Letters of St. Francis de Sales/Discouragment at Spiritual Failures

[BarbaraTherese]

Letter of St. Francis de Sa;es:
To a Young Woman Discouraged by Spiritual Failures:
sophiainstitute.com/client/email_ads/THWIB/THWIB_08.html

Portion only of overall text of letter:

Are we to apply a host of desires to excite ourselves to arrive at this miracle of perfection? No. We may indeed make simple wishes that show our gratitude. I may say, “Ah! Why am I not as fervent as the Seraphim, in order better to serve and praise my God?” But I would not occupy myself with forming desires, as if I must in this world attain that exquisite perfection. I must not say, “I wish it; I will try to get it; and if I cannot reach it, I will be vexed.”

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_14_2.gifBlessings - Barb

 

[Joysong]

I will give you this word, but you must keep it well: sometimes we occupy ourselves so much with being good angels that we neglect being good men and women. Our imperfection must accompany us to our coffin; we cannot walk without touching earth.

Barb, I dearly love this saint who has inspired me so often with his holy inspirations. No wonder he is the patron saint of writers.

From the article, I am reminded that the just man falls seven times a day, and even in the state of spiritual marriage, which is rarely reached by the majority of us, St. Teresa wrote that the person may still inadvertently commit venial sins. This should be very consoling to those who are impatient with their personal spirituality. Hopefully, it will help all of us to be patient with our neighbor, reflecting that God isn’t finished with them yet.

Carole

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Barb, I dearly love this saint who has inspired me so often with his holy inspirations. No wonder he is the patron saint of writers.

From the article, I am reminded that the just man falls seven times a day, and even in the state of spiritual marriage, which is rarely reached by the majority of us, St. Teresa wrote that the person may still inadvertently commit venial sins. This should be very consoling to those who are impatient with their personal spirituality. Hopefully, it will help all of us to be patient with our neighbor, reflecting that God isn’t finished with them yet.

Carole

Hello again Carole…quite a while since I have “spoken” with you! Good to do so again!

Yes, St. Francis de Sales is one of my favourite spiritual writers too and I first began to read him some 35 years ago. I had forgotten he was the patron saint of writers and something that I should remember. Thank you! St. Francis I think is the spiritual director almost, almost, without equal in great gentleness and loving concern for souls in his care. May he pray daily for us all.

Methinks, Carole, that God is not only not finished with “them” yet, but He has not only yet finished with “us” neither - and I praise and thank Him for this! Discouragement I think is a favourite of Ol’ Nick’s. I have noticed how when discouraged, I am so totally discouraged and disheartened but never completely so since someone or something always reminds me of who I truly am and of God’s Mercy. And I praise and thank Him in His Compassionate Understanding Mercy for all, including indeed me so often direly in real need of it. May He be praised!

When upset in some way with another, I always try to remind myself that often I am equally upsetting to another too at times or perhaps even to the one I am currently upset with for some silly reason. And when I do remember, when I am reminded somehow, I thank the Lord for His Grace to me to again recall who indeed I really am! It is in contemplating something - a very remote something - of God’s Glory that one knows who indeed one is in comparison, for there is none.

Hope to talk with you again …cacha on the rounds!

Blessings - Barb
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_14_2.gifiHs

 

[ncjohn]

Hi Barb! How great to run into you here again.

That is a beautiful letter, filled with great reminders not to let tomorrow worry us for the day has trouble enough for itself. I found this section to be especially good advice as a reminder to stay in the “now” of our journey:

To advance well we must apply ourselves to make good way in the road nearest to us, and to do the first day’s journey.We must not busy ourselves with wanting to do the last, but remember that we are to do and work out the first.

If we can focus on the task at hand, tending to it to the best of our ability and trying to dedicate the effort to God, we cannot be put off by worrying about those things that would otherwise scare or discourage us.

And then there was this section, which I so identify with, as I am quite prone to beating up on myself for my failures to be as far along the road as I think I should be:

…that you have made great preparations, and then, seeing that the results were very small and that strength was insufficient to put in practice these desires, these plans, these ideas, you have had certain heartaches, impatiences, disquietudes, and troubles. Then followed distrusts, languors, depressions, or failings of heart. Well, if it is so, be wiser in the future.

It is so easy to get caught up in the pride of thinking we should be able to be better than our nature allows us. Yes, we should always be striving for the best, but we must also be willing to be patient and compassionate with ourselves when we don’t attain that.

