February 21st, Sunday, First Week of Lent

Deuteronomy 26: 4-10, Psalm 91: 1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, Romans 10: 8-13, Luke 4: 1-13

“Therefore, I have now brought you the first fruits of the products of the soil which you O Lord, had given me. And having set them before the Lord, your God, you shall bow down in his presence.”

This Scripture is a challenge. I had to read and reflect, and wonder if I was hearing the message correctly or is it that I am drawn to my conclusion because of my own experiences of rich faith and trust? Trusting the Lord, to help me, prepare me and bless me with the tools to prosper from my immediate situation.

Early in my life I was faced with great sadness at the death of my brother. A fun loving, young, and wonderful brother. I could not understand how these feelings of pain and loss could ever result in anything good?

“He brought us out of Egypt with His strong hand and outstretched arm, with terrifying power, with signs and wonders.”

As the years passed, and the pain of loss still present, I could see the wonder of His work. In experiencing the pain and loss, I had become a different person. I could better understand other people’s sadness, pain and loss. He helped me become a more compassionate, trusting person. This has allowed me to experience the richness of deep friendship and love. I trust in Him that the pain early in my life prepared me for my later rich life.

The lesson of TRUST, has allowed me to pull from the pain and see the wonder of His work. Like when we were first married and we desperately wanted a baby, all of the excitement of being pregnant came to a screeching halt after six months of pregnancy and there was no heartbeat. I had to TRUST in Him that He would carry me through the loss, grief and pain. The many, many days and months of sadness that followed tested my thought-He would not put me through this without a reason?

My Mother, my spiritual guidance counselor, reminded me to “TRUST in God, and He will guide you, worry is lack of TRUST in God.” Once again, my Mom was right! He has guided me to be a better, more enriched friend, Mother and believer. This along with life experiences has allowed me to see the WONDER of God, even when it might be painful.

Jane Lambesis, wife of Peter, mother of Annie, Susie and Peter, grateful daughter, Truster of the Lord