Sometimes we might think that we are quite useless for not being able to settle in on one project and do that well. For myself, I think of the commentary on Genesis 2:4–3:24 that I daily beg Jesus I be able to write in honor of the Immaculate Conception before I die. But instead, today, for instance, I have appointments from early morning until Mass at noon, with those appointments continuing after Mass until 1:25 PM, after which I’m off on hospital runs from 1:26 PM onward, which will end up in the hundreds of miles before I’m done. I’m not complaining, because…
If we are simply faithful to our Lord in every little project that circumstances put before us in our daily lives, one leading us in this direction, another in another, before you know it our Lord has painted a picture like a flower with its petals going first in this direction and then another, and all of them all at once in every direction, with each petal simply having been faithful to our Lord in the job it is supposed to do. Our Lord is the artist of flowers for the Immaculate Conception. Let Him make of your life a flower, unbeknownst to you, for the Immaculate Conception. It seems like life without a plan to us, but He will do it. He’s really good at it. Just be faithful in every little circumstance. Thank you, Jesus.
ARISE! LET US BE GOING! 
Very nice meditation that I needed just now.
J.R.R. Tolkien communicates a very similar message in his short story, “Leaf by Niggle” – Niggle sets out to paint not a flower but a forest – but what with the demands of each day, particularly caring for his next door neighbor, never completes more than a single leaf. It is absolutely worth a read; you can find it in The Tolkien Reader, Tree and Leaf, A Tolkien Miscellany, or similar compilations.
You can find “Leaf by Niggle,” online at the following address: http://www.ae-lib.org.ua/texts-c/tolkien__leaf_by_niggle__en.htm
I am going to read it right now.
Thank you Fr Byers, and S Thorfinn. I really needed both today—read Leaf by Niggle for the first time this morning, what a great story.
And, of course, thank you Jesus.
Thank you Fr Byers, and S Thorfinn. I needed both today—read Leaf by Niggle for the first time this morning, what a great story.
And, of course, I thank you Jesus.
Father Gordon describes it as God weaving the tapestry of our life.
Thank You, Lord, for Your words of faith and comfort to me via Father Byers. You always know when I need to hear from You. Because if am rather house-bound, I wonder what I can do for You… not much, physically, but I want to. My bouquet to our Holy Mama will be myriad of petals from the garden of my own heart. It’s all I have…and it’s all Yours.
Thank You for posting Fr. Byers. Thank YOU for Your cooperation in voicing your most inner thoughts to Our Lord and His Mama, and ours. It surely DOES help. And, that’s what we’re here for…right? Well, at least, in part.
God bless You to the fullest…You, Yours and ALL who support YOU.
In His Arms,
Helen