Reaching God

It is always said “you have to reach rock bottom” to get better. A few days ago I heard we do not reach rock bottom but rather “we reach God”. That’s what many of us lived in Houston last year.

Like many people, I saw the year 2017 passing faster than usual. At the beginning of it, I was eager to start a new decade of my life.

During the celebration of a Quinceañera, a friend and I began to joke that we would celebrate my “Sixtiañera”. The event was going to be the ultimate! With “chambelanes” (escort of honor), candy table, surprise dance and above all, the mariachis, we could not miss. As the months went by, more was talked about the celebration, but it was impossible to imagine the surprises that year would bring.

As we all know, last year was one of many natural catastrophes around the world. Houston, the fourth most important city in the United States, was affected in a way never seen or expected. The devastating hurricane Harvey left an indelible mark on our city.

At the beginning of the summer, I started with symptoms that seemed to be allergic. When they got worse, I stopped believing myself to be the “wonder woman” and went to the doctor, who diagnosed me with bronchitis. Weeks after having finished the treatment, the same symptoms came back powered by Harvey and put me in bed and unable to breathe. It was then when I realized how valuable our health is and realized the mere fact of breathing is a true gift from God.

I remember thinking about all my loved ones, those who are no longer with me and those I still have. I gave thanks to God for allowing me to grow up with my parents and my siblings. I also gave thanks for my husband, my daughter, and my granddaughter. I thought of all the years I wasted not having a relationship with Jesus and the joy I experienced having met Jesus, even though it was late in my life. Everything in my life took on a different value.

We were all definitely affected in many ways, but as they say, God works in us in a way we will never be able to understand. In the city, we could see the kindness of people helping each other and growing stronger. And personally, I could analyze what I had done with my life in the half century I had already lived.

It is always said “you have to reach rock bottom” to get better. A few days ago I heard we do not reach rock bottom, but rather “we reach God”. That’s what happened to me. I had to reach a place where I felt lost, vulnerable and without escape to be able to truly appreciate what has an incalculable value in my life and to recognize again the love God has for all of us.

What happened to my “Sixtiañera”? Yes, finally, we celebrated the beginning of my new decade. Not with as much pomp as we had thought but surrounded by family and friends who in one way or another have touched my life. There was no surprise dance or chambelanes, but we did dance, sing and enjoy a beautiful evening accompanied by a good mariachi!