657. A Brother Who Said God Is 99.999% Nonexistent Attends the Charismatic Prayer Meeting

💌657. A Brother Who Said God Is 99.999% Nonexistent Attends the Charismatic Prayer Meeting

President Paul suggested that we attend a nationwide Charismatic Retreat, which would last for four days and three nights. In the meantime, I had been so swamped that I did not even have time to sleep. Running a beauty parlor, participating in parish activities and being involved in the charismatic movement already kept me occupied, yet countless people were seeking counseling from me day and night. Despite my unworthiness, the Lord worked through me to heal many souls and broken families. Even nuns and priests came to seek counseling.

Although I did not even have time to meditate, I was just happy because I always worked with the power of the Holy Spirit, offering up every moment as the Prayers of Life and practicing Semchigo as if I were receiving the love of the Lord. Seeing me like that, my husband, feeling sorry for me, gave me ample travel money and said, “Honey, you have worked so hard all this time. This time, do not meet anyone—book a motel or a hotel, rest comfortably and have a proper retreat.”

Following his advice, I planned to take a retreat, meditating quietly alone and getting some rest by staying in a separate accommodation. With that intention, I headed to Seoul. On the first night of the retreat, just as I was about to return to my lodging, Teresa, the wife of the next Charismatic Retreat president, called out to me. “Julia! Tonight, stay at the home of a catechumen sister along with sister W.”

I thought, “Against my will, it seems that the Lord is calling me there again this time. Jesus, if this is Your will, I will follow.” With that simple thought, I replied, Amen. I went to that house, offering it up with Semchigo as if I had rested comfortably on my own, with a heart of obedience.

At the catechumen’s home, her husband had initially planned to travel to their house in Gwangju but did not, so the four of us ended up having a conversation. During our discussion, the husband stated, “God absolutely does not exist.” Sister W asked, “Then how do we manage to eat and survive?” He asked a cynical question, “What, does God feed you? We earn money and support ourselves—that is how we survive. What nonsense are you talking about?”

Then, sister W continued to speak earnestly, trying to convince him of God's existence by saying things like, "God provides us with our daily bread..." and so on. However, as the conversation went on, his expression gradually stiffened. Yet, Sister W persisted, undeterred.

Eventually, without any sign of accepting it, he said, "I strongly believe that God does not exist but the reason I let my wife go to church is to hope she might become a little nicer. But I will never believe in God. I am 99.999% certain that God does not exist in this world!" He declared firmly.

Even then, sister W continued to fervently insist, "God is alive and always with us…" Seeing this, I nudged her side to signal her to stop and she stopped talking. I asked sister W to go with me to the bathroom and said to her, "How can someone who is so adamantly against God believe if we tell him that even his food comes from God? We must always be careful with our words. There are words that are appropriate for kindergarteners and there are words that need to be said to graduate students. If you keep saying in that manner to someone who is convinced that God does not exist, it will only make him more resistant. Let us approach this more carefully, okay?" With that, we stepped out of the restroom.

After that, I entrusted myself completely to God, who can make the impossible possible, thinking of the 0.001% possibility in his heart. I calmly began speaking to him while offering up the Prayers of Life, praying that the Lord would open his heart

"Sir! What sister W said earlier was difficult to understand, was it not? Yes, since we cannot see God with our eyes, I will not insist that you believe in Him. But even if you think there is a 99.999% chance that He does not exist, do not be too quick to conclude that for certain. Even if you believe that God is not real, why not try practicing Semchigo as if He is?

Instead of outright denying everything without ever going to church, if you at least start attending, you will hear many good words and naturally try to live a kinder life. As you do so, you might grow spiritually and even find the truth there, do you not think?"

As I spoke, his once-stubborn expression gradually brightened. Then, suddenly, he slapped his thigh and said, "Wow, this lady is making a good point!" So I asked, "Would it be alright if I shared some of my experience?" He readily agreed, saying, "Sure, go ahead," I shared with him the grace of how the Lord had called me to new life when I was destined for death. 

For seven years, I suffered from various illnesses and was eventually diagnosed as terminal. By then, the cancer had spread throughout my entire body, even protruding from my toes and my blood pressure had dropped to 50/40—later, it could not even be measured. The doctor told me, 'We have done our best but there is nothing more we can do. Go home and enjoy your favorite foods.' With this final prognosis, I prepared for my passing. However, by God's calling, I was completely healed and brought back to life. I shared this all in detail.

He listened very intently, nodded his head, and said, "I understand. I was deeply moving." After that, he added, "We will stay at an inn tonight, so you both should rest," and left with his wife. Then, about three weeks later, I saw him at the Wednesday prayer meeting at the Gwangju Catholic Center! The very man who had been so adamant that 99.999% sure that God did not exist had changed so much that he was now attending the charismatic movement prayer meetings every Wednesday!

When he greeted me warmly, I was so surprised that I said, "Oh my, what brings you here?" Smiling brightly, he replied, "That day, your words deeply moved me. I, who had sworn never to believe in God, have now come to believe and have joined the Catholic Church. It is all thanks to you." I had not even told him to go to church that day, yet the Lord had gently touched his soul and transformed his heart.

"Oh, my love, my Lord, may You receive all the glory alone." As I praised and worshiped the Lord, His gentle voice echoed in my ears: 

"Just as you remain in My love, so do I remain in yours."

My personal reflection note with Mama Julia🌹💗 

Link 👇🏻

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