In the end, we’re really all the “little drummer boy”, with nothing but our poverty and good intentions to offer an omnipotent God. But I’ve heard it rumored that He dances with joy when we do so, and I have to learn to dance with joy myself that He does.

I once heard our meager attempts compared to “refrigerator art” that God puts up on His refrigerator to show everyone while beaming with pride. As a grandparent now, with a refrigerator full of such art, I can well identify with that image.

Peace to you Barb,

 

[InLight247]

We must suffer our imperfection in order to have perfection. I say suffer, not love or pet; humility feeds on this suffering.
The truth must be told: we are poor creatures, and can only just get on. But our God, who is infinitely good, is content with our little services and pleased with the “preparation of our heart.”

It is just amazing how God is speaking to me in various ways these days and many times on CAF. This letter is just what I need to read, exact to an internal experience I had yesterday evening.

Right before attending our weekly Thursday’s exposed Eucharist Adoration, I went for some errand. Then and there I committed a venial sin. At first I felt mischievous and light for my intention, but immediately I realized I fell short. I quickly made a correction for the incident.
But I knew I had sinned in my original intention at heart.

Feeling disappointed, I was amazed how could I put a spot on my soul and offend my Lord for such a insignificant thing? How could I give in to temptation for such an unworthy cause? I thought about what St. Faustina said – that there is no trifle thing in spirituality – I went to prostrate in front of my Lord and repent with internal weeping and welled up tears. Then the Lord show me how weak I really am, and how I should get out of the imaginary perfection…

And this morning, this thread and all your posts become a confirmation of my experience.
Thank you all, and thanks Barb, for posting this letter.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Quoting NC John in all instances:
Howdy John! Great to catch up with you again. How did the break go?

That is a beautiful letter, filled with great reminders not to let tomorrow worry us for the day has trouble enough for itself. I found this section to be especially good advice as a reminder to stay in the “now” of our journey

It is a reminder too I think that while one may desire “perfection” or growth on the spiritual path, we need to remember that it is all a lifetime’s work and not accomplished in a day and as you say, we need to let “today’s problems be enough for today”.
I think we do have a tendancy to have an “image” in our minds about what we are aiming for, or perhaps a concept of what perfection is all about – what it entails. God, however, may have other plans. I think this is something about what purification entails, - the loosing of that “image”.

If we can focus on the task at hand, tending to it to the best of our ability and trying to dedicate the effort to God, we cannot be put off by worrying about those things that would otherwise scare or discourage us.

I was watching a documentary on a monastery in Italy and the young novice stated that in the monastery every single moment no matter what one is about is praising and thanking God. This not only applies to monastics but to those of us who are laity. Nor is there any need at all to be continually reminding oneself that “this is done to praise and thank God” although it would be helpful to oneself anyway to remind oneself now and then. The general intention suffices. We need let God be God who reads our heart even when we are not averting. He understands at every moment the whole thrust of our lives. And as you say, no need to scare ourselves or become discouraged if one keeps one’s eyes on God. I used to be terribly discouraged at even the slightest fault until I came to realize that my spirituality was focusing on me – miserable old me! And not focusing on God who abounds in Mercy Forever. In the diary of St. Faustina I read something that has truly impressed on me “the worst of sinners has the most right to God’s Mercy”.

And then there was this section, which I so identify with, as I am quite prone to beating up on myself for my failures to be as far along the road as I think I should be:

I have no concepts at all of what I am aiming for hence have no concept of “further along the road” etc. I apply myself to each day’s duties and prayer times as best I may and trust God to lead me closer to Him – even to Unity if this is His Desire – and to provide all that is needful for my journey. I must admit though that failures and faults can be most devastating to me and difficult to raise myself out of the muck of mire of regret and sorrow, were it not for Grace.
I remain unsure if wallowing in the mire due to faults and failings is due to pride, or thinking I am better than I am, or is it the product of a heart that truly longs to love and serve God (as I know we do!). Very often I think the actual motivation can be very hard if not impossible to ‘get at, so I mention my faults and failings with simplicity in Confession and then go on as if I had never committed them in the first place. For the Mercy of God not only forgive, it absolutely wipes away as if nothing had happened in the first place. In fact, in God, they never did happen at all – such is the extent of His Perfect and Ultimate Mercy. I try to remember all this in the face of my many faults and failings and most often I can at least in my reasoning, while my feelings just want to not listen and be in the muck and mire of regret! To me, that is ok although it is a distinct fault and worth mentioning in Confession, for I reason that if God desired it I would be the greatest saint that ever lived. Since He does not, I am most content with my lot whatever it may be.

