Well It's About Time!

So yeah, it's been 6 months since my last confession. I mean, it's been six months since my last blogging. The thought of this post actually came to me while waiting in line for confession before Christmas. My thoughts of blogging followed my thinking of confession. "I'll go next weekend." I kept telling myself, making excuses for why "it" could wait. I thought, that while not ready for cannonization, my sould was not in grave danger, so "it could wait."

But then the thought, opportunity, and inspiration came at the same time and I made my way to St. Paul's Cathedral where my friend Fr. Kim Schreck is stationed. There was a Reconcilliation Service scheduled for Friday night. I choose a seat, atypical of me, in the back, near Fr. Kim's confessionial. There were already two women who had obviously chosen their seats, just in front of me, for the same reason.

As other sinners entered the church I kept a watchful eye on the front, hoping to see Fr. Kim, despite my distance from the altar, and the main support beams that blocked my view. Others chose their seats in the front which gave me some assurance that I would not have to wait too long once the sin bin opened and us sinners could get some work done.

Once the scripture-filled service made way for the work of forgiveness, those people who had sat up front made their way to the pews near the various confessionals. To my dismay, my fellow humbletons rushed to the pews in front of my silent sin friends and I, who had placed ourselves strategically near the booth from the beginning.

Some smiled at me humbly as they cut in line, and I gave them no smile, but decided that scouling at them in church would just add to my list of sins. I held myself in my seat, telling myself to be patient, trying to increase my virtue dispite myself. Soon Fr. Kim made his way to his station and the Sacramental Relief got underway.

My heart and head played a game of mental & spiritual ping pong between prayer and impatience until I was in the batters circle and a "it's about time" sigh escaped my lips.

That's when it dawned on me.

My Lord could have said the same thing to me, would have every right to think the same thing about my delay, my spiritual procrastination for the last few months. But He didn't. He waited patiently for me with love. He pointed no fingers, (for accusation is the devil's task) made no sarcastic remarks, said nothing to the effect of "it's about time." He sat in a sin bin, with no expectations, in the priesthood of Fr. Kim, ready to offer holy relief, humble correction, and edifying advise. Next time, this time, I won't wait so long.

"...he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." ~2 Peter 3:9
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