Distance

loneliness

I was having a quiet conversation with my Mom last week, explaining to her all of the different activities that has been keeping me busy over the last month.  I talked about my Knights of Columbus activities, some of the homebound visits, and all of the good things that had happened recently.

I told one story of how I spoke to advertise our recent Knights of Columbus spaghetti dinner during the Mass announcements.  A woman approached me excitedly after Mass to offer some help, she volunteered at a local crisis pregnancy center and wanted to assist us since we were raising money for the national ultrasound initiative.  It was one of those “something’s happening here” moments and it showed me how something so little as a few words after Mass can make something very big happen.

At this point, my mother stopped me.  She asked whether or not my friends had distanced themselves at all as I became more involved in my faith and my Church activities.  I quickly answered, “Yes, and it is very lonely.”

Our conversation ended shortly thereafter, but that question continued to make me think.  (It is funny how often Mom Questions can do this.)  I recounted the conversation to my wife later, and she said that it was true that many of our friends have stepped back for various reasons but we’ve also made new friends.  This is true, and a huge blessing.

This type of distance is a gift, in many ways.  It gives time to reflect, and in this case it makes me realize that the narrow road to the small gate can be a lonely one but it’s a path worth traveling.  I view this to be a cross that is worth bearing, but I am not sad.  This has presented me a truly rewarding opportunity to do good work in the community.  The Knights, my parish, and my loyal family and friends are with me and understand what it means to do something for the greater glory of God.

If anything I have done allows one baby to not be aborted or brings one person back to God, what choice do I have but to pursue those goals?  Furthermore, is a someone really a friend that would walk away from me if they knew this was my goal?

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.  No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:13-16 (NRSVCE)

4 thoughts on “Distance

  1. Well, I guess I have known for a long time that the day you were born, God had a very important work for you. Being born prematurely, and being our miracle has allowed you speak and save others! Josh, I could not be more proud to call you my cousin! Your an amazing man! Keep on that path! You aim for your goals!!

  2. Josh, you are doing what we are all put on this earth to do. Spreading the word of the Lord, and the teachings of the Bible. We could not be more proud of you!
    I am sure you know how I feel about abortion, we could possibly not had our son if the young woman who gave birth to him had an abortion. I can not even bare to think of life without him. He is ours and I thank God everyday for him. So your words after mass may have saved lives of precious babies and given those longing for the most precious of all gift from God a future! Given those who are unable to conceive a very precious treasure. I don’t need to tell you how precious little ones are, you and Tasha understand how very precious little ones are.
    Keep doing what you are doing. So proud of you ! We Love You ! Give our love to Tasha and Eve!

    • Thanks, Debbie! You are one of the first people I think of whenever I get into a discussion about adoption and how much of a blessing it is. We love you too, I’ll pass on your love to Tasha and Eve!!

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