RUTTER -- Little victories

The driver in front of me at the roundabout didn’t come to a stop when there was no car in front of him, thus we both went through it smoothly.

The checkout girl at the market packed my groceries just right, not overstuffing the bags so I could barely lift them.

The call I made for help navigating a bill was answered by a real person instead of a machine.

Although quite minor, I admit how easily these little victories circumvented the aggravation I can feel dealing with daily situations in which I find myself.

Okay, okay, I get that I sound like a princess — these three encounters being all about me and my reaction to them. But, admit it, every one of us has similar irritations that bring out the negative in us.

That’s why these simple little victories tickle me.

However gratified I may be about them, I cringe whenever I read about the expectations Jesus puts on his disciples — expectations that show the true meaning of victories, of faith, of love:

• Instead of getting even with someone striking our cheek, taking our tunic or making us walk a mile, let him strike our other cheek as well, give him our cloak too and walk an extra mile with him (Matthew 5:39-42). Jesus clearly tells us to go beyond in generosity, in returning evil with good.
• Love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). How often do we take the hurt and anger we feel for someone and beseech God to turn our thoughts from retribution to forgiveness? From vice to virtue? From hate to love?
• When we do good deeds, give alms, pray and fast, let us do so humbly and in private without showing off for others or taking pride in ourselves. God sees us and knows our hearts (Matthew 6:1-8).
• Pray the “Our Father” that Jesus gave us. Pray privately without eloquence or self-aggrandizement in our speech and thoughts. God already knows our needs (Matthew 6:7-15).
• Don’t strive after the material goods that give us temporary wealth or status. We are to look toward heaven for the lasting treasure that comes from the heart (Matthew 6:19-21).
• Leave our worries behind. Know that God, Our Master, in his great love for all — from the birds of the sky, flowers of the earth, and man. God, who created us in his image will take care of our needs (Matthew 6:24-32).
• Finally, Jesus counsels the disciples, each of us, to “seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil” (Matthew 6:33-34).

Living moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day, trusting in and loving others as God loves us, is our call as Christian disciples. Each act of love is a little victory on this journey to reap the treasure that is heaven.

And so I pray: Dear Lord, help me turn the irritations and hardships in my life into ways to serve others in your name. Let me see them as challenges to master for the good, these little victories that lead me to you.

Mrs. Rutter is a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Columbia.