Why Parents and Church Leaders Must Partner together to Save our Children
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St. Francis de Sales is known as “The Gentleman Saint” because of his spirit of hope, trust in God’s love and providence, and optimism. His writings were both for the clergy and the laity. They focused on God’s love and forgiveness, repentance, hope, freedom, and positiveness. He was Bishop of Geneva, has been named a Doctor of the Church, and was a prominent figure in the Counter-Reformation. Out of the many of his quotes and teachings, there are five that I love and believe, if applied to our life, can be powerful.
1.) Have patience with all things, but first of all with yourself
2.) Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections
3.) Friendships begun in this world will be taken up again, never to be broken off
4.) Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset
5.) The bee collects honey from flowers in such a way as to do the least damage or destruction to them, and he leaves them whole, undamaged and fresh, just as he found them
It is often said that “patience is a virtue”. Patience is more than a virtue. It is a gem that reflects the light of Christ in our life, but also a mirror that bounces the image of God back at us. St. Francis de Sales understood that if we are to live a life in the bountiful presence of the Lord then we are to be patient as we grow in His grace. As a child learns to walk, he struggles to find balance and stability. Yet, he continues in a resolve to walk, run, leap, and play. As his legs grow stronger and time brings more practice, his balance increases and soon he is dancing in the rain. His patience in learning and growing allows him to have a more bountiful and joyful life.
Patience provides us the opportunity to have a deeper life and stronger walk with the Lord. It is not our timing that we must desire, but in His timing. It is in God’s timing that things always work together for the best. When we begin to have patience with ourselves then we can direct that patience onto others around us. It will create beautiful friendships and relationships that will last forever. It also places us on a hill where we are the light to the world and shine the grace, mercy, and forgiveness of Christ to all around us.
When we understand that everything is according to God’s timing and not our own then it allows us to fill the well of our heart with an abundance of God’s peace. The Lord’s peace transfers to all aspects of life. It is patience which leads to peace and peace cements beautiful relationships that allow us to make a positive difference in the world around us for the glory of God. St. Francis de Sales understood the connection and power between patience and peace. We would do well to do the same.
Amelia Monroe Carlson graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. Being raised as a Methodist during her early years, it was not until she entered college where she began to take her faith seriously. She was baptized as a Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals, AL and began immediately serving in international missions and in the church.
During college, she became the Co-founder of an International Ministry, where she spent time traveling and speaking to church groups and in large conferences. She authored a Bible study and traveled abroad on mission work. She sat on the Mid-South Interfaith Conferences in Mississippi, where she defended the faith and discussed beliefs with leaders of various religions.
After a business trip to Washington D.C., where she was introduced to a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church, she was placed on a journey to enter into the Catholic Church.
Amelia is a military wife and currently residents with her husband and daughter in Tennessee. She is a nine time award winning journalist, receiving press awards for various categories including investigative journalism, best news coverage, and best single feature. It is her desire to help Catholics, particularly Cradle Catholics, see the beauty in their faith which converts see and appreciate the fullness of truth which the Church has held and guarded throughout history. It is her desire all Catholics fall as much in love with Jesus as she is, and love the Church to a greater capacity than they could imagine.
Amelia taught PRE for 4-6 grade at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar, Tennessee from 2014-2016. She served as Youth Director at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville, Tennessee in 2017-2018. She now teaches 7th grade (1st year Confirmation) PRE class at St. Philip. She's also a writer and frequent podcast guest on Our Warpath.
She has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis de Sales, St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
To contact Amelia for speaking inquiries at conferences, retreats, or parishes contact her via social media on Facebook (Amelia Monroe Carlson), Twitter (@2_catholic ) or send a text to: (731)518-6923.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliamcarlson
Twitter: @2_catholic (Catholic ministry account)
Twitter personal account: @ameliamcarlson
