Each of us has, each day, ample opportunities to ‘offer it up.’ That age old saying that our parents and grandparents echoed over and over throughout our childhood is probably some of the best advice you’ll ever get in life. God gives us enough opportunity for sanctification in this life that there is no need to suffer in any fire (eternal or temporary.) When something bad happens to us, what do we do? We get on our knees and pray, “God! Please take this away!” Not a bad prayer as no discussion with God is, but there may be a better way. First and foremost, thank God. I recently stubbed my toe. It hurt. It really really hurt. (Now I’m complaining. Did you see how quick that was?) Anyway, not only did it hurt but it hurt for several days. I may have smashed the nail but since it was a painted nail, I couldn’t tell and it hurt too much to touch to take the paint off to see what I had done. I couldn’t wear shoes for a few days because socks cut off the circulation causing it to throb and then, because I wasn’t wearing protective shoes, I bumped into everything or someone stepped on it at least a few times a day. My first thought was to pray my mom’s prayer, “My Jesus, pardon and mercy through the merits of your Sacred wounds. Eternal Father I offer thee the wounds of our Lord Jesus Christ to heal the wounds of our souls.” I said it, through clenched teeth, because that was what I was trained to do. As time went on and my toe continued to hurt, I realized I needed to stop complaining about it, and by complaining, I mean whining about it. Someone (a child, usually) was going to step on it, bump it or drop a sippy cup on it and each time, though I wanted to yell out loud (and sometimes I did) I tried to grit my teeth and pray again. “My Jesus pardon and mercy…” Somewhere in the moment of my hurt-ed toe I wondered why God would allow this. (I love pondering why God does anything. More on that later.) I wondered what sin I had committed to deserve this. Well, that would be a long list so I thanked God. That’s right. I said, “Thanks for my stubbed toe, God.” God gave me the grace to realize that these little irritations throughout the day (this one being physical, often they are emotional) are allowed by God to bring sanctification. By smiling, offering it up and not kicking the sippy cup across the room, I was able to offer my little toe pain to God.  My toe healed, as God heals our sin when we are repentant and do our penance. It’s hard to say in the throws of difficulty, adversity, pain, suffering, anguish, regret and all other not-so-fun times in our lives, “Thank you, Lord, for this opportunity to offer it up.” Even if we only say it sometimes, God’s grace will be showered on us!! God will bless us! (Remember, blessed does not equal happy – more on THAT later.)

Sometimes it rains and rains opportunities. I used to think that I have it pretty good! Life is good and I had nothing to complain about. While that was true, I wasn’t living in the moment. How many stubbed toes, or broken nails, or annoying co-workers did I NOT offer up? What a waste.

My point? It is so important that we practice these sacrifices during the little times (stubbed toes anyone?) so that we are in practice when the big stuff hits. Recently, some serious things have happened in my life that some would consider major life events and while I haven’t had the fortitude to thank God in every moment, I’m glad I’ve been able to sometimes, and I know that each and every effort pleases Him.