Home - Living God Moments

Through most of my third year in formation for ordination to the Permanent Diaconate of the Catholic Church, I visited one particular man in a nursing home. He was very elderly and in declining health. I spent a lot of time with him and got to know him and his family well. His daughter regularly came to visit him and our visits occasionally overlapped. The man had confided in me about his daughter. He was so proud of how she lived her Christian faith as an RN serving the needs of abused children. But he was troubled for the salvation of her soul because she had left the Catholic Church. He said he didn't know why she left the church and the one time he tried to talk to her about it, he just made it worse. This was a recurring theme in our conversations until I asked him if he really thought her church membership was more important than her relationship with Christ and the way she lived out the Gospel. He thought about it a long time before he smiled and decided that it wasn't. He never raised the topic again and seemed at peace. As the man's health declined and he could no longer speak, his daughter and I prayed together for her father. He died in November and I never saw her again. But I could not shake the feeling that I should share that conversation with her. After discussion with my Spiritual Director, I wrote her a letter and thanked her for the privilege of ministering to her father. I told her that we shared many conversations, including some that concerned her, and if she wanted to know more about them, she was welcome to contact me. I got a call in January and we talked a long time. She knew about her father's feelings about her leaving the church and she was grateful to learn that he had come to peace with her decision. And then she shared her reason for leaving the church. She told me that 30 years ago in Ohio, her sister was kidnapped, raped and murdered by a serial killer. Her family had reached out to their parish for support and could not even get their calls returned. They felt the church had abandoned them. She and her siblings were left with a view of the church as cold, monolithic and uncaring. Her opinion of the church did not change until she saw the church respond to her father in the last year of his life. She saw the love and faithfulness of the church, visiting her father and bringing him the Eucharist every week without fail. Her story sent chills down my spine. While I was so humbled and privileged that she would see Christ's church through my pastoral assignment, the greater miracle was that I could share with her that 35 years ago, also in Ohio, my own sister was kidnapped, raped, and murdered by a serial killer. Like her family, mine reached out to the church and was disappointed. My parents initially were even refused a funeral for my sister in their parish due to the publicity surrounding the case. Like her, most of my family left the church. We wept together over the phone because we knew the pain of the other, forgave a church made up of fallible human beings, and for the miracle of healing that God had arranged for us both. God, in his infinite wisdom, whose designs are too deep for me to comprehend, brought two families together to heal in a way that no human being could anticipate. It was the ultimate God Moment of my life thus far, and I will never forget it. I hope you are blessed by reading this, as much as I was blessed living it.

Faith Moments - Jun 20, 6108 by Mike - Location: Panama City, Florida, USA

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Although I'm happy in my job - about 2 weeks ago I got a call out of the blue and decided to go meet the guys to hear what they had to say and offer. The position is surely a new challenge and great opportunity... I really have been happy with my current employers... After the interview I had to process a lot - I would normally phone my Dad, but he passed away in 2005. I woke up the next morning and as I was leaving home to drive to work ... This song came on the radio... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV-HPOHu8mY - Have NEVER heard it before - Jimmy Eat World - The Middle ...................... for me that is a perfect God Moment - God ALWAYS uses songs on the radio to speak to me - You have to go listen to that song or find the lyrics to understand ;) I love it xxx

Praise Moments - May 29, 2012 by Jackie Hume - Location: Port Elizabeth, South Africa

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I was sacked from my previous job over allegations of non performance even after giving the company my best years. Two months later out of the blue I received a call to interview for a position I had filled almost 6 months before I went & got the job and am getting a better salary + position than in my previous company

