Quest for the littleness of God

[littleone]

Can you help me with understanding and depth in being a person who lives in the little way Jesus tells us about. "Unless yo become like little ones… " Also in the bible otherwise, say the old testement there are references to blessings on those “littleones” say in Ecclessiasticess, and in I think, Ezechial some where.
I know in modern times it is our blessing from St Therese the little flower that we get reference.
Please help, much appreciated.

God bless
littleone

 

[ncjohn]

I find in essence that it is in totally trusting God as a little one trusts a parent that we are seeking that total dependence on God.

As young children, we don’t think about where our food or shelter comes from, but just assume that our needs will be provided. We likewise understand that when we are “bad” that our parents will discipline us, and accept that when it is at least within some degree of reason, even if we don’t like it.

Later, as we learn to do things for ourselves, and get praised for “our” successes, we begin to take on a view that “life is what you make it” and that everything is “earned” by what we do and how we do it. Jesus made it very clear that ALL are loved by God and that that is a free gift that *cannot *be earned, nor can it be lost. We are always allowed to realize our misdeeds and offenses and express contrition with total confidence that we have not lost that love.

So I think that it is our dependence on our own actions and our beliefs that we can earn heaven or God’s love that Jesus was telling us we need to get over. That we need to joyfully accept that we are already loved and that God will provide for our needs. In doing so we can lovingly offer up who we are to Him as our gift, realizing that in the end it is the only real gift we have to offer.

When we do that, like the “little drummer boy” we’ll be able to say–in spite of feeling like our gift was small compared to others–“then He smiled at me”. For like the widow’s mite, our gift will have been one of great love, out of our need rather than from our surplus.

Peace,

 

[DBT]

Following up on what John said . . .

Trust and abandonment to God’s will go hand-in-hand. What that means to me is, while it’s certainly OK to pursue our dreams and aspirations, we need to learn to leave all outcomes to God . . . without worry or complaint. This, to me, is the essence of littleness, especially as practiced and taught by Therese. In short, we are to seek the will of God in all our thoughts, words and actions . . . in each and every moment of the day.

I seem to recall Therese being asked to provide a brief summary of her Little Way. While I don’t have the exact quote in front of me, her response went something like this: “To be disturbed by nothing.”

Dave.

 

[InLight247]

My favorite understanding of St. Therese’s little way is to seek holiness in the ordinary and everyday life, to do all things out of the love of God.

St. Therese’s little way is practical for an ordinary person working toward holiness. We don’t have to travel far or seek holiness with heroic deeds. When we sanctify every little thing in life, we give those little things significance and are on our way toward holiness. The simple littleness helps us trust in God’s mercy and love. The littleness of being simple brings joys to our hearts.

 

[littleone]

I find in essence that it is in totally trusting God as a little one trusts a parent that we are seeking that total dependence on God.

As young children, we don’t think about where our food or shelter comes from, but just assume that our needs will be provided. We likewise understand that when we are “bad” that our parents will discipline us, and accept that when it is at least within some degree of reason, even if we don’t like it.

Later, as we learn to do things for ourselves, and get praised for “our” successes, we begin to take on a view that “life is what you make it” and that everything is “earned” by what we do and how we do it. Jesus made it very clear that ALL are loved by God and that that is a free gift that *cannot *be earned, nor can it be lost. We are always allowed to realize our misdeeds and offenses and express contrition with total confidence that we have not lost that love.

So I think that it is our dependence on our own actions and our beliefs that we can earn heaven or God’s love that Jesus was telling us we need to get over. That we need to joyfully accept that we are already loved and that God will provide for our needs. In doing so we can lovingly offer up who we are to Him as our gift, realizing that in the end it is the only real gift we have to offer.

When we do that, like the “little drummer boy” we’ll be able to say–in spite of feeling like our gift was small compared to others–“then He smiled at me”. For like the widow’s mite, our gift will have been one of great love, out of our need rather than from our surplus.

Peace,

Thank you, I am in training with this now so you are right on. I love the little drummer boy especially by jose fellisiano. i cry when I go through it. “I am a poor boy to…, shall i play for You…me and my drum”.
I have a situation where money is very low due to a smoker in our family. Jesus has given me a peace where I go out of my way to wash clean and help with a smile coming as I go about ( I havent perfected it yet) but, I have come up a stair and it is so good. It doesn’t help with the money as yet but I leave this now up to Jesus. I feel the preasher off now and more reliance on Jesus for help with those earthly things.

As Therese said Iask for help like a little bird to get up the next stair I am too little to get up on my own.

Thank you please keep going as the Holy Spirit directs you to help me.

God bless
littleone

 

[littleone]

My favorite understanding of St. Therese’s little way is to seek holiness in the ordinary and everyday life, to do all things out of the love of God.

St. Therese’s little way is practical for an ordinary person working toward holiness. We don’t have to travel far or seek holiness with heroic deeds. When we sanctify every little thing in life, we give those little things significance and are on our way toward holiness. The simple littleness helps us trust in God’s mercy and love. The littleness of being simple brings joys to our hearts.

I agree , I used to do all these big things such as miracals healing turning the wind rain etc but whenTherese came to New Zealand I felta a wind move me and I realised I need a new direction even after many years of the little way as I knew it in those days.
Thank you keep going there is so much more to learn

God bless
littleone

 

[littleone]

Just how little can I go and stay in the right road?