A Seminarian's Tale: Watching God’s Hand Paint a Picture of His Plans for Our Lives
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August 31, 2022I was sitting on the beach gazing over the Atlantic Ocean. I was on retreat with my fellow seminarian brothers at San Alfonso Retreat House in New Jersey. As I sat there praying, I asked God to bring me comfort. It had been a few days since I left home, and all of a sudden, I just felt so lonely. My family has always been an essential part of my life; it was a place where I developed my core values and where I first learned about God.
During our four-day retreat, we shared the retreat house with a young adult group. On day 2 of our retreat, the young adults' group posted pictures on the Redemptorist page, and my mother saw something that intrigued her. She texted me and told me to call her whenever I had a chance.
Suddenly there was anxiety in my gut because my mother only texted me if there was some sort of family emergency, such as a relative passing away or a car accident. I waited anxiously in the chapel, praying the rosary and begging God to grant me calmness.
And God was there to comfort me through Scripture: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me" (Psalm 23:4). I waited until right after the last session of the retreat ended, then I rushed out to the beach, quickly sat down, and called my mother.
Gripping my rosary beads, I nervously began to punch in my mother's number. I believe that Our Blessed Mother has played a huge role in my life, so I hold onto the rosary, particularly in times of need, because she has helped me turn back to God on numerous occasions.
My mother picked up her phone and the first thing she said was, "You're on a retreat with your cousins." At that moment, all my anxiety instantly evaporated as I realized I had been worrying over nothing. It was like when St. Elizabeth heard Mother Mary's greetings and "the infant leaped for joy."
God works in a mysterious way, and he truly answers your prayer. Prayers are not useless; prayers work and indeed God does listen! That's why we must always pray without ceasing-- God hears and answers our prayers. God knows what's best for us and God will always do what’s best for us, even if we don’t understand His plan. He will not give us what he knows will harm us.
