By Abbey Adcox
Did you know there is a saint of small things? I didn’t and recently learned of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as “Little Flower.” Born in 1873 in France, she joined a group of contemplative Carmelite nuns and died at just 24. An unlikely saint, she had a pure childlike faith and devotion to God. She spoke to God and prayed simply and directly, with a strong dislike for lengthy prayers — such a dislike that she was known to fall asleep during community prayer. Relatable, right?
I imagine few would find the title “Saint of Small Things” appealing. We often rely on productivity to measure our worth, piling on labels and obligations that drown out God’s voice. We would rather be the “Saint of All the Things.” It’s challenging to be open hearted when we refuse to lay our burdens down. Yet, amidst this struggle lies an invitation to practice spiritual minimalism. By releasing our self-imposed expectations, we create space for God to move within us and guide us toward St. Thérèse’s “little way” of limitless acts of love. In this way, we can bloom like her beloved wildflowers — vibrant and unassuming.
We have a choice in how we live our days. In intentionally seeking moments of divine silence, we discover the profound simplicity of St. Thérèse’s approach, where small gestures of kindness become vessels of grace. It’s in this openness that we are transformed, allowing God’s love to flow through us in ways that often go unnoticed but are deeply significant.
Our music this morning beautifully calls us to live out God’s love and invites us to reflect on how we can embody that love daily. As St. Thérèse said, “To live in love is to sail forever, spreading seeds of joy and peace in hearts.” May we love in the little ways — offering a smile to a stranger, lending a hand to someone in need or simply being present for those we love. These small acts may seem insignificant, but they powerfully demonstrate God’s love in the world, nurturing belonging and reminding us that even the tiniest gestures can have great significance.
May our living and loving bring glory to God.
Amen.