Lent Day 16 - Believe It or Not

Have you ever seen the fruits of your labor? If you pay attention, Jesus gives us little glimpses every now and then. A few weeks ago I received a text from a young woman, a student at Ave Maria University, asking if I would be able to meet a friend of hers who was touched by my book, Can You Text Me Directions?. She particularly felt connected to the chapter I wrote called "Who Do I Want To Be When I Grow Up." I have to give my daughter Taylor credit here . . . I had her read over the sections I wrote to make sure I was speaking her language . . . young adult. In going over the chapter above, she suggested I dig a little deeper, explaining "what" my difficult childhood consisted of. Just a little more detail. The little detail I added is what touched this young woman. We had very similar backgrounds, and she had made similar choices to deal with her situation. Fast forward to my meeting with "Mary." I think we sat for 3 hours in front of Barnes & Noble! Such a lovely young woman dealing with a parent sick mentally and physically. I was able to tell her how this mission (Lay Apostolate of Jesus Christ the Returning King) saved me. How blessed she was to have found the Volumes at age 21. A few days after meeting with her, I received this in an email: "After speaking with you yesterday I felt a peace and resolve I haven't had in years. So thank you!"  My prayer when writing this book was to touch just one soul (if not many!). It's hard to believe something I have to say matters sometimes. But Jesus has a way of choosing who hears what we have to say when we are working for His Glory, not our own. I am so thankful to Him for this little grace He showed me. And thankful "Mary" is in my life!

Todays Gospel (Luke 16:19-31) teaches us we need to believe at all times, signs or no signs:

Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’ Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’ He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’“

In Anne a lay apostle's book Climbing the Mountain, she professes what we hear in the Gospels . . . believe that we can affect others with our faith:

"There is great beauty and value in our crosses, dear apostles. Based on the value of each soul, the value of the cross we carry is priceless. And we are saving souls. Believe it because it is true. Therein lies a portion of our joy in service."

Lay apostles, do you believe you can change the heart of at least one person by your words and actions? Whether it is your spouse, child or a business interaction today, know what you say and do is significant in the lives of those around us. Believe it or not, we are being observed by those around us. How do you appear in the eyes of others? 

Thank you, Lord, for teaching me to have the confidence I need to touch others with Your Words in the Gospels and Volumes. Continue to send me those in need of Your Love.

God bless,

Bonnie