“We cannot do everything and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables you to do something and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is the beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.” St. Oscar Romero.
We cannot do everything, we know that, even though we sometime puff out our chests and push on through the day like we can. Our egos are good at that. We see it all around us, the pressure from society is so great. Be everything to everyone. I think women especially feel the need to work very hard to excell at all things - but don’t forget to make it look easy! Don’t forget to take that photo of your dinner or your perfectly attired children for your Instagram. Yep, I’ve done that. I have cleaned off a tiny spot on the table and taken a very cropped photo for social media that doesn’t show the chaos of the day or the mail piling up on the corner of the table.
I used to work crazy hours, sometimes at multiple jobs, while saying I was a work-from-home-mom. In reality I wasn’t always there I was in meetings, at photoshoots or teaching a class. But I did what I could to be present in my children’s lives while earning a living. I was overwhelmed and exhausted most of the time. I also struggled with chronic illness through most of the years of raising our children. I honestly don’t know if I did the small things well.
If you can relate to this hectic overwhelm take a deep breath and rest in the moment. We need to stop and focus on the now moment. Right now focus on what is in front of you. Not feeling bad for something left undone yesterday, not worrying about the bills due next week. Just this now moment. This is where life happens. What can you do in this now moment and do it well?
The beautiful thing is if we do the small things well, with much love, God will pick up where we left off. He will take our small things and multiply them, much like he did with the few loaves and fishes of the little boy. I cannot transform the world, but I can do small things that God will multiply and many can benefit from. Like ripples in a pond I can hold space for someone who needs to talk, I can love and forgive those who have hurt me, I can offer a word of hope and encouragement. I can listen when my child needs to talk, I can hug, I can share what I have learned about healing, I can say “I love you”, not rushing through it as I dash out the door. Really stop, look them in the eye and say it with intention.
Be kind to yourself too! Don't lay in bed at night riddled with regrets of chores left undone. Remember that every small step leads to big changes. So focus on doing small things well and watch grace multiply their goodness!
With Love,
Carol
©2021 Carol L Gilpin