By: Erika Glover
Ironically enough, Grace took the words out of my mouth. I’ve been planning this post for a bit of time now, figuring out how I plan on wording it, and when im going to find the time to gather my thoughts and put it to paper. But life lately, dang. I mean, talk about a thunderstorm, but hey. Keep on keeping on.
I was sitting in Morality at school today, which is my junior religion class, when my teacher, Father Adam Puntel (shout-out to you big man, you’re the coolest) said something that hit me hard. One of those moments when you realize scarecrows are called scarecrows, because well, they scare crows, yeah one of the WOAH, why didn’t I think of that 16 years ago moments. He said this; “everyone thinks that being a Christian is peaches and cream, but its not. Life is going to be hard, for goodness sake, 12 of Jesus’ 13 closest friends were killed at the stake because they loved him.” Deep amirite?
Acts 14:22 says that Paul told all his churches, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom." And Jesus said, "If they persecuted me, they will persecute you" (John 15:20). And Peter said, "Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you" (1 Peter 4:12). In other words it is not strange; it is to be expected. I quote Paul in 2 Timothy 3:12, "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." So basically, as you can see, Christ gave us warning of the trials that were to come with spending forever with him.
Now in order for you all to understand where I am coming from on writing this, im going to give an insider tidbit on my life, I’m terrified of the future. And I think right now the future is pounding on my front door. Recently I went to court for my accident (scary don’t try it, don’t get in accidents kids), and I lost my license (yay) for six months (yay) and I have to do 20 hours of community service (YAY) and school is still important right?? Yes. Good job. But also sports, because colleges love sports. OH and also, theres this thing called sleep, you need at least 8 hours of that. And don’t forget to socialize or else youll become a hermit. AND your family, cant forget them. Make sure you do well on that test that your future depends on and don’t mess-STOP. Breathe. Life builds on itself, and lately I’m sure we’ve all been feeling that pressure.
As young adults and teenage adolescents we are constantly go-go-going. We have the mind set that something bigger needs to happen, that something else is more important and that we constantly are doing something. Well sometimes, that’s the problem. Amidst all of our going, and complaining we need to stop going, and start stopping. We need to start stopping to thank God for what many blessings he has given us. Yes, Erika, maybe you don’t have your license, but you are okay, and yeah, maybe youre stressed right now in school, but God gave you the gift of knowledge. @Pontifex tweeted the other day “Do we say ‘Thank you’ to God every day?” And sometimes, the answer is no. How many conversations have I not truly listened to because I was too busy thinking about all the homework I had later? How many sunsets have I missed because I was trapped in my room instead of spending a few moments in prayer? How many times have I ignored a call from the Holy Spirit because I was selfishly more interested in what I “needed” to get done?
Okay, now really stop. Think about the last time you sat down, aside from at youth group or mass or a retreat, and talked to your Dad. Not the one who lives in your house, but the Heavenly father that blesses you with stress. It is only in these quiet moments where God can longingly speak to you. I am reminded that He is always calling our name, calling us back to Him, through our experiences, the people we meet, and in the Sacraments. How much more often would we hear Him and see all the little blessings he gives us if we could just stop with the hustling, breathe, and pray for an extra moment each day? I have found that, when I am extremely stressed, the last thing I want to do is stop working. (usually I end up getting frustrated with my mom for telling me to go to sleep at 2 AM when I’m sitting up doing honors precalc that we all know isn’t effective at that hour) I realize that taking a minute to say a quick prayer is extremely effective.
To wrap up this rather long post, focus on this for a few minutes. Psalm 23:4-6 says “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows with blessings. Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
Take a deep breath,
Your sister in Christ, Erika
songs to jam to-
shoulders by for king & country -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40wYfjv6yt8
through all of it by colton dixon- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0Dzh3RZn0E