The Little Flower

“Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.”  - St. Theresa de Lisieux

October 1st was the feast day of St. Therese.  She has become one of my favorite Saints of late, her and Blessed Mother Theresa (who choose her name due to devotion to St. Theresa of Liseaux and St. Teresa of Avila).  As I ponder her little ways, little actions done with great love, I desire to show the Lord my love by following her example.  As the quote above states, she strove to be faithful in all the little things of each day and use them to bring glory to our Lord.  In my busy days, I try to remember this.  I have so far to go, but ask for St. Therese's intercession to aid me in developing this virtue.

As these days of transitioning to a new normal of life with our newest addition become at times difficult and overwhelming, I struggle to embrace this call.  I know it is what the Lord has called us to, and I wouldn't change it, however there is often temptation to become discouraged and distressed.  On a blog that I like to read for encouragement I came across this quote and it really spoke to my heart: 

"If I did not simply suffer from one moment to another, it would be impossible for me to be patient; but I look only at the present moment forget the past; and I take good care not to forestall the future. When we yield to discouragement or despair it is usually because we give too much thought to the past and to the future."—St. Therese of Lisieux

 

I need to keep my eyes on the here and now.  I need to not dwell on the past or worry about the future, but embrace today.  Patience is something I have prayed for for years, and the Lord has definitely given me ample opportunity to wrestle with and strengthen this virtue in my life - and continues to.  Instead of looking at the hurdles in front of me, I will strive today to live each moment - the joyous and the challenging - with my children and my husband.  I will thank the Lord for their presence in my life and all the richness they add to my days.  

A little secret I hold in my heart, is that one day the Lord will bless us with one more daughter named Therese.  I know you probably think I am crazy, and many overwhelming days I do too, but it's a desire that I believe the Lord has put on my heart and it has been there for many years.  I just can't explain it.  I trust that if it be his will, it will come to pass in His timing, as each of our children have.  OK - I'm looking forward again.  Back to the here and now and schooling and encouraging these six blessings through today.  I'm off to listen to Twinkletoes read, see if Bumble is calmed from his tantrum - I think he fell asleep, and check on Pixie's progress with the dishwasher. :)  St. Therese - pray for us!  God Bless!