The longer I live in relationship with our Lord Jesus and all the wonderful persons I've come to love through that relationship (both on earth and in heaven) the more I've come to appreciate "small prayers." St. Therese said that prayer was a "knowing glance and cry of recognition" and I Chesterton talked about he upset all kinds of people when he would say a prayer before lighting his cigar. Also, I dear friend was relating to me her first experience of playing sports "for God." All this things seem to be small and insignificant- but often the depths of intimacy are shown in small things. "I just called to say I love you" could be the theme song for this idea; it's the depth of love where you do everything with God. I love the story I've heard some of Mother Angelica's sisters tell of when she got some new shoes- she went into the Adoration Chapel and looked at the Eucharist and back to her shoes. She was very authentically "showing Jesus" her new shoes. She knew he already knew...but it was her desire to share everything with Him. I invite you all to let these small prayers flow between your heart and God's (and his saints and loved ones on earth) all day long. Even if the small prayer is only a look- a glance. You hopefully have all experienced being in love and the many little glances you would throw back and forth; it's delightful! Have that with God.
5 comments:
Very inspiring! Good to know that "small prayers" aren't just for children, but adults as well.
Also, so you've been to IEP meetings? As a counselor? Do they ever change people's minds or are they lessons in futility?
I'm reading Lewis' Letter to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer and here's passage that especially talks about why we should tell God things he already know (Mother Angelica's shoes):
"Ordinarily, to be known by God is to be, for this purpose, in the category of things. We are like earthworms, cabbages, and nebulae, objects of divine knowledge. But when we (a) become aware of the fact - the present fact, not the generalisation - and (b) assent with all our will to be so known, then we treat ourselves, in relation to God, not as things but as persons. We have unveiled. Not that any veil could have baffled this sight. The change is in us. The passive changes to the active. Instead of merely being known, we show, we tell, we offer ourselves to view."
Your post just reminded me of that passage so I thought I'd pass it on.
Abigail- I went to IEP meetings in my previous job working with persons with MRDD; our staff we normally be coordinated the IEP plan with at home exercises and attending some of the classes for certain situations; normally it was fairly futile. But we did have one case where we were making really good progress. The young man was really improving at a good pace and we were able to get him into better and better social settings for him.
Alexis...yes that quote is perfect...exactly the point!!! Thanks for sharing it.
I really like this post and the image. Have often for busy moms or anyone is it critical to have the little prayers, so that you can do the big prayers when you get time. It's like the hundreds of little ways I show my kids and spouse I love them too.
I took your advice to heart & encouraged my kids to bring their new teddy bears to show Jesus at adoration yesterday. That image of the nun showing off her new shoes is going to stick with me.
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