Little Things, Great Love: How Serving Others Transforms Us
- Feb 4
- 3 min read
One of the greatest gifts of being part of a Catholic women’s community is witnessing how God is quietly at work in the lives of the women around us. So often, holiness doesn’t look dramatic or loud but it looks like showing up, listening, and loving well in small, faithful ways.
Recently on my podcast Catholic Moms in the Middle, I had the joy of interviewing my friend and fellow NCBWL member, Lisa Link, about her involvement with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. What began as a simple conversation about volunteering turned into a powerful reflection on spirituality, friendship, relationships, and what it truly means to live the Gospel in everyday life.
Seeing the Face of Christ in Others
Lisa shared that the mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is threefold: spirituality, friendship, and service. While many people associate the organization with thrift stores or food pantries, what makes it unique is its deeply personal approach to helping those in need.
Rather than asking people to come to an office, Vincentians go out two by two to visit neighbors in their homes. They listen to their stories, pray with them, and build real relationships. It’s not about “fixing” people, rather it’s about being present.
Lisa described moments when something as small as a $25 gift card brought someone to tears not because of the amount, but because someone took the time to care. In a world that often feels rushed and transactional, being truly seen and heard becomes an act of healing.
When Service Strengthens Marriage and Faith
One of the most moving parts of our conversation was hearing how serving together has strengthened Lisa’s marriage. What began as her individual volunteering became a shared mission with her husband. Together, they pray more, talk more deeply, approach others and each other with greater compassion and grace.
Service has a way of reshaping our perspective. Lisa shared that walking alongside people in crisis has increased her gratitude for her own blessings and softened her heart toward others. She noted how close many of us are only one job loss, illness, or unexpected expense from needing help ourselves.
This awareness doesn’t create fear. It creates humility, empathy, and a deeper reliance on God.
The Power of Listening
One theme that kept surfacing was the importance of listening.
Lisa shared that many of the people who reach out simply need someone to talk to. Often, she spends an hour on the phone with someone who hasn’t been truly listened to in a very long time. Before financial help is ever offered, what’s given first is time, attention, and dignity.
This is such a powerful reminder for all of us especially as women balancing work, family, and leadership that real ministry often begins with slowing down enough to be present.
Listening is love in action.
You Don’t Have to Do Great Things
One of the most beautiful takeaways from our conversation was this simple truth: you don’t have to do great things to change the world. You just have to do small things with great love.
Most of us won’t start global ministries or build massive nonprofits. But most of us can:
Make a phone call
Drop off a meal
Offer a kind word
Sit with someone who is hurting
Give what we have, even if it feels small
These are the moments where God works most powerfully.
As Mother Teresa said so perfectly, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
A Gentle Invitation
As Catholic women in business and leadership, we are uniquely positioned to bring faith into the world through our presence, our relationships, and our daily choices.
My hope is that Lisa’s story invites each of us to ask a simple question:
Where is God calling me to show up with love right now?
It might not look dramatic.It might not feel impressive.But it will matter often more than you know.
And in the process, you may find that while you’re helping others, God is quietly transforming your own heart too.
Jennie Guinn is a Catholic life coach and founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle. She accompanies midlife women through divorce, grief, and major life transitions, helping them encounter God’s healing and rediscover their purpose.
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