12.18.09
A Light Unto My Path
Every morning as I step into our white little Honda and make my way to work I pass by a sign that reads, Beacon Light Ministries: Thy Word is a lamp onto my feet and a light unto my path. Ironically, this is one of my favorite worship songs and I always take a pause when I pass by this sign to reflect on these words, but not too long though since I am driving and it’s a busy street. As I am living out my year as an AV, I am realizing the very truth of these words. God works in mysterious ways, but I am certain that while I didn’t always know I was meant to be an AV this year, God knew I was called to this path all along. I have truly been blessed this year to live in the Chicago community and to live with the three incredible women I am fortunate to call my roommates. I am confident that these lovely ladies were placed in my life for a reason. Living in community has definitely allowed me an opportunity to evaluate my self and my relationship with God. Every interaction with my roommates, be it prayer or a one-on-one conversation, provides me a different lens to observe with. While my community and I share similarities, we also differ in how we approach certain things. I am learning from them to let go more and trust that God doesn’t give us more than we can handle. It is the diversity in our group that serves as the catalyst for the change I am already seeing in myself. God knows, just as St. Augustine did, that one should never be tempted to dwell in a state of complacency because you will remain there and never experience change and growth. With every change, comes a great opportunity for a renewal in one’s perspective, character, as well as in their faith. I am becoming more at peace with myself and comfortable in my own skin because of my roommates and I know it is because God is working through them to answer my prayers.
Though I have begun to trust more in God and myself, I have encountered several obstacles that have tested this at my work site. I work as a case manager for pregnant women who are without many resources such as prenatal care, food, and/or clothing. As I visit these women in their homes I hear stories of abuse, neglect, and tragedy. However, amidst the sullen cloud I feel above me after some of the visits, I have moments with clients that bring to light God’s eternal presence. It can be something as simple as making one of the women smile from a joke I share or even by holding my clients’ babies and witnessing God’s little miracles. I also witness the presence of God through interacting with my co-workers because of their attitude day in and day out. Even with a caseload of 180 clients, they make sure they are providing quality services to their clients. Clients’ numbers and residences are constantly changing and without notice, not to mention the continuing budget cuts. Despite all these obstacles, they come in early and leave late. They accomplish so much with so little and the relentless strength they display at work allows me to see God’s hand in it all. Ultimately, whether it be securing a healthcare provider for a client or giving a young, parentless teen someone to sit with and listen to her story, I am confident that I am doing God’s work and that I need only to trust in God’s will for everything will work itself out. Only through God will our true purpose in this world be illuminated to us and I look forward to observing what God has in store for me in the months to come.
Susan Dimauro
Chicago, IL
2009-2010