Most people don’t know that I’ve been living on my own for about 1 and a half years now. To make a long story short, my mom was let go from a really great job and struggled for 6 months to find comparable employment in Toronto. The answer to our prayers at the time was found in Estevan, Saskatchewan, which is where she was able to find security for the present and her future retirement. My dad followed her 6 months later and was also able to find a much better job in the same company as my mom. Meanwhile, I made the decision to stay in Toronto because I was finishing my post-graduate certificate program and someone needed to stay to take care of the house.
At the time before my mom and dad moved, my relationship with both of my parents was strained. I was growing up and had my own plans, which didn’t always mesh well with what they had in mind. It wasn’t like we didn’t love each other anymore. Our relationship as a family was going through “growing pains” because slowly but surely I was becoming more rational, logical, and independent. I could make decisions that they didn’t agree with, but had to accept, because I was an adult.
Truth be told, I know that God called my parents to move to Saskatchewan for two major purposes. First, He wanted to bring my family closer in love through Christ. I cherish my parents so much more because I don’t see them often – every word and minute counts! Second, God loves me too much to let me grow in pride. I used to think that I could get through life with my own strength because I knew I was smart and strong willed. Now I know that living independently requires living in dependence on Christ.
Learning to live on my own is the hardest thing that I have had to do so far. I continue to struggle financially, with loneliness, and being disciplined in balancing all aspects of my life. However, it is in my daily struggle to live a full Catholic life that God shows me that He loves me, He is taking care of me, and that He has my life right in the palm of His hands.
A.M.D.G
“but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
[2 Corinthians 12: 9-10]
🙂 You’re inspiring. May God continue to be the strength of your heart :).