My Comfort Zone

It was a Sunday afternoon, the skies were gray with snow falling and the Alberta Clipper slowly nipping our region. While watching a football game in the living room, my spouse entered and kindly reminded me that Joy’s father passed away, and the funeral is in ten minutes. Still wearing my Sunday best, I quickly headed over to the church to pay my respects.

I met Joy while doing various church ministries, and we are members of the Secular Franciscan Order. Speaking with her on multiple occasions, she always shared accounts about her lovely mother, but never about her father. Surely, many beautiful stories were told about him, but for some reason or another, I never even knew he existed.

Wearing a heavy winter jacket, I walked up the church steps, accessed the entrance of the building and stepped in. Quietly making my way into the receiving line, I could see Joy's father lying peacefully, with his family near, and Joy thanking everybody as they passed by paying their respects. Joy appeared very determined to stay strong for her family and nonetheless succeeded. My turn came and I gave her a loving embrace, letting her know how sorry I was for her loss. Our arms clutched around each other, and I could feel her tears pour down her face, and she continued weeping profusely. Honestly, I have never had anyone cry in my arms to that extent. It was a simple gesture with a profound impact.

Being a part of church ministry over the past couple decades has definitely had its ups and downs. The number of gratifying experiences one receives doing God’s work far outweighs those of pain and sorrow that ministries sometimes face. Funerals are no exceptions and completely take me out of my comfort zone. Perhaps, burying my mother and father at a young age played a role in this thought process. For that reason alone, I knew what Joy was going through and needed to be there for her.

How often do you find yourself out of your comfort zone?

Do you embrace that moment?

In the prayer of St. Francis, he tells us, “For it is in giving, that we receive.”

Do you find it out of your comfort zone to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, or maybe being an ear for that someone who wants to be heard? How about plainly asking an individual if they need a helping hand?

Giving a heartfelt hug to Joy was the least I could for her. The weeping, humility and vulnerability she poured out toward me was an act of love that only the Holy Spirit gives. There was a true sense of self-giving between two Franciscans brought together by a celebration of life.

Jesus, make your love our new comfort zone. When tough situations arise, transform our hearts to do the greater glory of God, and shine for the entire world to see. Amen