Ordinary Saints

There are those who are called to sainthood, but they are called to the ordinary way of life.

The majority of us are not called to greatness in this world, but we are all called to sainthood. No one is excluded from that call. God wants us all to be saints. He wants us to be with Him in heaven. We are His children. He loves us, and He wants us to love Him.

He sends us the great saints of this world as an example.

He sends us the ordinary saints as an example.

He wants us to be an example of His love on earth.

This is our call to sainthood.

Look around you. What do you see? Do you see that lady waiting in line, the one reading the magazines as she waits at the checkout counter? She's standing ahead of you. She’s becoming a saint by standing in line patiently. What everyone sees is that, in spite of the long lines and cranky people, she waits without complaining. She brings peace to the line.

See that young man waiting to turn right at the traffic light? He wants to turn, but, because of all the people crossing the street, he can’t. A man crossing the street, snarls at him because his car is in the crosswalk. The young man smiles in apology. There’s nothing he can do. The man in the crosswalk “accidentally” scrapes the old car with a briefcase. The driver of the car is tired. He simply shakes his head and lets it go. This young man chose peace.

See that group of young women and men standing with the signs across the street from the abortion clinic? They are standing up for what they believe. They believe that all life is sacred, and they are willing to state this publicly. There is little tolerance for those who go against the grain when it comes to the protection of life, especially for the unborn who cannot protect themselves. Many women and men glare at the prayerful group as they enter the clinic. The young women and men continue to pray and forgive.

Do you see that woman trying to grocery shop with five little children? She’s tired and poor. Her husband left her, and she has nowhere to turn. She is trying to find help to survive, but she isn’t sure she will be in her apartment at the end of the week. Then what? She makes a stop at the church to pray with her children. She weeps, but she teaches her children that God loves them all.

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Matthew 7:13

We are all called to sainthood. No one is excluded. No life or person is perfect, but with each willing step we take towards sainthood, each small deed we do for the love of God, we walk the way of ordinary saints. Becoming a saint is our vocation. Our journeys are different, but when we commit all to the honor and glory of God, we change. God steps in. We’ll never be the same again.

Do you want to be a saint? You can become one. It's your choice. I promise you that you will be tested and tried, but you will experience a love that you have never experienced. Be aware. The Lord is with you. Turn to Him with all your heart. Love Him as you have never loved anyone or anything.

“See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands”
Isaiah 49: 16

Can you hear the joy in His voice?

We are not kept in His hands. We are carved in them!