You are The Rock

 
Dear Diary,

Sister Mary Claire and I were up early today, just as the first light crept over the prairie. The tent flap stirred in the breeze, and a meadowlark was already singing from the tall grass nearby. Mini gave a big stretch and a tiny sneeze before trotting behind us as we walked up to the house to get ready for Church.

Sister put on her habit, and I wore my new pair of overalls. We didn’t talk much—just moved about quietly, like the day was too soft and holy to make a fuss. Then we set out on foot toward St. Mary’s with the sky wide and blue above us.

Father LeRoy read from the Gospel of Matthew, the part where Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” And Peter answers, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” I felt something bright inside me when I heard it—like the truth ringing out through time. Jesus gave Peter a new name and said He would build His Church upon that rock. That part made me sit up straighter in the pew.

But then Jesus told them He would suffer and be killed, and Peter couldn’t bear the thought. He said, “No, Lord, never!” And Jesus answered him with words that must have stung: “Get behind me, Satan.” Sister explained it gently on the walk home—how sometimes we think we’re helping, but we don’t see the full picture like God does. Peter didn’t want Jesus to suffer—but Jesus chose to suffer for us, because love is bigger than fear.

Later in the afternoon, I went and sat by the chicken coop. Omelette came over right away and settled beside me. Mini laid down with her chin between her paws, watching a butterfly dance in the air. I didn’t say anything. I just sat there, thinking. The cornfields rustled in the breeze behind me, and I thought about what it means to say with my whole heart: “You are the Christ.” I don’t know all the answers, but I want to follow Him with everything I’ve got.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

I want to be like Peter—
to say with all my heart,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Help me follow You, even when Your path is hard.
Teach me to trust Your plan more than my own.
Build my heart strong and steady like a rock,
and let me always stay close to You.

Love,

Kathy