The Little Things

In a good discussion today with a friend, it became so clear how much truth there is in the wisdom of saints - especially St. Therese and Bl. Mother Teresa. Loving God -- doing His will -- is done in the little things, in fidelity to the tasks of the every day moments in our lives.

The great classic in spirituality - Abandonment to Divine Providence - contains an entire doctrine on the sacrament of the present moment. As humans, we are drawn to look forward by nature...particularly because at some level we are aware of the fulfillment of heaven and the great longing in our souls to embrace the divine. Our sinful, corrupted nature often & quickly can project this desire onto other things that we can truly access in a physical, concrete manner & from which we can obtain "instant gratification" or at least, gratification in the not so distant future. However, we are made for more. We are made for heaven.

The greatest temptation is to get caught up so much in the future - in guessing at what God may or may not want from us in the future to such a degree that we completely lose sight of His permissive will in the moment that is currently in front of us.

Each day, God wills good things in our lives & permits evil things in our lives. In each moment, He asks of us something - to complete some work that seems at times completely irrelevant and unimportant, but in the eyes of God, it is an irreplaceable necessity - an action that no one else can do in that moment. By His Divine nature God has no need of us, but in His infinite Wisdom and fathomless Mercy, He wills that we complete certain activities every day for the praise of His glory. But we cannot be faithful in small things, if we are constantly (or in some cases very, very frequently) looking ahead to time beyond the present moment.

Do small things with great love. This great spiritual maxim of Bl. Mother Teresa doesn't require planning, resources, and in some cases -- it does not even require great sacrifice...Every moment of every day God presents us with a multitude of opportunities to do small things with great love FOR Him. True love and true fidelity are found in these moments.

These thoughts might be particularly helpful for those who are discerning their vocation in life. Instead of looking for blinking lights & neon signs, attention to the "small stuff" -- to the opportunities, situations and events that God presents us every day -- is where the discovery of a vocation is made. Then it takes root and begins to blossom under the watchful eye of the Master Gardener...tending to the daisies, roses & lilies of the garden with unique love & tender care.

Live for today. Live for God. These are the keys to unlocking the great mystery of God's will for each of our lives. Much easier said than done, but more than worth the effort...for the reward is eternal.

Ego adsum, Domine! Mitteme!