Editor’s Note: Father Jason M. Parzynski, chaplain in Notre Dame High School, shared Lenten reflections from two students with The Monitor. Share Lenten reflections and news from your school or parish by emailing [email protected].

Megan Drumm, Class of 2018

Having a relationship with God is the most important thing in life. Speaking to God through prayer and mass, working for Him, and finding Him through other people’s words or actions is vital to maintain a strong relationship. Personally, I have had a strong relationship with God, but it has not always been a perfect one.

Growing up, God has always been very present in my life. I attended church every Sunday, heard Him through the Scriptures, and received Him during Eucharist. By doing this, I was able to learn about what God wants, and I went out and lived my life according to His words. This strengthened my relationship greatly with the Lord. I felt Him present in my life every single day especially when I was struggling, He sent a comforting, helpful friend, or I would see His love in the beautiful sunset, or hear His purpose in that song on the radio. God is present in your life at all times, and for me, it was always easy to find Him. However, last year my relationship with God wasn’t as perfect as it used to be.

Last year on September 9, my greatest heartbreak occurred. My grandfather passed away after suffering from cancer. Now as you remember, my faith in God and His plan was strong. I had a great relationship with Him. God was my everything; I loved Him and He loved me just like He loves all of you, so why and how could He take away the guy that was my everything on this planet. How could my loving God hurt my family and I like that? After this event and my thoughts, my relationship with God began to weaken. I didn’t talk to Him anymore. I couldn’t see Him in my life or rather I didn’t look for Him, I turned my eyes away from His miracles. I was “sick” on Sundays. My faith for a short period of time wavered, but this is the most beautiful part about our relationship with God. While we may move away from Him, He never leaves us. For every one step we take away from the Lord, He takes two closer towards us.

God’s love truly is unconditional and unwavering. When I found myself drifting away from Him, He found a way to remind me why I love Him and why our relationship is so important. Through my friends and family’s love and comfort, I was able to see God’s comforting hand again. Through the birds singing, I was able to hear His hope for our world. From that smile in the hallway, I saw God’s care. Thankfully, I found my way back to God, and my relationship with Him now is greater than ever before. When God isn’t present in your life, your life seems to have no purpose, but when you allow Him to come in and take part in your life, you feel the unconditional love that is always present. You can understand your role and higher purpose. Through prayer, meditation, Scriptures, liturgy, nature, music, books, other people, and literally everything, God is present in our lives everyday. We need to speak to Him and listen for His response. We should pay attention to His miracles everyday, try to find our purpose, and live according to His words. This is how our relationship will remain strong and never waver.

God is always there and willing to have a relationship with you, he WANTS a relationship with you, but ultimately, it’s your decision whether to let Him in or not. So let God in, and let Him be part of your best and worst days because no matter what He will always be there loving you, comforting you, encouraging you, and giving you strength; you just have to open your eyes and see Him and open your heart and let Him in.