You're in or you're out

By BERNADETTE BONANNO- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

As a child, when autumn turned into winter and the heat was turned on, my parents scolded me for holding the front door open. They'd say, "The heat's on! You're either in or you're out!"

This distinction of being either "in or out" comes to mind whenever I receive a spiritual prompting. A situation arises. The heat is on, so to speak, and I must make a quick decision about whether or not to follow the prompt.

I either hold my tongue and believe the best of others or I judge.

I either choose generosity or selfishness.

I either take care of myself or I wear myself down trying to please and impress others.

I either hold my husband as the most important person in my life or I push him down on my priority list.

I either shut off the world's noise and block out prayer time or I use my oh-so-familiar "busy day" excuse.

I either live my life to glorify God or glorify me.

I am either in or I'm out.

We recently completed another year of confirmation preparation at my parish. I admire the young people I help to prepare for this sacrament. They don't tolerate hypocrisy and their attentiveness in class requires a concise expression and genuine demonstration of faith.

I attempt to inspire them to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Every year, it's a challenge.

Five years ago, our son Jesse was working out at a gym in Houston, TX. A man in a wheelchair named Kevin Saunders came in and asked, "Does anyone know how to hook up a Nintendo Wii?"

No one in the room looked up to respond to this stranger in a wheelchair. Warily, Jesse said, "I do," and walked next door to a beautiful condo to help the guy out. He met Kevin's wife, Dora, and hooked up the Wii.

As Jesse was getting ready to leave, Kevin asked, "Would you like to see the rest of my place?" Cautiously, Jesse agreed.

Kevin wheeled down the hallway and opened a door. The room was filled with pictures of him, in his wheelchair, with U.S. presidents, dignitaries and actors. Kevin told Jess his story of being paralyzed and becoming an international motivational speaker.

Then he said, "So, tell me about yourself." Jesse told Kevin he was a musician and showed him his website. Kevin mentioned he had organized a benefit for cancer survivors and asked if Jesse would write a theme song for the upcoming event. Jesse agreed, went back to his apartment and quickly composed a song called "Never Alone."

Unfortunately, Kevin was unable to use the song at the benefit, but Jesse decided to record it anyway. Five years later, "Never Alone" has been played on internet platforms eight million times.

Many people with endearing foreign accents have uploaded recordings of themselves sing-ing it. People from all over the world have been comforted by this song at both sacred and secular celebrations of life and death - all because Jesse was prompted, looked up and responded.

It's a rare privilege to see the chain of events resulting from our random acts of kindness. Love is eternal. The prompts are there for all of us. We just have to be ready and willing because, when the heat's on, we're either in or we're out.

(Mrs. Bonanno attends St. Mary's parish in Albany. She can be reached at [email protected].) [[In-content Ad]]