Where Are You Empty and Tempted to Take Control?
A Parishioner Who Showed Me My Loveliness
Photo By: Flickr/Ridvan Erdemir
I'm in the church choir at my parish and I often get gently pressured to cantor at times. Encouraging words about my voice and potential are said, but there's just one problem: I get terribly nervous singing in front of others on my own and my voice becomes too soft and weak. Plus, there are plenty of other talented, better singers in the group.
So I often wonder if that means I should not invest my time in singing. Even though singing lifts me up, gives me joy, and is an act of praise, is this really a talent worth pursuing if it's not my best and most predominant talent? If my nerves prevent me from the next step?
One day while having these thoughts, I received a random email from a parishioner:
Hi Katie - A few weeks back I saw you singing in the choir and you were wearing an outfit with lavender. You made me think of this quote...
“The splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily
do not rob the little violet of it’s scent nor the daisy of its simple charm.
If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness.”
Thérèse de Lisieux
do not rob the little violet of it’s scent nor the daisy of its simple charm.
If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness.”
Thérèse de Lisieux
You were the little violet in the choir!
What a gift this encouraging parishioner was to me that day. First, to notice. Second, to share.
And I think the lesson God was teaching me is...
The loveliness and uniqueness of who you are shines through no matter what you do to serve and praise God. You need not be the rose or the lily, because God's beauty inside of you will shine through you outwardly, inspiring others. You need only to be you.
Lovely little you.
About the Author
Katie Zalany lives in Cleveland Ohio. She is a Third Order Secular Franciscan (OFS), spiritual director, benefits/wellness leader, and certified health and life coach. She volunteers with St. Vincent de Paul Society serving the poor, is an active mentor to many individuals, and a prolific writer. Her writing interests and focus areas include spiritual development, reflections on the Gospel life, Franciscian spirituality, prayer, and integration of faith and work/daily living. She is the published author of Called to Corporate: Lessons of Growing in Faith and Holiness from the Corporate Cubicle.
