The following is the 10^th in a series of talks by one of our employees relating the amazing healing power and love of God in her life.

“There is no greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

John 15:13

Dear Readers,

This week I am going to share with you a very personal experience in my life and introduce you to someone who taught me the true meaning of living as a follower of Christ. We may sometimes be asked to pay a very high price to live the Christian life, but the reward awaiting us is beyond our wildest dreams. The toll it takes on our loved ones can be almost unbearable, but, He will never leave them alone. For, He will carry them through their pain, through their anguish, through their tears and through the darkness into the light. God is so good. Let me say that again…God is so good.

My grandfather came to this country as a young immigrant from Eastern Europe following his dream to come to America to seek a better life like so many others before him and after him. He came through Ellis Island and it was a powerful moment for me to see his name on the log from the day he arrived in this country. He was poor, but worked very hard. He went to culinary school and eventually married and opened his own restaurant. He made a good life for himself and his family and became an amazing chef. Grandpa was a member of the men’s choir at church and was such a good and kind man. I was always very close to my grandparents.

In my 2^nd entry from this series, I spoke of a terrible tragedy that struck my family 35 years ago. My grandfather was the head chef at a restaurant and was one of five people murdered one evening at the restaurant. What I didn’t mention was that he was not supposed to have been working that evening. You see, it was the evening of my parent’s wedding anniversary and they were spending the evening together with my grandparents. But, a coworker had asked Grandpa if he could work for him that night. The events that followed the decision to help a friend that particular night left my family broken and devastated.

It has taken me a very long time to be able to focus on the greatness of that terrible night and to think about the legacy my grandfather left me, but Christ has transformed this tragedy into a loving memory of a man who chose to follow Christ by his example. After all these years, what have I learned from this single act of kindness that took the life of such a good and innocent man?

I’ve learned that our beloved Lord walked this painful journey before us. He led the way with His blood and tears, His suffering, but, most of all, with His love for each of us. This loving and innocent Man, our own Savior, allowed His own violent murder to take place for our salvation. I’ve learned that we must never allow our faith in God to waiver, no matter how tragic the events in our lives. He is in control. I’ve learned that His mother, the Mother He gave to each of us, is with us in our suffering as she, too, walked this painful journey before us. I’ve learned to unite my suffering to the very cross that has saved me knowing that what awaits me is an eternity with the One true Love of my life. I’ve learned that love will always triumph over evil. Our journey here is very brief, but each of us has the power to leave our mark, the mark of love to a hurting world.

I have no doubt in my mind that on that dark, cold night in December all those years ago, the gates of heaven opened wide and the light of God shone forth to welcome that innocent soul Home and the Voice of Truth in all His mercy proclaimed, “Well done, good and faithful servant, welcome Home”. God is so good!

God’s love be with you,

Aline

This week, I wish to share with you a special Valentine I have written for my sweet Jesus, a Love unlike any other. My journey will continue next week.

 My Beautiful One

You were there
Through the years
In my darkness
Ever Near
Ever Faithful
Ever Loving
Ever Patient

I come to You
In humility
To ask forgiveness
For my absence
You simply smile
Your arms outstretched
And welcome me Home

It’s You I run to
You’re all I long for
You are my treasure
My Lord and Savior
I surrender my life
To Your tender care
For You know best

I feel joy in Your Presence
Love in Your Midst
Safety in Your Embrace
I kneel before You in awe
Let me be changed in Your Presence
For You take my breath away
My Beautiful One

Happy Valentine’s Day,

Aline

Dear Readers,

“Here, then, is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: that God is light; in Him there is no darkness.” – First Epistle of John 1:5

Darkness entered my life 35 years ago following the murder of a beloved family member. I was too young at the time to understand the impact this single event would have upon my life. It was a time of fear and uncertainty. Anger and sadness took its toll on my family. As I look back, I realize this was the beginning of my departure from the path toward God. I did not leave the Catholic Church in the years that followed, but I was Catholic in name only. Going to Mass meant very little to me. My heart was now closed and dark spots would appear on my soul for the next 33 years.

“Blest too are the sorrowing; they shall be consoled.” – Gospel of St. Matthew 5:4

Just over 3 years ago, I lost my beautiful Mother. She, too, was taken from us at the hands of other human beings. Mom was my rock. I was devastated. I was alone and I hated God.

What did my family do to deserve this? The God I came to know was a Taker, not a Giver. I was now empty and broken inside. Little did I know that this was just the beginning of my life… the life I was supposed to have lived in communion with a God who never left me alone. In my brokenness, He would bring me Home.

Peace and Love,
Aline

January 31, 2007 – 1^st Entry

A Journey of Faith

Dear Readers,

This short section of our newsletter will introduce you to the healing power of our Lord in the life of just one of his unworthy creatures.  I am not an intellectual, just another ordinary Catholic girl experiencing the extraordinary power of God in her life.  This is not a comfortable place for me to be, sharing personal thoughts with strangers, yet, I must remember, we are all  brothers and sisters in Christ.  I have learned that God loves to challenge us, pulling us out of our comfort zones, that place of safety where we risk nothing and hardly live at all.   Yet, He always pulls us out with such love.  He knows with such intimacy that person we are capable of becoming, that person He created us to be.  Why are we so afraid to let our Lord lead us?  We’ve all lived in those comfort zones and have come to know them so well. 

The Lord brought me to Aquinas and More just over one year ago and there was no doubt in my mind that this was part of His plan for my life.  The first book offered to me was “Catholicism for Dummies”.  Yes, I was offended, but only out of  pride.  As I began to read it, I realized this book was filled with so many details of our Faith of which I was unaware.  I have such a long way to go to fully understand the immense treasure that is our Faith, but our Lord is leading me and I have surrendered to Him and have allowed His love to flow through me.  It is my hope to bring His love to all of our readers.   

All for Jesus,

Aline