Behind His Kindness

Whether we realize it or not, prayer is the encounter of God's thirst with ours. God thirsts that we may thirst for him.

Saint Augustine (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2560) 

            Every day we pray and find ourselves eagerly awaiting answers to our prayers, sometimes growing impatient when they don't come as quickly as we'd like them to. Perhaps our impatience stems from our failure to appreciate the timing in which God answers our prayers? It is a union of thirsts that take more than a quick moment to appreciate, it takes a complete understanding of the kindness that is behind the unanswered prayers.

            I’ve realized how important but also how very hard it is in those moments of unanswered prayers to see how kind, loving and gentle God really is through it all.   My hastiness hinders me to slow down and recognize the beautiful plan in our Lord.  Like anyone else, in the days that I am filled with a list of responsibilities, demands and of course prayers, I anxiously await quick answers. I've realized that my impatience is sometimes rooted from a lack of appreciation for God’s timing and wanting to lean into my own selfish desires. God knows what’s best for me, He always does.  When I reflect on that, I can breathe. I can appreciate the wait. I eventually see that the wait is exactly what I needed.  It is through God’s kindness and timing that allows me to find solace in His perfect response.

            Overcoming the frustration of an unanswered prayer took time.  Whether it was awaiting a significant decision or longing for a specific outcome, I would typically become impatient and frustrated. All that created was anxiety and even doubt in my own heart.   I had to learn to trust.  One day, I had a realization that changed my perspective entirely. It was the day that I understood that God's timing was rooted in His kindness and love for me, for us. I began viewing delays and obstacles as opportunities for growth and preparation. Relinquishing control allowed me to trust in His divine plan.

            God's kindness is immeasurable, and it is not limited to answering our prayers according to our own timetable. It is in His gentle waiting that He shields us from harm and motivates us to grow. Although we may perceive delays as obstacles, we fail to realize that God is protecting us until the moment we are truly ready to comprehend and accept His answer.

            Then there's trust. Trusting in God's timing is not synonymous with passive waiting; instead, it empowers us to grow in patience, resilience, and faith. As a Catholic mom, I discovered that embracing trust and patience allowed me to find peace amid the chaos of my daily life. The more I surrendered to His timing, the more I realized that His protection and love permeated every aspect of my existence. My outlook on each day has significantly been transformed, it's not perfect but I'm making progress.  Acknowledging His kindness in every unanswered prayer has allowed me to cultivate patience, trust, and gratitude in my journey.

            My prayer for all of us today is that we strive to appreciate God's protective timing and find solace in the knowledge that His answers will arrive precisely when we are truly prepared to receive them; that we focus on the gratitude of the delays and unanswered prayers and that we fully open our hearts to God's eternal blessings.

Note: This blog post assumes the perspective of a Catholic mom. It is important to acknowledge that everyone's spiritual journey is unique, and the views expressed here may not resonate with all readers.