On a recent visit to a women’s jail, I was reminded about an important truth in our lonely world today—God loves each of us more than we could ever imagine. We had gathered together as a group of two volunteers and several residents of an incarceration facility to pray and walk together in faith as we do each week. One of the residents looked over to me and asked, “I have so much that I worry about daily—my kids, my court date, my recovery and life after release—I just can’t feel God’s presence. Do you think he is with me?” I pondered for a moment to ask the Holy Spirit for the right words then said, “Not only is he with you, he is sitting right beside you at this very moment. We have to have eyes of faith to see Him in the people He puts into our lives.”
Oftentimes I think many of us go through life unaware that God is literally right beside us—working through the smile of a stranger, the kindness of a friend, or the love of a spouse—especially in the midst of difficult moments. In Matthew’s Gospel after commissioning the disciples to go out and share the good news, Jesus said, “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (MT 28:20) Reflecting on this scripture passage, Bishop Robert Barron says, “to surrender to the greater authority, is to walk the most dramatic of the ways of holiness…” For me, walking this path of holiness can be tough at times due to the many distractions in our modern world. I have realized, though, that it is the only way to experience lasting peace and freedom in this life.
One morning while reading my Bible, I noticed that in June of 2021, I reflected on this very scripture from Matthew’s gospel while on a family vacation. I was dealing with constant back pain after recent surgeries for a spinal fracture. My scribbled text referred to feelings of despair and how the pain as my constant companion was causing me to question my faith. I was surprised to see that I also wrote about gratitude in the same space, for my family and other blessings in my life. I think those latter words were an inspiration from the Holy Spirit—taking me out of self pity and reminding me that life is not always about me. I needed that. Looking back, I believe God granted me perspective to be grateful for my life and to remind me that He is always there, no matter what, just as He is for all people.
Shortly after this family vacation, I recall trying (once again) to surrender to the God who loves me unconditionally, which is not always easy for those who are struggling, like my friend at the jail. Thankfully these prayers would eventually lead me to a new women’s ministry—with incarcerated women—in a place where love can be freely given and received by those of us who sometimes feel broken and need a reminder that God is always with us. I love this quote from St. Augustine, “God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.” God’s love is freely given to all people—no conditions or prerequisites. Back to my new resident friend at the jail, I hope she feels the power of God’s love through the folks who reach out in love each week and in many other small ways each day. I have come to truly believe that He is sitting right beside each one of us, all we have to do is look up and find somebody to love while also receiving love from someone in our midst.
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