40% off Penelope Boldrick's Pick of the Week*
Without a doubt, my favorite Ignatius Press book that has had the biggest impact on me is Spiritual Childhood: The Spirituality of St. Therese of Lisieux by Monsignor Vernon Johnson. Before reading this book, I found St. Therese to be cloying; everything was so little and sweet. But Monsignor Johnson showed me the depth of the Little Way and spelled it out so clearly and concretely, convincing me of its merit and challenging me to try to follow it.
St. Therese said, “I will let no little sacrifice escape me. Not a look. Not a word.” I didn’t want to miss out on the opportunities,either. The author notes how parents are so happy with the picture their child draws or the flower a childpicksfor hisparents, not for the greatness of these things in themselves but for the love that lies behind them. Likewise, with God, we can please him by offering “little nothings” to him since they are backed with love. We too can make God happy!
So I started to pray for the grace to see the opportunities presented to me every day to grow in holiness. At first I realized the opportunity after it had passed and after I had blown it--for instance,snapping back at someone who snapped at me only to make the situation worse or showing my irritation at someone only to hurt his feelings. But little by little, I started to catch the opportunity before it passed and every once in a while I am able to muster the self-control not to say something or to say something kind instead,or to smile when I don’t feel like it, whatever the situation may be--in short,to turn little trials or challenges into gold for God and my neighbor. I still miss too many opportunities but with God’s grace, I sometimes get it right. I have a long way to go but I pray that at the end of my life, like St. Therese, I will have won God’s heart with “little caresses”.
Penelope Boldrick has been working for Ignatius Press for 15 years (12 full time and 3 part time). She currently handles the Foreign Rights. She is grateful for the opportunity to work for Ignatius Press and considers it to be one of the greatest blessings in her life!
*Employee Pick of the Week program features savings of 40% off a book, movie, or compact disc personally chosen and recommended by an Ignatius Press employee. Each week, an Ignatius Press employee will select a favorite book, movie, or other Ignatius Press product and write a few sentences about why he/she thinks customers will enjoy the particular selection. A short bio of the selecting employee will also be included, giving customers a chance to learn a bit more about the people who are Ignatius Press. Email blast items below are not 40% off, but 20% off
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