“One word or a pleasing smile is often enough to raise up a saddened and wounded soul.”- St. Therese of Lisieux
The past couple days, I was finally able to visit my best friend in Washington D.C. I’ve been trying for a while to go but I haven’t been able to because of how I had been feeling. I haven’t seen her in a while even though we always talk, but you know that’s never the same. It was frustrating the past months having to bail out on things I wanted to do because of not feeling well. However, this trip was exactly what I needed in this moment.
The traveling was rough health wise, but once I got there, it was a mental recharge. Being able to see my friend and be on my own was a great change of pace and it helped me take my mind off of things which I really needed. As St. Therese put it, all it takes is one word or a smile to raise a saddened soul (and I can confirm that is very true).
Not only was it a smile from my friend that raised my soul, but also the smile from the priest after going to confession at the Basilica of the National Shrine. For those who haven’t been there, it’s HUGE and BEAUTIFUL. Get you a friend who will center your day itinerary to make sure you’re able to make it to confession. After not being able to go to confession in a while, this trip was also a spiritual recharge. Seeing the priest smile as he was saying the Prayer of Absolution was a smile and a word that raised a wounded soul.
Seeing my friend and having great conversations always lifts me up, and it was such a blessing to have a couple great days together. It also made me feel better about myself and my progress I’ve made over the past months. Months ago I couldn’t imagine being able do make the trip on my own, as much as I wanted to. Being in the Basillica made me emotional and it awesome that she showed me around. However, you don’t have to go to a major Basillica in order to experience God in a grand way. Sometimes it just takes a smile from a great friend or a quick trip to confession to help you see how God works in your life. Even though it may just be a smile or a word, to someone that could be the pick me up their soul may need. It’s just a little way to make a big impact.
My Little Way 