--- title: Being a Witness by Sarah Reinhard description: Being a Witness by Sarah Reinhard --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2010/08/13/being-a-witness-by-sarah-reinhard#) # Being a Witness by Sarah Reinhard Aug 13, 2010 11:00:39 AM  |  by [Sarah Reinhard](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/sarah-reinhard) [![](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/reinhard_new-100x150-20.jpg?width=100&height=150&name=reinhard_new-100x150-20.jpg "reinhard_new")](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/reinhard_new-20.jpg)I was sitting in McDonald’s, minding my own business. There were plenty of other people there, as I knew there would be, but I had counted on being alone in the crowd. I had a book, my iPod, and a guaranteed half-hour before we had to leave. The kids were delighted with this rare treat  ("We get to go *inside*?! *And* play on the Play Place?!?") and were behaving and having a blast. It was shaping up to be a very nice lunch treat. "Is anyone sitting here?" The seat in question was at the next table. There was really no need to ask *me*. The only reason, in fact, for asking me would be to engage me in conversation. When I looked up, the word "No" already coming out of my mouth, I saw a teenaged girl. She met my eyes and smiled. It was looking unlikely that I would be getting any reading done. "Are you from around here?" Though about five different alarm bells went off in my head, I quieted them and gave her my best generic answer, returning fire: "Indeed we are. How about you? What brings you to our town?" As it turns out, she was part of a mission trip. There was a big blue bus in the parking lot, and after she pointed to it, a friend of hers came over and introduced herself. I couldn’t resist turning the tables. (Not only am I a writer-type, I’m also pretty gabby. And hey, she asked for it!) I asked her where she had been, what they had done, how she felt herself changed. Her friend, who must have seen that I was going to prevent the goal from being accomplished (yes, I knew there was a goal, and I had a pretty good idea about what it was), asked me, almost interrupting, "So, do you have a church home?" Ah. There it was. Though they had referenced seeing God at work throughout their six-week mission tour, and though I had been supportive of them in my responses, they had a *Goal*. There wasn’t time to think of a great response. There wasn’t time to formulate a pithy remark or go into doctrinal teaching. Though I knew what their Goal *probably* was, I didn’t want to play defense. Not only is defense not natural, it doesn’t win anyone or convince them. "Yes, we do. We go to St. Joseph over in the nearby town." I wanted to say more. Afterward, I wondered if I should have shared how becoming Catholic changed my perspective on Christianity, how it opened my heart to a Jesus Who was more than a theory. "How long have you been attending? Are you happy there?" How do I explain happiness to two teenagers who are in the height of their summer mission trip, stopping at a McDonald’s for an hour to share Jesus with the folks in the Play Place? "Well, let’s see. I guess I’ve been attending with my husband for almost nine years now. We are very happy. God is good." There must have been a big signal at that point, because there was a murmur of "We have to go." I wished them well. Why, I reflected, were there tears in my eyes? At that moment, one of my kids needed me, and I was diverted. I looked up and saw a family close to me praying with another teen. The tears, which had gone away, were instantly back. What kind of witness am I? How do I represent Jesus to the people around me? While you won’t find me approaching people in McDonald’s, what do my actions say about what I believe? Do I have the courage to share what’s important when the time is right? Do I have the wisdom to keep silent when I’ll incite someone? Do I care enough to let my tears shine through for those things closest to my heart? I hope so. I *pray* so. And I hope and pray that those two girls continue in their journey with Jesus. ***Copyright 2010 Sarah Reinhard*** ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2010%2F08%2F13%2Fbeing-a-witness-by-sarah-reinhard%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2010%2F08%2F13%2Fbeing-a-witness-by-sarah-reinhard%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2010%2F08%2F13%2Fbeing-a-witness-by-sarah-reinhard%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Being%20a%20Witness%20by%20Sarah%20Reinhard) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2010%2F08%2F13%2Fbeing-a-witness-by-sarah-reinhard%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2010%2F08%2F13%2Fbeing-a-witness-by-sarah-reinhard%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Sarah Reinhard](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contriubutors/SARAH%20REINHARD.jpeg) ### [Sarah Reinhard](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/sarah-reinhard) When she’s not chasing kids, chugging coffee, or juggling work, Sarah Reinhard’s usually trying to stay up read just one … more … chapter. She writes and works in the midst of rural farm life with little ones underfoot. She is part of the team for the award-winning *Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion*, as well as the author of [a number of books](http://sarahreinhard.com/my-books/). ## Related Blog Articles [ Books, Hurting & Prayer with Sarah Reinhard Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2018/08/24/books-hurting-prayer-with-sarah-reinhard/) [ Baby Beginner's Bible Board Books Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2013/09/07/book-giveaway-baby-beginners-bible-board-books) [ Respect Life Books, Kids' Books, Good Books! Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/10/04/weekly-giveaway-respect-life-books-kids-books-good-books) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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