As a Catholic, it’s a good practice to do a morning offering to God before you start your day. Offer your joys, sorrows, and sufferings, in union with Christ, for the conversion of sinners and peace in this world as our Blessed Mother asked at Fatima. This is how we come into adulthood in the faith. It’s more than ‘bless mom and day and grandma’. This is how we grab onto the faith and begin to impact the world for good.
Part of this is to offer little sacrifices through the day. There are those things we have no control over, like waiting in line, being impatient with something. Having an awareness of it being a moment of grace when you can say ‘Jesus I love you, please save souls!’
Then there are those things we do have control over. St Therese I believe used to decide ‘I won’t cross my legs’ when she was sitting. She wouldn’t ask for a candy, but would accept one if it was offered to her. When someone is willing to take their will and bend it like this, God can use this person!
Why did I write all of this? Can you make the resolve that ‘today I’m going to wear a shirt even though I’m warm’. It’s a small thing, a small discomfort, but it shows God you are willing to put in an effort that takes you closer to Him.
Being December, this is a wonderful time to offer up small things and thank Jesus for taking on human flesh and emptying himself to be a baby. You know, Jesus could have just shown up as an adult to be baptized by John and Baptist, but he was born as a baby and knew what it was to be hungry, to be cold, to be limited in our humanity. It’s a great time to appreciate this tremendous gift offered to us.