Suffering Is a Call To Conversion

It's amazing the depth of just a sentence. In a world of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter posts we have learned to sum our thoughts and lives into short sentiments that portray our thoughts, actions or feelings. The weight in Pope Francis' tweet though is amazing.

Suffering is a call to conversion.
Our frailty and vulnerability call us to conversion.

Friends it amazed me to think about this as I recently went on a Christ Renews His Parish retreat at my church and now am planning the next retreat. I won't go into detail about it but know that I would recommend it to anyone, it's a great experience. If I learned anything in meeting the ladies from CRHP and my experiences in my own life I see so much truth in the Holy Father's words. As I listen to the stories of those around me and think of my own I find the commonality of those who turn to God in times of challenge, and forget about Him when things are good.  I'll admit that for a period of my life this was my relationship with God. I never meant it to be that way, I would have told you I believed in Him no matter what the season. It's only in retrospect that I can tell you that I only really ran to Him when things were more than I could handle.  I didn't look for guidance unless I felt lost. I didn't look for comfort until I felt scared. I didn't really look to honor Him I just didn't want to anger Him. It was the challenges and trials in my life that helped me to rely on Him and as I relied on Him I learned each time that He never would leave me or forsake me. When I felt far from God it was because I had moved and it was my challenges that helped me walk back. Now God doesn't cause bad things to happen but He allows  things to happen and works through them. It's the trials in my life: the tough days, my mom dying, my grandmother getting alzheimers and passing away, relationships ending, work difficulties, the hard days in PA school, the bad days, the good days, all of them have helped me to move closer and closer to God. I've come to know that my relationship with Him is everything and my closeness to Him makes a huge difference in how I handle the suffering in my life.

I am so thankful for all the lessons He has taught me in the midst of the messiest days of my life. It's my frailty and vulnerability that shows me my consistent need for a savior.  Friends turn to Him in the good days and the tough ones. He alone can fill your needs and give rest to your soul.

Let your frailty and vulnerability remind you of your humanity. Let your humanity remind you that you were created and you need your creator. Let your suffering call your heart to deeper conversion.
<3