As I take a break from making final revisions to the manuscript of God Moments II before it heads to print, a very special moment during the development of the book comes to mind.
The first draft of the manuscript was completed during Holy Week; at the time I was battling what would be a brutal, seven week course of viral bronchitis which had delayed the book's progress. Following morning Mass, I had remained at the church to work in a back room and typed the final words to complete the text. Then, I packed up my equipment and went into the chapel to thank Jesus, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament, for everything.
So many emotions came to the surface in the chapel. Has this happened to you, and more than once? Just imagine that God is willing to use us as instruments of love in His plan of salvation for mankind. We are His collaborators, and the reward for others and ourselves is spending eternity in heaven, united in perfect love with Him forever.
What words come to your mind to describe the privilege of being such valued instruments of God's immeasurable, unfathomable, and eternal love?
I wish that there was one word that encompassed what that moment is like, to feel in the depth of one's soul such profound gratitude, unworthiness, and love, while experiencing mystical union with our Creator. Let's come up with one!
The entire human family is interconnected in this labor of love we all share. What has God asked You to do for Him and thus for others? Everyone's cooperation is vital.
That moment in the chapel was a very personal, very meaningful public and private moment, perhaps even more so because God had accomplished the task of writing a book about recognizing the Fruits of the Holy Spirit in our lives through one who was sick and weak. With God, all things are truly possible!
At one point the significance of the moment brought me to tears. What a moment, to be kneeling before the One who asks so much of us while demanding nothing, the very One who gave us everything and showed us how to love.
At one point, the significance of that moment, recognizing His tremendous love for every single immortal soul, without exception, and His incredible goodness and unfathomable generosity and mercy became overwhelming and I was brought to tears. And so rather than disturb others in the chapel, I thanked God once more and bid Him farewell, saying, "I am going to leave now, Jesus, and go cry in my car."
Our sweet Jesus is such a gentleman and would not have it. All of a sudden those emotions left me completely and I was overcome with great peace and calm. At that moment, Jesus wanted me to be happy and not cry.
Tomorrow is the deadline for wrapping up God Moments II: Recognizing the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, written and compiled by Michele Elena Bondi with an introduction by Paul A. Ray.
May the stories in the book create a greater awareness of God's unfathomable love for you and for every person, increase your understanding of the meaning and purpose of your life, and inspire you to greater virtue and deeper surrender to God.
God is at work in you!
