Angela never questioned her faith. She went to church all 30 years of her life.

She led a moral, spiritual, good life. And she had been miserable as long as she could remember. She was divorced, with two children, studying for the bar exam, and out of work.

Lolly interviewed Angela for a job but had to tell her that there were no openings. Sensing the deep sadness in Angela, Lolly said, "I never do this, but it is about time for lunch. Would you like to join me?"

Over lunch, Angela poured out her heart. It had been so long since anyone even listened. When she finished, Lolly said, "Angela, you need to go to a Buddhist meeting so that you can learn how to overcome your sufferings."

Angela didn't understand how a Buddhist meeting would help her, but she trusted Lolly.

The atmosphere of the Buddhist meeting was bright and encouraging. Angela started chanting. Shortly after that, she received her own Gohonzon.

One day, she found herself chanting and thinking, "Didn't God tell us not to chant to graven images? What am I doing? Won't God strike me dead with lightning?

"I am an intelligent woman. Why am I repeating these words to a piece of paper?" 

Then she remembered her life before she started chanting. She had had no hope. She saw herself slumping and staring at the ground. Remembering this, she straightened her back and held her head high. 

Her Daimoku resounded with fervor.

Angela has practiced for seventeen years and now considers herself to be a teenager (because her Buddhist birthday is her real birthday).

It has been a bumpy road, but now she is a lawyer, her kids are graduated, and God hasn't struck her with lightning yet.

Life is good.

[This experience was given at a recent Introductory Meeting.]