• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Prayer Wine Chocolate

a spiritual journey to motherhood & beyond

  • Home
  • Wine and Chocolate
  • Faith
  • CSMI
  • Adoption
  • Life
  • Prayer Journaling
  • Resources
  • About
  • Contact
  • Be Yourself!: A Journal for Catholic Girls
  • Donate a Be Yourself Journal
  • Catholic Coloring Pages
  • Shop

Oct 25, 2017
Faith

Innocent Wisdom: 3 Marital Lessons I Learned from My Son

Innocent Wisdom- 3 Marital Lessons I Learned from My Son
Photo credit: Picture taken by Kellyanne Adams Photography

This article contains affiliate links.

They say “to know someone is to love them”.

If this is true, which I believe it is, there are not many people in this world that love me better or more than my five-year-old son, Xavier.

Xavier5years.jpg
Photo credit: Kellyanne Adams Photography

His innocence allows him to love me without boundaries or exceptions.

He is honest, open and forgiving.  He is also wise beyond his years.

One day I was talking to my husband in my all to often used “frustrated voice” and Xavier turned to me and stated very firmly:

“Never be mad at Daddy.”

I thought, “that is very good advice” and I recalled Scripture

Love is patient. Love is kind . . . it is not easily angered . . .”

from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Confession:  I tend to get easily frustrated. I’m petulant.

My son totally called me out on it.

Noted. Working on it.

Not many days later I was in the kitchen with my son

and my husband was outside.  I might have called to him or said something that Xavier could hear.  I don’t remember what I said or what it was about.

What I do reacall is Xavier saying to me – very slowly and clearly –

“You need to be PATIENT.”

If you know my son, you know very well that he rarely speaks slowly or clearly.

I need to practice patience.  Got it. Noted.

The last piece of advice my 5-year-old gave me was not through his words, but through his example.

One night our recyclable container was on the curb waiting for the next day’s pick up.  An empty gallon of milk was in our kitchen, and Xavier really wanted to be the one to place it in the recycle bin.  I pointed out that he would have to walk to the curb – the bin wasn’t in it’s usual place (which is right outside the kitchen door).

This news did not bother him at all.  In fact, it excited him!  He begged and pleaded, “Can I please bring it to the curb????”  Can I please go put it in the bin?”

I said yes.

You would have thought I gave the kid a million dollars.

He jumped for joy that he could throw out the milk container.  He smiled from ear to ear that he could walk all the way to the curb and place that container in the blue bin.  He ran to do what I probably would have complained about – or not done at all; and he ran to do it with total joy!

His advice, from his actions and example, was to:

“Serve with JOY.”

What a reminder.  How often do I moan and groan about doing a simple act of charity.  How many times could I just put his shoes away and say nothing – rather than complain that once again, he didn’t put them away.

This advice hit me like a truck.  This advice had gone into my selective memory loss bank until I finally sat down to write this article.

Serve. Serve daily. Serve over and over and over again.  And serve with joy.

Love and do not count the cost, but be grateful for the person you have the honor of loving.

I need to post this on my mirror and in my car.

Stop getting mad.

Be Patient.

Serve Joyfully.

Marriage advice from Xavier, 5 years old

STOP GETTING MAD: Don’t waste time on anger – it steals happy memories!

Don'twastetimewithanger
Ginny and family from Not so Formulaic

BE PATIENT!

BEPATIENT.jpg
BE PATIENT: “I learned to fly fish because he was interested in it. After 29 years of marriage, I wanted to make sure we were learning new things and finding things to do together. He was thrilled and I was surprised that I loved it. ” Michelle, married 29 years. Learn more about Michelle at Give Him 5

SERVE JOYFULLY!

PILARLOPEZSERVEJOYFULLY.jpg

So whether you have been married a few weeks or a few decades, here is the wise advice from an innocent boy:

Stop getting mad.Be Patient.Serve Joyfully..png

Share59
Tweet
Pin18
Share1
77 Shares
Previous Post: « What is “Prayer Wine Chocolate”?
Next Post: “Be Yourself” Prayer Journal Parties for Girls: Themes, Prompts and Mini Lesson Plans »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alicia Potvin says

    October 26, 2017 at 7:16 am

    You know it doesn’t matter how long one is married, those are great rules to live by, thank your little man for helping a lady that just turned 60.

    • Amy says

      October 26, 2017 at 10:09 am

      Awww – such sweet words Alicia! I will tell him! And happy birthday!! My sister’s name is Alicia and her birthday was yesterday!

