Amazing Grace And The Holy Spirit
A few months ago I was at a book signing, and the author asked me who the book was for, so he could personalize it. The book was Amazing Grace for Married Couples. Since I’m not married, I did a quick mental list of who I could give the book to. My first thought was for a niece and her husband, whom I had heard were having some troubles a few months back. But, for some reason, I also thought of another young couple who had just had their first baby, which involved a very difficult birth with some possible health issues. I thought this might be a nice “congratulatory” gift for them, and a reminder that their love and commitment was going to be needed when they encountered difficulties in their marriage.
After purchasing the book, I had second thoughts about sending it. After all, they weren’t really practicing Catholics, and might be put off by this obviously Catholic book (even though the book is highly appropriate for any married couple). And, they weren’t having problems outside of the typical day-to-day issues that face each and every home. So, I put it aside. Several months later, I discovered from another source that this couple had been having serious marital problems at that time, and during the months leading up to the book-signing event. Their marriage is in jeopardy at this time. I immediately felt guilty for not sending the book when I purchased it (it might or might not have made a difference), but I felt even more ashamed that I had disregarded what turned out to be an obvious prompting of the Holy Spirit.
We all encounter circumstances in our lives where we act (or don’t act) on something. Who knows whether these instances are urgings by the Holy Spirit? I do know, though, that I’ve encountered enough situations — though not obvious at the time — where we are “used” by the Lord… to be His hands and feet here on earth. I just hope that I will remember this the next time I have second thoughts about taking some positive action. I hope that I will remember to be thankful to the Lord for allowing me to be an instrument, puny human that I am.