In Suffering There Is Healing

Even without trying I felt that calling that so many others may feel, and like so many others I brushed it off, tucked it away, and turned up the volume on something else.  But the calling got louder and I started to realize I better listen up.  Have you ever had that feeling?  Then I advise you reflect on it and pray, for just like me, our Lord is calling you.

I want to share my story for not only self-reflection, but to share with others who struggle each day in hopes to take action and allow that change to happen in your life.

As I left for college back in 2006, I looked in my rearview mirror letting go of my past and looking forward to the freedom.  Freshmen year was the freedom I craved, or so I thought.  I found myself surrounded by more pain than I could imagine.  I had severed a relationship that already was hanging on with my dad; I had the wrong friends and was so lost.  As the four years of college passed, I would have never predicted God would work such wonders in my life.  By my senior year, I had healthy friendships, a devotion to my faith and a feeling.

My entire senior year of college I prayed for my vocation, something I assume most individuals experience.  Day after day filled with anxieties of what God was calling me to do, I sat in my pew during Sunday mass and it was so clear.  “Emily you must serve.”  I was to travel outside of the luxuries of home, put myself outside of my comfort zone, and not think of myself, but for others.  As I traveled home for Christmas break, God had plans up his sleeve—as I stood in my Grandparents dining room on Christmas day, in walked Fr. Sam, a priest from Guatemala who had been placed my in parent's area parishes.  As we sat-down to share a meal we landed on the topic of vocations and the question, “What are you planning to do with your life?”

A question too frequently asked with no answer.  What I didn’t know at that time is that we are put on this world to be disciples of the Lord.  So sputtering out of my mouth came, “I want to try mission work.”  So the discussion started and he informed me about the San Lucas mission in Guatemala. It sounded great! I was sold.

 

Reality sunk in and with college graduation around the bend and student loans kicking in—my parents suggested a career first.  I agreed that I must be financially responsible, but I was disappointed—what I didn’t know is that God was going to make it all happen, I just needed to be patient.

I landed a job in early July after a whirlwind of a summer.  God had tested my patients in many forms—I didn’t realize that it was all for preparation of what was to come.  I had been back home for a weekend and celebrated mass with my family.  After church we joined Fr. Sam at a local diner and once again the mission topic came up, and I said when the timing was right, I’d be ready.

Well three months after our dinner conversation in November, I received a phone call; from the last person I would have ever expected…my dad.  “Emily, do you think you could get enough time off from work to join us on that mission trip to Guatemala?  Fr. Sam is leading a group and wants us to go.”

Wow!  For anyone who has never developed a good relationship with a parent, imagine the shock you would feel if you had that call.  God so loves me I thought.  Here I’ve been wanting so badly to serve others in the form of a mission trip, but even more than that, an opportunity to become closer to my father—God gave me both!

As I sat in prayer today, I was overwhelmed with a feeling I can’t even describe to you, but I know great things are about to happen.  For those of you who read this, please pray for me as I travel and for the Holy Spirit to fill me and guide me.  Also remember St. Francis Xavier proclaimed patron of all foreign missions.  I am so blessed to have this opportunity and I am looking forward to sharing my story.

God is loving me in this so much and know my friends that he is loving you too.