We are made for great things, not the loud, attention‑seeking kind, but the quiet, courageous tasks that shine with God’s goodness. St. John Eudes reminds us that we undertake these tasks not by our own strength but by the grace that flows from the One who is Goodness itself.
At the heart of his teaching is a simple, liberating truth: Goodness is the highest thing. Not success. Not control. Not perfection. Goodness.
When we trust that God’s goodness is the deepest reality, something shifts inside us. We stop clutching at our own plans. We stop fearing that everything depends on us. We stop trying to manage every outcome. Instead, we begin to live from a place of surrender, placing our health, our reputation, our work, our families, our past, our future, our salvation, all of it—into the hands of the One who arranges all things for the greatest good.
And here is the beautiful surprise: as we surrender, we find ourselves becoming smitten with this Goodness.
Falling in love with God’s goodness is not sentimental; it is the most practical thing. Love simplifies what fear complicates. It frees us to undertake courageous tasks for God’s glory, knowing we do nothing alone and everything in Him. It steadies us in uncertainty and strengthens us in responsibility. It teaches us to rest, truly rest, in the assurance that God watches over every detail with particular tenderness.
When Goodness is our compass, we no longer fear the path. We simply walk it. We trust that every responsibility, every care, every unknown is held by the God who delights in bringing good out of all things.
And slowly, steadily, beautifully our lives begin to shine with the quiet courage of those who have fallen in love with His goodness.
Smitten With Goodness 