Have you ever noticed how the child's short attention span gives way to amazing persistence when the task is something she really wants; for example, learning to walk, tying a shoe, whistling a tune, batting a ball? And when the child falters at any of these tasks, the adults respond with encouragement, patience and applause for the effort.

Yes, we know that persistence pays off. Thomas Edison failed many times in his attempts to invent what became the light bulb.  He said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

Persistence even prevailed against the unjust judge in Luke's Gospel because the woman insisted on justice. And her persistence paid off. The judge ruled in her favor.

Forming community can be difficult and disappointing. It is often the place where we meet our own shadow side as well as that of the other.  It's easy to give up or withdraw. But that's just the time to hang in there.

Harriett Beecher Stowe says, "When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn."

So whether your community if family, friendship, workplace, the civic arena or a commitment to a religious life, consider this talent of persistence. We all have persistence for what we really want -- otherwise we would be stumbling around with our shoes untied!

This is the fifth of eight brief reflections written by Sister Mary Navarre, OP.  Sister Mary is a member of the Leadership Team of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids.

Link to: Sandy Howard, Artist

submitted by: Rosemary Steers, Communications Specialist || Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids