As we become old enough to drive and can afford the luxury of owning an automobile, most of us will encounter the need to periodically align and rebalance the tires. Typically, this will result from normal driving habits, wear and tear, and most likely some contact with curbs or other objects that sometimes get in the way of our journey. The rebalance and alignment becomes necessary to preserve the life of the tires and to smooth out the ride.
The same applies to God’s gift of life to each of us. Regularly, we should prayerfully reflect upon how thankful we are for life and all of God’s grace and giftedness. This reflection will hopefully result in some realignment and rebalancing of the manner in which we are sharing our giftedness, thus smoothing out our journey and the hope of achieving the gift of eternal life in Heaven. Where am I in this journey? How well is it aligned and balanced?
God’s grace and giftedness encompasses all that I am, all that I have and all that I ever will be. Where am I in the process of recognizing, receiving, accepting and sharing (generously, sacrificially and proportionately) of my God-given giftedness in love of God and neighbor?
What obstacles may be getting in the way? Where are my priorities? What is the level of my commitment to and practice of my Faith? Am I allowing our secular culture of numerous destructive “isms” (individualism, consumerism, materialism, egoism, relativism, etc.) to unbalance my attitude of gratitude journey? If necessary, a rebalancing and realignment process will involve that of reevaluating one’s basic Baptismal call to discipleship and that of being called forth in action to carry it out in the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Let each of us set aside time in prayer to discern the rebalancing and realignment necessary in our daily lives as we seek to develop and facilitate, in committed action, that attitude of gratitude in thanksgiving for God’s grace and giftedness. For it is only in this way that we will have a smooth journey, balanced and properly aligned, thus achieving that ultimate and cherished gift of eternal life in Heaven.
