”In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
This touching mid-month story comes to you today from one of our faithful advocates, Colleen Mellette. It’s about moving out of her comfort zone to witness to the greatness of our Lord, a lesson we should all remember and practice.
BEING GOD’S SERVANT FEELS SO GOOD
By Colleen Mallette, Client Advocate of TPPC and blogger of Colleen’s Contemplations
Recently I felt equipped and was bold enough to witness to a young lady I had just met — something I never would’ve done just ten years ago. Volunteering at (The Pregnancy & Parenting Center) has taught me how important it is to ask about others’ spiritual beliefs and share the Good News, encourage church attendance and pray with them each meeting. I have also learned that many of the young girls who visit us don’t have a good support system and need encouragement without judgment. My Catholic Women’s Encounter group has also trained me to seek opportunities God places in front of me to share my story of hope and faith with others and to offer to pray for them.
Last week while waiting in my doctor’s treatment room with a nurse for my doctor to come back to shave a little spot on my leg, we ended up having at least 15-20 minutes and spent it chatting about her life. The longer we waited the more openly she shared with me some good things, and some really tough things she had lived through. I complimented her on her courage and strength to get through what she already had, like I do with the young girls at TPPC. Eventually I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me to bring up faith, so I changed the subject and asked if she attended church. This led to another revelation of her history that at this point she felt comfortable enough to share with me. Also, she confessed that she had been angry at God, so she hadn’t been back to church since her father was killed in a car accident. She showed me a tattoo on her arm that was a tribute to her dad, but also that she feels his presence and that he would want her to return to church.
Since I am a cradle Catholic, praying out loud for others is not something I grew up with or am very comfortable doing, but as I mentioned above volunteering at TPPC has brought me out of my comfort zone over the years, improving my courage and ease to do this. Before I pray for my clients at the Center I say this quick prayer internally, “Help give me words they need to hear, Lord.”
After saying this to myself in that treatment room, the Holy Spirit did give me the words to tell her that she has a Heavenly Father who loves her so much more than her dad, that He misses talking with her, that His plan is always better so things happen for a reason we may not understand but God makes good come from them, and her good parenting skills and independence has come from surviving all she had been through. We continued talking about God, Jesus, teaching her daughters faith, and even about the show “The Chosen Adventures” to share with them.
Needless to say, we were both choked up and felt a bond that can only come from talking
about what really matters in life. God was definitely present in that room, and I felt her father’s encouragement coming through me as well. She looked me in the eye and thanked me multiple times before I left. I have prayed every day since for her, as I said I would. I am so thankful I was there that day, that God gave us that window of time and I wasn’t in a hurry, so I was open to listening, and He gave me the courage to speak up for His Glory. I don’t know what will happen in her spiritual journey, and I probably will never see her again, but I pray the little seeds I planted with her will hopefully sprout soon for her salvation and peace.
This experience of boldness also planted a seed in me encouraging me to not be afraid to speak up whenever God puts an opportunity before me. I felt so good walking out of that office to know I did God’s will, even though it wasn’t perfect it was from my heart and may have made a difference in her life.
Watch for your opportunity to be God’s eyes to see, ears to hear, hands to serve for Him soon!
Do you feel Jesus calling you to volunteer where you can make a big impact? We are in dire need of volunteers, especially advocates. We work around your schedule and train you to be the best you can be!
Interested? Email Holly West, Client Services Director at hwest@tpapc.com today.
Blessings to you in Christ,
Paula Mastroianni
Executive Director
The Pregnancy & Parenting Center |
