Where would you be without Christ?

Ashlee Smith

Where would you be without Christ?  I start this FRAYAM Reflection with this simple question.  My Faith has helped me grow closer to God, and my parents started this process.  My family showed me what it means to honor my Catholic Faith.   My close bonds with family is one of many G.I.F.T.S. that Christ has given me.

G.I.F.T.S. stands for:   God Invites Friends To Sanctification.  He does this through relationship with us and the relationships we have with others.  That relationship can only work if we show our desire to be his friend.  We do this by spending time with him in prayer.  God has always answered my prayers when I am down or when family or friends need prayers.
                                                          
God constantly gives me G.I.F.T.S. and has helped me know that he loves me, and he shows me how to be positive and not worry about the Past.  He is going to someday provide me with everything that he believes that I need to be Holy.  He helps ease my anxiety when I am praying, and he talks to me to reduce my fear and worries.  He tells me to be patient, don’t be too hard on myself, and just rest in Him.                                                                                            
                       
God is the most trustworthy friend we have.  He will talk to you and answer your prayer requests whenever you need help from him.  God does have a different time frame than we do.  Our prayers may not be answered as quickly as we wish, and they may be answered in different ways than we exactly requested them.  But, they are answered in the way God feels is best for each of us.   Why?  This is the case because he desires our Sanctification.  He wants us to be made more virtuous, and interestingly enough, this is only possible through trial and tribulation.  

I know God loves me.  Why?  I know this because of the G.I.F.T.S. he has given me.   He doesn’t tell me to go away or to stop telling him my concerns.  He stays with me and helps me accept the Past that does not need to be troubling me in my Present life.   I trust that whatever difficulty enters my life has a purpose, and that purpose is to make me more like Christ.  Do you see that God means business?  He is our Leader!  What G.I.F.T.S. has God given you, both wanted and unexpected, that are leading you closer to him?