Friend of the Month: Kent Bois

By Kent Bois

My wife and I have been devoted to Divine Mercy for many years. Indeed, God's mercy has been a mainstay in our house, though, at times, I've been too thick-headed to even see it! Allow me to explain.

We have always intended our home to be a house of mercy. We even consecrated our house to God and vowed that whomever He wants in our home - whether they be foster children, friends, or even family members in need - we will take care of them. There have been many over the years. It has gotten a little snug at times, but we've managed.

My wife and I have three kids. We wanted more, but we weren't able to conceive any more. Then, two years ago, through the foster-care program, our Merciful Lord sent us two little girls. The first was about three months old. She was in the hospital and was in pretty rough shape, medically. The second girl was only two days old. Both desperately needed good, loving parents and would probably be available for adoption.

Then, things got interesting. The social worker told us that, under state regulations, our house didn't have enough bedrooms for us to adopt the two girls. Unable to build an addition by our own means, we started to look for grants or possible donors that might want to help. Our pastor spearheaded a fundraiser, which raised an amazing $25,000! So what was my reaction? At first, I was elated and overwhelmed . But then I started focusing on the funds that we still needed to finish the project, and I became anxious and worried.

A year went by as we had lost the chance to start building due to winter. This past spring, we knew we had to start building even if we did not have all the funds. What does God do this time? He arranged for me to meet a wonderful young couple from California who were visiting the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, MA, where I work. We spent time together, and really enjoyed each other's company.

Soon after the couple returned home, the man - his name is John Belies - called and said he wanted to donate a month of his time to help me build the addition. Oh, did I mention he's a building contractor? But once again, after my initial amazement, what did I do? I focused on the negative. I started thinking, "What if John can't finish in the time he's here?"

After about a week of all this negativity, I was sitting in the adoration chapel in my parish and thinking about how uncomfortable I was with my attitude. I knew I was wrong to be worrying about what I didn't have. God must have sent the Holy Spirit because, suddenly, my attitude changed. I asked myself, How many people are given $25,000, then sent a builder just when they need one? The answer: no one!

I started to really see how much God's mercy was at work. Has He given us all we need all at once? No. Do we still have needs? Yes. But, for every step we take in faith, God has blessed us. I have learned to be thankful for the miracles of mercy He is sending.

By the way, did I mention my hours at work were switched? Now I have off on the days that my friend can work. God even arranged that little detail for me!
If all goes well, and I'm betting it will, our addition should be finished by Christmas - about the time our social worker says our two foster children's adoptions may go through. So can God bless a spiritually thick-headed man like me? Yes, He can! Jesus, I trust in You!

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