It’s Day 1 in the 31 Day of Writing Challenge. St. Therese has been on my mind lately and since it is her feast day today, I thought this quote would be a good start to my 31 Days of Gratitude.
Growing up, many Catholics I knew had a great devotion to St. Therese. Me? Not so much. I had nothing against her, I just preferred the less popular saints who wouldn’t be so busy praying for everyone else. š However, in the last couple years, I have read more about St. Therese and her “little way” and have grown to love it and her.
When I redesigned the blog two years ago, her motto is what motivated me. I suppose for a mom busy in the trenches of raising kids and maintaining a home, it can be a little daunting with all the menial tasks that must be performed throughout the day… over and over again. Intellectually, I know it is important work, but psychologically, it can weigh on a mom’s hear when she is up to her neck in dishes, diapers, dirty laundry, spilled milk and toys all over the place. It’s hardly glamorous. Yet, God has a deep love for the humble… for those who follow the “little way.”
It’s easy to say, “Do the little things with great love,” but, at least for me, it is much harder to actually do. More often than not I’m uttering a groan and an “Oh, come on!” at a little cross than kissing it and saying, “For love of you, my Lord.” Thankfully, God is patient and merciful. He knows that I am trying to surrender to Him and trying to live in a spirit of gratitude.
Instead of complaining about all the dishes and laundry, I should be thankful that we have warm clothes to wear and plenty of food on the table. Not everyone is so blessed. I ask for the grace to keep turning my eyes to God throughout the day. To accept whatever cross I have at that moment in time – whether it is scrubbing a toilet or bathing a stinky munchkin or working on a school fundraiser – this is where God calls me. This is where God teaches me sanctity. This is my opportunity to be a witness of love to my little ones, to my husband, to my neighbor and to those in my community. This is my mission field. I am grateful for the grace to understand that. Now I pray for the grace to live it.
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Thanks for the reflection, Bobbi! If you are going to write for 31 days, the least I can do is read each one! I miss the days of so much activity, but now I’m too old to keep up with it, haha š
Thanks, Teresa. So nice to see you here! There are times when I wish these “busy” days were over but I know I’d miss it once it was. Time is going too fast as it is! š
Hi, Bobbi! Thank you for the lovely reflection on St. Therese. I don’t feel like I know her all that well; I certainly didn’t grow up knowing her. It got my attention that Fr. Barron made her a patron saint of the Catholicism project. I prayed a novena with Pray More Novenas this year- that was a first for her (as far as I can remember). I think of her fairly often though: lots of the little things to be done for little people in the house! All those little moments add up to a beautiful life. Her spiritual advice must be wise!! Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome, Anne. St. Therese’s spirituality is so simple yet I still have a hard time living it! I guess the effort is what matters. Thanks for stopping by! š
I love St. Therese a lot, but I so identify with the whole “Oh come on!” instead of kissing the little crosses that come my way. That said, I definitely owe St. Therese a debt of gratitude for her prayers. She sent me a rose in the form of the man who is propped up in the bed beside me at the moment doing a crossword and yawning a little. I am really looking forward to reading your blog over the next 31 Days! God bless you!
Aw!! That is so sweet, Momma. I love the description of your rose. š I have a similar flower and I still marvel that God gave him to me! I’ve been seeing your name pop up in FB. Looking forward to stopping by your blog and checking out your 31 days too. š
Love your theme Bobbi!!!
Thanks, Kristin!! š
I need to read more about her… She’s on “my list” but I just haven’t gotten around to it. Because, shocker, I’m so busy! I do need to complain less, though. We should be thankful that we have these niceties in our lives. Like, this morning, the darn toilet just wouldn’t work. I’m all kinds of mad at the world, of course. I have 3 boys! So, ugh! But, Jason fixed it in a heartbeat and went on to work. Easy peasy. Me? My world was ending. First world problems, right? So, my gratitude for the moment? I’m so thankful to have an engineer for a husband and running water in the house!
I had to laugh at your description, Heather. It sounds like my house. I am having a fit and my husband comes in and is always calm and collected. He takes care of the matter and is on his way while I am still fuming about the while situation in the first place. LOL. It’s something I am working on constantly!! Glad you stopped by. This afternoon I finally have a few moments to myself and I’ll be stopping by your blog too. š