Book Notes: Love and Care for the Marginalized

Ellen Mongan interviews author Anne DeSantis about her new devotional.

Meet Anne DeSantis, a little person with a big message. I was blessed to have the opportunity to interview her on my WOWMOM podcast. My co-host, Jane Ann and I, learned so much from her that I thought I would share it with you.

The intent of the interview was to introduce Anne's new book, Love and Care for the Marginalized. During the interview, an even greater message was unveiled. What did Anne share that was so important for all to hear? She shared her heart.

Love and Care for the Marginalized

I began the interview by asking Anne about her walk with Jesus. Her encounter with Christ changed her life. Listen and discover why! The miracle on the outside of her physical body began a work on the inside, which is evident as she speaks. My prayer is that as you listen to her interview, God will touch your heart.

God has used Anne to do many things to build the Kingdom of God since her deep conversion to Christ. Her "Yes" to Jesus has opened doors, taught her to "walk on water" of His Word, and draw others to Him and His "living waters." You can read all of that in her bio below. Be sure to visit her website, AnneDeSantis.com.

On her journey, she has learned life lessons that she passes on to others. One message that rings out loud and clear is that people need people. She was inspired to write her newest book during the pandemic for those who are isolated, lonely, left alone, or marginalized. This devotional, Love and Care for the Marginalized, may spark you into action. It will encourage you to be the hands of Christ to those you meet along your journey.

In the interview, Anne alluded to the fact that sometimes we are the marginalized, and sometimes we are the ones who are marginalizing someone. Anne's words give us a chance to examine our hearts and ask ourselves what kind of person am I? Anne exhorts the audience with the words, "Some people do not have the love and support that they deserve."

In her bio, Anne says, "'Catholic' means universal, God's love is for all people. I try to reflect this belief in my interactions. Christianity is a life modeled after Jesus Christ who gave his life for others in order to bring life to the world through the gift of faith."

Jane Ann wisely added Jesus' words, "The harvest is plenty, but the workers are few," which is a wake-up call for all Christians. God is asking us to love and care for the marginalized. They may be the people in your own home or family or church. Do not be fooled by a parishioner with a friendly smile who shows up at church perfectly dressed and with every hair in place. Behind that smile, they may be hiding a broken heart that is crying out to be loved. Anne encourages all to recognize the marginalized.

During the interview, Anne, in her gentle way, kept bringing us back to the book. I think maybe she thought I was not listening. As a host, I am always trying to listen to God as I listen to the guest. It is a creative balance. Anne's message, as I said, was more than the book. Anne's heart for the forgotten and overlooked was sharing what cannot really be put into words.

I think St. Teresa of Ávila said it best:

Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

Do you feel like you are just going through the motions in life? Has your grown complacent in living out your faith? Are you marginalized and covering your pain with a fake smile? Do you need a touch from God today? Buy the book or listen to the interview about Anne's journey of faith. Maybe God will touch your heart or plant a seed in your soul!

I encourage you to be the arms, eyes, ears, mouth, and heart of Christ to those you meet.

Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous* will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you? And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:34-40)