Do small things with great love. It sounds so simple! I do small things throughout the day and each of them could be offered up with love, right? Unfortunately, even though I may pray my morning offering and attempt to offer up my “sufferings” or sacrifices, I tend to miss the mark on the “with great love” part more often than not. I am a perfectionist, and this disposition tends to color how I see and do things. It’s an asset in many ways; I am conscientious and always try to do my best. I strive to be organized, have an orderly home, and stay on top of things at work. But it can be a cross and a temptation in other ways. Like when I impose expectations on others that they may not be able to meet. Or how my mood deteriorates when I feel I’m falling behind on things. Or how I can be unintentionally critical, focusing on what my kids did wrong instead of praising what they did right. My heart wants to be an encourager but I have to fight against my brain that is more of a critic. Even now, I am focusing on my flaws…but for a good reason. I have learned about myself; I have gained insight into my personal struggle to live the love I am called to live. In that knowledge is the key to gaining grace.
So for me to do small things with great love means letting go. Letting go of an agitated tone when I see dirty clothes on the floor. Letting go of telling my older son how to do HIS project. Letting go of my list of to do’s and sitting with my younger son who wants to cuddle. It is putting my phone down and really listening. It is letting go of worrying what other people think of me, my house, or my family and being authentically imperfect and truly present in the moment. It’s remembering to offer up the mundane, repetitive tasks so that they have meaning; so I am able to grow in grace rather than in resentment. It’s also treasuring myself and others as beloved children of God despite our brokenness. I am not perfect. Other people are not perfect. Acting with great love means seeing worth in the imperfect.
In order to let go, and let God do His work in me I need help. I need inspiration. I need tools. I need grace. What helps me to turn things around is reading stories of saints, and praying the rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. These prayers give me great solace and are palpable reminders that I am loved despite my flaws, and that grace is here for me. I am not alone in my struggles. When I accept grace, I do much better and am at peace with myself and able to love well.
I recently read Priest and Beggar by Kevin Wells. It’s about a holy priest, Venerable Aloysius Schwartz; a DC native who became a missionary in Korea after the Korean War. He embraced poverty, established two religious orders, and opened boys and girls homes for poor, abused, and abandoned children. He went on to open homes, hospitals, and sanatoriums in several other countries. “Fr. Al” was an incredible man with unshakable faith. His trust in Christ’s provision in the darkest of times, and his profound consecration to Mary (under the title Our Lady of Banneux) was awe inspiring for me. He repeatedly faced corruption and evil and remained steadfast in faith and positive in his mission. Even through the insufferable illness of ALS. What a fantastic example to follow in a time where it is so easy to fall into despair. His example makes me want to embrace sacrifice and suffering to grow closer to God, and to do something good for our ailing world. It makes me want to do things with great love.
Love is God’s great mercy when I miss the mark of a hundred times a day, and encouragement to keep trying. Thank you, Lord, for your perfect love! Help me to listen to my heart where I find you, not being critical, but encouraging me.
