What does the phrase “do small things with great love” mean to you?
I am a mom of three kids. My days include changing diapers, being the tickle monster, refereeing fights, school drop-offs and pick-ups, and hunting down the best playgrounds within driving distance. I am also a full time grad student. During my days I must also find time for reading, writing papers, attending virtual meetings, working at my internship, and meeting with clients (I’m working towards a degree in mental health counseling!). Sometimes it can feel like a lot to balance! My program is faith-based though, and it has been immensely helpful to focus on the idea that true flourishing is dependent upon growing in personal holiness, responding to my vocation to motherhood, and answering my call to meaningful work through helping others in the mental health field. All of these are important aspects to my life, and while sometimes parts of them may look small or feel mundane in the grand scheme of things (especially when I fall into the trap of comparing myself to others!), recognizing that God has called me precisely to these roles has helped me to feel more at peace with them and incorporate an attitude of love into them…it’s all a work in progress though!
Who is your inspiration?
I don’t have just one inspiration. I’ve struggled with perfectionism my whole life and after countless journeys down the “best way” rabbit hole, I’m finally starting to realize that there are many good ways to do something – many good ways to raise kids, to live out one’s vocation, to balance motherhood, work, and friends. I’ve gathered so much wisdom just by watching my friends and family, appreciating the good that I see in their parenting styles and personal and professional lives, and deciding whether or how to incorporate those things into my own. If I had to sum up a quick list of my inspirations, I’d say they include my parents, my sister, and the good relationship and friendships I have cultivated and carried with me from college, Texas, and grad school.
Who are your favorite saints?
Just like I have many sources of inspiration, I also have many favorite saints! St. Catherine of Siena is my Confirmation saint and one thing I’ve always admired about her is her holy boldness – she wasn’t afraid to speak out (even to the Pope!) when she saw a wrong that needed addressing. St. Gianna Molla, St. Joseph, St. Monica, St. John Paul II are a few of my faves!
What is your favorite prayer?
The Hail Holy Queen has always brought me comfort in times of need. I’ve found that just repeating “Jesus, I trust in You” helps me to feel as if I am placing whatever I happen to be carrying in Jesus’ arms. And last, the serenity prayer is a great reminder that I am not in control of everything, and that is ok!
What advice would you give to others who are in a similar situation to you?
I am a single mom, a full time grad student, and an aspiring mental health therapist! Several years ago I heard the phrase: You can do it all, but not all at once. God has given each of us many different gifts. That doesn’t mean that we need to use them all at once! I have learned (and am still learning) to be at peace with where I am in different phases of life. Maybe for a short while I have a lot of extra time to read or practice some hobbies. At other times, my friends are readily available and I soak up the opportunity to deepen our friendships and call it a playdate. Still in other times, I have been blessed with quiet mornings that I can spend in prayer. Right now though, do I spend hours in prayer AND on hobbies AND crafting with my kids AND….in addition to what I already have to get done? If I did, I would most definitely lose it. Rather, identify your priorities (for me, that’s my kids, school, internship, and closest relationships) and find ways to cultivate those areas of your life while adjusting the other things for this season. Spending time with my kids looks like trips to the playground in the afternoons and lots of walks. Maybe when I have fewer homework deadlines we’ll focus on complicated crafting projects, but maybe not, and that’s fine! Do the best you can with where you are, and don’t compare it to your previous seasons.
Sharing business or social media
I don’t have an online presence aside from my personal accounts, but I’d like to encourage anyone reading this to go check in on a friend you haven’t spoken to in a bit. See how they’re doing! And also, check in with yourself and see how you’re doing. What season of life are you in and what sort of adjustments can you make to honor that season better?
