Broken Elevators and God's Presence

A couple years ago, a nun got stuck in an elevator at her convent. The elevator broke down with the nun inside while her sisters were away at a convention. As a result, she was left stranded, alone for three days and four nights.

Having celery and a jar of water, the sister was able to meet her physical needs. But, the bigger challenges came in her spiritual and emotional life. The isolation was frightening. The nun wondered if anyone would come and get her.

In the midst of that difficult situation, the nun turned to God. The nun told Time Magazine, “It was either panic or pray.” The nun decided to pray.  In fact, the sister treated her alone time like a prayer retreat. She talked with Jesus for three days until her sisters came to her rescue. In hindsight, she described the experience as a “gift.”

That woman’s story is an important reminder of God’s presence in each of our lives. Challenges do pop up and make us feel like we are all alone. We are tempted to forget that God is near and available. Yet, we have Jesus’ promise at the end of the Gospel of Matthew: “I am with you always, even to the very end of the age,” (28:20).

As you go through the coming week, remember that God is with you. You are not alone. When challenges arise and you feel like you are all by yourself, pray. Call on Him. Speak to Jesus. As you do, you will find resources for facing life’s challenges. You might also find a prayer retreat in the most unlikely of places.