770. She Had High Expectations, but a Skinny Rookie Showed Up!

 770. She Had High Expectations, but a Skinny Rookie Showed Up!

After we all went into the room we sat in a circle facing one another. Then I first prayed to the Lord: “Jesus, I do not know what I should say in my inadequacy, so I entrust everything entirely to You. Please allow me to speak through my lips the very words that these people need to hear from You personally.”

In order to sow the seeds of love with the Word, it was necessary first to break up and till the fallow ground of their hearts. So I began by speaking about sick families. Then I went on to share about love for the Lord and for our neighbors, together with my own faith experiences—and without realizing it, I found myself returning again and again to the theme of forgiveness. After that, I prayed for them, and as the prayer went on, the sobs in the room grew heavier, until by the time I sang a spiritual song, the entire room had become a sea of tears.

When the prayer ended, the sister who had earlier looked at me with disdain suddenly raised her hand and said, “May I say something?” When I replied, “Please go ahead,” she let out a sigh and said, “Oh my, I feel as if I’ve come to my senses after having lost them for a while.” Then she sighed and began to pour out the words she had long kept hidden in her heart.

“In fact, I am a priest’s mother, but I must confess something shameful. My eldest son is a medical doctor living in the United States, and I so disliked my daughter-in-law that I tried to make them divorce. I called them every day and did everything I could. Even today, I phoned my in-laws’ home, insisting on a divorce, and ended up having a big quarrel with them before coming here. 

Because I couldn’t bring myself to forgive, and the divorce wasn’t happening quickly, I went everywhere—seeking out well-known priests, nuns, and those said to have received special graces—but I couldn’t find any answers. Yet, only after hearing your story, Julia, did I finally receive an answer. Until now, I didn’t know how to truly repent, but my heart has completely changed. I have come to realize, with deep conviction, that it is not ‘your fault’ but entirely ‘my fault.’ 

I am truly a shameful sinner before God—none other than me. Today, I will ask my in-laws and my daughter-in-law for forgiveness.” 

The sister’s face, once full of anger, had completely changed; tears streamed down her cheeks as she continued speaking.

“I used to resent that the cross I carried was bigger and heavier than anyone else’s. I attended every weekly charismatic seminar and went on every retreat I could, yet my parched soul received no help at all. Today, however, I had been looking forward with hope to the arrival of sister Julia, who is said to be full of the Holy Spirit. But the very moment she opened the living room door and stepped in, I was more disappointed than I can possibly describe.

Oh, I had been told that sister Julia was in her mid-thirties, so I expected someone who looks a bit more mature and with a fuller presence. But, to my utter surprise, in walked a slender young girl who didn’t even look like she was in her early twenties yet! I thought to myself, ‘Oh dear, what could I possibly learn from such a rookie?’ and, disappointed, I was about to leave. Yet strangely, my body wouldn’t move, and in the end, I found myself entering the room. But everything sister Julia said seemed as if she were speaking directly to me. Sister Julia, did any of the other sisters talk to you about me?" she asked. 

At that time, the Lord revealed to me the hearts of the people and without even thinking, He opened my mouth so that I could speak exactly what each soul needed to hear. "No," I replied, "I know nothing and came here almost as if I had been kidnapped.”

The sister said, “Oh, this is truly amazing! It is only today that I have come to realize God’s truth. Sister, please forgive me for my mistake of judging you so hastily, without really knowing you.” To my surprise, she asked for forgiveness!

So I said, “Sister, congratulations. There is nothing I can do. The Lord simply used me briefly as His instrument when He saw fit, and for that, we can give all thanks only to Him.” With these words, I gave all glory to the Lord.

Following that sister, the others in the room also shared the experiences they had that day. They too had been living all along thinking, “It’s your fault,” but only today did they finally realize that all the blame lay not with “your fault” but with “my fault.” Grateful for having come to forgiveness, they gave thanks to the Lord. At that very moment, I heard the joyful voice of the Lord, gently as if whispering into my ear.

“My beloved Little Soul, who comes to Me with tireless zeal! Do not forget that My Truth is at work within you. Go straight forward without delay. I have clothed you with my garment of love so always remember you are not alone.”

“O my Lord, even if I die, I’m Yours. Even if I live, I’m Yours. I belong to You solely. Let Your will be done. Today the Lord has restored the bonds of affection that had been severed among people and the love that had been extinguished through forgiveness and reconciliation. Now, may He make us all completely one in Him through a broad and embracing love. Amen.” 

She phoned her daughter-in-law in the U.S. and asked for her forgiveness, saying, “My dear, I was wrong. Everything was my fault.” The daughter-in-law, who had long suffered under the weight of mother-in-law conflicts, felt all her wounds dissolve as when snow is touched by the first spring sun upon hearing her mother-in-law’s single, heartfelt word of apology. Tears flowed freely from both of them as they sought each other’s forgiveness, and love blazed anew between them.

Since her in-laws live in Korea, she also went to them in person to ask for forgiveness. Through the change of just this one sister, reconciliation was achieved between the two families. 

In every situation, when we respond joyfully with “Amen,” I gave thanks, praise, and glory to the Lord, who uses me as an instrument to work miracles of love.

My personal reflection note with Mama Julia🌹💗 

Link 👇🏻

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