As I continue rehabbing at home, everyday Raphael and I (I've named my walker) take a stroll up and down the four houses that make up the cluster of homes attached to my townhouse. Sometimes Raphael and I spend the time engaged in conversation; sometimes I pray; sometimes I use the time to reflect. Today was a reflection day. Here's what I came up with:
- It's a struggle to go uphill; it's a lot easier going downhill or along level ground. Isn't that true also of life? It's really tough when we face the uphill moments in our life. Like me during my walk, we often wonder if we will ever reach where we want to go or where life is taking us. We sweat out those moments - our hearts race; we get weary. But the thing I've learned during my walks is that every hill is followed by a stretch of level ground or even a downhill slope that is refreshing and allows me to breath easier, relax my muscles and appreciate where I'm at. The uphill struggle was worth it - It made me stronger; it made me more appreciative; it gave me a sense of accomplishment. Same thing with the uphill struggles of life, don't you think?
- When I walk, I look down - I don't look up at how far I still have to go. Sometimes I'll even stop and look back. In not looking up, I don't get discouraged at how far I still have to go. In looking down, I appreciate where I'm at. And in looking back, I celebrate how far I've come. I find this is also true about my rehabilitation. I can't look up, because sadly, I still have a long way to go. So many people have asked me the question that I ask myself everyday. When can I return to church - to the ministry . . . to the parishioners I love. The answer is, I don't know yet, and I've learned that to look up the hill that I'm climbing and to see how far I still have to go in my rehabilitation is discouraging. It's not where I want to be . . . It's not where I thought I would be. So, I've learned to look down and back. Looking down, I appreciate where I'm at in my rehabilitation; looking back I'm excited about how far I've come. Even though I'm not where I would hope to be, everyday I'm feeling better, getting stronger, and have more stamina.
Perhaps the walk that Raphael and I took today and the truth I discovered for myself might have meaning for you too. What are your uphill struggles? Discouraged by how far you still have to go before you're at where you want to be . . . who you want to be? Is the walk that you're now walking tiring, perhaps even painful - physically, emotionally, financially, spiritually? Don't look up. Don't look at how far you are from where you want to be - free from your problem, your pain, so far from the goal you've set for yourself, the success you desire. Instead, look down and look back. Appreciate where you're at right now and celebrate how far you've come.
I am so appreciative of all the prayers you've said for me and I humbly ask that you continue to pray for me. Likewise, your comments and messages 0n Facebook and the texts and cards you’ve sent mean so much to me and give me the motivation to continue as I pick up my cross daily and strive to follow in the footsteps of our Lord. God bless you!
