Greetings! Well it’s been forever – two years, actually – since I’ve last written in this blog. Somehow though, there’s over a hundred subscribers here! Maybe many don’t remember they’ve even locked on to this blog – which is completely understandable since it’s been two years after all!
This blog was a way to share my own talents and gifts for God, but also to help discover and preserve gems of holiness and light right here in our own backyard – the Red River Valley in North Dakota and Minnesota. My issue is I often don’t get out of my own way; simply procrastinating on God’s mission and plan for me! One day, however, as it goes for all of us, I will no longer draw breath – I better fire up the engines while there’s still oil! I imagined writing four or more articles a month since this thing started – turns out, I only churned out six articles since 2019… sheesh! Thank you, Lord for your patience with me!
So enough self-pity. One of the last subjects I wrote about was Sister Annella Zervas – who’s hometown is Moorhead, Minnesota. This past weekend, I finally visited the man who is doing all he can for Sister Annella (who is a Servant of God) and her cause for canonization. I was completely blown away. The Zervas family has entrusted Patrick with artifacts of her life and her family. There are so many letters, postcards, and other objects from a hundred years ago. I held in my hand Sister Annella’s brown scapular, which was completely stained and likely bloodied. I was pretty emotional and the whole experience reignited my zeal to share with the world her story and message. One thing I learned was her family knew somebody who is a canonized Saint today! Saint André Bessette of Montreal, Canada. Sister Annella’s dad, Hubert Zervas (who also ran the Zervas Meat Market butcher shop in Moorhead, by the way), had written to him asking for advice and pleading for his prayers that Annella be cured of her terrible, horrible skin disease, which ultimately led to her death. Saint Andre declined to ask God for healing however, saying God chose her, as it was “her mission to suffer for the whole generation.” WOW. There is an image of her in her coffin immediately following her death, and it’s quite shocking to say the least. She died a young lady at just 26 years old – but from this photograph, it does not AT ALL look like a 26 year old woman. No, the Lord gave her her own Passion to be united with His, that much is obvious. The devil also supernaturally tormented her greatly.
But her spirit, man – is what absolutely was unbroken, unblemished. The joy she kept all the way to the very, bitter, bitter end – is why her life and message is so important. This idea that there is absolutely nothing in this life – such as it’s struggles, hardships and unbearable pain – can break our faith for Christ (Romans 8:39). And not just that, but those trials strengthen our faith and fortitude (1 Peter 1).
But I just wanted to make this ….
TIME-OUT!
Since I picked up this blog post – which I originally started on May 20th, 2023 – it has been 235 days! Ugh. When I was in middle and high school, I kept a few journals… up until the middle of my junior year in high school. What a dang shame too. Because the goals and dreams I had for myself, – which was namely to start in the coveted cross-city rivalry game – actually happened. And so did the chance to share my story with others through the newspaper. But now I imagine and wonder if I had seen that journal through the end of high school (and maybe into college, where I played football as well)… what would that have been like on paper?
The theme I catch from this is just man, God gave us gifts and desires impressed on our hearts that can be utilized for His glory and towards leading others to Jesus, but just through being human, content and comfortable, they end up being neglected.
The scripture that sticks out to me about utilizing gifts and talents is from Matthew 25 – where a wealthy man entrusts talents to his servants and expects them to use them. For me, it’s writing and creating. Creating through digital art, events, sports even (not that I’m what you call an athlete, but using sports as a vehicle to draw people to God).
So here’s to 2024, where among one of my goals is to write more. Alot more. And maybe, just maybe fruits will show themselves somewhere in this world or the next. I hope and pray, that whatever gifts and talents you have, whatever passions are impressed upon your heart, that you utilize them and steer them towards Christ. We only get one life, one shot before our final account is given to God.
Also, I’d love to hear from you! If you’re interested in sharing your story or have insights or just fellowship, it’d be really neat to hear from you as well! My email is rudysfire45@gmail.com
2 Corithians 5:10 reads:
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive compensation for his deeds done through the body, in accordance with what he has done, whether good or bad.”
God bless!