! 🙏🏼
This rings beautifully true and it reminds me of Gertrude von le Forte. She wrote: “The maternal woman cannot remain only the mother of her own children… The child who, in birth, breaks forth from the mother’s womb also breaks open her heart; it widens and opens it toward all that is small and weak. At heart, the mother is the mother of all. The world is in need of the maternal woman, for it is in many ways a poor and helpless child.” Thank you for being a mother to the world.
So beautifully said Sarah. The older I get the more I find this to be true. If I’m tempted to be judgmental I hear a soft whisper say, I love them. How grateful I am for such love.
This is so beautiful. Children are so pure and can help us see truth so well. I feel like your words inspired me throughout my day, and when I went to an adult education graduation ceremony with my husband (who is a part time teacher) I was so overwhelmed with a feeling of warmth and love for all the people in the auditorium, I almost started crying. You helped me open my heart to feel the love that God has for all of us.
Mairi, I went to my daughter's nursing school pinning ceremony yesterday, and found myself crying often, and not just for her. Looking at the many young faces, many so emotional, hearing their words of thanks, so often to their mothers, knowing the path they had been walking, brought many tears. I find that happens more and more as I get older as my heart seems to get wider and wider.
Beautiful, Sarah!
Beautiful. I had the gift of this very experience in my years teaching sixth graders. God gave me the mind and heart to see each of them as my "favorite"-- which is, of course, how God sees each of us. I told each of them over and over, "You're my favorite.". And, by his grace, they each came to be convinced. Years later, they still ask me, "Am I still your favorite?"
I remember that feeling as a child! Just having this realization that it was a miracle that I was alive and here! It was so startling and wonderful and fleeting. I could never put words to it. I love the idea of trying to capture that same awe in our own children and others. We are all wonderous gifts from God.
I also remember the feeling! I must have been maybe five or six and was overcome by the thought that “I am me” 🥲
Thank you, Lovely Child.
I often reflect on this observation by Charlotte Mason in her book School Education (pg 33)
Serenity of a Madonna.––It is not for nothing that the old painters, however diverse their ideas in other matters, all fixed upon one quality as proper to the pattern Mother. The Madonna, no matter out of whose canvas she looks at you, is always serene. This is a great truth, and we should do well to hang our walls with the Madonnas of all the early Masters if the lesson, taught through the eye, would reach with calming influence to the heart. Is this a hard saying for mothers in these anxious and troubled days? It may be hard, but it is not unsympathetic. If mothers could learn to do for themselves what they do for their children when these are overdone, we should have happier households. Let the mother go out to play! If she would only have courage to let everything go when life becomes too tense, and just take a day, or half a day, out in the fields, or with a favourite book, or in a picture gallery looking long and well at just two or three pictures, or in bed, without the children, life would go on far more happily for both children and parents. The mother would be able to hold herself in 'wise passiveness,' and would not fret her children by continual interference, even of hand or eye––she would let them be.
What beautiful thoughts. Thank you, Sarah and Elanor!
I have had such a similar experience via motherhood. I find myself considering the child that each person I encounter once was, and it has helped me be more compassionate and merciful. Thank you for articulating this experience so beautifully.
I am so grateful for your gift of self-expression! This is beautiful.
Adora, your name is lovely!
Thank you so much! I am indebted to my parents for this gift :’)
Beautiful, Sarah! Could you please share the name of the artist and title of the painting?
Completely forgot to do this before I posted. It's 'The Most Holy Mother of God of Tenderness', painted by Mikhail Nesterov - captioning now!
As usual, your words are so beautifully penned, and touch the heart. I have said such things to myself, my children, about others, they were children once. So many, one wonders, happened to that child. To see others as Christ. This is key, and Mary shows us how. All women have this in them, physical mothers, or spiritual mothers, which is such a gift. And, as we are brothers and sisters of Christ, Mary sees us all as her children. She is also my Mother who cradles me. Thank you, Sarah, for sharing this tenderness.
Your writing, Sarah, is so rich with MEANING (that I can recognize!) that reading you has made a wonderful difference in my life. Because so much in this world is dark and meaningless, I LONG for these deep and significant meanings (and ‘knowings’ as you have expressed them in your book, This Beautiful Truth). By attending to the richness of what you write, as well as other things that speak of God, it’s become much easier for me to stop attending to worthless things online, and on my TV screen. For this I am so Thankful! 🙏🏼
Thank you! And God bless you, Sarah!
This rings beautifully true and it reminds me of Gertrude von le Forte. She wrote: “The maternal woman cannot remain only the mother of her own children… The child who, in birth, breaks forth from the mother’s womb also breaks open her heart; it widens and opens it toward all that is small and weak. At heart, the mother is the mother of all. The world is in need of the maternal woman, for it is in many ways a poor and helpless child.” Thank you for being a mother to the world.
So beautifully said Sarah. The older I get the more I find this to be true. If I’m tempted to be judgmental I hear a soft whisper say, I love them. How grateful I am for such love.
You captured something universal beautifully. Bless you ❤️
This is so beautiful. Children are so pure and can help us see truth so well. I feel like your words inspired me throughout my day, and when I went to an adult education graduation ceremony with my husband (who is a part time teacher) I was so overwhelmed with a feeling of warmth and love for all the people in the auditorium, I almost started crying. You helped me open my heart to feel the love that God has for all of us.
Mairi, I went to my daughter's nursing school pinning ceremony yesterday, and found myself crying often, and not just for her. Looking at the many young faces, many so emotional, hearing their words of thanks, so often to their mothers, knowing the path they had been walking, brought many tears. I find that happens more and more as I get older as my heart seems to get wider and wider.
Oh, that's beautiful. And it should happen more the older we get. ❤️