Small Acts Lead to Great Change

Sometimes things "randomly" show up so many times, it can't be a coincidence. Do you ever get bombarded by a thought or concept regularly within a short span of time? Like everywhere you look, there it is again? Sometimes I do, and I know it is a message from Heaven. Over the past week, I have repeatedly come across the same message: Take action when you see a need.

This idea isn't new information, and it is certainly a well known topic of thought. But. As I have received this seemingly obvious message in things I've read, listened to, and talked with others about, a couple of things I hadn't considered at depth before hit me like tons of bricks.

One, Saints have timeless relevance, no matter which century of history they walked the earth. The struggles they faced are still struggles we face today. Many Saints lived normal, boring lives. They became great through prayer and doing small things around their own circles. Sometimes that led to greater things, but every Saint story I've read has started with a small act of obedience- an act that could have just as easily been shrugged off, ignored, or avoided. Two, a huge reason the world is in the state it is with crime and anguish, is because not enough of us are doing and saying the hard things, or even simple things to make a change. Three, I am not doing enough.

A little over a week ago, I sat at the last Walking With Purpose bible study group of the year. The final lesson of the beautiful study we did was called, "Set the World on Fire." In short, we were asked to think about our "holy discontent," or something in the world that bothers us, and find a way to make a change. I immediately thought of a few things, but most of them involved helping out in places where I think I already have a strength. The more I thought about it though, that wasn't the assignment. The call to action was not, "go help somewhere you can easily lend a hand." The call was, "look for someone who needs hope and charity, and help." So I pondered some more.

A few days later, I met with a dear Priest in my Parish. I wanted to ask some questions about an RCIA lesson he taught about love. I've not kept it a secret that some of my family members are less than joyous about our conversion, and I wanted to know more about how I could handle the remarks and rude comments in a loving way. I thought I needed to stand up for the faith, and essentially do some spiritual battle, but his advice was different. Father told me that I need to out love people who don't understand. I thought I had surrendered that struggle to the Lord, but upon hearing that I didn't need to battle, and could just love and show through my actions, the ways Christ is moving in our lives, I realized I hadn't given it up as much as I thought. How freeing it is just to love and allow Him to take care of the rest! I don't have to perform some great gesture to change hearts, I just need to do the next thing in love, and allow Him to do the heavy lifting.

Flip over to the weekend, I went to see the Cabrini film with friends. I was shocked at the things Mother Cabrini faced, overcame, and accomplished. Through health frailties, distance, roadblocks, opposition, and internal struggle, she, through the strength of God, formed multiple orphanages and hospitals around the world. She began in New York, where being an Italian immigrant, and a woman, she was looked down upon and treated terribly, but she kept moving and changed the world, one small step at a time.

I later listened to the, "Lent Pray40" challenge on the Hallow app with my husband. Sister Bernice shared a story about a time when she traveled with Mother Teresa to Chicago. Gangs were extremely dangerous at that time, and the Sisters needed to get into a building where violence deterred them from even getting near the door. Mother Teresa walked to the leader and told him she had business in that building. As he looked into her eyes, he saw something, and promised her and the Sisters safety, even though the crime would not stop around them. The Sisters fed the gang members, and they were kept safe and were able to accomplish their plans of charity. Mother Teresa faced danger and changed the world with one small step.

Finally, last night I was reading a Lenten Companion book by Father Mark Toups. The topic was about passivity. Fr. Mark explained that many people confuse peace with passivity, and Jesus was not passive. When it came between passivity and truth, Jesus was unafraid to ruffle feathers. Father stated, " We don't want to upset the status quo, because doing so might provoke an attack- so we mistake peace for a lack of conflict, while underneath our passivity there remain grave injustices, deep unrest, and fear-filled unforgiveness."

That's convicting. How often have I not said anything so I wouldn't offend, or look like a "crazy Christian"? How often have I been too busy to lend a helping hand? How often have I looked away, or turned my head from something unpleasant out of fear, discomfort, or convenience? How many times have I missed doing the right thing, or showing love and hope, in even a small way? How about you?

Small acts of trust, surrender, and charity have the potential to change entire lives, communities, and the world. That sounds cliche, but it is the truth. Look at Mother Cabrini, a frail immigrant woman, who just took the next step in obedience and built worldwide institutions of hope. Look at Mother Teresa who didn't fear, but loved and served people, leading them right to the feet of Jesus. These small, every day acts and trust in our God are what make Saints of us, and what lead others to fullness of life here and in eternity with Jesus.

We don't have to do great things, and we don't have to become great people, but I think we should check our daily lives for opportunities to spread hope. Where are we avoiding discomfort or conflict? Where are we fearful, and therefore inactive? Where are we leaving blessings on the table for ourselves and others? The world needs us.

Last night I attended our Parish Mission. As I was sitting beside my new friend, with my sleeping child in my lap, the Priest visiting us from Rome reminded the crowd that at the end of the Mass, we are told to, "go in peace," after receiving Jesus. What does that mean? That means we are blessed to have Jesus within us, and we are to go forth and spread His love and hope through our words and deeds. Let's go. Let's be like our great heroes in heaven and trust those nudges, overcome trepidation, and change the world- one small act, and with one life at a time. We are called, but we also have to answer.