Faith Moments - Feb 21, 2012 by Chris - Location: Kenya

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My friend and I decided to go for a mountain bike ride at a later time in the day. We took into account the sunset time but did not consider the tree covering that would block the sunlight from lighting the trail. The ride up to the peak was difficult and longer than we expected. When we reached the peak it was completely dark and the ride back down the other side was primarily under the cover of trees that blocked any residual light coming from the city nearby. The lack of lighting significantly affected our ability to see clearly and lowered our visibility to roughly 3 feet. We set out on our way back down the mountain all the while attempting to remain within eye sight of each other to prevent injuries, getting lost, or the possibility of being devoured by a cougar. We made it about 150yds before I fell off the trail and started rolling down the side of the mountain. Fortunately, a large dirt mound prevented me from traveling too far and I was able to climb back up. I was injured but able to continue without assistance. We continued on our way down the mountain stopping occasionally to navigate over structures that seemed impassible by bicycle. We eventually made it back to the paved road and then back to our parked vehicles. It was a moment in which God allowed us to bond over the fight for survival. That mountain threw many obstacles at us and God lead us through them all. "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13; including conquer a treacherous, beast inhabited mountain without the luxury of satisfactory lighting.

Friendship Moments - Jun 20, 7555 by Rodrigo - Location: Ladera Ranch, California, United States

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While struggling through stress and anxiety, I just stopped and prayed. After living in fear for awhile, God spoke to me and said, "Trust me." I'm drawn to the words in Mark 5: 36 where Jesus simply says, "Don't be afraid; just believe." My focus is now not on what I'm struggling with most, but rather, trusting that regardless of what happens, God is there.

Healing Moments - Jun 15, 2011 by Anonymous

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I help at church with daycare for the toddlers when their moms are at bible study. One morning one of the little girls just walks up to me out of the blue and says "I love you Mr. Jones" If that's not a God moment I dont know what is!

Love Moments - May 31, 2011 by Jeffrey Jones - Location: Traverse City, MI, United States

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I had suffered with depression since the age of 12, over the year with many pills and quite a few hospital stay where I had tried to end my life, I still stuggled with it, thinking that this was just my life and I just had to learn how to live despite it, but last year I learned that this was not the case, after hearing a christian physcoligist on Joyce Meyers, God healed me of depression, and I learned that the awnser to all of lifes up and downs is in the bible, God promises us that if we seek after him with ALL our heart we will have a great life, the awnser was there all the time, I just had to recieve it.

Faith Moments - Feb 15, 2011 by Anonymous

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Recently I had the opportunity to attend a wedding of a long time friend. Standing there watching his bride come down the aisle, I had somewhat of a movie flashback. I briefly experienced some of the great times and some of the hard times we have been through together throughout our friendship. One specific moment that stood out from the rest was when my friend dedicated his life to Christ. It was a time of immeasurable celebration. As his bride continued to walk toward him, I realized this moment was to be celebrated just like the other. My best friend of many years now has a new best friend, one that he will spend the rest of his life with. I was happy to pass the torch and celebrate along with God for the union they entered into. I give thanks to Christ for displaying true commitment and showing us how to love unselfishly.

Friendship Moments - Feb 15, 2011 by Conan - Location: Boise, ID,

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I just have to share how God shows up in very little situations when we are listening to Him. I lost my glasses and it's not good timing to go get a new perscription. So I went a couple of days blind (well blurry vision) and I was praying asking God for direction. Suddenly, I had the urge to go look under my nightstand. I obeyed and thought maybe God was directing me to my glasses. Instead I found a box of contacts that had been miss placed since we moved. Ha! God is so amazing!!! Had to share because I could not stop smiling!

Praise Moments - Nov 20, 2010 by Jennifer - Location: Ft. Worth, Texas,

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Through the love and guidance of my holy Father I have been clean and sober for almost 13 months and cigarette free for over 1 month. I have learned to live by the principles of honesty, integrity, hope, faith, courage, perseverance, humility, willingness, spiritual awareness, brotherly love, and service. These plus the knowledge that I am saved and forgiven and truly loved by GOD helps me to trust HIM one hundred percent and allows me to be open and strong enough to turn my will and life over to him daily. Since I've made these changes I have been blessed with a great connection with my family, amazing and supportive friends, and an exciting new journey as I move to a brand new home in 12 days. I know without a doubt that the LORD GOD is the leader in my life and I will be continually blessed as long as I keep my eyes on Him.

Healing Moments - Oct 6, 2010 by Kim

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