How do you respond?

What are you good at? 

What do you like to do?

What if you find yourself being forced to do something you are either not good at, or you don't like? 

How do you respond to that?

A good way to look at it is to recognize that God will use this situation to help you grow in ways you probably need to.

I remember reading an article about the religious order known as the Jesuits. A novice was recalling how they sent him to volunteer at a hospital. The problem was, he hated hospitals.

Ask him to teach? He had it. 

Pray? No problem.

Study? Gladly.

But ask him to visit sick people in a hospital? Well, that was a different story. 

He ministered at the hospital as he was told to, out of obedience to his director, who knew his area of weakness and who wanted to see him become well-rounded. 

You see, he wasn't asked to focus only on what he liked or what he was good at, but where he needed to grow.

Maybe you are being asked to care for an aging parent, a spouse, or a sick child. Or, maybe you need to give assistance to someone you don't even like, don't fret. That very neighbor you are helping is doing more for you than you can imagine.

They're showing you God. They are helping you see God's love for you. 

I believe God's great desire is that we come to see what being a good Christian is really about. It's not about nice platitudes when times are easy. It's about going beyond your comfort zone when times get tough.

St. Therese of Lisieux put it this way:

"Charity [love] gave me the key to my vocation."

Through her holiness, St. Teresa of Calcutta always reminded us that whatever we do, we are doing it for Jesus. See the face of Jesus in the person you are serving. Recognize that your sacrifice is for Jesus.

A healthy perspective can reduce your frustration and relieve a lot of tension in the "work" you are being called to do.

Do it for Jesus. You'll be glad you did. And remember, if you have a hard time doing it, God's grace will make it possible.

Janet Cassidy

Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

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