Friday in Lent

Laundry is good for the moment. Frances cooked sweet potatoes and we have some meatless tacos ready to be worked up tonight for dinner. The apartment is tidied as much as it can be in this stage of our lives, Frances is taking a well deserved nap, and Teresa is entertaining herself a few feet away from me on the bed. A sweet, momentary respite in the Liberto household.

Frances has done such a great job over the last few weeks with Teresa. Sometimes I’ll stay up a bit later and wake up earlier to take care of Teresa, but Frances is the one who’s primarily waking up at all hours of the night and morning to care for our daughter. Sometimes the bags under Frances’ eyes are so large, I wonder how she can function.

Then I remember that she trusts in the Lord. She receives all of her strength from the Lord.

Even with the sacrifices of these past couple weeks in determining Teresa’s food allergies, Frances has been amazing in how she unceasingly cares for Teresa. In light of her fatigue, Frances has been gentle, patient, loving, and compassionate with Teresa. She’s learned some hard lessons, but her reception of God’s graces, especially prudence, temperance, justice, and fortitude have allowed her to be a great mother.

Flashback to the last hour of pushing seven weeks ago: when all of her strength was depleted, Frances continued solely relying on God’s strength. It was like she was receiving a divine IV infusion of grace. It was an amazing display of how God ensures that He will never abandon us, especially in times of need. It also foreshadowed all of the times we as parents will need to rely on Jesus.

I know that there are many new mothers and mothers with new babies out there who are doing an amazing job with the help of God’s grace. (Diana, Sarah, Katherine, Missy, Missy, Lindsay, and Kate to name a few). I applaud you all and we are praying for you all.

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been praying for our little family. God hears you and small miracles happen here everyday. We are praying for you as well and we’re grateful for the wonderful people God has brought into our lives.

Being a Friday in Lent, I am reminded of all that Jesus gave everything for us. How sweet it is. It's amazing to see how Frances is giving everything for Teresa, thanks to our Lord, Jesus Christ. We are blessed.

...and the silence bows out as soft cries take the stage...