Being a Light to others

There are many ways in which you can encourage someone who is sad or disheartened. A phone-call, an e-mail, a letter, a card, a text message - they're all ways by which we can uplift someone's spirit. There are even extraordinary situations when a person is desperate and is nearing the end, even through self-harm or suicide. And something happens that saved that life in the last minute. Listen to this true story that happened in the USA. I shared this incredible story in my homily today, mostly in a virtual way, since because of a Covid-19 surge in cases,  once again people cannot attend churches for a while.

One of the many small churches and denominations in the USA is called ‘Almighty God church’ (remember the name because it’s important.) It was a Christian church of which there are many in America. So the pastor of this church one evening called his wife to tell her he was being delayed and will arrive home late. But his wife never answered the phone. He waited half an hour, and called again, and she answered right away. When he asked why she didn’t reply earlier, she said the phone never rang. No problem, the story ended there.

Two days later, the pastor was at his office, and a young man called him, and asked him why did he call him on Saturday night. The pastor was confused, but then he remembered the first phone call he did to his wife, and apologized deeply for the wrong number he had called. But the young man said: ‘no, no there’s nothing to apologize for. Let me tell you my story. I am going through some tough times, and last Saturday night, I decided to commit suicide. And I remember praying ‘Lord, if you are there, show me a sign that you still love me.’ And at that particular moment the phone rang, and on the caller ID I saw written Almighty God  (the word church didn’t fit.)’ It was obviously the name of the church. And this young man thanked the pastor, because at that time he realized that God still loves him. And the wrong phone call he received by mistake, saved his life.