Mind Blown... rantish

Laura and I a year ago.  Little did we know that we would be working together
this year leading the faith development program. 

God... faith... religion is incredible and MIND BLOWING.  So I sit down to write a quick reflection on Sunday's Mass readings and my thoughts about obeying God through choosing His will (aka living in Belfast)  As I start writing, I copy down a few verses.  Then it reminds me of a few verses from Deuteronomy.  After finding that, I decide to look up my original verses in my study Bible.  This leads me to learn that there is no "Ecclesisticus" in my Bible.  What? So after googling it, I learned that Ecclesiasticus is another name for the Book of Sirach (sorry my protestant brothers and sisters... being oober Catholic here. :0) 

Then I get going on the whole "Jerusalem Bible translation/ IEV" verse "New American Bible" translation.  I swear all of these Bible translations are going to be the end of me.  This of course reminds me of my whole frustration of finding suitable Catholic Youth Bibles for Irish young people in a translation that they may hear in Mass. AKA - I do not want our young people walking around with massive, but incredible Youth Bibles that say on the front "New American Bible." You CAN be a Catholic Irish person.  Ok, ok, I know... I need to get over this, but seriously Catholic Youth Bibles in the IEV translation.  Or at least being able to know where to look for one.  This one of the many challenges I face not growing up in Ireland and understanding how things work.  Let me not even begin to talk about politics.  Imagine if I was in Africa... 

I've decided that I am going to start asking questions and contacting people about Bibles for young people. I decided with the place I know best- St. Mary's Press where I received the Ambassador of Christ Award from.  Instead of writing them a letter, I found myself going through their resources and watching videos about faith.  Things that gave me a whole new perspective on faith... God... and religion.  It's amazing!

The best thing is, this doesn't just happen when I am at home having down time.  This happens when I'm at work.  As a faith development worker, I often have a Bible.. or two opened up in front of my desk with another resource book or two.  I'm youtubing things or listening to new music while trying to put together a class, prepare for a session at the Well, or just learn more about my Catholic Christian faith that I am trying to share with others.  

It's not so much about what I can teach them, but what we can learn together. It used to be about what I knew and could pass on to them, but the reality is... I don't know that much.  There are a lot better qualified faith development workers out there, but the reality is... I've been chosen alongside Laura for this position.  It's not about knowing everything or trying to do things perfectly.  It's about surrendering, realizing my littleness, and allowing God to work through me.  He's the greatest teacher. 

That's one thing I have been really convicted of since being home in Iowa, God keeping us beyond ourselves so we have to rely completely on His grace.  I've talked about this a lot especially as the song Oceans is becoming more popular.  Just when I think I am starting to figure things out, a curve ball comes in changing everything.  It reminds me that I'm not in control and God truly is.  At the Well youth prayer group we pray "You are God. I am not. I trust in you."  What more can we really do?  

That's basically what I do with my life.  I ask questions. I look things up.  I listen.  I challenge. I explore and learn. I pray. I hangout and build relationships.  It's not rocket science, but it is truly mind blowing.  I am beyond blessed that this is the life God has called me to live.