Everything was made new. The way I talked to people changed. The way I experienced Mass changed. The way I rode my bike around town changed. Everything I did was motivated by a love for Him.

Being in a long-distance relationship with Jesus Christ is a bit different from a regular  distance relationship. I don’t need a telephone to call Him up because He’s always present. And I can feel His love without actually reaching out and touching His physical body. But I won’t get to fully see Him face to face until my earthly life is over so I’m being patient and praying to Him for perseverance.   

{sidebar id=1}In the beginning of our relationship I would stay up until 3 a.m. just reading about my new friend because I wanted to get to know Him better. We would talk every day in the most random places — in the car, on the bus, at work, it didn’t matter because we  had so much to say. I would start conversations with people about Him, whether they knew Him or not; it didn’t matter I just wanted tell the world I was in love.

In some situations I worried people might frown upon public displays of affection such as crossing myself before eating lunch in a shopping mall cafeteria. I wrestled with what people might think, but as I got more comfortable in my relationship I learned when it was appropriate to show my affections and didn’t care so much if people saw.

Being in love gave me a greater sense of purpose. Like this was one relationship that was going to last forever. A relationship that wasn’t going to let me down. I believed it when He told me He would never break up with me and He has remained true to His word. But we have had some tough times.

Most of the time He’s the strong silent type so I don’t always realize when I am neglecting Him. Sometimes I get grumpy in the morning and don’t say hello. Sometimes I do things that really annoy Him like get greedy or gossip. Eventually I apologize and the funny thing is He always forgives me.

Lately, the distance has been getting to me. I want to close the gap further. So we’ve been talking more again and in addition to our weekly visit on Sunday, I also try to visit with Him at church on the weekdays. Some of our favourite memories have been when He gets all dressed up on the altar inside the gold thing with spikes called the monstrance and I sit before Him in adoration. He really is a chick magnet and He gets along with all types of guys. But even though He’s really busy, all I have to do is start talking to Him and He drops everything to make time for me.

The joy we felt together in the beginning is still there it has just evolved. And as long as I keep focused on my ultimate goal of being together with Him for eternity then I’m able to persevere with Him through life’s difficulties.