during holy hours or while saying the Rosary … but my favorite way to engage Mary is through momentary ponderings, not formal prayers.


Cheryl: The book has a blogspot (beholdyourmotherbook.blogspot.com/) where you invite readers to share their stories. Please tell us what your hopes are for that blog.

Heidi: The subtitle of the blog – “A Bouquet of Love to Mary from Her Children” – really says it all. As I’ve been exploring a variety of Catholic blogs, I’ve been struck by how often Mary appears not as “Queen of Heaven” but as a true spiritual mother, mentor and friend.

“Behold Your Mother” is intended to help those who have an intellectual understanding of what the Church teaches about Mary, but who have a volitional or emotional barrier to overcome, often because of their faith background. The reason it’s important to overcome these barriers is very simple: You can know someone only so well if you are on nodding terms from across the room. A child gets to know her mother by climbing up on her lap, or sitting beside her and chatting. We can do that by turning our hearts toward her at regular intervals during the day.

Cheryl: You are a woman’s retreat and conference speaker. Could you please give us an idea of some of the topics you offer and how you can be contacted?

Heidi: One talk I especially enjoy giving is called, “Praying Like Our Lady: the Seven Words of Mary in Scripture.” It’s an introduction to the various prayer forms we use as Catholics.

Another talk is called “Good Girls of the Gospel,” which takes each of the feminine virtues and explores them through the lens of the New Testament. (This one correlates most closely to “Raising Up Mommy: Virtues for Difficult Mothering Moments,” which is also available at www.christianword.com) Of course, Mary is the ultimate “Good Girl” of the Gospel … her life and her fiat provides a model for all of us.

A related talk is called “Taming the Mommy Monster,” which examines the seven deadly sins and celestial virtues through the lens of motherhood.

I can best be reached through my website: a href=http://www.christianword.com target=_blank>www.christianword.com). My books are also available for purchase there by credit card or PayPal.


Cheryl: Is there anything else you would like to share with others?

Heidi: I’d like to encourage your readers not to feel rushed or pressured where Mary is concern. Her motherhood does not depend on our response. It took several years before I was really comfortable talking to Mary, and even now I don’t pray the Rosary every day (just as I don’t talk to my earthly mother on the phone every day). When I have a specific intention, my petitions become more “formal,” but most of the time I just talk to her as I would any friend.

Every relationship goes through its chapters and its seasons. Different images, titles, and or quotes about Mary may appeal to you at different times of your life. The important thing to keep in mind is that Mary is God’s gift to us – Jesus gave her to us from the Cross, to be mother of the whole Church. When we honor Mary, we honor her Son because all true Marian devotion always leads to Christ.

Contact

Ask, Knock, and Seek
http://www.BezalelBooks.com  , US
Cheryl Dickow - author, writer, 248 917-3865

Email

Cheryl@AskKnockSeek.com

Keywords

Mary, Virgin Mary, Blessed Mother, Motherhood