Each journey begins with a first step which then leads to a next. In my journey back to the Catholic faith, I have reached the third. I don’t know how many there are, but I know I have reached the third.

The first two were returning to Mass and making a complete confession, the second step, which i just completed not to long ago, is putting my complete trust in the Lord. It took some time before I truly believed that He is really there for me, watching over me and protecting me, but I believe now. After all, God has never let me fall so far down as to not be able to get myself out of the hole I may have been.

And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.  A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.  And they went and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. – Matthew 8:23 – 26

Like Jesus’ disciples,  I have been afraid. My winds and seas were different then theirs, but scary nevertheless. And each time Jesus woke up and stilled them for me and the seas became calm. If only I had realized that it was Jesus who was calming the winds and the storms I would have returned to my faith long ago. We have to trust in Him. Even if we believe in God as I always did, we have to put our faith in him, that he will help us, he won’t let us fail.

Which leads me to the next step in my journey, living my life totally in Christ. This means not only living the Ten Commandments, but  living the theological virtues, the cardinal virtues, the gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit and practicing the works of mercy. Some I already live, some I realize I don’t. The biggest right now is I realize I don’t always put others needs before mine.

Here are the twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit, how are you doing?

1. Charity
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Generosity
8. Gentleness
9. Faithfulness
10. Modesty
11. Self-control
12. Chasity

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