There are many wonderful and awesome things that I run into on a daily and weekly basis. Sometimes, it is truly remarkable what I get to see and hear. Sometimes, it is truly what is happening in the lives of people that I see. I am thankful for this. These things are big events, but most of the time they are small things. The small things add up though, and this can be beautiful. Are we able to see the beauty in what is happening in the lives of people? Are we thankful to God for the way that He is working? God is alive and He is working. So often we get so focused on the negative, and we are critical of what is not happening. We may even approach God this way, but we should be honest with God, telling Him our thoughts, feelings and desires and not filter them, just say to God this is what you are thinking, feeling or desiring. But many times we tell God what He is doing wrong, and we bring this attitude to everything we deal with. When we deal with things like this, we miss the beauty of the little things going on around us, and we miss how God is working in little ways with people. So often we are short sighted with what we think should be happening. We are not in it for the long run. God has invested in us for the long run, and He desires that we see the beauty and truth of what is around us. He desires that we see the good things that He is doing in the people He has made. God made us for Himself, and many times we see people coming to Him gradually, it is not typically a lighting bolt experience. So we should pray for those family and friends who are away from the Lord, asking Him to help them to come back to God. And then we should look for the little ways that God is doing it. Be patient because God is extremely patient with us!
Fr. Thomas P. Galarneault