Waiting for the Glorious Sunrise
by Rita Davidson
With the breaking news of the Pope stepping down, the internet has exploded with conversation. Facebook profiles are bursting with guessing and commenting. People are scared and some are shaking.
It is hard not to be afraid when times look uncertain. Whether it is a sudden natural disaster, or a movement of politics, as Catholics we always try to see how it fits in with God’s plan.
It’s hard not to be afraid, as we move into Ash Wednesday and 40 days of Lent, and now suddenly hear that our Pope is stepping down. That we will likely go through this Lent without a Pope and we wonder how could that possibly be good. Prophecies come out and people start bantering back and forth about how this or that, will surely happen.
It reminds me of a time in my life that was very scary. In fact, I’ve lived through quite a few of those times. Just when all seemed lost, and there was no where to turn. There are days that I went to sleep not knowing what the next day would bring. There were days when I couldn’t wait for bedtime, to be able to get away from the horror of my day. When only sleep would bring me blessed rest. Blessed nothingness.
The first time I experienced this kind of suffering, I was 17 years old. I was pregnant with our first child at the time and alone. Tragedy had struck my relationship with Mark and we had split up that night. My heart was broken into a million pieces and I fell to the ground literally, 6 months pregnant. All night I had wanted to end my life, as my mother sat at the end of my bed watching me. The pain that gripped me at only 17 years old was more than I could bear. It was the longest night of my life. All I felt was that I wanted to die. The only thing that kept me from taking my life was the life I had inside of me. That baby I carried was the hope that kept me alive that night.
After a fit-fully long night of pain…I woke up to a blessed sunlight.
The phone rang. It was Mark saying he was coming over. Blessed joy.
It wasn’t the end of our suffering, but it was a great lesson I was taught. That it is when things seem at their darkest, that God is in control.
God truly can make good come from bad.
God truly will protect us, when we have forgotten about Him.
God will carry us, when we seem too burdened to carry ourselves.
God will shield us, when enemies surround us.
God will be patient with us, when we only see darkness.
Who are we to say there won’t be some quiet shepherd from a corner that God has been preparing for this day? Who is to say that a Saint won’t accend the steps of St. Peter to bring this ship back to port?
It was at this dark time that my faith was ignited again. If not for experiencing such darkness, I would never have understood the light of day. I am forever grateful for God’s loving care, to bring me through such darkness, if only to light my faith on fire. It was the beginning for me. And I truly needed this kick-start. I think much of the Church today needs this kick-start. Don’t you?
We are always afraid of the darkness, always afraid of the suffering to come.
Always afraid of what we do not know, or do not understand.
During these times of uncertainty, do not be afraid of what will come. Though it might not be easy, all that matters is that your faith carries you through. All that matters is that you keep your hope alive. Your rosary is your hope. All that matters is that you say it. Say it like you’ve never said it before! Just 15 minutes or 1% of your day, you can bring heaven on earth. We have this time, let us make good use of it!
All that matters is that for as long as the sun rises, there is always hope for a better day. That God can make the darkest night turn around into the most glorious sunrise. I have seen it.
May God give you strength and courage in the days ahead.
I am waiting expectedly for a glorious Easter this year, are you ? Share with me!
©Copyright 2013 Rita Davidson All Rights Reserved.
Rita is a Catholic wife and mother of seven children. Mark is her ever patient husband. She reverted back to the faith when her oldest was making her First Communion. By then, she had completed degrees in Hairdressing and Make up artistry. She went on to receive a degree in Natural Health and another degree in Art. At age 26, Rita suffered a minor stroke. With no lasting effects, this dramatically changed her outlook on life. In 1996, Rita began ‘Little Flowers Family Apostolates’ to reach out to other families with her new found faith, by creating unique Catholic books and resources.. In 1999, she wrote the bestselling, ‘Immodesty; Satan’s Virtue’. She was editor of ‘The Catholic Health Letter’ for 7 years. She has been a homeschooling mom for 20+ years, and has written for various magazines. She is honored that families have trusted her with their questions, needs and concerns over the years. She continues to write and reach out to Catholic families with her husband, Mark and their 4 boys through http://www.LittleFlowersFamilyPress.com
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