Take Advantage of Me!
I had a very special mother-in-law, who worried about everyone and sought a way to help her children with anything they’d need. Sometimes I would pick her up to take her to the supermarket, and while she was adding products to the cart, she’d look at me saying, “Do you guys have this type of milk at home?” In this way she kept asking about various products to which I always answered that we did have them and that she shouldn’t worry. Then I’d thank her; however, she kept insisting so that when I would not relent she’d say, “Take advantage of me. You don’t know how long I’ll be around.” I felt a mix of a little embarrasment with laughter, or laughter with embarrassment, and finally, I would accept at least some crackers; when I finally accepted, I noticed her facial expression of happiness.
That phrase helps me to think about God’s love, a love that not only is given to us in its totality, but that also wishes to fill us with grace and blessings throughout our lives. In how many ways has the Lord shown us that He has an abundance of spiritual and material goods for us?! I think about it and cannot stop my wonder. From His perfect work of Creation, prepared for us His children and available to us for our enjoyment, to His last drop of blood given up for us out of love and for our salvation, so that we may one day return to Him in Paradise. The Lord, your God and my God, time and again, tells us loudly to get ready to receive everything He has to give us. He insists. He waits patiently so that we, as His beloved children, come closer and take advantage of the flood of blessings that permanently emanate from this Divinity. It’s as if He said loudly, “TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ME!” but we, stubborn children, distracted by the world, seek the light where there is only darkness, and take roads different from Him, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
The Lord wants us to be astute and prudent. He wants us to embrace His graces, because this is all we need. He wants His redemption to come individually and effectively to every human being.
This calls my attention everytime somebody tells me they’d like to have the kind of faith I have. I respond by asking them if they’ve ever seen acts of Love from God in their lives. I ask this as a way to explain that, in order to believe in the power of God, we simply need to look back and become aware of God’s presence in our lives. This is an exercise that I do continuously which helps in my difficult moments.
I think that’s where the difference lies! To learn to see everything that happens to us in faith mode is to know that when you are disposed to receive him and let him work in you, everything, including what looks “bad” to you, is converted into something good for you because “God disposes of all things for the good of those who love him.” (Romans 8: 28) Of course, when one is in the middle of tribulation, when one is afraid and anguished, we lose our capacity to see things “from the outside.” Our vision becomes blurred and our hearts forget the blessed heart of a Father who only wants to make us happy and who desires that our passage through this world be with our feet on the earth and our eyes fixated on Him, in His love for which all is possible.
In the days you have left to live, don’t be afraid of living them taking advantage of that Love that is given unconditionally, because God is there. He listens and He loves you; and, if you have not yet experienced this, I encourage you to make a conscious effor to see the thousands of times that for sure he has assisted you, sustained you and raised you up.
MariaCristina was born in Santa Marta, Colombia on the day of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Because of this gift from Heaven, she took a deep love for the Blessed Virgin Mary and, together with her husband and children, she has consecrated her life to Mary. She knows that Our Lady is truly her mom who helps her in all aspects of her life.
At the age of 32, Maria Cristina was diagnosed with breast cancer and began to live a stage in her life full of physical suffering, but also a life filled with grace and blessings. It was then, in those moments of loneliness and isolation, that she was able to experience God’s Love and hear His Voice deep within her heart. Fortunately, the miracle of healing occurred and since then Maria Cristina has dedicated herself to serving the Lord. She knows that nothing comes from herself, but that everything is the product of Divine Grace.