"...The fox said, 'If you want a friend, tame me!' 'What do I have to do?' asked the little prince. 'You have to be very patient,' answered the fox. 'First you'll have to sit down a little ways from me, over there, in the grass. I'll watch you out of the corner of my eye, and you won't say anything. Language is the source of misunderstandings. But day by day, you'll be able to sit a little closer...' The next day, the little prince returned. 'It would have been better to return at the same time,' said the fox. 'For instance, if you come at four in the afternoon, I'll begin to be happy by three. The closer it gets to four, the happier I'll feel. By four I'll be all excited and worried; I'll discover what it costs to be happy! But if you come at any old time, I'll never know when I should prepare my heart...'" ~Antione de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince The little prince is learning that friendships take time, effort, and patience. Each friend is worth the time it takes to "sit a little closer" each day. Each friendship can become so enriching that we look forward to seeing the friend long before they arrive... Our relationship with God takes this kind of time and effort, as well. Sometimes, we may need to sit quietly, without saying a word to God...Finally, through prayer, trusting in God's Will, and finding God in every fiber of our lives, we sit a little closer each day...until we are close enough to feel the arm of God around our shoulder. |
