It’s Not Where We Start

On the fourth Sunday of Lent, I walked through the church doors with an extremely heavy heart. The past couple of months tested my mind, body and soul in a familiar way. I had been here before.  #

“Has anyone in here ever tried to quit smoking,” Fr. Kevin Nodalski asked. One person raised their hand. #

Then he asked if anyone had tried more than one diet. A few more hands were raised. Finally, he asked if anyone ran the marathon on Saturday. #

After several congratulatory words to the runners, he spoke to the achievement of finishing the race. #

“It’s a long long race. Throughout that race there are many stations and many strangers provide water,” Nodalski said. #

Life is a marathon all of us signed up for unknowingly. Admittedly, I stopped many times in the past couple of months to drink water from a stranger. It was nourishing at the time, but eventually, I needed to pick up and keep running towards the finish line.  #

These words of grace reminded me why I am as compassionate as I am and have patience for those seeking resolve, even when it’s at the risk of slowing down my pace. Everyone misses the mark sometimes.  #

Nodalski lifted my heavy heart on Sunday when he reminded me everyone is capable of a fresh start. #

“For those of us who struggled to find resolve the first time, happy feast day!”  #

Good luck at the next station. #