All the Difference in the World

Lisa Simmons knows what makes an everyday hero: doing what matters.

You know, God needs you. Yes, you, plain, ordinary, everyday heroes like you. Yes, you are a hero. And I'll tell you why!

You get up every day. You pray. You get your family where everyone needs to be. You go where you're supposed to go. You do your work, you clean your house and take care of your children, spouse, relatives, and friends. You smile. You pray. You make someone's life better just because you are there.

You matter.

Let me tell you something … it's taken me more than 60 years to realize I don't have to be the one to lead the charge, change the world, and teach a hundred students. I don't have to make a name for myself, write the best selling book, be named a saint or even a become a martyr. But what I do matters.

I get up every day, and smile at my spouse. I go to work, and say hello to my co-workers. I text my children, and tell them to have a good day. I do my work, I send my emails, I write whatever I need to write that day, enter data into a database, answer phones, answer the door, greet people. I go home, make supper, text my children to ask about their days, call my mom, and engage in conversations with my spouse. I say my prayers and go to sleep.

rosary beads

Sounds like a pretty boring life, you may think. I don't lead parades, a town council, or even a church council, I'm not a leader. But I do pray. I pray for everyone I come across, especially my family and friends of course. But I also pray for the world. Because I was once told that me praying for everyone else in the world helps keep the devil at bay and that if enough of us prayed for everyone else in the world, the devil would not be able to sway so many to evil.

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I don't have to make a name for myself, write the best selling book, be named a saint or even a become a martyr. But what I do matters. #catholicmom

So, even if I am not the president, or even any president, even if I'm not in a position of authority, I still have authority, authority over my choice to pray for the entire world. I have the assurance that my prayers mean something. It may help one person in the world to turn to God.

And one person can make all the difference in the world.

woman kneeling outside praying