Ecuador... and St Therese of Liseux?!?

A quick email I sent to my Volunteers Radicals and Saints class, random short reflection but something to think about!

 

 

Had to send you all a brief email from Ecuador, not only to tell you that I love and miss you, but St Therese of Liseux came up in a discussion the other day, and I thought you might appreciate the connection.

 

St Therese definitely had a lot of struggles in her life, many of which (correct me if Im wrong) were because she had trouble doing certain phyiscal tasks. Things as simple as washing dishes or sweeping caused her pain (I believe because of some physical ailment), making every day a challenge and struggle.

 

Being born with the incredible gift of faith, she wanted to live each challenge to the fullest, trying to feel each experience and emotion to the max. I cant say Id want to have these challenges, but looking at it from the perspective of a full emotion is something Id never thought of before!

 

So how does Ecuador come into play? Well, we talk here a lot about being vs doing, how our presence here in itself is really important. It doesnt matter that I struggle to teach my english class anything because theyre rowdy and nuts, just the fact that I come to class and smile a little and try a lot means something to them. I can sit with a child for an hour in silence, and theyll appreciate my presence probably more than we could ever understand.

 

So yesterday a fellow volunteer brought up St Therese (obvi making me think of YOU!), saying that she tries here so hard to focus on the BEING, on her PRESENCE, even while she is DOING things. In that being, even if it is exceedingly simple (like washing dishes or sweeping), it IS important. Presence is important. These simple tasks or mere presence with another can be instances to feel a connection with God ... something Im not sure Ive grapsed yet, but I think thats one of St Thereses points.

 

So I hope some of this makes sense, maybe something to think about in the future. Your presence has meant a lot in MY life, and I thank you all for your constant inspiration! Hope all is well!