A priest friend of mine tells a story about how God is like a little boy presenting his mother with a fist full of dandelions. What does it mean? Go grab your coffee and sit down because we need to talk!
So, how are you? I don’t know about you, but for me, the last seven days have been a whirlwind. With All Hallows Eve, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day, my mind has been acutely aware of my mortality and the limits of the time we have on this precious planet. The Triduum had me praying for our beloved dead, the holy souls in purgatory, and my family with fervor.
I know I mentioned in a previous podcast about how I have the constant sense that I’m running out of time. I have felt like this since I was a teen. I have an urgency to do what needs to be done before I breathe my last breath.
This last week, that sense was amplified.
Our local parish puts on a celebration to celebrate All Saints Day. It's an opportunity for the families to get together and the kids to dress up as their favorite saints. This year, I had a little Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and, of course, a Saint Carlo Acutis. (My almost 8-year-old was one of many polo-shirted little boys running around the church basement. I could hardly tell them apart.)
These kinds of parties can be so fun but also, the extra responsibility of coming up with costumes and making a dish to pass can create some stress. Tensions can build to get out the door on time and “don’t forget your crown!”
As my husband and I were sitting at a table with another family, my daughter hopped onto my lap, holding a cup of lemonade, and as she scooted onto my knees, she splashed some drink on the floor. My husband immediately bent to wipe it up, and I continued to chat with my friend next to me. A little while later, my husband must have noticed a scuff, or dirt, or who knows what on my boot and he wiped it off. My friend said to me, “Oh, my gosh. That is so sweet! Doesn’t that just make you feel so good when your husband takes care of you like that?”
My initial response was, “Not particularly. That’s just his OCD kicking in.”
She went on to say how she just feels so loved when her husband does acts of kindness for her like that.
It was like a light bulb went on in my head. What? That was an act of kindness? A show of love? Okay, you may think I’m heartless or blind to not have thought like this before. I don’t know if you’ve read The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. If you haven’t, I’ll give you the rundown.
Gary Chapman is a Christian author and talk show host who posits five ways we give and receive love.
Words of affirmation
Quality time
Physical touch
Acts of service
Receiving gifts
So, my husband and I attended an evening seminar about this years ago, and we found that his primary love languages were Acts of Service and Words of Affirmation. Mine were Quality Time and Physical Touch.
Now you are probably like, you know these things! Why were you not aware of this?
Well, sometimes I need a gentle reminder, okay?
So, it was like a big old fat light bulb moment in my brains when my friend made me aware that, oh my gosh, this was my husband showing up for me. Unfortunately, while I can recognize that in my mind now that she’s opened my eyes to it, it still doesn’t quite reach my heart, like if we had some quality time together or if he hugged me. Cus, ya know, quality time and physical touch are my feels.
But what this was to me was a SMELL THE DANDELIONS moment.
Maybe that sounds harsh to you for me to call this moment a dandelion. But here’s where I’m coming from.
For the past couple of years, I’ve helped with a local Confirmation retreat for teens in our area. The priest who leads it always tells this story: (This priest tells this story wonderfully, and I may butcher it, but I’m going to do my best.)
A young boy was out playing in the yard and gathered up some beautiful yellow flowers. He ran into the house to present them to his mother as a gift. An offering of his love. The mother, seeing that her son has picked dandelions, looks upon her son and has a choice; she can call these flowers weeds and reject the gift and the heart of the child. Or she can generously see the child’s heart of love and receive the beauty that has been offered to her. God is the child. How do we receive the dandelions in our life?
This moment, with my husband cleaning up the floor and wiping off my shoe, this moment with my friend bringing awareness to the act was a dandelion. And by the Grace of God, I stopped to smell it.
I had another much louder dandelion moment yesterday, election day when I was driving home from the library with my two little kids. We were cruising along a road beside a river, and I hit the brakes. (Thank the Lord there was no one behind me because I stopped and stuck my phone out the window.) I absolutely had to capture a stunning double rainbow in the evening sky. The sun set fire to the trees reflecting off the water, and all I could think was, “Glory be to God in the highest and peace to His people of goodwill.” I wanted a better look, so I pulled off the road near a boat landing, and the kids and I got out. I am not exaggerating when I say it was THE MOST BEAUTIFUL rainbow I have ever seen. We went down to the water and the double rainbow made a perfect circle around my children standing on the dock. If you can, go over to my Facebook or Instagram pages and take a look. (@author.verity.lucia)
It was a dandelion—a beautiful, loud dandelion from the Lord, reminding me that the Lord held the day in His almighty hands. And boy, did we smell it.
So, here’s your homework this week. Notice the dandelions! Sometimes, they are easy to spot, and other times, not so much. This week, try your best to keep your eyes open to the blessings right in front of you. It just might change your perspective, change your attitude, and change your heart toward someone or something you may have been taking for granted.
Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this time together, please connect with me on FB and IG, or share this post with a Catholic working mom who might just need a little HOMEwork in her life.
It was great hanging with you today! See you soon!
(Listen to the audio of this post on Spotify or YouTube under Author Verity Lucia The Catholic HOMEwork Podcast)
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