January 15, 2010
Personal Reflection
The ‘Perfect Storm’ of Life
By ZOE CANNON (Vincennes)
Inevitably there are storms in life. Weather storms in the atmosphere, and emotional storms in relationships; each creates a commotion that can overwhelm even the most solid foundation. In Psalm 29, the psalmist, David, says, “The voice of the Lord can strip the forest bare, but the Lord also gives strength to His people; He gives His people peace.” That is powerful! Think for a moment about the meaning of these words in scripture. David saw a storm and immediately thought of the glory of God. He knew that in a great storm, the people of God are always safe. Do you seek the Lord for His peace in the storms of your life? Do you recognize peace as a gift from God, knowing it provides the happiness deep inside you? Most important, if you are the cause of turmoil, do you say that you are sorry? Before these questions can be answered, we must first understand the beauty of God’s “perfect love” and how it can guide us through the “perfect storms” in our lives.
I have a friend who exemplifies the glory of God everyday in a very specific storm in her life. She has a devastating disease called Huntington chorea, an incurable neurodegenerative genetic disorder, which began in her 20s. She is now 50 years old. Three decades of knowing, living, and suffering the debilitating stages of this terrible disease. The “chance” meeting of this friendship was definitely the grace of God. I share this story for one reason: to show how real and evident the mercy of God is in our lives.
I was making Communion calls for my church when I first met Stephanie. She was in her 40’s, a beautiful red head, and the youngest person sitting in the dining hall at the nursing home. Loved by all, this small woman was a dynamo. I was told by one of the residents that she thought Stephanie was Catholic, so I invited her to join us for our communion service. So began a relationship literally brought together by Jesus himself. We never know how our actions may impact another life. “Do not neglect kindness or hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.” 1 Peter 1:12.
I could never have imagined the connection God was providing for the two of us that day. I continued taking Com-munion to the nursing home and always visited Stephanie. Years passed and life got busy; I lost touch with her for a time. Our son had an accident and I became a rehab clinician, spending many months away from home. Christ’s love also brought my family through this personal storm. When I re-turned to my ministry duties, I was anxious to see how my friend was doing. I had no prior knowledge of her disease or its progression. When I found her that day I was devastated to see how quickly she had deteriorated. Researching, I found that her condition was leaving her trapped in a powerless body, with her mind still very much aware. This is the worst kind of confinement, especially for someone so young. I have been blessed with many memories in this friendship, but one in particular I will always remember as a God-incident.
One day in August of 2008, I visited Stephanie and found she had been taken to the hospital. When she returned her situation seemed very bleak. For months I visited everyday hoping human contact would help; she was bedfast, unable to sit, walk, or speak. Now hospice was called to care for her. That day she cried with frustration. It was unusual to see her so anxious. I always took things to read to her, this Friday I had a copy of “the Message.” On the front cover was a picture of 11 seminarians studying to be-come Catholic priests in our diocese. As I read her the article, I felt inspired to challenge Stephanie with an important purpose. The pain and suffering she faced everyday lying in her bed was not going to change. I encouraged her to turn that misery into something peaceful and purposeful, by praying for the young men studying to become priests. I asked my Pastor, Father Jason Gries, to anoint her that day and we prayed for God’s Mercy.
I would say a rosary with Stephanie as she intently listened. We talked about how her prayers were going to bear great fruit for the young men discerning priesthood. Within weeks she was able to get up for meals again, and she began to gain weight. Her caregivers noticed something was different. Very aware of her “purpose,” I knew what was making the difference in her life.
May 4, 2009, was Stephanie’s 50th birthday. I wrote to each of the seminarians and newly ordained priests, to tell them about the “prayer warrior” who had been praying for them the past 10 months. The walls in her room are still lined with the birthday cards sent by these grateful seminarians and priests. She continues to remember them in prayer. Please remember Stephanie, as she needs God’s mercy and love herself.
This week has been another rough one for her; Father Jason stopped by again to bless and anoint this angel of prayer. We know that God is the One who frees us from sin so that we can enter into the promised land of heaven. Celebrating the Year for Priests, we are blessed to have them to call upon to be Christ to each of us. The Scriptures are filled with testimonies of God’s faithfulness, his persevering love, and his acts of mercy and grace. And like the psalmist, David, I see the glory of God in the storm of Stephanie’s life.
If we listen , we too can hear the voice of God as he strips the forest bare, and gives strength and peace to His people.