Author: Melanie

(Sept. 21/2016)

“It is when we are pushed to our limits, beaten up and drained that our posture can speaker louder than words.”

For the last 5 years, I’ve challenged myself both mentally and physically via mud races. They push your limits of strength, endurance and grit. The end result is more or less the same: exhaustion, often injured and a sense or accomplishment. However, this year was different.

I wasn’t able to train at the level I would’ve like due to schedule constraints and injuries sustained earlier in the year. Three weeks prior, I wasn’t even sure I would be able to race due to an aggravated neck and back strain. Needless to say, I wasn’t thrilled to compete in the race this year and often thought about backing out up until the evening before. However, because I committed to it I didn’t want to let my teammates down and be back-out Betty.

The morning of the race I woke up and knew I had 2 choices: 18km of struggles or offer it up for something greater. I decided I would stop myself from complaining, endure any injury that may happen, and remain joyful.

Finding Christ in that race was the last thing I expected. Wherein the past races there is often camaraderie, there is also complaining, gripping and swearing from your teammates and strangers that you run with.

As the race progressed, I noticed I was oddly cheery as were the fellow strangers I was racing with. There were endless words of cheering and encouragement every kilometer along the way. For a good 10-15km my team kept running into the same three groups of people. What was unique with these groups, were the different bible quotes printed on the back of each of their t-shirts.   I was floored that even in an event like this, that they were able to proclaim and evangelize their faith in their own way.

Not only did their shirts proclaim Christ, but also in the way they cheered their own teammates and strangers alike. Their posture stood firm, as the race become more strenuous and the hours continued to pass. Even though they were exhausted and dirty, they remained Christ-like. It is when we are pushed to our limits, beaten up and drained that our posture can speaker louder than words. That no matter the unlikely circumstance, you can always find Christ in anyplace and in everything.

A few weeks ago I mentioned nurturing and protecting one’s vocation but didn’t go into detail about it. I’ve been thinking about this topic lately, as good friend of mine is leaving in a few days to enter into a religious congregation. A few common friends had shocked reactions to her news, as they didn’t know her well. I reflected upon my friendship with her in the last five years and the steps she’s taken towards her vocation.

In the last two years she became proactive in her vocation discernment. At first she was sure of missionary life but in turn, found it was the religious life that called to her. She took steps to deepen her faith through scripture, mass and prayer. She sought out Jesus daily and would explore different congregations that appealed to her. Often I would follow up and ask her discernment was going and her reply was that she prayed ‘she would desire what God desired for her’. The deeper she would go into her faith, the easier her discernment was. I also noticed the peace and softness that began to take place over the months, until I saw her expression of pure joy when she talked about her relationship with God. She pursed this calling and nurtured it consistently.

Vocations do not always fall into a person’s lap. Certainty often comes from long hours of prayer, devotion and discernment. The active pursuit of her vocation reminded me that I needed to continue to nurture and pursue my own. If we are not proactive, then we become stale and stuck. We can only grow when we become decisive and start making steps towards the fulfillment of God’s plan for us.

Yesterday I attended an event for a friend in the west end of the city. It was my first time visiting and was surprised with the beauty of the church. It was medium sized, however every inch of the parish was filled with simplicity and peace. The thought occurred to me that it would be the perfect parish to have a wedding. Then I remembered that I WAS there for a wedding. My friend was having her first profession of vows and it was her wedding day.

As her parents walked her down the aisle, joy radiated from her face. It was the same glow you see on a bride’s face at a traditional wedding when she walks towards her future husband. The parish was filled with the same love of family and friends. However, the additional community of her Salesian sisters and support were just as strong. It was a blessing to witness her profession and it reminded me of the importance of vocation. It is our calling that we need to protect and nurture. Our vocation is how we can best express our love to God in this life.

Earlier today, I had the chance to catch up with friends that I haven’t seen in a while. The four areas we each shared about were livelihood, lifestyle, leadership and love life. Some discussed where they were at or where they still needed to improve upon. However, for two of them it was different. Their current vocations encompassed all four areas. They were mostly balanced in each. I noticed that the ones focusing heavily in one area, were not as at peace as the others.

It seems when you’ve balanced all four areas, that your vocation ties naturally into everything as well. If we neglect one area, another area will likely suffer. For example, if we neglect our personal well being, are health is affected which seeps into other areas such as livelihood or careers. Likewise, if we focus purely on our lifestyle and pursuit of self happiness then our potential love lives and service roles are affected. Even with service, we still need time to recoup and rest so we can be effective when requested to serve in the future. Therefore it is important to continually discern all four areas of our lives and ensure we are maintaining a healthy balance.

Yesterday evening I attended a mission teaching. I thought I hadn’t been to the parish where it was held until I arrived at the walkway. I then recognized the entrance and vaguely remembered visiting previously for an assembly 5 years prior. After helping setup the chairs, I went into the hallway where I was hit with déjà vu.

I distinctly remember the nervousness I felt in that very spot the last time I stood in that hallway. It was the first time I was asked to share in front of a large group of young adults and witness my first conference experience.

I remember sharing that this conference was make or break it for me. It was an experience that changed my community life and solidified my choice to serve. It was where God was calling me to be and to stay.

Five years later, I was reaffirmed last night in that same parish. My choice was renewed to serve a mission in evangelization and trust God that I am where I am meant to be.

Two nights ago I went out for the first time with members of a public speaking club that I am part of. I’ve been a member for the last 13 months but it was the first time I attended an off-site event. It is a multicultural club of various ages, races and religious beliefs. The latter was the least amount I knew about any of the members since faith isn’t regularly discussed at our professional meetings and sessions.

When I arrived at the restaurant, I took the first available stool and the rest of the seats began to fill up. Through casual conversation, one member mentioned she was heading to Pentecostal bible study, another member sitting to my left blessed her food before eating and the married couple across shared that they met in while in university at their local church. It was a pleasant surprise to discover many of my fellow members practiced their faith in different Christian denominations, as religion isn’t a topic normally discussed outside of the community or in a professional workplace.

That evening gave me a sense of comfort and joy knowing that I had a common faith appreciation with my fellow club members. It was a further testament that we can find God anywhere, especially when least expected.

Silence can be used in various areas of our lives. It can bring us peace before we start our morning, lull us into a noon nap or soothe us after a hectic day. Sometimes it’s in silence that we hear God. When we’re surrounded by all the noise of our daily lives, it can be hard to hear His messages. Silence can be where He meets us. But what about when we use it as a weapon?

Our silence or silence from others can wound. By failing to communicate our feelings whether good or bad, we can sever our friendships and relationships with others. Even keeping our silence when you see the need to stand up for someone or even yourself can hurt.

However, silence can also be a tool of prudence. Knowing when to not speak if you know your words will not be kind to others. Another good instance is when you’re holding your tongue when others are gossiping. In any instance, silence can be a gift or a curse depending on how you apply it to your daily life.