***
“Father Andrew,” Lily asked, after her confession that afternoon, “Am I misunderstanding what God wants me to do? I mean,” she fidgeted with the cheat sheet she was holding with her 'act of contrition', “he didn't seem happy to see us at all. How do I know I am called to do this?”
“How do I know I'm called to be a priest..? It isn't always easy,” Father Andrew said, “but still this work needs to be done.”
“But am I supposed to do it? I'm just a girl!”
“And I'm just a fun-size bearded guy,” Father Andrew countered. Then he said, “You might want to study St. Therese's Little Way.”
“Is this my penance?” Lily asked, a glint in her eye because she loved time traveling to the saints.
“It will do,” he said, and gave her his blessing.
St. Therese
The girls chose a time in Therese's life when she had already come up with her 'little way”-- her life at the convent.
When they popped in they quickly hid themselves behind a door, peeking out to watch. Therese was walking with an elderly nun, and she was every bit as crotchety as the old guy at the nursing home had been. “You're hurting my arm!” she snapped.
“I'm sorry.” Therese adjusted her grip. “This is better, no?”
“Not much.” The old nun took a halting step, leaning heavily on the tiny Therese. “All the time I am telling them I need someone better than you. I just know you're going to drop me!”
St. Therese gave her an encouraging pat on the arm. “I won't drop you.”
“You're too small and too incompetent,” she continued to fume. “Why did they pick you anyway?”
There was a little pause before Therese said, “I volunteered.”
“La,” The sister pointed to a chair. “I cannot any more today. And get Mother Superior.”
Sister Therese nodded cheerfully and went to find the nun in charge.
When the two came back the grumpy nun looked at Therese. “You can go,” she said.
Therese nodded and headed down the hall and the grumpy nun waited until she was out of earshot before she poured out her complaints. The Mother Superior just listened, saying little and echoing Therese's patience. The girls slipped down the hall peeking in open doors until they saw St. Therese kneeling in a chapel. They slipped into the pew beside her.
“Excuse me,” Lily said quietly.
Therese looked up, took note of their clothes and said, “Hello. You are visiting, no?”
The girls nodded. “We were sent to ask about your 'little way',” Lily said.
“The little things I I search for which I can do for others.” Therese made the sign of the cross and sat on the bench beside the girls. “Things that might make easier their life. Or I volunteer for the unwanted jobs.”
“Like walking with that old grumpy nun?” Molly asked.
“She is not so bad,” Therese said. “There are many lovely things about Sister Adele.”
Lily bit her lip. “They don't seem very obvious.”
“To Jesus everybody-- every single person-- is beautiful in some way.” Her eyes were glowing with passion. “I just try to see with His eyes each person.”
Lily searched her face. “That's got to be hard sometimes.”
St. Therese winked. “With the practice it gets easier. Now,” she got up and headed towards the Altar, “The linens I must set. Father will be starting Mass in a few minutes.”
Which was a good thing. The girls needed to get back.
***
It was good to be home. Dinner smells were wafting from the kitchen yurt. The kids were playing hide-and-seek in and around the premises, except for Brody, who was napping while cuddling the little sqwap that St. Patrick had brought back from dead. When her mother asked Lily if she would mind taking Rhett to the bathroom yurt for Aunt Gen and, even though she knew he was going to be sitting on the toilet for a long time because he was just learning, she bit back the complaint that wanted to come out and swung the toddler in a circle, like it was the most fun she had had all day. And it wasn't that hard after all.
Later, the whole family gathered around the huge table and Mr. Bootzer asked if Lily would like to say grace.
“Bless us o Lord, and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”Then Lily stood up. “I want to say what I’m thankful for. I’m thankful for my family, and my yurt, and especially for the beautiful land that George gave us. It helps me feel close to Jesus to be outside. It helps when I see plants growing, and when we all help each other. I’m thankful to God for all of it.”
Everyone else agreed, and began to shout out what they were thankful for.
“Flowers!” That was Mags.
“Dinner!” That was Finne.
“Our book!” Logan held up the book from Father Andrew.
“Cupcakes!” Molly added.
“Swimming!” said Lucien.
Brody just held up his squap.
Thank you for reading books on BookFrom.Net Share this book with friends