Finding Heart’s Home in Texas

by Margaret Flynn, Frat Max Member

“Here in Texas I am touched by so many people everyday. My patients at the hos­pital share their lives and fears with me, my coworkers in the army share their frus­tra­tions and their lone­li­ness that comes with being in the mil­i­tary, and my church com­mu­nity shares with me the joys of our faith.

I would like to tell you about my friend from church, Maria. Maria’s hus­band, Joe, is in the mil­i­tary and is now com­pletely dis­abled after returning from a deploy­ment. This summer he was admitted to the hos­pital where I work for two weeks. It was a strange col­li­sion of my per­sonal life and my life as a nurse, but our friend­ship deep­ened as a result. I was able to share Maria’s pain during my visits and pray with her went she felt com­pletely vul­ner­able. She never com­plained or asked for pity. I admire her faith and unfailing trust in God. When Joe was dis­charged, she told me that she always wanted a sister, and is si glad that God has given her one- me. She is watching her hus­band slowly lose his mind and the con­trol of his body, and yet she still has so much love and joy to share with others. She has touched my heart.

Maria and Joe have reminded me of what it means to live out the simple charism of Heart’s Home. They reminded me of my com­mit­ment to the Frat Max and that we must always seek to live with com­pas­sion and love.”