I have read somewhere too John that God “dances for the joy of us” and I believe it in Faith, but I cant for the life of me feel it. But that is ok, I know if God wanted me to feel it, then I would! I must admit I think it would wonderful and a great consolation indeed to feel that God dances for the joy of me/us.

I once heard our meager attempts compared to “refrigerator art” that God puts up on His refrigerator to show everyone while beaming with pride. As a grandparent now, with a refrigerator full of such art, I can well identify with that image.

Again, I believe it in Faith for the far better than I for sure have stated such and The Church has not corrected the concept that God beams with pride for us. I just can’t feel it only believe it.

And Peace to you too, my friend!
Blessings - Barb:wave:

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Quoting InLight:

It is just amazing how God is speaking to me in various ways these days and many times on CAF. This letter is just what I need to read, exact to an internal experience I had yesterday evening.

Deo Gratius! And may The Lord shower you with many blessings and consolations!

Right before attending our weekly Thursday’s exposed Eucharist Adoration, I went for some errand. Then and there I committed a venial sin. At first I felt mischievous and light for my intention, but immediately I realized I fell short. I quickly made a correction for the incident.
But I knew I had sinned in my original intention at heart.

Remember that to sin we need to know what we are about to do and do it anyway: “to knowingly and willingly consent to something which one believes is a venial sin” is the moral theological definition of The Church re venial sin. To inadvertently “sin” is a fault or failing, an imperfection.

Feeling disappointed, I was amazed how could I put a spot on my soul and offend my Lord for such a insignificant thing? How could I give in to temptation for such an unworthy cause? I thought about what St. Faustina said – that there is no trifle thing in spirituality – I went to prostrate in front of my Lord and repent with internal weeping and welled up tears. Then the Lord show me how weak I really am, and how I should get out of the imaginary perfection…

We are really miserable creatures, huh? The only reason we can realize this is because we have contemplated something of who God is and because The Holy Spirit has gifted us to see something of both. For methinks we are far more miserable than we realize and indeed God is far more Glorious. The weird matter is that God delights in us miserables…or as St. Teresa so beautifully put it “miserable worm that I am!” Well if St. Teresa saw herself as a miserable worm, I am truly loathe to think of a metaphor that describes me!!

And this morning, this thread and all your posts become a confirmation of my experience.
Thank you all, and thanks Barb, for posting this letter.

Deo Gratius. We rejoice in God’s Goodness to us! The Holy Spirit is entirely and absolutely humble and will even speak to one through ‘a
more than a miserable and despicable worm’ will have to do!http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_7_207.gif
Of course, the weird thing about calling oneself ‘nasty names’ is that I denigrate God’s good taste!..although there is even something about worms that is beautiful. What has the beautiful worm done for goodness sake for me to call one even remotely miserable and despicable to describe myself so full of many faults and failings and yes, even sin!!! To look at them winding their unique ‘worm dance’ in the moist soil and to contemplate that life force in them which is a gift of God Himself directly. The beautiful thing about plants, animals, insects etc. etc. and yes, even worms, is that they are totally incapable of any sin and in every single moment without fail are about God’s Will - a wondrous thing to contemplate. Well we should be sad to kill any creature at all. I read that St. Therese of Lisieux was badly problemed by flies in her final illness but refused to kill them. God’s ‘dance’ in creation is truly abandoned and totally creative. I digress - apologies!

God’s many blessings and consolations, enlightenments, as you travel daily, InLight, for God dances for the joy of you and takes great pride in you…as He does for us all. What a wondrous matter!..Barb
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_14_2.gifiHs

 

[Joysong]

Howdy John! Great to catch up with you again. How did the break go?

Thinking about the “breaks” we experience along the way, I almost wished the ones who cause them could realize the truths in your article, Barb. Those who have unrealistic expectations of the spirituality ‘everyone else should have’ are in need of some letting go of their perfectionist expectations. It is often the source of deep wounding in the Body of Christ.

A speaker was on TV last night talking about the expectations we place on others and how these notions destroy good relationships. We mentally hold others in contempt because they do not live up to our expectations of who they should be. Spirituality, perfection, goodness, virtue … is not according to the eye of the beholder but only in the Omnicient knowing of God. It was good to hear another confirmation last night. [God is shouting! Yo! ]

 

[blessedstar]

I watched a film last night I haven’t seen for a long time. It’s called ‘Instinct’ and stars Anthony Hopkinson. In one scene in the film the imprisoned man grabs hold of his psychiatrist and makes him write on a piece of paper what he has taken from him. The psychiatrist thinks he has lost his ‘control’ over the present events. The prisoner persists with him until the psychiatrist finally realises that what he has truly lost is his ‘illusions’, he never had any control over anything.

