So, we are just over two weeks in – how are your New Year’s resolutions going? Instead of coming up with something new this year, I’m actually carrying over some unfinished items from 2023. There are some things I didn’t quite accomplish even though I hoped to, planned to, meant to. However, I did learn (re-learn) a big lesson in goal-setting last year. I found it’s best to work on things a little at a time rather than attempt to do too much all at once. I could tell that helped me grow and increase my strength and endurance while working in the right direction.
We know that lesson from our physical activity, right? Especially with exercise. The sidewalk around the park near my house is about one-third of a mile. When the weather cooperates, I often go for a good power-walk there. For an extra challenge, I might add just a little jogging on the grass. After a full lap of walking, I start at a particular light pole on lap two and jog just two light poles’ down. On the third lap, I try to go four additional strides to a big tree. Next lap, starting at the same light pole again, I eye my next target, which is the end of a backyard fence, eight strides beyond the tree.
I can’t ask my bad knee to do too much more, but it is encouraging to set these small goals, challenging but realistic, and reach them. This practice showed me (especially when I am overwhelmed, and it’s just been ‘too much’) a model that my faith life could use. Taking small steps in the right direction, looking ahead, and going a little farther than before.
We can get wrapped up in the messy moments around us. Not always, but sometimes it’s easier to talk and not listen, to respond with anger not kindness, and to be selfish not charitable. In the newness of this year, maybe the “resolution” of taking small prayerful steps while on our path will keep us focused on the direction of faith and trust.
One thing I love about the New Year is opening a new paper calendar. I of course note items such as appointments, when I’m serving at Mass, and when to change the furnace filters, but I’m especially taken by the many empty squares on those upcoming 12 pages. How will I fill them in with my words and actions? How will I use the gift of the days ahead to live and practice my faith – a little more, a little better, than I did before? Even in small moments, we are invited to take steps in the right direction, to take a few more strides in faith from where we first started, and to continue reaching our prayerful goals of faith.
Journeying to Grace 