Three weeks ago, I had the honor of introducing Sister Joeann Daley, a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa and artist, at the celebration of the newly restored Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Endeavor, Wisconsin. Sister Joeann was in her early 20s when she created the shrine’s mosaic of Our Lady and St. Juan Diego; now, in her 80s, she still carries the same spark of faith and creativity.
On our two-hour drive, she spoke of “thresholds” in her life—moments when she found herself in a place and time that later proved to give her life incredible meaning. She grew up on a rural Wisconsin farm, encouraged by her dad who recognized her passion for art, and later joined the Sinsinawa sisters to become a teacher. She recalled many opportunities, one of the most meaningful being her “yes” to move to Anaconda, Montana.
Thresholds in Christian Faith
Church doors and the threshold serve as a reminder that we are stepping out of everyday life and into sacred space. Roman Catholic Bishops’ guidelines on church architecture highlight this passageway as “a secure, steady symbol of Christ, the Good Shepherd and the door.” We leave distractions of the world behind and become fully present with Christ.
But thresholds aren’t only places we physically enter, they can be metaphorical too.
The Psychology of Thresholds
Life is a series of thresholds that can transition us to new opportunities. Research in psychology, including Martin Seligman’s work on optimism, shows that leveraging our virtue strengths during these moments is powerful for growth and flourishing.
From a Christian perspective, thresholds are holy moments that may not look like much at the time. They are moments when we say yes to something new, sometimes letting go of something old. They may be large or small, yet they alter our lives. There is beauty in living long enough to reflect on these moments in the tapestry of our lives. Hopefully we grow in gratitude and wonder how God has revealed to us who we are and how we are called through them. We are Divinely created and beloved beyond measure, endowed with gifts of the Holy Spirit at our baptism to help us along the way.
A Small Yes Answered a Prayer Many Years Later
We were new to town, a young family without many friends yet. We became familiar with a family in the “crying room” at Mass. One Sunday, I begged the 9-month pregnant mom to please let me know when her fourth child arrived. I brought them a meal after her daughter was born. Later she invited me to join a liturgy group.
Many years later, I sent an email to that group asking for prayers – my husband’s fear was paramount with the cluster headaches he was suffering. A friend from the group replied with confidence that she knew an excellent neurologist and arranged an appointment for the next day for us as the physician was booked up for six months. This doctor became a lifeline, along the way helping him address his pain better each time. A new threshold happened in 2024 – an answer to Jeff’s 30-year battle with an every 3-year cycle of torturous pain. A new medication came to be that completely eliminated his pain without any issues.
From that one threshold, saying yes to Mass with restless children came a ripple of goodness in our family life in countless connections. “Yes” moments that don’t seem to matter much in the moment open the door for God to bless us in ways we could never anticipate.
Recognizing Your Thresholds
We often don’t appreciate thresholds until much later in life. Looking back, we can trace how one decision led to another, forming a tapestry of God’s providence. Sister Joeann reminded me that some thresholds we choose, others we do not, but they all shape us.
Reflection Prompts
- What thresholds in your life, big or small, have changed your direction?
- Were they ones you chose, or ones that chose you?
- How has God revealed His presence through those moments?
- Which current “door” in your life might you be called to step through?
We are not alone at the threshold. Every threshold in life is an invitation to let the Holy Spirit guide us into the blessings God has for us. When you see the bounty of those yeses, you will feel even more encouraged to step through the next threshold.
If you are interested in learning more about Joeann Daley, OP, you may read about her here.
To connect with Suzi Ellington, visit her directory profile at
https://www.catholiclifecoaches.com/suzanne-ellington
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