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 | By Danielle McGrew Tenbusch

Learning to trust the author

Many years ago, I stumbled across a quote from Mother Teresa (now St. Teresa of Kolkata) that I return to over and over again. As writing turned from a hobby to a career, it became somewhat of a motto.

“I am like a little pencil in [God’s] hand. That is all. He does the thinking. He does the writing.”

Like many journalists, I was aware that I did not author the stories I wrote. The stories, I felt, were people’s own, and my duty was to give them a platform to share it. Over the past decade working with FAITH Saginaw and Great Lakes Bay Catholic, I have learned that when we are docile to the Holy Spirit, the “true author” (so to speak) is the Lord.  

And thank God for that! Who but the Lord could take the sadness, tragedies and brokenness of our fallen world and bring forth stories of hope, joy and salvation? The Divine Author writes stories more wonderful than I could imagine.

“We know that all things work for good for those who love God,” St. Paul tells the Romans. (Rom. 8:28)

This Christmas Eve begins the Jubilee Year of Hope (see page 4). The theological virtue of hope is not merely wishing, but is to desire the Kingdom and place our trust in Christ’s promises.

I invite you to read how God has rewritten the story of Derek Pfaff of Harbor Beach. His suicide attempt 10 years ago did not end his story. FAITH Saginaw first shared his journey in Spring 2021. Now, we are grateful to share the work of transformation the Divine Author has done in Derek's life.

Thank you for reading Great Lakes Bay Catholic.

To Jesus through Mary,

Danielle


Danielle McGrew Tenbusch serves as editor of Great Lakes Bay Catholic magazine and is the marketing and admissions coordinator for the Office of Catholic Schools.