It's the Little Things

My life is good. I am pretty healthy. I have a house. I have a fun job. I have a great husband, beautiful children, good friends, loving family. It's all good. Yet, I feel exhausted. I mean, T-I-R-E-D. And, it's not just because I stayed up too late talking with out-of-town friends on Facebook last night. It's the little things that are pecking away at me everyday, leaving me without any energy to enjoy all the great things I have. Darn those little things.

What are the "little things?" You know ... the school tag sale this weekend, the laundry I need to fold, the minor ceiling damage from Hurricane Ike I need to get repaired, the birthday cards I need to send, the e-mail I need to write, the small projects I need to accomplish for work, the things I need from the grocery store, the friend I need to call, the person leaving a message on my answering right now (what are they saying?), the ideas that are swirling around in my head that I can't find the time to do. Oh yeah, and the new blog I am setting up to go alongside the Web site I decided to do in June. That's just the first part of a list that goes on for pages and pages and includes items that need (or that I want) to get accomplished sometime in 2009.

I bet many of you have a list like that and, like me, as you struggle to get through that list, whether it's just in your head or on paper, you are going to exhaust yourself with the little things and forget why you're even doing most of it. But, you know what, forget what they say about "not sweating the small stuff" for a second and think about it: Life is all about the little things.

Reading one book with your kid isn't a big thing, right? String all the books you have read with him or her together, though, and it's a pretty big thing that has contributed to their love of reading.

Making dinner is a little thing that, nearly every day, causes me anxiety because I'm at a loss for what to make that will make everyone in our house happy. Yet, put together all the nourishment you and I have provided our loved ones for a lifetime and it's a pretty big thing.

A dear friend who recently lost her father (a big thing) sent me an e-mail (a little thing) with a prayer from St. Therese. I'm not a big prayer chain letter sender, as I told my friends when I sent it to all of them, but this one stuck with me. So, after sending out the note, I read up on sweet old St. Therese, the patron saint of roses. (Strangely, my husband brought home roses the day my friend sent the e-mail and he hardly ever does that. So, that's a "little thing" that was a "big thing" to me!)

St. Therese became a nun at age 15 and started out washing, ironing and cleaning and then moved up to head of the convent. She was selfless and always striving for perfection, yet she lived a pretty unremarkable life. She was depressed (and tired, I'm assuming) most of the time but hid it from everyone because she wanted everyone to think she was fine. When she died, the skies were overcast, and another nun commented it was too bad there weren't any stars overhead for Therese's passing. Well, of course, that's when the clouds parted and revealed a twinkling sky and all kinds of crazy miracles started happening in the lives of those who knew St. Therese.

Pretty much, St. Therese lived a life similar to the one many of us are probably living (except you're probably not a nun). We have lots of little things to do that are making us tired and, let's face it, maybe even a little depressed at times. Yet, when it's all said and done ... you just know all those little things are going to result in a miracle. Like, maybe just maybe, everyone will like the dinner I make tonight. THAT would be a miracle.

So, go grab a cup of coffee and a snack to get some energy before you tackle the rest of your "to do" list for the day. Check out St. Therese's prayer below for a little extra boost.

May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.

Amen!