When I was growing up, I spent a few summers with my uncles on the farm. It was a time that I recall with fondness, fun, reaching out and trying new things.
One of the memories I have is of my Uncle Melvin quoting to me: "The hurrier I go, the behinder I get!" It was his way of saying, "Haste makes waste". And many times throughout my life I have learned the truth in that simple statement.
Yesterday, after going to Des Moines the day before to take a class on Credit Insurance, I drove to Sioux City early in the morning to take a test for my Credit Insurance license. This is a requirement for the job that I have as the Finance & Insurance Manager at the Ford dealership in nearby Cherokee. While it was stressful only in the sense that it pushed my endurance with all the traveling, I found it to be a challenge because it gave me the opportunity to learn something new.
However, as I was taking the test on the computer (50 questions in one hour time), I found myself needing to slow down, think about what I was doing, and take the time necessary to figure out the correct answers. I kept repeating: "The hurrier I go, the behinder I get!" I know my natural tendency to rush through things, and this way I was able to deal with my own impatience. In the end, I finished the test in about 35 minutes and achieved a 94%.
Yet how often do I not take the necessary time to listen to someone? How often do I rush through a situation and not appreciate each moment and each person that I am dealing with? How often do I miss the richness of the NOW because I am hurrying to get to the more important NEXT?
This Lenten season is a great opportunity to STOP, LOOK and LISTEN once again to the Lord who is present ONLY in the now. Otherwise, I will learn again Melvin's truth: "The hurrier I go, the behinder I get."
