But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. // 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:3
I was in a myriad of Facebook mom groups when I first became a mom. I thought it would be a great way to learn some hacks and practical tips for our firstborn. Plus, it felt like a rite of passage to be added to these groups.
While I never actively interacted in these groups (since I was such a newbie), I remember one distinct moment that stopped me from scrolling. A fellow mama had posted a comment that she had been given a rosary but wasn't Catholic and was seeking advice on what to do with it.
The comments flooded in, “wear it as a necklace, pray with the beads, regift it, why would you need a rosary if you can go straight to Jesus?” The last comment felt different than the others. Tone is hard to convey via social media; however, I could not dismiss entering into this conversation.
“But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5).
It quickly became very awkward and uncomfortable. Two strangers defending their different faiths on the Internet not knowing anything about the other, besides both being mothers. I made a case for Our Blessed Mother, and this individual used Scripture to articulate why she believed we can completely bypass her.
As I began to sense the thread was beginning to make me and my faith look like I was trying to win instead of presenting truths about the Faith, I politely welcomed this individual to continue the conversation with me outside of the thread. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.
The victory is not in winning arguments for my faith as much as it is having the courage to share the truth. Believing in Jesus is always going to come with some type of questioning on and offline.
Sister, we may not feel equipped to fight the battles that come our way, but Jesus will provide us with the strength we need because He is faithful. All we have to do is ask Him.
Let's pause and ask Him in humility for His strength and help.