Getting Past Impossible (08/10/2026)

I went to help. I knew she was overwhelmed. She admitted it almost immediately after I arrived. I assured her it was going to be all right. Then we started with the sink. If the kitchen was going to be functional again, we needed the sink. We cleared it, filled it with soapy water, and started clearing the counters, washing and drying the dishes and putting them away as we went. Within the hour, we had the dishes cleared, cleaned and back in the cupboards. Then we tackled the tabletop, sorting, clearing, stowing in the proper place. We began to believe this task was possible. Finally, we filled the bucket, found the mop, and cleaned the floor. She stood with a smile on her face, taking in the spotless kitchen.

She asked me how I knew what to do. I laughed and told her my answer, “St. Francis of Assisi.” She laughed at me and doubled down on her question. “No, really, where did you learn how to help me as you did?” I repeated my answer, “St. Francis of Assisi wrote, ‘Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.’ Whenever I’m challenged with what others describe as impossible, I go back to his words. I simply start with the ‘necessary.’ And keep going.”

Life can be overwhelming at times. And it is understandable that when that happens, when it seems simply impossible, that we quit trying, that we give up. “What difference will it make?” we ask ourselves. I know I have circled that block on the journey more than once. But I’ve also been blessed with an abundance of great advice from individuals who have come before me and individuals who have accompanied me. St. Francis is one of my favorites because his life presented him with many challenges that I can associate with and his advice seems so spot on, applicable, and doable.

As we journey in faith, there may be days when we find ourselves overwhelmed. Hopefully we will be able to open ourselves to the guidance of the Spirit who knows the way of Christ. Another possibility is that we will recall somethings from one of our favorite saints or even a homily from our parish priest. And even another possibility is that we will find ourselves in the company of a companion on the Way who will help us until we can find our way again.  And with the grace of the Spirit, we will remember that part of the journey and how we felt so when we see another struggling that struggle, we can be the companion they need at the moment – the one that helps them see that nothing is impossible with the LORD.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.