  2. Michelle says

    October 26, 2017 at 5:13 pm

    What a beautiful post! Your son is such a little sweetheart. He has great insight! I especially love the line, “be grateful for the person you have the honor of loving.” It is a wonderful reminder not only to serve with love but it is also a beautiful testimony that our attitude is everything. May the Lord bless you and your husband with MANY years together, Amy. I know He is working powerfully in your life.

    • Amy says

      October 26, 2017 at 8:26 pm

      Thank you soooo much Michelle!

  3. Anni H. says

    October 30, 2017 at 10:27 am

    My spiritual director has pointed out when my son has said similar things, it is God using my son to talk to me. Your pieces of wisdom from your son gave me goosebumps because it is clear God is reminding you – the EXACT same way God reminds me!

    Beautiful words of wisdom – not just for marriages, but for any interaction in our lives, whether it is marriage, parenting, or the person in the grocery store!

    • Amy says

      October 30, 2017 at 11:24 am

      Thank you so much Anni!!!!

  4. Monica @ Equipping Catholic Families says

    October 30, 2017 at 10:59 am

    Wow, I’m wondering how many things I’ve missed learning from my kids lately. Great advice!

  5. Ginny says

    October 30, 2017 at 1:59 pm

    He is the cutest – and so wise! You are blessed, my friend.

    • Amy says

      October 30, 2017 at 2:47 pm

      Thanks Ginny! I’m smiling over here because I agree, he is so cute and I am so blessed <3

  6. Amy says

    November 3, 2017 at 9:17 pm

    Our kids are so often our greatest teachers. Loved the post and your son’s wise words! 🙂

    • Amy says

      November 5, 2017 at 5:50 am

      Thank you Amy!!

Primary Sidebar

       

Amy is the Co-Founder of CatholicsOnline.net

10 Free resources

10 Free resources

10 free resources for subscribers!

10 free resources for subscribers!

GUIDE: How to Plan your Own Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat

Be Yourself! Journal

Journal for tweens and teens

prayerwinechocolate

Easter is the perfect time to encourage prayer wit Easter is the perfect time to encourage prayer with a gift!
These gifts and more available in my little shop!

#Catholicshop #Catholickids #Catholicwife #CatholicChristian #CatholicEaster
Easter gift ideas for Catholic boys… #Catholicbo Easter gift ideas for Catholic boys…
#Catholicboymom #Catholicmom #Catholic #Catholics #Confirmationgift #CatholicChristian #catholicmemes #catholicreels
Be Yourself Journal on sale for $17.00… today on Be Yourself Journal on sale for $17.00… today only!!!
“Be who you are and be that well. So that you may bring honor to the Master Craftsman whose handiwork you are.”
~Saint Francis DeSales 

#Catholicbooks #CatholicSaints #CatholicMom #Catholicgifts #boystomen #Catholickid #Catholictween ##Catholickids #saintquotes
Striving for Sainthood can be as simple as this… Striving for Sainthood can be as simple as this… 

This type of advice can be really helpful for all of us… especially for a young girl navigating middle school or her early teens.

This advice would have helped me.
Why?

Because it takes some pressure off the high expectations often felt by us as individuals.

It makes God’s will for us feel achievable and realistic.

It’s totally relevant to a student in junior high
(And a slightly stressed out adult)

This page in the Be Yourself embraces scrapbooking fun- just like the back cover. Only this page encourages photographs. Yes, actual printed ones 🎞️📸

Take a deep breath.
Love the next person that comes near you.
#Catholicmom #Catholicsaints #middleschool #juniorhigh #Catholicquotes #inspirationalquotes
A prayer and the story behind the picture… Oh S A prayer and the story behind the picture…

Oh St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, 

I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your divine son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, our Lord; 

so that having engaged here below your heavenly power I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of fathers. 

Oh St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while he reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss his fine head for me, and ask him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. 

St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for us.
Amen.

My children had off from school on Friday. I had committed to an hour of Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays from to 2 to 3 during Lent… so since they had off, they had to come with me.
It was stressful.
They CAN NOT sit still.
Once I got one to stop walking around or talking, another one started.
But in the middle of all this… I witnessed a sweet moment.
I hesitated to pull out my phone because I really try not to during Adoration.
But, the beauty of the moment struck me, and I had to capture it.
📸 
Motherhood is hard. Parenting is difficult.
But I’m often reminded it’s like farming… and I’m planting seeds.

I just hope and pray I’m planting more good seeds then bad ones.

Thank goodness we can pray and ask for prayers from others!

Saint Joseph, pray for us!
#Catholic #Catholicmom #mustardseedfaith #catholicteacher #CatholicChristian #CatholicSaint #CatholicSaints #catholicparenting #liturgicalliving
THANK YOU! Thank you! Thank you! If you have left THANK YOU! Thank you!
Thank you!

