Struggling With a Restless Heart, by Randy Hain

By Randy Hain,  Integrated Catholic Life, July 11, 2024

“I may always struggle with my restless heart, but I know that I will find the peace I seek if I am faithful in following Him and His Church.”

“Thou movest us to delight in praising Thee; for Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee.” – St. Augustine, Confessions

I think most writers are naturally introspective and reflective.  During my prayer time recently, I prayed for strength and courage to stay focused on the path Christ wants me to follow. I prayed that my heart and mind would be prepared for the family and work challenges in front of me.  As I sometimes remember to do, I let my mind grow quiet and tried to listen as much as I prayed.  The quote from St. Augustine above, which is one of my favorites, crossed my mind and I thought of little else for the rest of my time in the parish chapel. The word from the quote which resonated most with my desire to stay on the right path was restless.  Why “restless”?

Restlessness has plagued me most of my life. I thought the uneasy restlessness I began feeling as a teenager was a desire to move away from home and go to college or have career success, but that wasn’t it. Then I thought getting married and having a family would calm my restlessness. But that wasn’t it either.  It wasn’t until 2005, when I experienced a profound personal conversion, surrendered to Christ and joined the Catholic Church with my family that I recognized my misdiagnosed restlessness was really a lifelong search for the Truth.  When I found the Truth, did my restlessness come to an end?  No, but now it manifests itself in different ways. …

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