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Some days, all I see in the life of my family is the beauty of it — moments when siblings bond and stand up for each other, evenings when I see my husband explaining some technical detail to my sons as they listen eagerly, and the times when happy chatter and laughter ring out as the sunshine sparkles on clean floors and tidy rooms.
But on other days, all I see is the uphill slog of toil and monotony in family life — the complaining and bickering, the fact that nothing stays tidy for longer than a few minutes, or the belief that we have conquered some hurdle in discipline or time management only to have the problem come back again with the solution more elusive than ever.
In that vein, and to commemorate Labor Day, I wanted to write about the labors required to help a family flourish and thrive. What better hero to turn to for inspiration than Hercules — that strong ancient hero who defeated many monsters to atone for his failures in family life (to put it mildly)? Note well, that he had divine help in his labors. When things seem impossible, remember that even Hercules couldn’t do it all alone.
What follows are some of his labors matched with labors I confront daily in family life.
1
DEFEAT THE LION
Hercules, as his first labor, had to kill a lion that had been terrorizing the town of Nemea. The lion was huge and powerful, and Hercules’ weapons had no effect on it. For us, this might translate to that one thing that overwhelms you day to day. What is your biggest struggle in family life? What makes you lose your cool regularly? The goal is to find ways to attack that struggle and not let it overpower you or your day.
For me at the moment, I think it is noise level. When there are multiple people crying or shouting, especially at an inopportune time (nap times, phone calls, etc.), I immediately lose my cool and react disproportionately to the situation. Since this keeps popping up, I need to find a new tool or way of reacting. Hercules’ arrows had no effect on the lion, and my telling myself after the fact “OK, don’t overreact next time, it is not that big of a deal” is not working either.
This week, try making a special effort to ask the Lord for help in the midst of your helplessness.
2
CLEAN THE STABLES
Hercules was tasked with cleaning up a stable that housed thousands of animals in one day. He accomplished this by diverting the course of two rivers through the stable. But after this clever and effective method, he did not get the reward he was promised, or the recognition that this counted towards his labors after all. Cleaning up messes without recognition or reward is the daily bread of family life.
That being said, how many messes do you think you will clean up today? What unexpected surfaces will you be disinfecting? Can you handle unexpected ick with grace? Just living everyday life in itself creates a daily mess that must be cleaned up over and over again. If you are in a rut with cleaning, maybe be willing to explore a different way or time to clean. My purchase of an O-Cedar mopping system not only increased the ease of cleaning the kitchen floor, but it took the task from my plate as my husband and sons discovered a love of mopping with that marvelous tool.
The next time you are faced with a thankless chore, try offering it up to God for someone in your family who is suffering or have difficulty.
3
SLAY THE HYDRA
Hercules battled the Hydra, a beast with nine heads that would each regrow whenever he had injured or decapitated one. This rings true in family life, as we daily have to confront the same problem that has seemingly regrown overnight. This includes recurring quarrels, negative behaviors, staying consistent and following through on resolutions or discipline. Even the normal routines of daily life can sometimes seem overwhelming. Where are you struggling with consistency/monotony? How can you approach your particular Hydra with fresh eyes?
In the days ahead, when you find yourself facing the same problem over and over, turn to Scripture and the lives of the saints for some inspiration and encouragement.
4
CAPTURE AND BRING BACK CERBERUS
Hercules’ final labor was to capture the three-headed dog beast that guarded Hades, the underworld and land of the dead. The words we speak to the people we love can truly bring life or death to their minds and souls. Consider what words you speak daily. Are they uplifting and life-giving? Or are they mostly complaints, accusations, venting? Do you celebrate the goodness of your loved ones and thank them for their help more than you criticize or correct them?
As you move from summer into fall, remind yourself to imitate Jesus, treating your family, friends, and neighbors with the same love that He has shown you.
If you would like a helpful and interesting take on a Christian versus a modern worldview concerning Hercules, please check out Bishop Barron’s video on meta-narratives.
And today we celebrate...