--- title: "From A Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion: A Small Day's Work" description: "We’re thrilled to give our readers a sneak peek at The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion: A Book of Daily Reflections, the newest addition to our CatholicMom.com Book Imprint with Ave Maria Press. Today" --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/06/15/catholic-moms-prayer-companion-small-days-work#) # From A Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion: A Small Day's Work Jun 15, 2016 8:00:53 AM  |  by [Deanna Bartalini](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/deanna-bartalini) *Editor's Note: We’re thrilled to give our readers a sneak peek at [The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion: A Book of Daily Reflections](http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/1594716617/catholicmom), the newest addition to our [CatholicMom.com Book Imprint](https://www.avemariapress.com/series/20/CatholicMomcom-Books/) with Ave Maria Press. As we prepare for the book’s official launch in August, we invite you to pre-order your copy online today at [Ave Maria Press](https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-59471-661-7/The-Catholic-Moms-Prayer-Companion/), [Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/1594716617/catholicmom), [Barnes & Noble](http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-catholic-moms-prayer-companion-lisa-m-hendey/1123756464?ean=9781594716614&st=PLA&sid=BNB_DRS_Core+Shopping+Books_00000000&2sid=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP680&k_clickid=3x680) or your local Catholic bookstore. Your pre-order and help in sharing this book with family and friends will help us ensure that as many moms as possible are supported and served with this resource. --Lisa* [![Courtesy of Ave Maria Press. All rights reserved.](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/JUNE-15NATIONAL-SMILE-POWER-DAY-2.png?width=800&height=800&name=JUNE-15NATIONAL-SMILE-POWER-DAY-2.png)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/JUNE-15NATIONAL-SMILE-POWER-DAY-2.png) Courtesy of Ave Maria Press. All rights reserved.   ## A Small Day’s Work > We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do. > Saint Teresa of Calcutta Do you smile at people? I do now, but I didn’t always. I grew up in New York and learned from a young age to not make eye contact with strangers, especially on the subway. Then I moved to Florida, where everyone was always nodding hello and smiling. So I started responding by smiling back. And no one has ever been offended by my smile. A smile costs you nothing to give and you may get one in return, which is lovely. What would happen if instead of scowling we smiled at the person who cuts us off on the road, or takes the close parking spot, or has twenty items in the ten-items-or-fewer lane? Not a sarcastic smile, but a genuine smile that reaches up to your eyes and says, “You seem to be in a hurry or stressed or annoyed, so here, let me share my smile and hope your day gets better.” [Tweet "Make this your day’s work, to share a smile with everyone."] Make this your day’s work, to share a smile with everyone. Depending on the situation and your comfort level, add a “God bless you” or “have a nice day” or whatever is appropriate. If you go out with your family, have them do the same. You could even have your children keep a log as to people’s reactions when they smile at them.   > *Lord, help me to share my smile with all those I see today; let them see you in me.*   **To Ponder: How did your day go when you consciously decided to smile at others? Do you think you made a difference today?** [![1-59471-661-7](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/1-59471-661-7-12.jpg?width=800&height=1120&name=1-59471-661-7-12.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/1-59471-661-7-12.jpg) *Copyright 2016 Deanna Bartalini for [A Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion](http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/1594716617/catholicmom). * *Reprinted with the kind permission of Ave Maria Press. All rights reserved.* **Your purchase of *[A Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion](http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/1594716617/catholicmom)* through our Amazon affiliate link supports our work at CatholicMom.com.** ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F06%2F15%2Fcatholic-moms-prayer-companion-small-days-work%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F06%2F15%2Fcatholic-moms-prayer-companion-small-days-work%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F06%2F15%2Fcatholic-moms-prayer-companion-small-days-work%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=From%20A%20Catholic%20Mom%27s%20Prayer%20Companion%3A%20A%20Small%20Day%27s%20Work) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F06%2F15%2Fcatholic-moms-prayer-companion-small-days-work%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F06%2F15%2Fcatholic-moms-prayer-companion-small-days-work%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Deanna Bartalini](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Deanna%20Bartalini%202025-1.png) ### [Deanna Bartalini](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/deanna-bartalini) Deanna G. Bartalini, M.Ed., M.P.A. is a certified spiritual director, retreat leader, speaker, and writer with decades of experience serving the Church. She is the founder of [LiveNotLukewarm.com](https://LiveNotLukewarm.com), works on the retreat team at Our Lady of Florida Passionist Spiritual Center, and is an Unbound prayer minister. Deanna writes from her experiences of over 40 years of marriage, children and grandchildren. ## Related Blog Articles [ From A Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion: Happy Birthday, America Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/07/04/catholic-moms-prayer-companion-happy-birthday-america) [ From The Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion: Replenished by the Grace Trifecta Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/08/15/catholic-moms-prayer-companion-replenished-grace-trifecta) [ From The Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion: It's Okay to Start Over Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2017/03/29/catholic-moms-prayer-companion-okay-start) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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