What Am I Going to Do With the Life God Has Given Me?
Visa to US: The past two weeks have been a roller coaster for me. I flew to Vancouver yet again. I did get the visa this time, but it was not without drama. I didn’t think I was going to get it because I didn’t have six months remaining on my Nigerian passport. As the Visa Officer went through my passport, my heart was pumping blood as fast as it could. I was thinking of how I could fly to Ottawa to renew my passport, which expires in March, and then come back to Vancouver for the visa. As my thoughts raced back and forth, I heard the gentle voice of the Visa Officer: “Your visa has been approved. When you renew your passport, make sure you always carry the old one containing the visa.”. I uttered: “Jesus, thank you”. I’m not sure whether she is a Christian or not, but she couldn’t help but smile as she saw the joy on my face.
The following day, off I went to the Children’s Hospital in Vancouver to see Wills Hodgkinson, a Holy Cross Grade 5 student suffering from cancer. Wills is in much pain, but he was still his chatty self. Mum and dad were there with him. I had a deep conversation with his dad, Tim. Though the road ahead will be tough, Tim is keeping hope alive. I had the privilege of speaking with Tim about the mystery of human life and suffering: ‘why does a little one have to go through all of this?’ We really did not come to any easy answer. I was reminded of what Gabriel Marcel, a 20th century existential philosopher, said: “The human person is not a problem to be solved but a mystery to be lived in”. Wills is living in that mystery now. His mum and dad and his 5 year old sister are living in the mystery with him. As we grappled with the meaning of all this, trying to find value in Wills suffering, Tim, from a deep place in his heart, said: “In the suffering of my son, I have grown so close to him and have come to a greater appreciation of his life and the gift that life is.”
Life is a gift. Every moment is a gift. What will I do with this gift that God has given me? How am I impacting this world?
Tim kindly dropped me off at the airport. Unfortunately, I missed my flight. I was supposed to be there 45 minutes before, but I arrived 35 minutes before. No end to the drama in my life eh? 🙂 The next flight to Penticton was in 7 hours. The gift of the Aeroplan points ticket I received could not be applied to the new flight. I needed to buy a new ticket for $400.00. After about 30 minutes of contemplating what to do, the Air Canada Agent I was speaking with came to me and gave me a boarding pass for the next flight, free of charge! He quickly disappeared. I was deeply convinced that I had met an Angel. Truly, we meet them from time to time….people who meet us with kindness, love and leave a mark in our soul. Again, I uttered: “Thank you, Jesus”. This love and kindness must not stop here. I must depart and do the same.
Back in Penticton, I am feeling blessed and loved. It is 8:57pm, I must go and find something to eat….maybe some left over Jollof rice?
As in today’s Gospel, Jesus called the first four disciples to go and change the world, whatever God has called us to in this life may we leave a mark in the lives we meet each day. A single act of love can last forever.
Your brother, ~ Fr. Obi