By Angie Koenig
I had to take my own advice. For those of you who read the blog a few weeks ago, I wrote a heartfelt message about the need for all of us to date Jesus. It’s advice I was given several years ago and it completely changed my relationship with not only God but also everyone close to me. Like all relationships though, the fire fizzled. Not because Jesus lost interest in me, but because my human nature kicked in. I lose faith in God at the worst possible times, and I’ll admit it – I’m afraid of commitment (I can’t even bring myself to get a fish). As Saint Ignatius would put it, I face numerous periods of spiritual consolation and desolation, and the desolation periods unfortunately put a damper on my spiritual love life. After writing “Dating Jesus” I really felt the Lord reminding me that just because I had overcome my commitment-phobia with Him and made a choice to stick with Him for the long haul, didn’t mean He wanted us to lose our spark. And then came Friday night.
What’s a twenty something single girl to do on a Friday night? Go to adoration of course. As I was sitting at home trying to figure out the best way to waste, I mean spend, my time that night I couldn’t help but glance at a small picture I have of Jesus above my desk. To be honest, I couldn’t keep my eyes off the picture. Between scrolling through Netflix and my phone, I kept feeling drawn to that picture. Then finally it hit me, Jesus was yet again courting me, and when I realized this, all I wanted was Him. Thankfully I came to this conclusion when I still had time to get to the adoration chapel near my house before it closed at nine that night.
It was a beautiful hour and a half spent reading the Song of Songs and listening to what Jesus had to say to me in those words. I am His beloved. As I write these words the love of God and the love I receive from Him floods my soul. It’s a simple love, but it’s the love we all so desperately need. It’s a reminder that we are all wanted, willed and desired by a King whose majesty outshines that of any other yet who was humble enough to come to us where we are at, in our brokenness. He deserved a throne yet arrived in a manger and died a criminal’s death. Why? Simple, He loves you, and not just then over 2000 years ago. Jesus didn’t just love you when He sweat blood over the trials that that love would bring, not just when He suffered at the pillar, and not just when He took His last breath to deliver you from sin. He loves you still. Simple, beautiful, and timeless is His love for you. And the best part is, it’s never ending. No matter how far we may stray or how we can be so head over heels in love with Jesus one day and maybe only remember to say good morning to Him the next, He is a selfless lover. He never fails. We are but branches on the vine of the Creator who sustains us.
Sisters if you ever feel stagnant in your love life with the Lord, remember, fireworks come in big and small packages. Don’t miss out on the loving little daily sparks from the Lord because you are holding out for earth-shaking explosions. Jesus will shatter the earth if He has to to get your attention, but I think we are more likely to get those little “glances” from across the room on a daily basis. Glances that remind us, in the eyes of the Lord, we are the most beautiful branches there could ever be.
About the Author:
Angie Koenig is a passionate follower of Jesus working her way through life as a Millennial. She is the youngest of nine children and embraces her role as a daughter, sister, aunt and friend. Her faith journey has had many unexpected turns and she has recently embraced her calling as a writer to witness to God’s mercy and unfailing love. Angie currently resides in Eau Claire, WI where she enjoys anything that involves coffee.
What a beautiful article! I recently became a Seven Sisters sub and being in the presence of our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration is the most peaceful I believe I’ve ever been. It’s truly amazing the calm you experience in Adoration and the love you feel emanating there from our Lord. God Bless you, Angie, and I’ll be watching for more articles from you.
Thank you for the kind words Gwen. I have never heard of Seven Sisters but anything that gets us to the Eaucharist is so needed. I am always in awe of the feelings that come about in the True Pressence of the Lord.
Amen Angie! Massachusetts could use more like minded. My mom’s name is Angie, she was and is an angel..Thank you for this moment with her. God bless. Elaine
Thank you Elaine, I think there is a need across the globe for people to live God-centered lives. I’m glad your mom was able to reach you through my words 🙂
Wonderful article. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Joanne, I’m glad you enjoyed!
Very well said, Angie! I would like to send it to all of my children, however, it saddens me to think that they probably wouldn’t read it. SO, I am sending this to them and then I’m off to Adoration to pray for them and all my weak moments. Thanks for your wonderful thoughts. You are a good writer.
Thank you Jean for your heartfelt words. I will pray for your children; I know firsthand the heartbreak that comes seeing loved ones so far from Christ. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is my refuge in times of worry about their souls. So many promises for the conversion of souls came from Jesus’s words to Faustina.
Blood and water which gushed forth from the heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in you!
Perhaps it is your writing my friend…. or my postpartum hormones, but as I snuggle my baby girl and accept this day is just simply not going to go my way and it’s time to give it up to Him the tears are rolling as I remind myself to cherish and give praise for the small sparks and graces He sends my way!
Lots of love to you Liz and your baby girl! The Holy Spirit reminds us through our tears that our prayers can be lifted up to the Heavens.
A beautiful post. Tears seem to be springing up in my eyes, too. Thanks for speaking so eloquently just what the Lord wanted me to hear from Him. It was a special grace.
Thank you Leslie for your kind words. I always pray that the Holy Spirit speaks through me when I write and am always humbled when He does and it finds the people who need His words.
Also, I missed your post about dating Jesus. Searching this site has proved futile, but technology is not my forte. Is there a way you can share a link?
Hi Leslie,
I sent you the link to Angie’s previous post…Dating Jesus. It came from a different email. And it is here also:
https://catholicvineyard.com/index.php/2017/05/10/dating-jesus/
Great article! I’ve been listening to a series on prayer and Father said that women have a spousal relationship with Jesus. As women we have a special ability to have a deeply intimate relationship with Jesus.
Thank you Christine! I only learned about Jesus’s desire to have an intimate relationship with Him a couple years ago, I wished I knew it earlier in life, I think it would have prevented me from making a lot of poor choices in my teenage and college years.
So beautifully said dear and beautiful daughter. Must be teary Friday.
No other reason except for the overflowing of love.
May the author of all love keep you romancing our sweet Jesus.
Sending God filled love your way.
Thanks Mama! Love you!