We will be watchful in love and far from lukewarmness and sin if we remain faithful in the small things that fill the day. If we consider the small things of each day in the examination of conscience, we will easily find the signs that point the way and the roots of possible misguidance. The small things are a prelude to the great, and vigilant love feeds on the small; and he who neglects what seems unimportant falls into the greatest temptation.
St. Francis de Sales points out the need to fight in the small temptations, because there are many occasions that arise in an ordinary day and, if one wins there, those victories are more important -because they are many- than if one had won in a more transcendental one. Moreover, although "wolves and bears are undoubtedly more dangerous than flies", nevertheless "they do not cause us so much trouble, nor try our patience so much". It is an easy thing," the Saint points out, "to turn away from homicide, but it is difficult to avoid petty rages," which tend to arise with some ease. "It is not difficult not to steal the goods of others, but it is difficult not to desire them. It is easy not to bear false witness in a trial, but it is difficult not to lie in conversation. It is easy to turn away from drunkenness, but more difficult to live soberly.
Small daily victories strengthen the interior life and awaken the soul for the divine. These occasions occur very often: living the heroic minute when getting up or starting work; when we put aside that insubstantial magazine that can entangle the soul or is, at least, a waste of time and, always, a good occasion to overcome curiosity; in mortification at mealtime; in sobriety at social gatherings, in loquacity.... We are sure that "as many victories as we win against these little enemies, so many precious stones will be placed in the crown of glory that God prepares for us in his holy kingdom".
If we make an act of love in every temptation, in everything that in us or in others can be the origin of an offense to God, we will be filled with peace, and what could have been a cause of defeat we will turn it into a victory. In addition to this immense good for the soul, the same Saint assures us that "when the devil sees that his temptations lead us to this divine love, he ceases to tempt us ".
18 If we are faithful in the small things, we will keep ourselves girded, vigilant and alert before the coming Lord. Our life will have consisted of joyful waiting, as we eagerly carry out the task that our Father God has entrusted to us in the world. Then we will deeply understand the words of Jesus: Blessed is that servant whom his master finds so doing when he returns. Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. And He is coming; let us not cease to watch.