Grow Every Day, Slowly

Barren grape vines brave the cold in Medjugorje. As with most plants, this time of going dormant for the winter is important for spring growth. It is the same with men. There are times it is important to be dormant, to gather strength through prayer and sacrifice, in order to give strength for the new times of spring growth.

Just as with nature the time of winter sleep is important, so too for conversion. A time of “sleep”, a time of growing slowly is important. A Friend of Medjugorje writes of the value of a slow, constant conversion process:

“…many have converted through Medjugorje. Many of those converted have had profound experiences, even involving supernatural circumstances, hidden, subtle, or dramatic. What good is it if conversion does not continue? To be a witness does not mean to tell everyone, “I say 3 Rosaries, go to daily Mass, and go to confession once a month.” It means to change your life daily, just as one carries out their duty of going to work or cooking supper. Our Lady said on April 15, 1996:

“…Little children, seek with humility that which is not in order in your hearts. Conversion will become a daily duty that you will do with joy…”

“Those who have a conversion experience and then broadcast it will not stay on the correct path very long. One must learn how to live the Christian life, even if you are Christian. Many examples show the danger of converting and thinking that to be a witness means to run around telling everyone, “Let me tell you what happened to me!” More people have been turned away from Medjugorje by those actions than turned towards it…”¹

It is important to grow every day, slowly, constantly. We do not have to broadcast our growth. In this time of winter, when nature lies in deep sleep, pray more to gather strength, in order to be able to bloom in the coming time of spring.

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