God Has You

by David Lins  |  05/26/2019  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

As I write this week’s column, everything that has been kept in the parish hall is being moved to other areas. Most of it is being taken to the Faith Formation building found just east of the preschool playground and southwest from the church. It is a building most parishioners don’t even know exists (as it is a bit harder to get to), but it will be used extensively during construction.

By the time you read this, I expect there will be unattractive fencing surrounding the hall and interior demo will be underway.

I remember when the church was recently closed for its remodel. As it began, it felt like it would take forever. The Our Lady of Joy campus wasn’t as beautiful and every parishioner had to make the best of it.

Looking back, it didn’t take very long at all. The church looks more beautiful than ever and the sound is 1,000 times better!

I want to encourage any of you struggling with hardship, heartbreak, or despair. It probably feels like you’ve been there forever. Life isn’t as beautiful and you are trying so hard to just make the best of it.

I can’t begin to know what you are going through, but most of you know I am familiar with tragedy and depression.

I want you to know - although you may never understand why something happened - there will be something on the other side. Life just might be more beautiful than ever. You might find or develop gifts and talents you didn’t even know you had. God willing, one day, you will look back and it will seem like a blip on the timeline of your existence. It might not feel like it, but God has you. Cling to Him.

This weekend’s Psalm response is Psalm 67. It contains this prayer: “May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation.”

Questions? Comments? Email David at dlins@oloj.org.

P.S. I can deal with a bit of construction because the coffee shop in the new and improved hall will be worth it! (I know there will be many other big improvements, but caffeine is tough to beat!)