Following In The Footsteps Of Saints

Well, hello. How are you today?

Yes, yes, it's been a while. It's exactly this reason that I was hesitant to begin a blog in the first place. I apologize for the lapse between posts. I've been sitting on this entry for a while now. Hopefully it'll be a good kickoff to get me started again! Either way, welcome back!

"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ" -1 Corinthians 11:1

Hefty expectations from a grand Saint. Sometimes it's easier to just ignore calls like these and focus on some of the "nicer" things in life. I mean, how are we supposed to relate to someone who was "knocked off their horse" by God Himself?



The Atlanta Surprenant's just finished up Birthday Season at our house. It started back in July and just finished up at the end of September. We obviously love celebrating birthdays around here, but we also like to try and celebrate different feast days throughout the Catholic Church's liturgical year. There are tons of great Saints out there just waiting to inspire us!

So this got me thinking of the Saints that fall on each of our birthdays. Mine is August 28th, St. Augustine. I've always loved him. I just found his story interesting... and interestingly enough I found that early on- and now- I can really relate to him.

"You have made us for you O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in thee" -St. Augustine, Confessions.

Unfortunately this quote is WAY over used... but that's probably because it's such a great quote! In fact the whole book, "Confessions" is filled with great quotes and things to pray and meditate about. I HIGHLY recommend it.

But I love this quote so much because it really speaks to where I was as a young adult. Searching, learning, hurting... I was looking for something. I was restless. Nowadays it's easy to see when it's been a while since I've been to confession, or if I'm filling my life with things other than God. I get restless.

St. Augustine was a partier. He was a wild child. He liked to have a good time.

 It was all because of the prayers of his mother that he came around. As I read his book I often found myself relating to the sins he dealt with on a regular basis. It was his words that connected dots for me that helped me realize God truly does have a plan for me. And I'm sure I'm not the only Surprenant child who has experienced the prayers of our mom.

Is it a coincidence I was born on his feast day? Maybe.

I started with myself, but really I should have started with Bob. His birthday falls on July 25th.

From the beginning we had a good idea that Bob was going to be named Robert Elijah. While it is a nod to my dad, he's actually been given my middle name and my confirmation name. I thought it was cool to have a son named after me, but I didn't want a Junior. We had toyed with the idea of having "James" placed in front of his name kind of as a "silent" name, but thought that was weird.

Well... have you looked up July 25th yet? Probably not, I wouldn't. But it's the feast of St. James the Greater... weird right? Think God has a plan?

One of St. James' famous nicknames is "Son of Thunder"... if you know Bob... you know this is true. The kid is full of energy. I mean, he never stops. He's very passionate about everything he does and wants everything to be done in meticulous order.

"And He sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for Him, but the people would not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ' Lord do you want us to bid fire come down from heaven and consume them?' But He turned and rebuked them."

Have you ever experienced Bob's wrath? Or witnessed it against Amanda or I? It truly is a site to behold. Because of this quick temper Amanda and I too must rebuke our little Son of Thunder. But we remind ourselves regularly that this is a good thing. That one day he is going to stubbornly stand up for what is right and fight against the wrongs of the world... we hope. But at the very least we know he's got St. James looking over him.


But I always laugh when I read passages about James in the Bible and instantly recognize my own little saint. Coincidence?

The next birthday is Amanda's. July 29th, the feast of St. Martha.

"Now as they went on their way, he entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house." - Luke 10:38

You probably know the story. I stopped here for a reason. Yes, Amanda is always very busy. She's always got a project going on or stepping up and doing something for someone somewhere. She's an amazing woman.

But her true star is hospitality. She really shines on all those we host and it's something she really enjoys. From the guest book in the guest room, towels, to your favorite food in the kitchen. It doesn't matter how she can serve... she just does. She's not happy with simply getting the job done though. No, you find her true beauty in the details. Whether it's balloons for a work party or football themed snacks for my fantasy football draft, or Super Bowl party, Amanda always makes things special.  We are blessed.

But even she will laugh and tell you how much she cane relate to St. Martha. She can also tell you how much it has helped her grow in her faith life to pray about Martha's own experiences with Christ and apply them to her own life.
Martha truly has a hand on Amanda's shoulder, and it's awesome to see.

Our last birthday is Mary... and well, she kind of throws a wrench into things. Her birthday is September 24th... and all the calendars I checked either have no Saint, or different Saints. So thanks Mary. (wink.)

But don't worry, I've got this! Let's just take a look at her name; Mary Therese. She's named after Mary, the Mother of God, and St. Therese of Lisieux.

Mary has been such a blessing in our lives. It amazes me how much she embodies a beautiful combination of Mary's gentleness and beauty with St. Therese's childlike and simple faith. We often joke and call Mary our little "Flower Child". More often than not her shoes are off and she's out in the yard sitting under a tree.

She finds great joy in her big brother and absolutely loves to snuggle with any of us. But her love doesn't end with the family. No, whether you're meeting us for the first time or the hundredth expect a hug and possibly a request to be held from our little Beauty.

It's always a great blessing to come into a room and have her run towards me with arms wide open or ask me repeatedly to either sing a hymn or repeat our Bible Verse of the week. So while she may not have a patron Saint on her birthday... there are a couple of Girl's upstairs who have it taken care of... and once again, it's amazing to see the connections.

So is it a coincidence? I don't think so. I think the Saints are there for us to measure our lives against. Friends who have already run the race and know the route to victory. So, if you haven't already I invite you to look up your own birth date and see which feast day falls on it. Who knows what you'll find!

Thanks again for taking the time to read.

God bless,