I arrived in Puebla, Mexico in January 2007, grieving the loss of my father the past October. I was ready to unleash my hurt, anger, and rebelliousness in a land that wasn’t my own. I spoke the language and felt confident in understanding the ins and outs of the culture. I could pretend to be someone I wasn’t while I was temporarily away from my family’s home. Here, I could decide what values and morals I wanted to abide by.

My routine consisted of dancing the night away at a club with people who I could hardly call friends, walking back to my dorm room in the wee hours of the morning, and dreading getting ready for class (which I couldn’t imagine skipping).

After growing tired of running away from my sin and threading together my unwoven prayer life, I knew it was time to pour my heart out in Confession.

I had my first ever face-to-face Confession. The priest welcomed me, spoke to me in my own language, and offered me a warm meal and hospitality with another family from the U.S.

“You have searched me and you know me, Lord” (Responsorial Psalm). I hid from God during that time I spent abroad. I detached myself from who I was because no one was around me to keep me accountable.

Sisters, insert your situation and repeat, “You have searched me and you know me, Lord.” He has always been there shielding you and lessening your distress, waiting for you to let Him in. Will you let Him in today?

[bctt tweet="He has always been there. // Mytae Carrasco Wallace" username="blessedisshe__"]

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