In the ’70s and ’80s, there was a telephone company whose slogan was, “Reach out and touch someone.” If you remember it, you just heard the jingle, didn’t you? The message was simply that by calling someone and showing you cared, you reached someone, even if not physically.
God sometimes prompts us to reach out to certain people, and it’s good to pay attention when He does. Several years ago, one of my favorite sisters was recovering from surgery. I called her every Tuesday to see how she was doing. On a particular Monday, she came to mind. I had in my head I would call her the next day as usual, but thought, ‘Why not call her tonight?’ We had a lovely phone call. The next day, I was notified that she had passed away unexpectedly. It was devastating news. I was so relieved that I had not waited to call her.
Several years later, my older brother Frank and I had a great telephone conversation. He suggested getting together for dinner one night, and I responded, “Sure! Maybe in a couple of weeks.” The next morning, I woke up and thought, ‘Why not tonight?’ I gave him a call. He was surprised to hear from me so soon. I invited him over for dinner that evening. We had a wonderful visit, and we parted with a hug and a kiss and an “I love you.” Frank died that same week very suddenly and very tragically. One bit of comfort was that I hadn’t put off our visit for “a couple of weeks.”
Honestly, I wish I always acted upon these inspirations. There was the time I put off an invitation from an old high school friend to get together, and she passed away before we had the chance. At this moment, there is a stack of cards on my desk waiting for me to write and send. I should do that soon – especially since these events have made me aware of the fact that we don’t always have as much time as we think.
I am deeply moved when God knows we really need someone, but we don’t respond to His promptings, so He speaks to him/her instead. On my second mission, I had just come home after seeing a fantastic performance of “The Sound of Music” at a local Catholic high school. As delightful as that musical is, you most likely know that it takes a very sad turn.
I guess I was still caught up in the sadness when I went to my room. I let the sadness turn inward and started to feel sorry for myself about things that were out of my control. The thought came to me that I should call two upbeat, vivacious sisters at my previous mission. I talked myself out of it though, thinking, “Nah, they’re too busy. I just need to get over my slump.’” Suddenly, my phone rang, and guess who it was? The two sisters, who by their cheerful voices, got me out of my mood. What moved me so very much was that God knew what I needed, and he told me. However, I didn’t listen, so he spoke to these sisters instead. They obviously heard Him and acted. God cares about us that much.
Sometimes we have to follow God’s promptings to reach out to someone else. It may be the last opportunity we get.
Sister M. Emily Vincent Rebalsky, IHM, is the program director at Villa Maria by the Sea Retreat Center, Stone Harbor. For more information about retreats at Villa Maria by the Sea, visit VMbytheSea.com. For information about discerning a vocation with the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Malvern, PA, visit ihmimmaculata.org.
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