Recent youth retreat pointed focus on others

By Marley Arnaud, Guest Column

I am most inspired by a passage found in Psalm 46:5 (NIV): “God is within her, she will not fail. God will help her at the break of day.”

In applying this to my life, I am encouraged to be a better person.

At 17, approaching my senior high school year, I am proud of who I have become and happy with me. Yet, I look forward to continued growth spiritually, academically, emotionally and physically. I want to be who God would have me to be.

The Habari Gani retreat May 3-5 at Camp Abbey gave me time to reflect on how I can improve my relationship with God. I want God to dwell in me so that others can see God in my works, hear him in my conversation and witness the miracle of his greatness in my success.

Prayerfully, I accept my role to lead others to the faith, humbled by the chance to encourage peers and my younger brothers and sisters in Christ. I know that with God, I will not fail. Failure comes only in not trying.

I have learned that my success is in my resilience. My flesh is aware of temptations. The retreat highlighted the importance of identifying temptations. Habari Gani reminded me of how blessed I am and of my charge to be a blessing to others.

Marley Arnaud is a St. Peter Claver parishioner, where she is vice president of St. Peter Claver Youth Ministry, has been an altar server and youth choir member. She is an honor roll student at St. Katharine Drexel Prep, where she is a cheerleader, Junior Class vice president and Future Business Leaders of America sergeant-at- arms. She is a Teen C.R.O.S.S. member and on the board of The Eagles Soar Foundation.