October 15

He’d create the universe again…

I have shared a bit with you about my Catholic block-checking days. It made good sense that there was a God — that was never a stumbling block for me. But I suppose I didn't understand what kind of God He was. Throughout Scripture, we read about praising God, especially in the psalms. This was a stumbling block for me. I would think, if God really is all mighty, what could He possibly gain from my praise? Why does He need something from insignificant me? Or, on the flip side, I would think, God needs my praise because He is looking for a pat on the back. Then I would question all that I knew about humility and the heart of a God who had an ego.  

Oh, the lies we spin…

It took a long time for me to understand praising God as a movement of the heart. But when I did, I did. In preparation for writing this reflection, I prayed for God to help me articulate a truth that I personally struggled with, but sadly, I didn't get a whole lot — at least at first. I felt His presence, but I didn't hear His answer.

After asking the question for a few days in a row, in the quiet hours of the night, I sat with Fiona collapsed in my arms. She was tired from being brave all day in a world that looks very different (aren't we all tired right now…)? As I brushed her hair back, I told her that I loved her, like I have thousands of times before. While she always responds, this time, she was a bit more intentional. She sat up, looked me square in the face, and said back, I love you too, Mama. My heart swells just typing this.

Not long after, Mia sat on the couch, finishing up a good cry about the injustices of second grade and the impossible rules of "clean your room" and "brush your teeth." With her head in my lap, through a heavy but content sigh, she said, I love you, Mama.

Twice in one day? Oh, this gift of parenthood.

As I sat in prayer, I thought about the evening. I thought about their love for me. I don't need them to say I love you, but when they did, my heart sang. In those intimate moments, where we share our heart's deepest utterances, we do so not because we have to but because we want to. Because with that small I love you, that small gift of praise, they offer up so much. Their words are rooted in gratitude, thank you for being my mom. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for making me feel loved. Thank you for being the lap I can always rest in and the arm I can always wipe my tears with. In those moments, they have learned to reach beyond themselves and into the heart of another. The surrender of gratitude is always easier in the humility of smallness.

God then reminded me of something beautiful He said to St. Teresa of Avila and that He wanted to say to me, He said, I'd create the universe again just to hear you say I love you.

Has your heart stopped? Mine did…. I'd create the universe again just to hear you say I love you. Do you hear Him saying that to you? Because He is. He delights in your love. Delights…

And then, just as strongly as I didn't know, I did know. As a daughter of our heavenly Father, I praise Him because I love Him. Because my heart moves in a desire to be closer to His. Praise is an act of the will, a movement of humility that looks beyond ourselves and gazes onto another. We are created to be in relationship with another, to give of ourselves, and to receive the other in a union of body and soul. When we praise God, we step to His throne and bear our hearts in the vulnerability of being loved, we look Him square in the eye, and we tell Him, I love you. 

In the spirit of St. Teresa of Avila, since it is her feast day, we are inviting you to create a prayer table in your home! A prayer table reminds us to praise God and enter into conversation with His heart. A prayer table can be something you have in your room, in a main area of your home, or both! A prayer table should have a chair or pillow nearby to sit and spend time in conversation with God. It should be filled with things that allow you to focus on God's love and your relationship with Him. Your prayer table can include pictures of saints who you enjoy praying with, a Bible, a rosary, flowers... and the list can go on and on! If you do not have any of those things, check to see if your local church has a Bible and rosary you can take home—I bet they do!

Use today’s guide to talk with your kids about the wisdom of St. Therese and St. Teresa (today is her feast day!) and the importance of creating place within your home to pray!