Jesus knew poverty during His time with us on Earth. He was born poor, lived poor, and died poor as far as material possessions are concerned. Jesus never owned property or became rich, yet he showed us how to be truly happy. That is to desire those things which are of Heaven, those things which are from God.
His Holy Spirit has brought us the gifts of God to make us holy. One of mine is the gift of nursing. I am having a difficult time finding a job in my chosen profession, in an area of ministry to the sick which God called me to years ago. So I pray, sharing our needs with Jesus, asking for Our Lady’s intercession, and thanking God and praising Him for the answer to my prayers ahead of time, knowing He will answer in His time. Mother Teresa used to tell us, “Even if you feel tossed about in the stormy sea like a ship without a compass. Trust God. He is there with you.”
I often pray the Scripture which tells us “Lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths…” (Proverbs 3: 5, 6) There is much that I can’t understand at the moment. Why is my husband’s contractor business failing after three years during the time of year when contractors are usually the busiest? Why can’t I get a nursing job during a nursing shortage? Why are we still struggling just to buy groceries and pay rent after 38 years of marriage and raising a family, when we have always tried to remain faithful to God? Why do many others who are living horrible lives and who have turned their backs on God, seem to have it so easy and even seem to gain wealth? Yet I know that God is good and He does provide what we need and much more.
It is not always easy to pray during these times of frustration and discouragement. I sometimes simply pray the Our Father (Lord’s Prayer) which puts it all in perspective. At times when I can’t even pray at all, I just sit in His Presence and allow Him to simply love me. Sometimes I think back on how God has helped us through others. Once we were out of food and a neighbor brought us many large sandwich rolls and some apples. He said his daughter worked in a bakery and always brought home some excess and he couldn’t possibly eat all this so he wanted to share it with us! The apples were from a tree in his yard. To us it was like manna in the dessert.
I frequently take a walk around our neighborhood and stop to greet neighbors out in their yard or also out for a walk. Mother Teresa used to tell us that sometimes all we are called to do for the poor in our own homes, and in our neighborhoods is to smile at them. I once heard a story of a man — homeless and an alcoholic — who was considering suicide and was sitting on a bench outside a large church watching others go in. He told God that if even one person spoke to him, he wouldn’t take his life. Finally a woman greeted him and invited him in for coffee and a donut. He said that her smile and sincerity saved his life. I take my walks and my time at home with my family as an opportunity to serve each one, even if the service is just a smile. It could save a life, maybe even mine.
A sense of humor is a must if one is to succeed in these times of great trial. I recall that when we went bankrupt after several months of unemployment for both of us, that we looked at each other and said, “Well, we still got us.” and broke out into gales of laughter. This statement came from an experience I had while visiting patients as a home health RN. I visited a couple in their lovely home in the country, and commented how beautiful it was. “Yep,” the gentleman said, “we were young when we moved here and raised seven children here.” The elderly couple had fallen on hard times and were no longer able to live alone. He was going blind and his wife had congestive heart failure. Their lovely home was up for sale, and they were to move into a room at their oldest son’s house. I told them how sorry I was and that I’d pray for them. The little lady looked into her husband’s eyes and together they both said, “Oh well, we still got us.” Then both laughed long and hard. They were thankful for having one another. They had so little yet so much. Their little phrase became our own code for remembering to laugh with each other, even in the midst of great chaos. After all, God made us with a sense of humor.
It’s OK to shed tears, but to dwell on our sorrows and trials is to create an inner prison of selfishness which leads to despair. Jesus has shown us how to break out of this prison by prayer, service to others, by acceptance of our circumstances, by praising God for the gifts He gives us daily, and by purposely triggering healing laughter in each other. We also continue to search for work and know that when God closes one door, He opens another.
© Copyright 2003 Catholic Exchange
Jo-Ellyne Howerton, LMC is a mother of three and grandmother of three from Eugene, Oregon and a writer of inspirational short stories. Her story, The Christmas Lullaby, will appear in the new Amazing Grace for The Catholic Heart due out this Fall. JoEllyne is a professed Lay Missionary of Charity of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
