St. Jude

A year and a half ago in a shipment of earthquake relief supplies we received a couple of these St. Jude candles.

I recognized them as Catholic candles but not being Catholic, I didn't know anything about the saint who was pictured on the front. However, they were candles. And living in place where power is unreliable, they seemed useful.

They've been sitting around our house for the past year and a half. A few weeks ago, somewhat curious from looking at them over and over, Nick looked up what St. Jude was all about. Turns out he is the Patron Saint of Lost and Desperate Causes. I love that.

I don't (personally) pray to saints, but the candle sitting in the corner of my room is a great reminder to pray for even the things that we feel like are lost causes. Because who of us is to say what is and what is not a lost cause? It seems like much of what surrounds me on a daily basis could fall into the "lost cause" category. But that is because I tend to look at things with earthly eyes. If I claim to be a follower of Christ, then I have to agree to look at things with heavenly eyes. This is the the same God who brought forth his son via Mary, a virgin. And as the angel told her that day when she was informed of the things that were to come her way, "Nothing is impossible with God."

So here's to lost causes...

May we have the faith to not decide for God what is (and what isn't) a lost cause.