Learning patience by trusting in God

Surely, I wait for the Lord; who bends down to me and hears my cry, draws me up from the pit of destruction, out of the muddy clay, sets my feet upon rock, steadies my steps, and puts a new song in my mouth, a hymn to our God.  Many shall look on in fear, and they shall trust in the Lord.”
~Psalm 40:2-4

As I grow older, I can see how God has worked in my life.  But at certain times, I have struggled with patience and trusting God’s plan.  Sometimes I was sure that I knew how the journey was heading only to face disappointment and what felt like rejection.  I have also wondered at times if God was choosing the right person in me for certain jobs, positions or situations.  In reflection, I can see God’s wisdom in preparing me for what I would face in these different circumstances.    
 About 10 years ago, I read about a Called to Witness program through Catholic Relief Services in partnership with the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry.  This program gave people that work in youth ministry the opportunity to travel to a country where CRS was present to provide a global experience to assist with calling and empowering young people “to an active commitment to working for solidarity, peace and justice” (from CRS promotional material).  The person would then bring this education back to their diocese, parish and community to share about CRS and their mission.  I had been on mission trips to Mexico and had  experience in youth ministry on the diocesan and parish levels.  This particular trip was traveling to Rwanda.  I thought I was the perfect fit for this journey and the journey was a perfect fit for me at that time.  I completed the application process and waited to hear back from CRS.  I was not chosen.  In addition to being disappointed, I was confused because I thought it was a perfect fit.  How could I not be chosen?  I struggled with the rejection I felt because I was so sure about the timing, the location and where I was in my life.  I was sure God was calling me to this experience!
Right after I received the news that I was not selected, a person from CRS reached out to me with additional information on why I was not selected.  He also offered to help me during the application process for the next Called to Witness trip.  I was still feeling rejected, but I really appreciated the fact that someone contacted me and gave me hope for the next trip.
In the fall of 2014, another Called to Witness trip was announced by CRS for May of 2015.  This trip would be to El Salvador.  I had always been intrigued by El Salvador and inspired by Archbishop Oscar Romero.  It is funny that almost immediately I thought this would be a perfect fit for me.  The first time when I applied for Rwanda, I was arrogant and thought that I would be a perfect fit for the trip.  I was more concerned about what this would mean for me.  This time I felt more humility to travel to a place that I had wanted to visit and this would be an opportunity of a lifetime for me to get to know more about a country that I had read about and wanted to learn more about and an opportunity to be present in some of the same places as Archbishop Romero.  With the help of my friend at CRS, I carefully put together my application and anxiously waited for an answer.  I was overwhelmed when I received the notification that I had been accepted for this Called to Witness trip!  My disappointment in being rejected for the trip to Rwanda was replaced by joy for this opportunity and I felt very blessed.
Next time:  Preparing for the Journey
— Tex Phelps is the Director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Archdiocese of Mobile. He may be emailed at [email protected]
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