One day at a time
A couple of months ago I received a blessing in the form of a new job. After ten months of unemployment, it was a bit of a shock for my daily routine. But I was really happy to finally start working full-time again. While being unemployed, I spent a lot of time at my own pace. I didn’t have to hurry or reach various deadlines. I totally forgot how fast the pace of the world was. And perhaps this was a huge blessing too.
This world is so fast. We want to have everything right now at this moment and it is so easy nowadays to get what we want in an instant. It sometimes reminds me of a child who is not afraid to scream and throw themselves on the floor because they want their teddy bear right now. We are the same. Well, except the screaming and the throwing ourselves on the floor part! We get frustrated when the internet slows down or an app crashes, we want our delivery ASAP and are willing to get Amazon Prime because it’s quicker. We are not willing to wait, we do not have time to wait...
We rarely realise that good things really do take time.
It takes time ...
… it takes time to find a new job for example. For me, it took ten whole months. It takes time to learn to paint with watercolours, you cannot become an expert overnight. It takes a whole lot of time to heal from past wounds or to be free from a particular sin you are struggling with. Even the greatest saints and doctors of the Church had to strive daily to become the saints as we know them nowadays. They had to go through hardships, renouncing and healing too and it definitely was not a matter of a few days. Everything we desire in this life and everything we believe God has put on our hearts is there for a reason.
For example, we may have a relationship we want to fix and we want to do so right away, but this takes time and patience. It is not possible to do so in an instant. It is great that we want it quickly, actually, it is great that we want it at all, and that is the first step. Yet every ‘becoming’ is a process. Becoming holier, becoming more patient, becoming a better husband or wife, a more loving mother or father, becoming more forgiving and trusting - it all takes time. Restoration takes time too. Understanding and embracing the process of becoming brings us peace and joy. The pressure of perfection we have been putting on ourselves lifts and we can see more clearly that it all takes one step at a time. What is important is that we make that first step.
A Mosaic
Have you ever seen any of Rupnik’s mosaics? If not, Google them! They are extremely beautiful and unique in their style and symbolism. I love mosaics because they show how something, once broken, can be transformed into something beautiful. When a skilled artist sees a broken jar or tiles he/she can create a beautiful mosaic just by putting together these small broken pieces. Mosaics also show how important the process is. It took several weeks for Rupnik to create some of his most famous works. Several weeks to create art! We all are like this mosaic. Our problems and struggles are like these small broken pieces that are waiting to be created into something beautiful. The thing is that we need an artist, God’s hand. We need Him to pick it all up again and make something beautiful out of our brokenness and oftentimes the mess we have made in our lives. It takes time and sometimes far longer than we would like.
Believe In Love
The scepticism of some people I have had the pleasure to meet or sometimes my own scepticism in some areas makes me think about the reason of some of our struggles. Oftentimes, it is not the absence of love or not being able to love but the mere fact that we as people do not believe in love that brings mess to our relationships and lives. We find it difficult to believe that people genuinely love us, and when we find out that they do, we struggle to accept it. Have you ever found yourself in that position? Perhaps it has not happened to you or perhaps you know how it feels. But accepting that we are unconditionally loved by the One who created us and brought us life is the first step. Love and only love brings healing and restoration. Love encourages us to step outside our comfort zone and reach out to those who need us and who need our forgiveness. Love heals our wounds and transforms our hearts. Believe in love. Believe that God truly loves you. And then believe in the love of those around you because it is there. Sometimes a simple kind word from a friend can bring forgiveness and healing. And last but not least, believe that you are capable of great love! And your love can change things and bring much light into the lives of those around you.
If we are rooted in God’s love things change … “Abide in my love” (John 15:9). His love changes everything. It changes situations but it happens one day at a time. It restores broken relationships but it happens one day at a time. It brings healing but it happens one day at a time. His love encourages us to forgive and trust and love others. Yet we know that it all takes time. He is patient with me … but am I patient with myself?