Picture taken at the New York Botanical Gardens

“Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.”   – St. Thérèse of Lisieux

I came across this quote from St. Thérèse of Lisieux in my search to learn more about her. It reminds me of the saying that one never knows if we are the only Jesus someone might meet.

If we look up and around as we walk, we may notice people doing just that. One day during my morning commute to work, a man who appeared homeless, walked past me smiling and wished me a good morning in a joyful voice. I couldn’t help but smile. I recently learned of Bob Williams, a 94-year old, retired teacher and WWII Veteran from Iowa who demonstrates love by handing out Hershey’s chocolate candy bars to people. He began doing this a decade ago in the doctor’s office and supermarket and extended to his entire community. His reward… seeing the smiles on his neighbors’ faces.

Most days I don’t have to look too hard or too far to see the kindness of others. I work in a hospital where compassion and kindness are at the heart of most people I encounter. You can’t walk the hallways without offering guidance to a clinic, the cafeteria, the gift shop or the pharmacy to a patient or a family member. Volunteers are seen escorting patients to exam rooms, and yes, therapy dogs are providing love and comfort to in-patients. And let’s not forget the “clown” volunteers who come weekly to bring smiles to the children.

Are you smiling yet?

I pray this Lenten season we not “Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice” and extend God’s love and compassion to others. Let us bring love to one another and thereby offer hope to someone who needs to see the Jesus in us.

Sandy Diaz