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To the Mom Who Feels Like She’s Failing at the One Thing She Was Sure God Called Her To…

  Let’s be honest. Some days you feel like the circus clown… Only the clowns have more help and better costumes. Your “classroom” is the kitchen table. Your students? One’s crying, one’s hiding, one’s asking you a question that sounds like it came straight out of a college exam. Meanwhile, the baby’s screaming, the dog just threw up on the rug, and the toddler… well… let’s just say the peanut butter was NOT supposed to be art supplies. And you? You’re standing there with cold coffee, wondering how in the world you ended up in charge of someone’s entire education. "Maybe I’m in over my head." "Maybe I’m wrecking their future." "Maybe they’d be better off with a real teacher." You’ve seen those Instagram-perfect homeschool moms… Neat handwriting on the whiteboard, shelves arranged by color, kids smiling like they just won the lottery for Most Well-Behaved Family. You’ve tried to copy them. You’ve stayed up past midnight rearranging books, printing lesson ...
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The First Purification: Turning Away from Mortal Sin

In Chapter 6 of Introduction to the Devout Life, St. Francis de Sales emphasizes that the very first step toward living a devout and holy life is purifying our souls from sin—especially mortal sin. Mortal sin, which severs our relationship with God, is something that must be addressed with the utmost seriousness. The primary way to be purified from sin is through the sacrament of penance or confession.

If you’re just starting this spiritual journey, or even if you’ve been on the path for some time, this chapter calls us to take a deep and honest look at our lives. Begin by seeking out a good confessor—someone who can guide you through this process. St. Francis suggests using a guide or small book to help you examine your conscience thoroughly. This step-by-step process allows you to identify where you’ve fallen short, from the very first moment you understood right from wrong, all the way up to the present.

Now, why is this so important? When we commit sin, it’s not just about breaking a rule. It’s about damaging our relationship with God. We lose His grace, risk losing heaven, and place ourselves in the danger of hell. Most tragically, we reject God's eternal love, the love that is waiting for us, arms wide open, ready to forgive and heal.

St. Francis also talks about the idea of a general confession—that is, confessing not just recent sins, but all the sins of your life. This might not always be necessary, but it’s a powerful way to start afresh when you are serious about growing in holiness. It forces you to face the reality of your past actions, while also helping you to feel the weight of God’s mercy and love.



Many people fall into the trap of making routine confessions—rushed, unprepared, and lacking real sorrow. St. Francis warns that this kind of confession can leave us stuck in a cycle of sin, because we aren’t making the necessary changes to avoid falling again. When we don’t fully examine ourselves or commit to avoiding the occasions of sin, we miss the opportunity for real transformation.

A general confession offers several benefits:

  1. It helps us know ourselves better.
  2. It sparks a healthy shame and regret for past sins, which leads to real change.
  3. It makes us deeply grateful for God’s mercy.
  4. It refreshes our spirit and gives us a new start.
  5. It gives the confessor a clearer understanding of our soul, so they can give better advice.
  6. It strengthens our resolve to make future confessions more meaningful and fruitful.

Starting your journey to a devout life with a general confession is like planting a seed in well-prepared soil. It sets the foundation for real growth. And even if the process of self-examination might seem daunting or uncomfortable, it brings with it immense peace and joy, knowing that you have fully opened your heart to God's mercy.

St. Francis de Sales teaches us that to truly live a devout life, we need to take the first step: purifying our soul from mortal sin. No matter who you are, this chapter reminds us that God’s love is always available to us. The sacrament of confession is a gift, a chance to start anew. So, whether you're just beginning or are deep into your spiritual journey, don't be afraid to look honestly at your life, seek God's forgiveness, and take that first step toward the devout life. It’s a step that brings peace, freedom, and a deeper relationship with our loving Father.

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