Open my eyes, Lord, help me to see your face,
Open my eyes, Lord, help me to see.
Open my ears, Lord, help me to hear your voice,
Open my ears, Lord, help me to hear.
Open my heart, Lord, help me to love you more.
Open my heart, Lord, help me to love.
One of the priests in our parish likes to sing acapella worship songs at the start of his homilies and sang “Open my Eyes” two weeks ago. About a month ago, he was acknowledged at the end of mass for serving as a priest for five years. When we prayed for him as a community, he knelt facing the altar and crucifix. His action of kneeling towards the altar and crucifix showed me his humility as a servant of God.
Back in my days serving in community as a young adult, there were many moments of frustration experienced. I was annoyed one time when someone who showed up once to our praise and worship asked for prayers from each of us as that person was moving away. I thought, “Gee…this person is quite the entitled one. 🙄” I was annoyed just as much while serving as an intercessor when I saw some of the prayers requested. “This person isn’t active and hardly serves in community. They can pray for themselves! 😩”
When I remarked that I wasn’t given a title as a leader in our ministry upon joining the community but did the work and service of a leader with that expectation, an elder in our community told me that “We don’t go by titles.” And he was right. Those people who are often most respected in our lives tend to be those who let their actions speak louder than words. Whether it is showing up early to set up the chairs before praise and worship. Saying “Yes” to serve during praise and worship when called to do so. Helping fold the chairs after praise and worship and moving the equipment to the cars.
Those moments of frustration were opportunities for growth. To be patient. To have greater self-awareness of my own shortcomings. To better accept people for who they are. And most importantly, to open my eyes, my ears, and my heart to God.
It’s funny how life works. When we remove our egos and allow God to use us as instruments of his peace, great things happen. Our hesitations and negativity are thrown out the window. We pray anyway for that entitled person. We empathize for those going through their own personal struggles, in which we could not imagine their pain. We write that reflection for the community despite our other commitments.
And after doing the work, we feel like we leveled up in our faith and personal growth.
During one of my outdoor runs this past week, I came across signs placed along the walkway that say, “Be the reason someone smiles today.” When my mother and I went grocery shopping this past weekend, I got a few plastic bags for our vegetables. As I gave my mother a plastic bag, an elderly lady pushed her cart next to ours in a tight space and told us that she’s just passing by to get a plastic bag for her fruits.
I told her, “You can have this plastic bag, Ma’am.”
“Are you sure?”, she asked.
“Yes,” and then opened the bag so she can put her bananas in the bag.
“Thank you very much. I’m 92 years old and was born in the Great Depression,” she said while smiling.
“Oh wow, congratulations for living to that age! Take care and be safe!”
😊 Be the Reason Someone Smiles Today 😊
We like to think that to change the world and leave a lasting impression, we need to do something big. However, changing the world starts with an act of kindness, bringing a smile to someone’s face, without any expectation that the kindness will be repaid.
Those experiences praying and writing content consistently, understanding that the service may not be reciprocated, were stepping stones towards attracting the right people. Embodying those lessons learned through service and being an example of serving has encouraged my girlfriend to volunteer at the local non-profit organization on her days off. When she volunteered on my birthday, despite the heavy rain outside, I realized that relationships are about service to our partners (and not just cooking chicken kabobs, as shown in the cover photo).
Service to our partners, whether it involves being patient, making time to spend time and cook together, and empathizing their struggles, especially when it can be inconvenient for us, are essential foundations towards a thriving relationship. If we cannot serve others when it is inconvenient for us, how can we be committed to our partner through “thick and thin”? There is never a wrong time to make our partners smile and laugh through our actions and telling inappropriate jokes 😉.
Writing Noy Sauce is not about me. Noy Sauce is for those men who grew up without a father. Noy Sauce is for those men who did not have a strong male mentor who embraced his masculinity to not only stand up for himself, but also be unafraid to show his loving side. Noy Sauce is for those seeking a breath of fresh air and perspective in a world that prides itself in convenience over process and false idolatry over God. And Noy Sauce is a call by God answered for God.
Take a step back and a deep breath. Embrace the idea of serving those who matter most to us. And of course, allow God to open our eyes, ears, and hearts through prayer. Be the reason someone smiles today.