Putting Things Back Together

27 Jun

“It takes ten times as long to put yourself back together as it does to fall apart.”  ~ Suzanne Collins

Last night and today, our parish world “falls apart”.  We have just finished our annual Music and Food Fest.  It is just like a Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas dinner or Easter dinner.  Great amounts of preparation and time go into the event and when it is all over, everything comes “crashing down”.

By the time this reflection sends out, the entertainment tent already will be empty, awaiting the arrival of the crew who will take it down and cart it away.  The food vendors that have not left last night will leave today.  The parking lot will then be cleaned and, in the next couple of days, it will look like nothing big has ever taken place here.

Until next year.

That’s right.  Until next year.  Because, as quickly as it comes down, it takes a year to prepare for the next event.  What are we going to do?  What changes need to be made?  What accommodations need to take place?  These, and a myriad of other questions await the festival committee.

It is very much like that with life.  It takes so long to build ourselves up, to prepare ourselves for events or other highlights in our lives.  Some events take months or even years.  And yet, if something happens and we find our world crashing down around us, it is so incredibly hard to pick ourselves up again with renewed vigor.

Actually, it is impossible to pick ourselves up without help.  That is where the Lord comes in.  We can never “get this life right” on our own.  We need the help of God.  He pours incredible amounts of grace into our lives when we ask for it.

The grace of God is what gives us the wherewithal to get up again, to plan again, to move again.  Use the grace that is available to you today.  Move on.  Let God build you up.  Never give up when you fall.  We have an unbeatable champion ready to take up our cause.

FAITH ACTION:  Pray for those who have given up after one too many falls, that they may find the strength, courage, and determination to get up again.