From the Heart of a Young Entrepreneur
Yesterday someone asked me if I ever have second thoughts about Made in His Image (MIHI). I didn’t need to think about my response as I said, absolutely not. It came out of my mouth as easily and quickly as my answers in the past have been to young children I have tutored. When they have asked me what 6 x 6 is I didn’t stop and think about it. I just know it’s 36 and have never wavered on that fact. I might have chosen not to verbally answer the question, so as to help them learn, but nevertheless know with absolute certainty that the answer is and always will be 36. The person pressed further and asked how I knew for certain this was what God wanted. And I told them the answer.
I’ll be honest with you though, I really ignored God’s call for a while. Well, maybe “ignore” isn’t the right word, but I certainly wasn’t being very courageous and trusting in God’s plan. I pursued countless other jobs thinking I wasn’t brave enough to take this leap of faith to actually launch MIHI. I thought I wasn’t worthy of being the director and founder of this organization. But in reality, God’s the founder and I’m just His instrument on earth striving to honor Him with my life.
It was challenging for me to take that leap though, because I’ve always been a dreamer and I knew a lot of people thought this was just another one of my pipe dreams. But it wasn’t, and I knew in my heart it wasn’t. I had pursued so many other job opportunities, but God kept blocking them. I was testing God, which is never advisable. I was trying to see if another career would open up, when a beautiful one was right in front of me. Granted I did need to do a great deal of research and healing myself before I could officially launch this ministry. But God was ever so close to me the whole time, protecting me and loving me unconditionally despite my lack of trust. I am so thankful for His mercy and gentleness. Since taking that leap of faith, I have never been more at peace and eagerly look forward to Made in His Image opening its doors to help those in need. God’s goodness is mind-boggling and this would never be possible without the generosity of all of those who are helping me. I am eternally grateful and you remain in my daily prayers. May the Lord bless you for your generosity.
My friends today is a great feast day in the Catholic Church. Today is the feast of the Archangels, who have been venerated throughout the history of the Church. St. Michael, whose name is taken from the Hebrew who is like God, is the archangel who defends the friends of God against Satan and all his evil angels. He is God’s finest soldier and a powerful intercessor. Gabriel, which means the Power of God, was chosen by the Creator to announce to Mary the mystery of the Incarnation. Raphael, (the Medicine of God), is the archangel who takes care of Tobias on his journey.
My dear friends, one should never underestimate the power of angels, as they continually praise and adore God. Amen, Amen I say to you, you shall see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man (John 1:51).
Now war broke out in heaven, when Michael with his angels attacked the dragon. The dragon fought back with his angels, but they were defeated and driven out of Heaven (Rev 12:8). Blessed John Paul II reminds us – The continuous struggle against the devil that characterizes Michael the Archangel is still going on since the devil who seeks to take advantage of every situation, is still living and operative in the world (JP II, Address, 24 May 1987).
John Paul II also points out that we should continually pray for the Archangel Gabriel’s intercession for the sacredness of life to be protected, since he informed the Blessed Virgin of Jesus’ coming. When the sacredness of life before birth is attacked we shall affirm that no one has the authority to destroy unborn life. When a baby is described as a burden or looked upon only as a means of satisfying an emotional need, we will stand up and insist that every child is a unique and unrepeatable gift of God with the right to a loving and united family (John Paul II, Address, 7 October 1979).
Saint Raphael the Archangel is one of the patron saints of vocations and is most commonly known in the Bible for guiding Tobias to Sarah. St. Josemaria Escriva’ who is one of my favorite saints, as well as a patron for Made in His Image once said – For some the path will be the road of matrimony. This state in life is a way to holiness. Parents cooperate with God in bringing children into the world. They educate and make sacrifices for them so that they may grow to become good children of God. Commend yourself to St. Raphael that he may keep you pure, as he did Tobias until the end of the way (The Way).
May the Archangels protect and interceded for us this day! Don’t be afraid to ask tremendous favors of them. In honor of Saint Michael here is an exceedingly powerful prayer. Someone I admire very much told me to read this every morning before starting my day.
