Encounters are opportunities if we are open

This is how I fight my battles
It may look like I’m surrounded
But I’m surrounded by You”
­—”Surrounded” 
Lyrics by 
Elyssa Smith/Alyssa Smith

Part of the process for RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is to find a sponsor for the preparation to enter the Church.  When I was going through RCIA, I was new to the Catholic community so a sponsor was chosen for me.  The person chosen was strong in his faith and committed to walking with me.  At our first meeting, he also mentioned that he had played basketball for the University of Alabama.  He was a great fit to where I was on my faith journey at that time.  
During the process, I also met a very supportive couple.  After I came into the Church, the couple would encourage me to become more involved in the parish.  The couple even asked me to be the Godfather of their second child.  Every time I was encouraged to take on more responsibility in the parish, I was reluctant because I felt that I was not ready.  Despite my feeling inadequate, I would always say yes.  I trusted the couple and most importantly I trusted God.  After a couple of years, the couple moved to another city.  My first reaction was to feel abandoned.  Their encouragement had been a catalyst to take on more and more responsibility even though I was new to the Catholic Church.
Around the same time, a new pastor arrived at the parish.  He became my spiritual director and helped me go deeper into my faith.  I took a part-time position in the parish as junior high youth minister and met regularly with him.  The more involved I became in the parish, the more people with strong faith that surrounded me.  Before I came into the Catholic Church, I did not know many Catholics.  Now I had the support and prayers of a large community. 
When I started working full time for the Church, I was introduced to a lot of faith-filled people.  Because I have moved a few times, I have lost touch with some people.  I can remember thinking that I would not be able to replace someone that was a very strong influence on my faith life.  Eventually I figured out that I was not replacing anyone but building on a foundation that carries me when I need it.  The new people that I meet enhance my faith life by helping me strengthen my faith in different ways than I can imagine.  
I have been very blessed to be exposed to a lot of different experiences.  Through conferences, mission trips, World Youth Days abroad and visiting different parishes, I meet a lot of people.  Some of them I only meet once and some I get to know very well.  Sometimes I meet people under difficult circumstances.  During all of these encounters, I know that God is there.  God is surrounding me with people that will increase my faith as long as I am open to these encounters.  As I look back over my life, it is incredible how strong the faith is in the people that I spend time with.  There are people from my high school that have strong faith but I did not know of their faith because I was not open to that type of encounter.  When I meet other people, I want to be a person that will help them with their faith while also growing my faith.  Every encounter is an opportunity if we are open and put our faith in God.
— Tex Phelps is the Director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Archdiocese of Mobile. He may be emailed at [email protected]. Visit our website, www.ArchMobYouth.org Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/ArchMobYouth and follow us on Twitter and Instagram - @ArchMobYouth