NACR Daily Meditation for Saturday, Oct 23, 2004

23 Oct 2004 07:00:01 -0000

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NACR Daily Meditation for Saturday, Oct 23, 2004

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We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because
your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for
each other is increasing. Therefore, among God's churches we boast about
your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.2 Thessalonians 1:4

There is no magical formula for change. But there are some helpful principles.

First of all, change happens little by little. As this text puts it,
our capacity for trust 'grows more and more' and our ability to love and
to receive love 'increases'. These changes, like all of the most important
changes in life, do not happen as a one-time event. An important change
may require us to make a decision at a certain moment, it also requires
a process that takes place over months and years.

Second, change is not a race. The change process can not be rushed. We
often want to 'hurry it up', but we can't. Change that is real and long-lasting,
requires patience and perseverance. When we have been practicing our dysfunctions
for decades, we can expect that unlearning them will also take time.

Third, change requires that we practice the disciplines of honesty and
fellowship. There is no recovery unless we find ways to move out of denial
and isolation. What a wonderful gift it is to be able to share our struggles
and victories with people who will 'always thank God for us' and who will
encourage us, affirm us and hold us accountable.

Lord, I want my faith to grow.
I want my capacity for love to increase.
Little by little.
One day at a time.
That's what I need.
Help me to move out of denial,
And out of isolation.
Help me to do my part to make change possible in my life.
Amen.

Copyright 1991 Dale and Juanita Ryan 

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