--- title: A Thousand Trifles at the Same Time description: Marge Steinhage Fenelon emphasizes the importance of staying connected to God in the busiest of seasons. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20231221%20MFenelon%203.png --- [![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/a-thousand-trifles-at-the-same-time#) [FAITH](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/faith) # A Thousand Trifles at the Same Time Dec 21, 2023 10:00:00 AM  |  by [Marge Steinhage Fenelon](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/marge-steinhage-fenelon) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20231221%20MFenelon%203.png) *Marge Steinhage Fenelon emphasizes the importance of staying connected to God in the busiest of seasons.* --- > *What I only aim at is this: that we see Him, and remain with Him, to whom we are speaking, without turning our backs on Him. For I think that is what we do when we keep talking to God while thinking about a thousand trifles at the same time. --Teresa of Avila*  The above quote from Saint Teresa of Avila just about sums up my Advent season on an annual basis. I rush around thinking about a thousand trifles at the same time and talking to God in urgent snippets which usually consist of complaints and pleas. To be honest, I don’t talk *to* Him, I talk *at* Him. I get too wrapped up in the Christmas whirlwind of tasks, responsibilities, activities, and events to have a decent conversation with God. I joke to myself that, thankfully, Catholics celebrate a whole season that only begins on Christmas Day. But that only increases the amount of stuff I pack into my to-do list and calendar. And I keep thinking about a thousand trifles at the same time. Because of that, I miss out on the great gift of time with God in prayer.  I hold Saint Paul partly responsible for that. As a young mother, his words in his first letter to the Thessalonians were my mantra: > Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)   I used that passage to justify over-activity, overwhelm, and exhaustion. I told myself that everything I did was a prayer if I offered it to God, that I was doing God’s will, and I needn’t worry about quality prayer time. Back then, it was mostly true. Caring for my growing family was paramount to anything else including focused prayer. We certainly can make a prayer out of everything we do even during the chaotic Christmas season. But we can’t let that become our modus operandi.     ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20231221%20MFenelon%201.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=20231221%20MFenelon%201.png)   #### Because of Him No matter how busy, tired, or stressed we are, we must find a way to put those thousand trifles aside, if only for a few minutes a day. During that precious time, we need to really see God and remain with Him without turning our backs on Him to tend to something else (unless it’s a child in need, of course). Although Christmas Time can be the hardest period to do that, in certain ways it is the easiest. There is no other time of the year that we decorate as lavishly and have within our ready view as many religious symbols. The creche, Christmas tree, figurines, wreaths, candles, garlands, and the carols playing all remind us of the Birth of Christ. Even secular songs and decorations can be a reminder to us that we are celebrating the coming of the Messiah. Had Jesus not been born, no one ever would have put up a Christmas decoration or composed a carol. It all exists because of Him. If we allow it, these things can draw us into productive prayer.     > [Click to tweet: > No matter how busy, tired, or stressed we are, we must find a way to put those thousand trifles aside, if only for a few minutes a day. #CatholicMom](https://ctt.ac/f3n3s) Christmas is a precious blessing, not only because it marks the Birth of Jesus but also because it is a sacred time that offers us abundant opportunities to meditate on the Divine Mystery. Prayer is a gift because it allows us to spend one-on-one time with our Lord, to pour our hearts out to Him and listen for his sweet, gentle voice within our souls. The best part is that we don’t have to make an appointment for time with God. He is always there, waiting for us and eager to spend time with us. Even if it’s only a few minutes here and there amid a thousand trifles.     ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20231221%20MFenelon%202.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=20231221%20MFenelon%202.png) --- Copyright 2023 Marge Steinhage Fenelon Images: Canva ### 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%2Fa-thousand-trifles-at-the-same-time%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%2Fa-thousand-trifles-at-the-same-time%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fa-thousand-trifles-at-the-same-time%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=A%20Thousand%20Trifles%20at%20the%20Same%20Time) [![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%2Fa-thousand-trifles-at-the-same-time%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fa-thousand-trifles-at-the-same-time%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Marge Steinhage Fenelon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Marge%20Fenelon%202023.jpg) ### [Marge Steinhage Fenelon](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/marge-steinhage-fenelon) Marge Steinhage Fenelon CPLC, BPC is an award-winning author, international speaker, retreat leader, Certified Professional Life Coach, and Certified Brain Profiler qualified in Emotional Intelligence, Clifton Strengths, Temperaments, and Charisms. She has written several books on Marian devotion and Catholic spirituality. Her podcast, Simply Holy, airs on many popular podcast platforms. Learn more about Marge at [MargeFenelon.com](http://margefenelon.com). ## Related Blog Articles [ God’s First Catechism: Teaching the Faith Through Nature Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/gods-first-catechism-teaching-the-faith-through-nature) [ When the Struggle Is Real Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/when-the-struggle-is-real) [ Why Are the Christmas Decorations Up So Early This Year? Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/why-are-the-christmas-decorations-up-so-early-this-year) ## 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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