Lisa Popcak and her husband, Dr. Greg Popcak, shared practical ideas of how to transform family life Sept. 23 at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.

Lisa Popcak was having one of those days. She was fearful she was just going to lose it with her children. As a desperate measure, she winged up a prayer to the Blessed Mother. Help me!

As she told this story, Popcak, who was delivering a speech with her husband Dr. Greg Popcak at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, had everyone’s attention.

This harried mom was suddenly given an inspiration. She immediately stopped what she was trying to do and asked her children to join her on the sofa.

I heard this speech as I was passing through a conference room so I am paraphrasing the following, but it is the gist of what Lisa Popcak said, and it is too good not to share!

“Kids, Mom is about to lose it and you don’t deserve that. I don’t want to lose it so I am asking you to please, please pray for Mommy right now.”

The children solemnly placed their little hands on their mother’s arm, knee, and shoulder and began to pray.

“Jesus, please help Mommy not to lose it — and please help us to be good children so she doesn’t get mad at us.” And on it went.

Lisa’s eyes filled with tears as she told this story. Her anger, she said, had been turned into a moment of grace.

Good Catholics know that “to them that love God ALL things work together unto good.” Romans 8:28. But here we have a practical example of how to apply that knowledge.

May Jesus and Our Lady help us, their children, to always remember to turn to them whenever we are about to lose it with our own children or with one another!