Scrambled Pancakes
It might have been the scrambled pancakes that intrigued me most. Or maybe it was the fact that she was the first person I got to know from North Dakota. It was definitely her joy that stood out to me.
During my time in grad school, God placed a girl named Lisa in my life. She and I shared a Botany class and then a Statistics class together. Our lives began to overlap a lot over the course of two semesters. She invited me over to her amazing Botany building where there lived a huge, exotic collection of plants ranging from cacti to fruit trees. We chatted and got to know each other. We were very close in age, so we had a lot of life chapters that overlapped. She also grew up in a Catholic family. Lisa eventually invited me to join her for noon Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas on campus. As it turned out, she tried to go as often as she could during the week. Daily Mass, I thought? Wasn’t that for super-serious Catholics? I don’t think I could remember the last weekday Mass I’d been to in that segment of my young adult life.
Lisa kept inviting me, and I didn’t have any excuse not to go. She gently guided me into the church and student center during the week (because I wasn’t sure where to go!), and her presence made me feel comfortable and at peace. During one of these noon-time encounters, Mass was followed by Lisa’s scrambled pancakes.
It was as easy as I just made it sound. Lisa became part of my life. She shared her life with me. Her love of Jesus emanated, and I enjoyed her joyful presence. I saw what she had. I saw her faith-filled confidence. She shared some of the trials in her life, and she made it clear that trust in God was at the root of her response to these trials.
Lisa and I both graduated from Iowa State, moved on to the next chapter of our lives, corresponded a bit over the first few years post-graduation, and then I really just thought about her from time to time.
Fast-forward to this year, and I see news headlines and hopeful promotion about a young woman on her path to Sainthood named Michelle Duppong. Duppong?? That was Lisa’s last name… They are both from North Dakota; I wonder if they are related! As it turns out, Lisa and Michelle are sisters. Michelle was a vibrant FOCUS missionary. She transformed her terminal cancer diagnosis into a life visible of faith and joy in God. Her life story called “Radiating Joy” was shown in theaters on Tuesday this week. (Please comment below if you saw it!)
Servant of God Michelle Duppong and her sister Lisa are both examples of God’s transforming love. Lisa brought me closer to God and back to a more regular relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist. Her sister Michelle was an incredible witness to others: “Being around Michelle was like spending a day in the sunshine.”
Ordinary examples like these two young women could be stories similar to your own. Stories like theirs remind me to share my love of Christ with others. Influence those who are closest around you. We are called to do this. It starts with a faith in God, and it continues with a responsibility to share that faith with others. That is how to effect change. Within our families, within our workplace, within our small friend groups….change becomes possible and truly IS possible when people care enough to spread the truth and joy of faith we hold so dearly.
Of course, it takes guts to do this. It takes confidence and courage.
But here’s the truth:
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
God is our peace, not perfect circumstances. (Ephesians 2:14)
If we seek first His kingdom and righteousness, then all the things we need will be given to us as well. (Luke 12:31)
God’s plans for us are to prosper us and not harm us, to give us a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Let’s challenge each other...Help to spread Truth and Love in this world. It’s as simple as inviting someone over for scrambled pancakes.