We’ve all had that moment.
Today’s the day I get my act together. No more junk food. No more wasted time. No more distractions. Starting now, I’m going to be disciplined, holy, and focused.
The truth is real change doesn’t happen in a single moment of inspiration. It happens slowly, over time—one small step, then another.
And this is just as true in our spiritual lives as it is anywhere else.
The Illusion of Overnight Change
We love dramatic transformations. That’s why before-and-after stories are so appealing. A person is unhealthy—then they’re fit. They’re lost—then they’re found. They’re struggling—then suddenly, they’re uber-successful.
But life doesn’t actually work that way. And deep down, we know it.
Maybe we live long lives because we need them—because transformation takes time. Two steps forward, one step back. A slow, steady movement in the right direction.
And that’s why slow prayer—consistent, incremental growth—is so important.
Consistency Over Perfection
If you’ve ever tried to change a child’s behavior, you know this truth well.
You don’t just tell a toddler once not to touch the hot stove and assume they’ll never do it again. You remind them. Again and again. You repeat, reinforce, and correct—not because they’re failing, but because they’re learning.
The same is true for us in the spiritual life.
We want instant holiness, instant virtue. But God, in His wisdom, calls us to faithfulness instead of quick fixes.
A single powerful prayer experience is good, but it’s daily prayer—the kind that doesn’t always feel profound—that truly shapes our hearts.
A moment of clarity in confession is grace, but real conversion happens when we keep showing up, keep striving, keep surrendering.
Measuring What Matters
Part of the struggle is that we crave progress.
That’s why so many people become workaholics or pour all their energy into coaching their kids’ sports teams—because work and athletics have clear results. You can measure success in promotions, in trophies, in visible achievements.
But faith? Family life? Holiness?
Those things don’t always come with obvious progress markers. It’s easy to mistake motion for progress—to feel productive because we’re busy, even if we’re not actually moving in the right direction.
But real progress in the spiritual life isn’t always measurable. It’s found in the small, hidden moments. In a little more patience today than yesterday. In one more act of trust. In showing up for prayer even when it feels dry.
The Path Forward
So where do we go from here?
We embrace slow prayer. Small, consistent steps. Instead of trying to overhaul our entire spiritual life overnight, we pick one habit. One practice. One thing we can do consistently.
Maybe it’s five minutes of silence each morning. Maybe it’s one daily act of love for our family. Maybe it’s a short, simple prayer before bed.
We stop obsessing over instant results and trust the process.
Because real transformation isn’t about flipping a switch. It’s about faithfulness—one small step at a time.
And by God’s grace, those steps will add up to something beautiful.
Mark Quaranta
Mark Quaranta is a Catholic husband, father, writer, entrepreneur, and marketing consultant. By day, he helps apostolates and nonprofits grow through digital marketing. He lives in Eastern Pennsylvania with his wife and four children and writes daily reflections at ReadSummons.com.
