Years ago, I attended a seminar where the facilitator asked us to draw a picture representing our lives at that moment. After spending about ten minutes sorting through my thoughts, one image came to mind: a juggler.
At the time, I was busy juggling life, marriage, children, friends, health, a career, and countless other responsibilities. The challenge with being a juggler is that there is no real peace. Have you ever seen someone juggling who didn’t look tense and focused on keeping everything from crashing to the ground?
Everything I was juggling was important (and it still is), but over time, I came to realize that the most important thing in life is a relationship with God. Finding time for God is not just another ball to add to the juggling routine; it is the very thing that makes all of the other responsibilities worthwhile. When we intentionally make time for prayer, immerse ourselves in Scripture, participate in a faith community, and worship God, we discover that the juggling becomes easier. God brings order to our priorities and peace to our hearts.
I have often asked friends and family whether they have ever felt worse after attending Mass. Almost unanimously, the answer is no. In fact, most say they leave feeling more peaceful, more centered, and more hopeful than when they arrived.
Life will always be busy. We will continue rushing our children from one activity to another, managing responsibilities at work, and trying to keep all the pieces of life in motion. But in the midst of the busyness, let us remember what matters most. Let us make time each day to nurture our relationships with God. When God is at the center, we find the peace and strength we need to carry everything else.