If you have left a review on Amazon for either of the Be Yourself Journals… thank you from the bottom of my heart!

When you leave a review on Amazon it makes me SO HAPPY… plus it sends a signal to Amazon to show more people these books!
I’d love for more girls to get this book in their Easter Basket this year!

I’m so grateful this book is being used and appreciated!

God is good!

If you like this book and haven’t left a review, please write one! It’s okay if you didn’t buy it from there!

Tag someone with a 10 or 11 year old girl!

#Catholic #Catholicmom #liturgicalliving #litany #Wwp #CatholocChristian #CatholicEaster #CatholicEasterbasket #ComeHolySpirit #trueidentity
I can’t believe in the past week I’ve posted 4 I can’t believe in the past week I’ve posted 4 videos on YouTube!

And last week’s interview with Dr. Matthew Breuninger (@askacatholictherapist ) still has me thinking about the “psychology of prayer journaling “!

The last 4 videos posted consist of two new interviews (Jessica Castillo from @athrivingcatholic and Dr. John Spitzer @johnspitzermd ); 

a box opening of @pinksaltriot ‘s latest JOY BOX and finally 

a “how to” video that demonstrates how girls can design the back cover of Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Girls!
Whew!

Dr. John Spitzer shared parenting advice for moms and dads of tweens;

Jessica Castillo shared how our physical and spiritual health are connected;

The Joy Box had some fun surprises… one will be going in my daughter’s Easter Basket;
And my friend’s daughter was the perfect co-host in the “how to design “ video!

Tell me which topic interests you the most… maybe I’ll dedicate an Instagram post highlighting that content!

#Catholic #BeYourselfJournal #CatholicYouTube #Catholicyouth #CatholicsOnline #catholicsofinstagram #Catholicblog #Catholicauthor #Catholicblogger #catholicinspiration #Catholictalk #joybox
FLASH SALE ON BOY’S Journal ends tonight!!! Link FLASH SALE ON BOY’S Journal ends tonight!!!
Link in bio!
#Catholic #Lent #bhlent2023
“I got this for my 10 yr old daughter’s Easter “I got this for my 10 yr old daughter’s Easter basket. She immediately was attracted to it. Later, she came to me and said that it was her favorite item in her basket. She loves it and really has spent time with it. It is motivational, inspirational, engaging and most importantly, designed to encourage a habit of prayer and meditation at a young age. All while focusing on God’s love for us and our uniqueness…”
Review left on Amazon about Be Yourself:a Journal for Catholic Girls
#Catholic #RomanCatholic #BeYourselfJournal #BeYourself #Catholicmom #Catholicgift #Christianyouth #Catholicyouth #journal #prayerjournal #catholiccrafts #Catholics #Tweengirls #tweengirl #Youthministry #bookstagram #Catholicfamily #catholicphotography #Catholicprayers #catholicreels
FLASH SALE!!!! Boy’s journal sale ends MONDAY!!! FLASH SALE!!!!
Boy’s journal sale ends MONDAY!!!
Finish up Lent strong… and add this fun book to an Easter Basket!
Link in bio!
#Catholickids #Catholicmom #Catholicyouth #CatholicChristian #Catholic #catholicyouthministry #Catholicdad #Catholicgift #Eastergift #Easterbook #Easter #easterbasket #Lent
I adore you Jesus, true God, and true man, pres I  adore you Jesus, 
true God, and true man, 
present in the Holy Eucharist, 
kneeling before you 
and united in spirit 
with all the faithful on earth 
and all the saints in heaven. 

In gratitude for so great a blessing, 
I love you with all my heart, 
for you are worthy of all praise 
and adoration. 

Lord Jesus Christ, may I never offend you with my lack of love. 

May your Eucharistic presence refresh me in body and soul. 

Mary, Mother of the Eucharistic Lord, pray for me 
and obtain for me a greater love for Jesus. Amen.

#EucharisticAdoration #Lent #EucharisticRevival #BlessedSacrament #40hours #prayforvocations #Catholicmom #Catholicsonline #manyhailmarysatatime #catholicsofinstagram #Holyhour
Seriously, if all the @catholicsonline shops had a Seriously, if all the @catholicsonline shops had a mall I’d… I don’t even know… it would be AMAZING!!!
#RomanCatholic #Catholicgifts #Catholicmom #Catholicwoman #Catholicwife #Christiangifts #SaintJude #CatholicSaints #Catholicshop #Eastergift #Eastergifts #Catholicsonline #Catholicreels #catholicsofinstagram #prolife
Have you ever seen a statistic and thought… thes Have you ever seen a statistic and thought… these numbers are NOT in my favor?

