The other day, one of our graduates of the Nazareth Formation House dropped by for a visit. I asked her if she would share with our residents.

     This woman had come to us very troubled a few years ago. Her family was desperate for help. She had suffered from deep depression and had been on suicide watch since she had threatened to kill herself and harm her family. She had been confined in the psychiatric ward of a hospital a couple of times. In short, she was seen as a desperate case when her parents asked us to take her in. We did so “conditionally” with the understanding that if we could not reach her, we would return her to them.

     She was very difficult and I spent many, many hours working with her. It got to the point when I was very close to returning her to her family. But then, she turned around and began to improve dramatically and, with time, she completely recovered and went on to “graduate” from the center.

     She went abroad to pursue her studies and was very successful. As I listened to her sharing her experiences with our residents, it was hard to believe that she was the same woman who had come to us so badly wounded. She was confident, mature and deeply insightful. More than that, everyone was inspired by her and encouraged to go on and become the best that they could be.

     Her transformation was so complete that I had to believe that a power far greater than anyone could know had a hand in her recovery. What struck me was that, just as I was ready to throw up my hands and give up on her, the power of God was manifested and saved the day. I truly believe that.

     There comes a time in life when matters become so desperate that we tend to give up. When we feel that we can’t do any more and we are about to surrender. Then, as if from out of nowhere, things work out beyond our wildest expectations. And we can feel that somehow, some way, a power is at work taking control of the situation.

     If we have faith, we know that this is God moving in our lives, moving quietly to be sure, but getting it done. His hand silently guides us even if we cannot see it.

     It is in times such as these that we experience God’s grace. Just when we might think we are forgotten, He makes His presence felt.