A Surprising Encounter
On my way to daily Mass a few weeks ago, as I closed the car door behind me, I felt something unexpected: a tremendous weight pressing on my heart, a heaviness that made me doubt my own strength. It was as if my eyes suddenly opened and I realized I had been dragging a very heavy stone; one I could no longer carry. Sadness and pain overcame me; I felt frustration and exhaustion, yet at the same time, an odd calm. I didn’t understand what was happening.
From the car to the entrance of the church there were only a few steps, but as I pushed open the heavy door, I felt a loving embrace, as if someone dear had been waiting for me there, at that very moment. I felt warmth—the living presence of the Holy Spirit.
My eyes filled with tears. They were tears of sorrow and repentance for having hurt such a good God, but also tears of joy, because I knew it was the Holy Spirit Himself who was there with me, receiving me that morning with open arms and giving me the chance to let go of what was keeping me away from Him. In that moment, I understood that the Holy Spirit was moving that enormous stone that had been blocking my path without me even realizing it.
I walked inside and sat in one of the back pews, trying to hide my tear-streaked face. I thought I wouldn’t be able to hear the Gospel or fully participate in the Mass because my emotions were so strong. Yet, when I lifted my eyes and saw Christ before me looking into my eyes, I felt a deep peace. I can only compare it to the peace one feels when praying the rosary and sensing the Virgin Mary wrapping you in her embrace. It was like becoming a child again, sitting on the floor and resting my head on Mary’s lap. That same peace remained with me throughout the entire celebration.
After the blessing I waited for everyone to leave—I didn’t want to go. I stayed in silence; my gaze fixed on the cross that held Jesus. I felt as though it was there to remind me that I was not alone, that I had never been alone. That cross before me was proof that Jesus had already carried the greatest weight for me, and all He was asking from me was to trust. There, amid my tears, I felt my heart grow light… and I confirmed once again that with God, all things are possible, with Him every step finds its direction, and every stone becomes a path.
The road to God is not easy. It is full of stones—some small and easy to move, others large and difficult to drag. We are like little ants, going back and forth, working tirelessly, believing we can solve everything with our limited strength; but without God’s grace we cannot move forward. God alone can lift the heaviest stones from our paths. Just a few seconds in His presence are enough to renew our relationship with Him and to keep walking firmly on the road toward His heart.
Claudia and her husband Juan have shared many wonderful years together in Houston. As their four amazing kids are almost all gone to college, the couple is finding joy in spending more time in Claudia’s hometown of Valledupar, Colombia, embracing the chance to be closer to their family.
A passionate entrepreneur, Claudia’s spirit shines through her flourishing online women’s accessories business. Though the past four years have brought with them the challenge of chronic pain, she has persevered, her faith unshaken. Through this journey, her relationship with God has blossomed, and she is filled with gratitude for the blessings in her life.
In the face of adversity, Claudia remains a beacon of hope and acceptance, understanding that His Will guides her path. With unwavering optimism, she openly shares her testimony, inspiring others with the knowledge that, through faith and love, things can always get better.
