BEING HUMAN MEANS THAT WE EXPERIENCE LOSS OR DOUBT OR BROKENNESS. And when these experiences happen, they can be overwhelmingly hard on our physical, mental, and spiritual health. But it is also during these times—when we often feel farthest from God—that we may be the most capable of growing closer to Him and doing His will. In other

words, we can turn our brokenness into holiness and bring God’s light to the world in greater measure.

Those who have overcome struggle know what it’s like to be struggling. Those who have embraced sobriety know what it’s like to be craving that next high. Those who have been pulled out of their own personal hell are best equipped to reach a hand into the darkness and tell their fellow man, “I’ve been there, and I can help you.” For anyone who feels lost or broken, these are stories of hope.

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Injury Led St. Ignatius to See God

St. Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish priest and theologian. Born in 1491, this zealous young man entered the military at age 17, dreaming of wartime glory and chivalrous fame. He also enjoyed dancing, gambling, and pursuing women. At the time, he was certainly not someone who seemed destined for sainthood.

Then, in 1521, while defending a fortress in the Battle of Pamplona, Ignatius arrogantly refused to surrender to France’s superior military. In the ensuing battle, Ignatius was hit by a cannonball that fractured his leg—and his soldiers were either severely wounded or killed. He realized that his pride had led to this devastation, and it haunted him through his lengthy recovery.

While he was bedridden, Ignatius was given two books to read: one on the life of Christ, and the other on the lives of the saints. These faith-filled books opened Ignatius’ heart to Jesus, and he began to figure out how he could best live the rest of his life grounded in his newfound faith.

Though his conversion did not happen overnight, this kind of epiphany is now known as a “cannonball moment” because it teaches us that sometimes unexpected tragedies force us to stand still, reconsider our lives, and change direction.

St. Ignatius wanted to imitate the humble life of St. Francis of Assisi. After developing his own prayer practices, now called the Spiritual Exercises, he attracted his own followers and formed the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. Contrary to other religious orders, the Jesuits considered the world their monastery, so they opened colleges wherever they could and strived to spread the word of God.

In experiencing brokenness, St. Ignatius’ original pursuits of drinking, womanizing, and warfare evolved into a holy life of faith, charity, and wisdom.

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“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your minds.” —Romans 12:2

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From Homeless to Hope-Filled

“I was sleeping under a bridge. I was one of those guys you see holding a cardboard sign on the offramps.” For years, this was Kevin Batsford’s life.

In an interview with The Catholic Sun, he explained that several bad decisions got him addicted to cocaine and alcohol, which drove him away from his family and led to him living on the streets in Syracuse, New York. Most days, he didn’t know how he was going to eat—or if he was going to live.

In 2013, John Tumino, co-director of In My Father’s Kitchen—a non-profit to help the local homeless—drove past Batsford at an intersection. Tumino heard God tell him to turn around, so he picked up some lunch for Batsford and went back to him, saying, “The Lord wanted me to feed you.” A couple of days later, Tumino came back. Again, he brought Batsford lunch, and they prayed together. In time, they became friends.

Soon after, Batsford’s brother, who was also homeless, died in a fire. That was the final straw for Kevin. He checked into the Salvation Army Adult Rehab Center to get himself clean and sober. A few weeks later, he visited the Center’s chapel and gave himself to God. It was God, Batsford said, who got him through those difficult months of detox.

Tumino served as Batsford’s mentor after the program, helping him find a job, get an apartment, and find his new purpose in life. Batsford said, “I realized that God helped me get clean so that I could help other guys.”

Batsford now helps others as manager of the program Hire Ground, which offers homeless individuals opportunities to do day labor, receive free breakfast and lunch, and earn a little money. Sober for 10 years and counting, Batsford reunited with his daughters and granddaughter and is living life to the fullest:

“It’s all God,” he said. “He’s done so much in my life, and He just continues to bless me.”

 

“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28

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It’s OK to Admit You’re Not OK

Drew Robinson was living his best life—at least, that’s what he wanted the world to think. The 32-year-old from Nevada had a supportive fiancée and family, while playing for Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers—and then, St. Louis Cardinals. What the world didn’t know was that Robinson was struggling with anxiety and depression.

In 2020, after leaving baseball, Robinson attempted to take his own life. A gunshot to his right temple resulted in loss of sight in his right eye, but left no other injury. It was in this darkest moment that Robinson came to see the light. His against-all-odds survival convinced him to help others who were struggling.

Now, Robinson is using his second chance to spread awareness about mental health, suicide prevention, and that “it is OK not to be OK.” During a talk at Oklahoma State University, he explained:

“I’m here to help others. I’m here to tell anyone that no matter what internal battle is happening within you, you are strong enough mentally and physically to overcome it.”

 

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” —2 Timothy 1:7

 

Last Words of Compassion

Rosie Minor, a 75-year-old from DeKalb County, Georgia, was driving home when a distracted driver hit her vehicle and sent Minor into a utility pole. She was taken to the hospital but died a few hours later.

Earlier that day, Minor had called a prayer line of friends and members of her church, leaving behind what would be her final recorded message:

“God showers His grace upon us one after another, so we have every reason in the world to be thankful every day.” Nikia Cherry, the driver who caused the accident, was charged with vehicular homicide. She had been going nearly twice the speed limit and using her phone while driving. As reported in Atlanta News First, she “pleaded guilty…received a $2,500 fine and was sentenced to 24 months of probation and 240 hours of community service.”

But Staci Green, one of Minor’s daughters, wanted Cherry to go to jail. “I was consumed with anger,” she recalled. “How do you forgive the person who killed your mom?” Green lost her job due to grief and an ever-growing resentment. What she didn’t know was that Cherry struggled mightily with guilt. She also lost her job, home, and car. Three years later, Green and Cherry met in a DeKalb County courtroom to settle a civil lawsuit against Cherry’s car insurance company. For the trial, attorneys played a recording of Rosie Minor’s voice: they chose the prayer she recorded before she died. After that, her daughter knew what she had to do. Green approached Cherry in the hallway and said, “I need you to know, I forgive you.”

“For her to do that, it changed me in so many ways,” Cherry said. After the courtroom meeting, the two women kept in touch. Green helped Cherry out financially and assisted in finding her transportation and housing. Cherry later joined the same church where Minor once worshiped. She calls Green “a Godmother.” Green concluded: “In order to get my life back, I had to forgive her.” At some point in life, we all wind up broken in some way. But with God’s help, we can walk through that brokenness and become better, holier, more merciful and compassionate people. So, the next time you find yourself in darkness, try to make choices that move you toward the light.

 

“The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.” —Ernest Hemingway