[featured-image single_newwindow=”false”]Source – Richard Dorrell[/featured-image]
On Wednesday, January 9, 1918, Josemaría [Escriva] turned sixteen. The city of Logroño lay peaceful under a heavy snowfall. The temperature hovered around zero degrees Fahrenheit. No one went out unless they absolutely had to.
On one of those wintry days the young man looked down at the snow and saw footprints left by bare feet. He realized that they had been made by one of the Carmelite friars who had recently arrived in the city. He wondered: If others can make such sacrifices for God, can’t I offer him something? It was a thought destined to remain with him for the rest of his life. (Source)
Often when we think of becoming a saint, we tend to balk. We either think that we are not good enough or simply think that it requires too much energy. Yet, when we look at the lives of the Saints, we find a trend: they were simple, ordinary people, who were human. They may have been able to accomplish many extraordinary deeds, but it was only through the power of God that they did anything good. Simply put, they knew how to decrease so that He could increase.
The lives of saints have always inspired me and are points of encouragement when life is not so simple and easy. The saints show me that it is possible to be holy. In fact, thousands and thousands of people have already run the race before me and have reached the final destination.
All I need is a desire to finish the race. God will provide the rest.