For What It's Worth by Erin

At the end of the 90’s there was a book called Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff. Its subtitle was “It’s all small stuff!” I guess perspective is important, and knowing the difference in the importance of something is essential.

Now, in 2020, I am going to suggest there is no small stuff, and as Catholic believers, that is especially true. Last week I mentioned that as followers of Jesus, we can’t be “on the fence” about something. I am either on God’s side, or I am not. Think about that. I remember reading something a Catholic writer and theologian I like pointing that out and I was surprised by it. I had never thought about that. He pointed out that when I am not on God’s side, the only other side to be on is not a good side to choose. There is no neutral. That is what sin is.

As a Catholic believer, I must strive to choose God’s way of things, and when I get that wrong, I rely on the mercy of God for forgiveness to make things right again. That’s what confession is for. We live in a world that tells us we can do whatever we want. We have people in this world that would lead us astray. Again, if they aren’t on God’s side, the only other side, sorry to say, is the devil’s. Remember Adam and Eve, and how that turned out?!?

Knowing our faith and what we believe is the key to our protection and help. God gave us the Ten Commandments, the Greatest Commandment, and we have the example of Jesus Himself to guide us. These things haven’t changed or been updated for modern times as much as some would like to say that they have. Or that they are old fashioned or out of date, whatever that means (keep in mind that the devil is a liar and would like us to believe a lot of things that aren’t true and to base our lives on them).

By the way, a sad and sobering fact I leaned about Richard Carlson, the man who wrote the book I cited as I began, was that at the height of his career and in the prime of his life, he died suddenly at the age of 41 of cardiac arrest on a flight to NYC to promote his newest book. Jesus wasn’t kidding when he said “but concerning the day nor hour no one knows.”

I wonder, if at the end of our lives we find out how much those little things matter. The choices I make, or don’t make, the advice I take or ignore: it all matters! Ultimately, we can do none of it ourselves as it’s all dependent on God’s grace and love for it to be complete. May we do our best to be on God’s side of things, guided by faith and asking and trusting God to lead the way. +