"A Light Unseen"

"How we choose to face challenges, with courage and positivity, can determine our growth and ability to thrive."

Here’s a fictional story blending themes of marketing, faith, and living with a disorder while serving the Church:

Amara stood at the entrance of St. John’s Cathedral, feeling the hum of life around her. The heavy wooden doors, the scent of incense, and the murmur of people gathering inside for Sunday service brought her comfort. Yet, despite the peace she sought in the Church, a lingering question haunted her: Can I really serve here, knowing my mind sometimes works against me?

Amara had always been a sharp, creative marketer. Her work at a local firm was known for its innovative campaigns. But after her diagnosis of epilepsy a year ago, everything changed. The world of marketing, once her playground, had become a maze. Her neurological disorder brought unexpected absences, disorientation, and the fear of losing control in public spaces. How could she manage a marketing campaign when she couldn’t always manage her own mind?

She had started attending St. John’s a few months after her diagnosis, hoping to find a sense of purpose outside her career. The pastor, Father Paul, often spoke about service as an expression of faith. Yet, Amara questioned if she could truly serve with her condition. She feared she might become more of a burden than a help.

One Sunday, after the sermon, Amara lingered near the entrance, lost in thought. Father Paul approached her with his gentle smile. “Amara, I’ve noticed you’ve been here a lot lately. You have a gift for communication—I’ve seen your social media posts. Have you ever thought about helping us with our marketing efforts?”

Amara felt her throat tighten. “I… I’m not sure I’m capable of that anymore,” she replied. “I’ve been struggling with epilepsy, and my mind isn’t always reliable. How can I serve when I can’t even trust myself sometimes?”

Father Paul looked at her, a compassionate expression in his eyes. “Serving isn’t about perfection, Amara. It’s about offering what we have, even when it feels broken. God doesn’t call the flawless; He calls the willing. Your experience, your creativity, even your struggle—they can all be part of your service.”

She didn’t know how to respond. Could her disorder, the thing she had been trying to hide and overcome, actually be something that could help her serve?

Over the next few weeks, Amara found herself slowly getting involved in the Church’s marketing committee. She started with small tasks: writing blog posts about upcoming events, designing simple flyers. The work was a balm to her anxiety, and despite the occasional challenges brought by her condition, she found herself growing more confident.

One evening, the committee gathered to discuss an upcoming campaign for the church’s new outreach initiative. As ideas swirled around the room, Amara had a sudden inspiration. “What if we create a campaign that’s all about unseen struggles? We could focus on how faith is a source of strength for those dealing with invisible challenges—whether it’s illness, grief, or any internal battle. We can use personal stories to connect with people who feel unseen, like I sometimes do.”

The room went quiet as her words sank in. Father Paul nodded thoughtfully. “That’s a powerful message, Amara. It speaks directly to what so many are going through.”

The campaign was a success. It featured stories from parishioners about their unseen struggles and how their faith had helped them carry on. Amara’s own testimony about living with epilepsy was part of it. The response was overwhelming—people reached out, sharing their own experiences, grateful for a campaign that resonated so deeply with their personal journeys.

Through this experience, Amara realized that serving the Church wasn’t about being perfect. It was about bringing her whole self—flaws, strengths, and all. Her epilepsy, far from disqualifying her from service, had given her the insight to create a campaign that touched hearts and reached people in ways she had never imagined.

In the end, she discovered that her neurological disorder didn’t limit her ability to serve—it simply made her service more meaningful. Through faith and marketing, she found a way to shine a light on the unseen, both in herself and in others.

Reflection:

Amara’s story shows that even with a neurological disorder, serving is possible and can be deeply impactful. Her faith, combined with her marketing skills, allowed her to find new meaning in both her personal and professional life. Rather than seeing her disorder as a limitation, she embraced it as part of her service, demonstrating how faith and personal challenges can blend to create something truly inspiring.