While visiting my dad, who is in his mid-eighties, I decided to take him to a restaurant for dinner. He loves to walk, so I planned for us to stroll to the restaurant. It wasn’t long before I realized that his pace is much slower than I had remembered. My siblings warned me that it takes him much longer to go from one city block to another. Because I live in Florida and don’t see him as often due to the distance, I was surprised. It took some adjusting as my body and mind wanted to walk at my speed. When I did slow down, my dad and I were at the same tempo. With each step, we took in the city and enjoyed each other’s company. He could be himself and walk at his pace. And I was in the moment with him. This experience got me thinking about how important it is to walk along with our brothers and sisters of the faith at their pace. Some are strong; others are struggling to keep their faith. Each person is at a different place, and at a different pace, of the faith walk. It’s my task to meet them where they are in the journey. It might mean to slow down, stop, or maybe speed up. This is what Jesus does for us . . . meets us where we are in the walk of life. Lord, teach me to walk alongside people who are at a different place and pace in their faith journey than mine. —Pablo Diaz |
