Keep Going

“If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If there's shouting after you, keep going. Don't ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.” attributed to Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman was an escaped slave from a plantation in Maryland. She left her family to flee north to freedom.  Despite a bounty on her head she returned to lead her family to freedom and 50o other black men and women. through a system of travel called the Underground Railroad.  She made an astounding 19 trips into the south and walked people thousands of miles to the border of Canada. This remarkable woman also served her country as a scout, spy and nurse during the Civil War.

In July I was asked to speak to newly professed friars at their profession ceremony.  I lived with these eleven men  for my first five months in Africa in the village of Kakoba, Uganda just outside Mbarara. I taught them and prayed with them and they helped me acclimate myself to this new and beautiful continent.  I chose this quotation as a way of encouraging them to persevere in their vocation in the months and years ahead.  When I thought to write about this in this blog, I was not aware that Hillary Clinton used this quotation in her speech at the Democratic National Convention.  Regardless, the message of these words are universal and so I re-visit them again.  

What I told the newly professed friars was that there will be hard times ahead.  I said this knowing full well that many of these men came from conflict-torn parts of Africa and some lost parents to war. I knew they knew hard times.  I said that there will be times in the future when they will want to quit and I told them to 'keep going'. They may spend the night reading and re-reading the same page of Philosophy but to 'keep going'. They may be lonely in a friary full of friars, but 'keep going'.  When all things seem to be working against them to 'keep going'.  If they want to taste the freedom of God, 'keep going'.

I offer this thought for anyone who is struggling.  Keep going, the gift is ahead.