I've Got You

“You’re Okay; I’ve got you!” Famous last words that I spoke to one of my favorite four-year-olds, Noelle, just before an extremely rough Cape May wave knocked us both down this summer. Believe me, it wasn’t pretty! We wiped out! It was one of those, “I’m way too embarrassed to ever get out of this water,” kinds of experiences. I was so concerned about getting Noelle out from under the water that I didn’t notice, at first, that half of the sand in the ocean was now in my precariously hanging bathing suit. Yes, it was THAT bad…

After what felt like forever underwater, we finally broke free enough from the pounding waves that she was able to stand. She promptly taught me a great life lesson. Barely steadied, she scanned the crowd, fixed her eyes on her mom and ran to sit beside her. Actually, she nestled herself right in under her mom’s arm. Safe! Noelle rightly secured, I hastily got back into the water to offer the ocean back its sand and to straighten out my twisted bathing suit. When I went to join them on the beach, Noelle asked, “Aunt Michelle, was that fun?” Afraid that she would never go back into the water again, I assured her that it was VERY fun.

Weeks later, while on retreat, God brought that image back to my mind and heart. I heard God say to me, “You’re okay; I’ve got you.” So many life circumstances have the potential to cause us to feel a little disoriented  - transitions of all kinds, loss, joys, new challenges, new relationships, etc. Yet, as Sisters of Saint Joseph, we too are called to fix our eyes deeply on the One who steadies us – Jesus. With God’s grace, we are invited to do the things that we know sustain and root us more deeply in that relationship, even in times that threaten to pull us under. And the truth is we are okay, because God indeed has each one of us.

As we look to the celebration of our Founders’ Day tomorrow, I can’t help but think of our sister ancestors, who risked life, homeland, personal desires, satisfaction, and comfort at every turn. Why? Because they had their eyes fixed on something greater – our mission, vision, charism, and even more importantly, on Someone greater, who called them to love without counting the cost. I feel certain that at times they felt knocked down, wiped out, and off course; yet they knew where to run to feel safe and to be renewed. That witness and deep conviction steadies, inspires, and challenges us, even to this day, to keep moving forward, trusting that there is so much life yet to be lived.

While it may not always be “FUN,” it is always worth it! For, we know from experience that our God is faithful – that God’s surely “got” us - and therefore, we are okay!

Michelle Lesher SSJ

Sister Michelle is a Sister of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia currently serving in Formation and Vocation Ministry. She is passionate about Faith Formation, especially for Youth and Young Adults.