A New Chapter...

~ Church ministry is not exactly what some would call a lucrative line of work. In fact, our family has learned to live not paycheck to paycheck, but miracle to miracle. I could cry a river of tears... joyful tears, in recounting all the ways our Lord has provided for us over these past 23 years.

~Years ago, Mike was using his Navy training background, working in administration during the day, and playing heavy metal music by night. Music had always been his first love and he was giving it his all to make a career of it. Little by little that dark scene was beginning to wear away at him. Although he used his position to share his faith with his bandmates and others, eventually it was evident that this was no life for a Christian man or his family.

~He had been playing music on weekends at a church trying to make ends meet. One morning while preparing to play music for a funeral, he just bowed his head. "Lord, I can't do this anymore". "I love music". "And I love You". "I know you don't want me to work in these clubs anymore". "I want to use my music for You". "From now on, my music will be a ministry for You". "Just please, Lord... show me the way".

~As Mike played the music during that funeral, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see a Fransiscan Monk, whom he had never met before. "Would you consider working fulltime for us as our director of music"?

~Amazing. The Lord wastes no time when we are ripe for His will.

~Mike worked at the chapel with the brothers for about six months. He learned a lot there. Some good. Some bad. But, in accord with the words of Saint Paul... each lesson works for the good for those who love God.

~There was a time when Mike feared that perhaps he was being selfish believing that the Lord was calling him to a music ministry. He thought it would be better to find more financially secure work. He searched, and searched some more. He applied at every office, every wharehouse, every store. He interviewed, networked, and prayed. Everything fell through one after another. Finally, one day in prayer, he once again gave it all over to the Lord. "Please Lord... I'll do whatever you want me to do, no matter how humble". "If I am being self-centered in thinking You want me to use my music for You, then please tell me what to do". "Please Lord, give me a word". He then opened his bible... directly to Psalm 68. He looked down right where his finger had landed. "Sing to God".

~Days later we were in a Christian book store and the lady at the counter asked if he was who she thought he was. Didn't you play music at the chapel? She knew of a parish that desperately needed a fulltime musician. Within a week he was singing to God in a new home. That job led to other types of work such as teaching music at the parish school and getting involved in healing ministry. The pastor became a dear family friend.

~Just a sidenote.... during his years there, I once shared with Mike how jealous I was that he had always known his entire life that music was his passion. And that now he could use it for God was such a blessing. I told him I felt lost. He said, but you've got so many talents... I gruffed back "What am I supposed to do"? "Craft for God"? Days later the parish school where he worked lost their art teacher and the principal wanted me to come in for an interview. Yep. I crafted for God there for three years 'til our Hannah was born!

~As the local parishes combined, and downsizing was beginning to worry us, a pastor from our own city called Mike. A musician/singer Mike had done a wedding with recommended him for a position at a parish just minutes from home. What a blessing! Mike was overjoyed to "be home". We ended up buying a home in that parish and have greatly enjoyed raising our children in a parish with such a vibrant youth ministry. It is a wonderful church family, and we have grown close to so many.

~Still... reality sometimes intervenes and the Lord uses many means to direct us in the paths that He desires for us. As wonderful as our home parish is, the finances just aren't there to pay a fulltime musician enough to support a growing family. We have struggled through some very hard financial times during these past few years. If it were not for our parish family, our children wouldn't have had presents under the tree last year, and we would most definately not still be living in our home.

~Once again, Mike put all of his efforts into finding a new parish. He applied everywhere there was an opening. He travelled for interviews. He applied online. We were willing to move to Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Missouri... The bites were many. But the offers were all the same as his current pay. It was becoming discouraging and Mike was really beginning to wonder what on earth the Lord was trying to teach him now...

~Then, one day Mike got an email. It was from a pastor he had never heard of, from a parish he had never heard of. Finally he saw the name of a dear friend who had recommended him. He read on. He replied. Within hours he heard back. The biggest negative was that this parish was an hour's drive away. From what the pastor shared, the pay would be about the same as he was already receiving. No. It wouldn't be worth the drive for the audition and interview. But... something tugged at Mike's heart. He felt he "had" to go. The Lord was leading him there for some purpose even if it wasn't the job.

~He went. The pastor and the others there for the audition and interview were thrilled with what Mike could offer. (Have I mentioned that my husband sings like an angel and is a very talented musician?)

~Within days, the pastor was meeting with the finance council trying to make Mike a better offer. He did. This new position will not make us financially independent, by any means, but it will lift much of the heavy burden. It will make up for the daycare income I no longer am able to bring in due to my arthritis. Hopefully, combined with the income I make online, we will be able to breath again.

~One of the best parts of this new parish is that there is a family life center next door. That is a ministry very near and dear to our hearts.

~And more lessons..... One of the treasures of our Catholic faith is the communion of Saints. Michael and I have loved learning about so many of their lives along our own journey. The richness of the lessons from their own experiences and examples. We have learned that the Lord uses many, many talents, sacrifices, virtues, personalities, etc to show us all how we can live out our own devotion to His will. The Saints give us hope... remind us that there is no pit so low that we cannot climb out of to live in holiness. So many see them as stone statues with perfect smiles, always living in perfect grace. They were men, women, and children... husbands, wives, orphans, soldiers, merchants, slaves...

~And this Saint Julie? I read about her more this morning. I am once again in awe of the mercy of God. He has brought a new dear friend into my life. One of my favorite bible verses has always been "learn from how the wild flowers grow". Her symbol is the sunflower. She would use the sunflower as a metaphor for the soul and share how if we let it, it grows in the direction God leads, just as the sunflower grows towards the sun. And she was paralyzed from the waist down for many years. I thought of the days when I cannot use my legs. While she was bedridden, she would make lace and altar cloths. She was crafty!!! And children would gather around her bed so that she could teach them of God's love.

~I don't share these parallels in any way to compare me to her. I have long believed that we don't choose the saints we feel particularly devoted to, but they find us. More correctly, the Lord brings us together. I know that there are new lessons ahead, and I feel blessed to have an example of a woman who suffered some of the same afflictions, and appreciated some of the same joys. I feel strengthened in the Lord that He has given me an example to hold onto along this path of my own journey.

~This morning was Michael's first mass at Saint Julie's. He called to say he was on his way home and he sounded so happy. He said that all three masses were overflowing with people and the choir was very warm and welcoming. I am so very happy for him.

Sometimes we can become very comfortable where we are and not want to leave. But the Lord knows the "whens" and the "wheres" that are best for us. If we want to keep growing throughout our lives, we do need to be more like that sunflower and leave the security of the shade to follow the rays of the sun and find our full purpose.

~As Saint Julie Billiart, the foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame deNamur is well-known for saying "Oh, qu'il est bon, le bon Dieu"! "Oh, how good is the good God".

To Learn More About Saint Julie Brilliart Click Here