The Beef Roll

While living in San Francisco, our oldest son, AJ, used to rave about a hole-in-the-wall eatery near his apartment that served incredible, inexpensive Taiwanese beef rolls.

Down here in LA, beef rolls cost around $20 for two small wraps. You can cut them in half to make them look like more, but your stomach knows better!

When AJ visited us one time, he brought two orders. They were absolutely scrumptious.

He told us about the restaurant: just one elderly woman managed the entire place. She greeted the patrons, cooked the dishes, served the food, cleared the tables, and handled everything else in between. He had never seen a single other person working there.

Hearing that, my heart went out to her.

I found myself imagining her story. Perhaps a husband working elsewhere to help make ends meet, or children working hard in school. It’s an ordinary and familiar immigrant story in many ways, but there was nothing ordinary about her work ethic, facing that relentless daily struggle day in and day out without an end in sight.

I prayed for her right then and there. I prayed that she wouldn't lose sight of her goals, that fatigue wouldn't break her spirit, that God would keep her healthy, and that her sacrifices would build a secure future for her family.

Years ago, my mother asked me why I smile so often. I told her that for those of us blessed with a roof over our heads, food on the table, work to do, and a family to love... it feels like a sin not to smile.

And just maybe, a foible not to give thanks.

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My name's Anna Maria, and I share videos on YouTube's Touched by Grace Today and post on my blog touchedbygrace.today every other week! Check out Catholicmom.com for my other articles! If you've been #tbgtoday, feel free to share your story of grace here.

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