Seeing Is Not Always Believing

 When I woke up this yesterday, I was sure the rain was a sign for me to stay in bed. What better thing to do that snuggle up to the person next to you and hear the trickle of the rain against your window, signaling you that everything in the world is indeed being taken care of at that very moment?

Well, that sting in my heart encouraged me otherwise. I gathered myself, showered and hopped in my car to a place that I had been dreading, a place that I feared, somewhere that judgment was surely to come crashing down on my head…

Church.

Simply put, I was fearful of seeing the same priest who has known me since I was five years old, saw me through my first communion, marriage counseling, married my sister and myself (just last October). I feared the look in his eyes (or was it the pity) of knowing that I was 0-2 in the marriage department.

I feared the disappointment, kind of like when you tell your parents bad news as a result of your actions. For months, I had avoided the very place that I once held sacred and dear to my heart. With the rain at my back and my shiny black boots (hey, look your best when you’re fearful, right?), I held my head high and walked into church.

There, in the movement of the music (they like to jam there) and the familiar words that I can recite in my sleep, I found peace, a sense of serenity…acceptance from a community. Today’s homily made reference to the church as a community, which had a physical front as a building, a place of worship for us to attend and feel part of a family.

We celebrated the basilicas in the world, mainly, one of the oldest standing, the rock of the Catholic faith, the Vatican in Rome, Italy. It stands as a symbol to remind Catholics (and those who chose to believe) of the family that lives, not only there, but also in every church around the world.

Even though my loves remain in Rome, whenever I go to church, I am reminded of the unity my family brings. With stormy weather that every family passes through, their love is still enough to comfort me from afar, much like that of God. I can’t see Him. I can’t hear Him. Heck, I don’t even know if He is listening when I ramble at all hours of the day, however, I feel Him.

I feel the love that surrounds me. While there is not a physical being to show me He is there, I can constantly reminded of love through my family, Shrek, the tiny kicks of joy of Baby Klima, and the amazing friends that surround me.

Faith, people. I guess yesterday’s church lesson was faith. Even though you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t working its miracles through the simple physical reminders in your day to day. Look to those when you need a little dose of love to boost your day.

After all, He is everywhere and in everything.