God in the Small Ways

The rain is steady outside my window. As it pitter pats, I sit here on the couch, retreating to my fuzzy slippers and fleece pullover. My 2yo daughter is to my right snuggled under a blanket. A steaming cup of coffee is to my left. Warmth fills my soul and God enters. Thank you, Lord, for the little times like these, the small ways you reach me when life seems to buckle under weightier things.

It is often that I become distracted by the larger items in my day to day. They are the big things, the stressors, the obligations we all know well. They begin to pull me asunder and cloud my soul from the clarity of God’s grace. I begin to lose myself and my perspective. With these losses, I am a wayward ship, tossing in the sea, fearing the future and overwhelmed at all there is to accomplish.

But to get back to the small things, the small ways God reaches down and reminds me I am His child. Earlier today it was the kind word from a stranger; a conversation exchanged with a grandfather of seven; a warm hug from one of my babies; a simple prayer answered. God was reaching down, touching my shoulder, quietly present and waiting, loving. He is the answer to our future worries. He is the calm from our past. He nudges me to be more present now, to take the time to slow down and recognize His small blessings in the here and now.

St. Therese writes: “It is a great mistake to worry about what trouble may be in store for us: it is like meddling in God’s work. We who run in the way of love must never allow ourselves to be disturbed by anything. If I did not simply suffer from one moment to another, it would be impossible for me to be patient. But I look only to the present, I forget the past and I take 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.” (h/t to my dear Kellie for this beautiful inspiration!)

St. Therese lived a life of simplicity and of recognition of God in the small ways. May I be more like her today and tomorrow, but mostly today.