We have illusions; illusions about ourselves, about others, about the world and moreover about God. When we are stripped and purged by God we lose our illusions about ourselves and about the world. We begin to learn who God truly is and see Him without our illusions.

All God ever deprives us of is our illusions and provides us with Love, that to me is a wonderful exchange no matter how painful the process may be .

In my Living Prayer of life

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Thinking about the “breaks” we experience along the way, I almost wished the ones who cause them could realize the truths in your article, Barb. Those who have unrealistic expectations of the spirituality ‘everyone else should have’ are in need of some letting go of their perfectionist expectations. It is often the source of deep wounding in the Body of Christ.

A speaker was on TV last night talking about the expectations we place on others and how these notions destroy good relationships. We mentally hold others in contempt because they do not live up to our expectations of who they should be. Spirituality, perfection, goodness, virtue … is not according to the eye of the beholder but only in the Omnicient knowing of God. It was good to hear another confirmation last night. [God is shouting! Yo! ]

Hi Joysong! Good to speak with you again. Cultural breakdown: Apologies, Joysong, “break” here in Australia is a term for “holiday”…John had been on a holiday.

But to comment on your general post, St. Francis of Assisi said that pride dies only 10 minutes after we do. So struggling with some form of pride will be a lifelong quest - of this for myself I am quite sure, short of a miracle. I think at times we recognize that we are holding someone in mental contempt and may then try to do something about it prayerfully. I do notice with myself, however, that there are times when I am not aware that I am indeed holding someone in mental contempt…and when it surfaces into consciousness, I am appalled; however, that being appalled is another form of pride. The answer to all this of course is humility - to ask God for the great Grace of humility and to sight with accuracy our rightful place in ‘the scheme of things’.

Blessings - Barb
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_14_5.gif* iHs*

%between%

 

[BarbaraTherese]

I watched a film last night I haven’t seen for a long time. It’s called ‘Instinct’ and stars Anthony Hopkinson. In one scene in the film the imprisoned man grabs hold of his psychiatrist and makes him write on a piece of paper what he has taken from him. The psychiatrist thinks he has lost his ‘control’ over the present events. The prisoner persists with him until the psychiatrist finally realises that what he has truly lost is his ‘illusions’, he never had any control over anything.

We have illusions; illusions about ourselves, about others, about the world and moreover about God. When we are stripped and purged by God we lose our illusions about ourselves and about the world. We begin to learn who God truly is and see Him without our illusions.

All God ever deprives us of is our illusions and provides us with Love, that to me is a wonderful exchange no matter how painful the process may be .

In my Living Prayer of life

Hi BlessedStar…The Holy Spirit is most humble and will speak to us at the most unlikely times we can think, as with you in the film “Instincts”.

All God ever deprives us of is our illusions and provides us with Love, that to me is a wonderful exchange no matter how painful the process may be .

Great observation! At every single moment in every single event, thought, act etc. etc. God is acting in our best interests for our own sanctification, that of others all to His Glory. God wastes nothing! At times things may seem most negative and anything but for our sanctification etc. - that is how it can appear to us; however God has permitted it because He can draw good from it and in the interest of our own santification, that of others and to His Glory Faith will tell us. God wastes nothing!

All is well, all is well and all manner of things will be well" It took me a very long time to insight the meaning in that statement of Julian of Norwich.

Blessings - Barb
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_14_3.gif iHs

 

[Joysong]

Hi Barb,

Yes it is good to see you again. I have the uncanniest habit of hearing words as homonyms rather than as another intends them. I was in the ER the last couple of days, and the nurse asked me if I wanted a blanket. Since the white sheet was laying next to me, I thought she meant to cover me with the sheet, so I said yes. She left and came back with a blanket, and was taken aback when I protested that I don’t need a blanket! Is this a product of aging?

I had the sense both you and John had taken a break from you know where, and I realize the circumstances a little. So that’s where I was coming from in my post.

Carole

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Hi Barb,

Yes it is good to see you again. I have the uncanniest habit of hearing words as homonyms rather than as another intends them. I was in the ER the last couple of days, and the nurse asked me if I wanted a blanket. Since the white sheet was laying next to me, I thought she meant to cover me with the sheet, so I said yes. She left and came back with a blanket, and was taken aback when I protested that I don’t need a blanket! Is this a product of aging?

