May 25.  “Another baby, another mouth to feed, another body to educate and clothe!“ Mrs Pretorius felt devastated  when she discovered her latest pregnancy.  “Why God, life is hard enough as it is.  Is this really your gift to us, for us to accept with joy?  I don’t know how I feel, or should be told to feel.  I do love the children, each of them, and they bring us joy but Lord can I give this one back to you,“ in her distress she prayed.  Nevertheless she was shocked when at four months she miscarried and she grieved for years over that little child, until eventually she could forgive herself and come  to terms with the fact that she had offered him back to God and she knew he was with God. Was this God’s way? 

Glorify the Lord generously and do not stint the first fruits of your hands.  With every gift show a cheerful face and dedicate your tithe with gladness. Give to the Most High as he has given and as generously as your hand has found. For the Lord is the one who repays, and he will repay you sevenfold. Do not offer him a bribe for he will not accept it.  Sirach 35:12.   Pope Francis:  From the first moments of their lives, many children are rejected, abandoned and robbed of their childhood and future.  There are those who dare to say, as if to justify themselves, that it was a mistake to bring these children into the world. This is shameful!   If a child comes into this world in unwanted circumstances the parents and other members of the family must do everything possible to accept that child as a gift from God and assume the responsibility of accepting him or her with openness and affection.  The gift of a new child entrusted by the Lord to a father and a mother begins with acceptance, continues with lifelong protection and has as its final goal the joy of eternal life. AL 166.  Mary, care for and pray for all those who are in need.