The Striving of Heroes

I saw her in front of me in our Church at the Sunday service. She was accompanied by three young children. Her face was new to me. She caught my attention with two things, her coming early to Orthros, and her company. In prayer, it is up to Man to fight everything that draws him away from God. However, I could not resist my delight in them. I love icons very much! I am not saying that what the mother did, others do not do. Yet, every time this sight is repeated, it is able to raise you to the heights of joy. I did not say that her children were "saints" in the Church. Nevertheless, their early presence confirmed my conviction that the entire community is responsible for standing with the striving parents. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). This is the striving of heroes. This is a wilderness in the city, a high and stretched out hermitage, a light on a lampstand. Blessed are those who strive for God to live in their homes!