Years ago, I was lonely, depressed and wondering if I would ever not be lonely and depressed.

I dreamed of falling in love and getting married.

But, I wanted to marry a faithful Catholic man… and I believe I saw that only 22% (?) of Americans were Catholic.

And then I thought…
Half of them aren’t men, a large percentage are not practicing and … also how many are BOOMERS?

Lucky for me, God math goes like this…
5 loaves 
2 fish
=
5,000 meals and leftovers 

This is my handsome husband and our awesome nephew with the Bishop that Confirmed him on Friday.
Matt was -and is- such a proud Sponsor and Uncle!
God bless Grayson Patrick FRANCIS!

Thank you God for all of your gifts!!!
“You pay God a compliment when you ask big things of Him.” ~ Saint Teresa of Avila

#Catholic #confirmationsponsor #CatholicSacraments #EucharisticRevival #EucharisticAdoration #ComeHolySpirit #Saintquotes #CatholicSaints
Don’t you love when a plan comes together for a Don’t you love when a plan comes together for a retreat and you see joyful faces! 

Listen, this is the best retreat hack for Catholic girls!
****The Be Yourself Journal Scrapbooking activity.****

Give each girl a Be Yourself Journal.
Explain how, “We are all called to holiness but we take different paths.” ~ Saint Katharine Drexel.

Have each girl pick out a Holy card and two Catholic stickers.

Put scrapbooking paper and Catholic washi-tape (thank you @thestumpofjesse ) on the tables and get them started with decorating the back of their journals.

As they work add more stickers and quote cards to their table.

Point out that they were all given the same set of instructions… yet each cover design is unique.

The same is true for their calling!
God has a unique mission for each individual.

He calls us to follow the Commandments, embrace His Word and trust the teachings of the Church…
same set of basic instructions, different yet BEAUTIFUL results when followed!
“Be who God meant you to be and you’ll set the world on fire!” ~Saint Catherine of Siena
Huge thank you to the women who donated journals and holy cards!!!
#holycards #Catholickids #Saintquotes #BeYourselfJournal #Catholic #Catholicstickers #Catholiccrafts #Saintquotes #Catholicyouth #Catholicyouthgroup #Catholicretreat #Confirmationretreat #Catholicretreat #catholicteacher
Not sure what to do with all those prayer cards? Not sure what to do with all those prayer cards? 

Holy cards can be a fantastic prayer journal prompt. 

Copy the prayer off the back and glue the card to the page ;next to, underneath or above where you wrote the prayer).

Follow me for more prayer journaling tips!
#Catholicjournal #biblejournal #Prayerjournal #prayerjournaling #bissisterhood #Catholicsonline #Jesusandcoffee #Lentideas
Getting ready for a Confirmation Retreat this week Getting ready for a Confirmation Retreat this weekend!

So excited to help these young Catholics see that each is called to holiness… but each mission is unique and unrepeatable!

Huge thank you to the women who donated journals for the retreat (11 donated!!!) and the women from my Bible study group who donated Holy cards!

If you would like to donate a Journal for one of the girls attending the retreat this weekend… send me a private message and I’ll explain how!

Holy cards are GREAT prayer journal prompts!

Which Holy card would you put in your prayer journal?
#prayerjournal #Catholicsaint #Confirmationretreat #Catholicretreat #catholicprayer
Keep at it!!! Don’t give up and Don’t give in! Keep at it!!! Don’t give up and Don’t give in!!! “The world offers you comfort… but you were not made for comfort, you were made for GREATNESS!”
Pope Benedict XVI
#Catholic #Saintquotes #prayfastgive #Lent #Catholicreels #Catholicmeme #Catholicmemes #catholicsofinstagram #Catholicmom #faithandfamily
New post up on the blog!! I found some awesome Hol New post up on the blog!!
I found some awesome Holy Spirit themed gift ideas!
Link in bio!
#catholicgiftguide #ComeHolySpirit #Catholicmom #religiouseducation #Catholicgifts #shopCatholic #catholicsonline
Holy Spirit activate!!! New gift guide up!!! One m Holy Spirit activate!!!
New gift guide up!!!
One might say … these gifts are on FIRE!!!!
Check it out… link in bio!!!
#holyspiritactivate #Catholicgifts #Catholic #confirmationgift #Catholic #youthministry #Catholicyouth #Catholicteen
Need Lent? #Catholicreels #Catholics #CatholicChri Need Lent?
#Catholicreels #Catholics #CatholicChristian #Catholicmeme #Catholicmemes #liturgicalliving
Load More Follow on Instagram

Footer

       
a spiritual journey to motherhood & beyond

Copyright © 2023 · Cultivate Theme theme by Restored 316