Exodus 17:!2 But Moses’ hands grew weary; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; so his hands were steady until the sun set.

On Monday, the three youngest and I attend daily Mass at noon. Ever so often, we see a friend – a mom with many kiddos under ten. On Monday, I watched as people sitting behind her moved away. As the scriptures were read, the words from Exodus leapt into my heart – Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; so his hands were steady until the sun set.

I knew the Holy Spirit was telling me to help.

My inner dialogue began –

Me: Yes, I want to help, but what about my own kiddos?

My holy imagination: They are older. They will be fine.

Me: What do you want me to do?

MHI: You know what I want to do.

Me: This is super weird.

MHI: (silence)

Me: Okay – what if she doesn’t want any help or attention?

MHI: (silence)

I quietly slipped out of my pew, caught the mom’s eye and gave her a thumbs up (like a big, weird nerd – it felt right, but looking back it was definitely a solid GenX move). One of her little ones recognized me, and I spent the rest of Mass rocking this sweet bundle of preschool joy in my arms.

What I assumed would be a sacrifice quickly became a gift. There is nothing like the moment a little one rests their head on your shoulders.

Hold up their arms.

It can be easy for us to join in pro-life and pro-family arguments. It can be easy for us to talk about the beauty of large families.

But in those moments when a mom can use extra hands or a smile, do we step up to the plate? Do we step into the chaos and help? Do we offer our seasoned arms as a shelter for a hard day?

Try your hardest to recall those moments that felt overwhelming, when you would give anything for a friend and a few extra hands.

Next time you feel the temptation to move away from a large family, stop and ask the Holy Spirit what you can do to Hold up their arms.