Feb. 19: Made in His Image

“I don’t think I would be alive today if it wasn’t for the hope God had to offer that there is so much more to life than the suffering I was going through at the time.”

For 26-year-old New Jersey native Maura Byrne, that suffering stemmed from 15 years of physical abuse, an eating disorder and serious self-image issues.  The turning point in Maura’s struggles occurred during a summer she spent in Calcutta, India, volunteering with the late Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity.  Though raised by Catholic parents, Maura had no conception of the role God’s love could play in her life.

Maura says, “One of the missionaries told me about God the Father’s love.  I remember breaking down in tears, and I wanted to get to know this loving God.  It happened through time spent in Eucharistic adoration, discovering my dignity as a daughter of God created in His image and likeness.”

Maura has now created a ministry called Made In His Image which provides support and counseling to young women dealing with abuse and eating disorders.

Seek Me and live. (Amos 5:4)

Jesus, help me see myself through Your eyes.