God still happens

It was the Sunday following the priests’ retreat early this June, when Father Wesley Schawe shared in his homily some words that Bishop Gilmore had shared with the priests on retreat. He said, "Let God, be God." Several years ago, I had heard a similar quote, "There is a God, and it ain’t you."

Both of these quotes have had a strong impact on me over these summer months. It has been one of those summers -- a very good one to say the least, but still, a summer for which I had made a lot of wonderful plans, and one in which God had a very unique, but special way of changing some of them.

Nothing drastic mind you, but it seemed that the harder I worked to get something done in a timely fashion, God would throw in a little wrinkle or two that simply changed my timing. I quickly was reminded that my time was not necessarily God’s time. And yes, quite often I did not handle it at all well, having my perfectly laid out and wonderful plans changed. For anyone who was around me, my level of stress definitely went higher, and I was not the easiest person to be around.

I am thankful for Father Wesley’s homily, as the words, "Let God, be God" remained in my mind. I believe that because of this, I did handle things much better than if I would not have heard them.

Now we enter another fall and a new school term. I am sure that many of our young people are excited and yet a little apprehensive about what lies ahead. I am almost positive that each of them has some clear ideas as to how this year is going to unfold. But we all know that even the best laid plans can get changed. God is in control, and many of the thoughts, ideas, and plans of our youth will get changed.

Our job then, as adults witnessing and ministering to them, is to help them deal with these events and/or happenings that can so quickly change their lifestyles. Most of the time our youth handle these changes very well, but then there are the times when they simply disrupt their lives.

And so, I ask that as our youth enter into this new school year, we pledge to do our utmost best. May we vow to help them more fully realize that God is in control, walking more closely with them on this journey, in their good times and in times of struggle.

May they, too, learn in a better way -- just as we have done -- to "Let God, be God."