Once upon a time, I was obsessing over something that I felt like I ought to be doing, but I wasn’t able to do without stomping all over the wishes of the people I loved most. I was really torn---- did I need to do what I thought was God’s will, even though it meant being hurtful towards others who weren’t on board with that path of action? Or did I need to settle back and be obedient, even at the risk of not doing what I felt I was supposed to do?
The advice I got was “joyful trust.” Basically, you put it in God’s hands. You don’t put it in God’s hands and wander off and ignore everything… but you put it in God’s hands, and trust him to make good come from your efforts.
Go off and do your efforts, whether it’s prayer, or whether it’s action, or whatever.
Your efforts, by themselves, are very small.
Your efforts, with God’s grace, become much larger than you can appreciate in this lifetime.
So do your best, and trust God to make good come from the little that you have to offer.
Even if it’s just a few loaves and fishes, God can feed the multitudes. Likewise, even if it’s just prayers and Masses and small sacrifices— God can change hearts, even if you don’t see the results of your actions yourself.
