Looking back, I can recall and reveal glimpses of my journeys that ultimately connected me to the straight path leading to the narrow gate of life through the one, true Church. There are no coincidences; nothing happens without God within His Divine Providence in which He gives us free will while subtly guiding us to receive and embrace His numerous gifts such as faith and cooperation with His abundant, beneficial grace.
Attending elementary Sunday school with the Methodists, I memorized numerous Psalms being especially thankful for Psalm 23 whereby God comforts us with His steadfast love and mercy.
During junior high, my religion instructor advised that recreation on Sundays is not an excuse to avoid properly worshiping God, making me wonder about spending weekends with family camping and fishing. Ever mindful of her words with contrition and humble obedience for the love of God and my soul’s sake, years later I finally began keeping holy the Lord’s Day as God judiciously commands.
I was certain in high school that agnosticism was the way until God could be proved; now, with eyes that finally see, our Creator’s fingerprints are evident throughout the universe.
Then at the university, I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone and try new experiences, so when invited to join a sorority, I accepted. The sisters volunteered me as their candidate for Snow Ball Queen with a men’s dormitory, which was flattering but scary not knowing what to expect. A physically challenged man came to the door to escort me to the competitions, but in my shyness, there wasn’t much conversation. Thinking back, perhaps he was trying to redefine himself as well. Lord, help me to love You and others more.
Eventually I found faithfulness in a man who introduced me to Catholicism. I should have remained more in my shy shell rather than being so bold and trendy in marriage prep asking to write my own vows saying “until love do us part” — shameless words that I found in a sleek wedding magazine. Needless to say, the priest politely declined my outrageous request yet generously applied for a dispensation to allow for a sacramental marriage in the Catholic Church even though I wasn’t even baptized! “Where sin abounded, grace abounded more” (Romans 5:20).
Later on, mingling with Independent Fundamental Baptists in the Deep South, the Holy Spirit inspired me to ask my husband, “With so many different beliefs, which church is the one Jesus established?” He promptly replied, “The Catholic Church.” I am forever grateful that God gave me the saving grace to believe and trust like a child opening my mind and heart to receive instruction, study, contemplate and practice Catholicism, the one, true Faith.
I pray to always have the freedom to express the treasured teachings of Christ through His words and sacraments glorifying and experiencing God dispensing love by His merciful graces that sanctify, save, enlighten, forgive, strengthen and heal for perseverance and for hope to be one of the few.
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