A Steadfast Spirit

Our 18-year-old daughter has been praying to grow in virtue. Without her realizing it, I think the Lord has been helping her develop a steadfast spirit — which, to my thinking, is as important a virtue as any.

Megan asked the Lord specifically for the virtues of detachment, patience and tranquility. Boy, was she brave. But she thought she was ready to handle whatever God sent her way. Her first answer to prayer was the temporary breakdown of her car. She was used to unlimited transportation, so this “detachment” from her freedom was not easy. Now she had to depend on us to get were she needed to go.

Next came a test of her patience and peace of mind: She lost her 12-page senior paper. The computer disk on which she'd stored the assignment suddenly stopped working. Her paper, the fruit of hours of hard work, was lost forever. Her initial response was, understandably, one of tremendous frustration. But then she remembered her prayer. Not only was God testing her response to this situation, but he was evidently throwing that detachment thing at her again, too.

Wow. A three-virtue lesson. I once heard that St. Teresa of Avila said to God as she fell into a puddle: “If this is the way you treat your friends, it is no wonder you do not have very many.” My daughter thought the same thing. She wrestled with the temptation to quit praying for virtues all together. But she finally surrendered her will and decided to stay steadfast. She knew the end was greater than the means. So back to the keyboard she went, tired but no longer angry. And guess what happened as a result? The next few frustrating situations that came her way didn't throw her for such a loop. She learned that the situation itself is usually not the test. More often, the true test is how you respond to the situation.

Praying for virtue might appear dangerous. Walking through that fiery furnace that God uses to purify us of our attachments to sin takes great courage. It takes a steadfast spirit. But what happens if we stop praying for virtue? We know it crossed Megan's mind. Who wants to heap troubles upon troubles on top of themselves? But God's ways are not our ways. He knows the little suffering we might endure for our sanctification is a small price to pray for everlasting life in the fullness of his presence.

Often it is not easy to live our Catholic faith. We need a steadfast spirit not only to accept the challenges the Lord sends our way but to also make the right choices in our daily doings. The question I often pose to my children when they are making choices is, “Would you feel comfortable inviting Jesus to watch this movie or show with you, or to be with you in this situation?” If the answer is No, you should not be doing it.

I need to ask myself the same questions. It takes a steadfast spirit to walk that narrow road that leads to heaven. We need to be steadfast to protect our purity and live a life that witnesses Christ's love to the rest of the world. Sometimes it is difficult to accept the challenges and the crosses our Lord hands us to help us to grow in virtue and holiness. But, with God, all things are possible. With his grace we can stand firm.

Be steadfast and grow stronger in your resolve to live your Catholic faith. It's the right choice.

Jackie Oberhausen writes from Fort Wayne, Indiana.