Dear Readers,

Today, February 16th is the five year anniversary of One Small Rose!

It’s hard to believe how much has happened in the last five years…

In this post, I want to share the story and meaning of my blog’s name.

Note: I shared this in February 2018, but below is a condensed and edited version

The Name

Once I felt God was calling me to start a blog, one of my first thoughts was that I needed to choose a name.

I wanted the name to be something meaningful and connected to God since He is the main focus here.

I’ve been interested in names for a long time, but my interest has grown significantly in the past few years.

After saying a short prayer, ideas came rather quickly!

If anything I write touches someone, all credit goes to them.

I’ll let you in on a secret. I pray to the Lord and Archangel Gabriel before I write something another person will read.

If you’re ever at a loss for words in either speaking or writing, ask St. Gabriel for help.

While I was in the kitchen preparing dinner, one title stuck out clearly in my mind: One Small Rose.

The name has several meanings.

Rose

The most obvious connection is to my middle name “Rose” which is in honor of both of my grandmothers.

My first name is “Terése” which is in honor of my maternal great-grandmother.

It’s no coincidence that my name is Terése Rose…

I believe that God and St. Thérèse played a role in naming me.

Some of you probably know about, or at least have heard of, St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

When she died, she said she would spend heaven doing good on earth and “let fall a shower of roses.”

I’ve actually received a rose from time to time as acknowledgement of novenas or specific intentions I’ve prayed.

One might assume I’ve always had a connection to her because of the distinct connection of our names.

Well, I haven’t.

It wasn’t until July 2016 that I developed a devotion to her.

While reading 33 Days to Merciful Love by Fr. Michael Gaitley, I learned about St. Thérèse’s spiritual path of The Little Way.

In learning about her spirituality, I became aware of my own spirituality. I felt like I was reading a description of my interior life!

It felt as if a light switch was turned on in my soul, and I could see God and my relationship to Him clearly and without distortion.

By reading that book, I gained insight and understanding that’s been indispensable.

Small

The “small” part is sort of a play on St. Thérèse’s nickname The Little Flower.

Let me be clear, I am no saint (not yet anyway) and not attempting to equate myself with her. However, I do have a strong desire to be a saint and try to follow her “little way” to holiness.

My weaknesses are always right before my eyes. I used to see this as an obstacle and hindrance to holiness. I thought I was expected to try to become “perfect” on my own.

St. Thérèse taught me, thanks be to God, that I was wrong.

I will get there, but my path must be based on childlike trust and dependence on God. She showed me that I must bring myself to Jesus just as I am — broken, weak, small — and allow Him to help me along this path.

Here’s another secret, which really shouldn’t be a secret and should be shared with the world.

Each soul is fully known and fully loved by God.

I’m learning to embrace my littleness and now see it as a blessing, rather than a thorn.

+ If you’re interested in the book 33 Days to Merciful Love you can read the introduction here and/or purchase it here

Thank You

I can’t thank you all enough for your support over the last five years!

I appreciate every person who reads and follows my blog.

Thank you for your prayers as well. Please know of my prayers for you too.

May God reward you.

May the Lord always be glorified through One Small Rose

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