I had the sense both you and John had taken a break from you know where, and I realize the circumstances a little. So that’s where I was coming from in my post.

Carole

Hi again Carole…I dont know if your “foibles” could be a product of age - I sure know mine are! Well, some of them anyway.
Nah, nothing esoteric about my referring to John’s break.

Blessings Carole - Barb
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_14_2.gif iHs
PS Here in Australia, ER stands for “Emergency Room” of our hospitals. If it means the same where you are, then I hope that your stay in ER was nothing serious.

 

[mommyof4]

Wow, awesome thread! Thank you for all of the beautiful insights, guys. I stumbled upon this tread just when I needed it. Thank you!

 

[ncjohn]

Hi Barb,

The vacation was great, and even with all the activity from having my daughter and her family there, I was able to get in a lot more quiet time and reading time than I would ever have imagined.

You made so many good points in your response that I hardly know where to begin. But I’m going to concentrate on a couple that jumped out at me.

BarbaraTherese:

was watching a documentary on a monastery in Italy and the young novice stated that in the monastery every single moment no matter what one is about is praising and thanking God. This not only applies to monastics but to those of us who are laity. Nor is there any need at all to be continually reminding oneself that “this is done to praise and thank God” although it would be helpful to oneself anyway to remind oneself now and then. The general intention suffices.

One of the books I finally got to while I was on vacation was Practice of the Presence of God. Brother Lawrence made the points you mention here so beautifully that I now have that on my nightstand to periodically re-read sections from as a continual reminder. As you note, it becomes almost second nature to just have that general intention, and as Brother Lawrence noted, you just take the occasional moment for interior adoration and praise along with that general intention. After reading that book I was sorry that it took me so long to get to it, but since I tend to let God pick my “next read” for me, I probably got to it just when I was ready for it.

BarbaraTherese:

I used to be terribly discouraged at even the slightest fault until I came to realize that my spirituality was focusing on me – miserable old me! And not focusing on God who abounds in Mercy Forever.

That is very insightful Barb, and I would hav to agree. There are times when I sit there thinking “why the heck am I sitting here committing this same stupid sin yet again. I should be better than that!” But you’re right; that is just pride focusing on me rather than just dusting myself off, expressing my contrition, thanking God for His unending patience and mercy, and getting on with my next attempt.

Again thinking of Brother Lawrence, O loved his attitude of “God, if you want me to succeed here you’re going to have to carry me because you know that I’ll fail if you leave me to my own devices.” Of course we’re going to fail. Cut off from Him we can do nothing, though we seem pretty convinced that we’re mostly in control.

BarbaraTherese:

I have read somewhere too John that God “dances for the joy of us” and I believe it in Faith, but I cant for the life of me feel it.

I know what you mean Barb. I think I’d have to be more in line with St. Teresa in consdering myself a miserable worm, and the worm might feel insulted at that! The thought of God even giving me a second thought, much less dancing with joy, seems impossible to comprehend.

I heard a talk Friday night on our drive over the mountain that talked about each and every one of us being the “pearl of great price” for which God gave everything–His only begotten Son–to purchase us. A little different perspective on that parable, but one that certainly gives great pause.

Good to catch up with you again Barb. As always, you keep me challenged to look for the best–not only in God, but in myself as God sees me.

Peace,

 

[ncjohn]

Thinking about the “breaks” we experience along the way, I almost wished the ones who cause them could realize the truths in your article, Barb. Those who have unrealistic expectations of the spirituality ‘everyone else should have’ are in need of some letting go of their perfectionist expectations. It is often the source of deep wounding in the Body of Christ.

A speaker was on TV last night talking about the expectations we place on others and how these notions destroy good relationships. We mentally hold others in contempt because they do not live up to our expectations of who they should be. Spirituality, perfection, goodness, virtue … is not according to the eye of the beholder but only in the Omnicient knowing of God. It was good to hear another confirmation last night. [God is shouting! Yo! ]

I think this is something that we’re all probably prone to Carole, though some personality types seem to have to fight that tendency at a far greater level than others.

You’re right though about the wounding that takes place, both at the personal level and at the level of the Body of Christ. For what hurts one member of the Body hurts the whole Body, and I have personally come to understand how true that really is.

I think St. James really hit it on the head when he discussed the human tongue and the horrible damage it is capable of inflicting. And in the (at least seemingly) highly impersonal world of internet communications, that tongue seems to be allowed to lash out at will in far too many cases, often resulting in statements being made, and acknowledged as such, that would never be made to a “real” human being face to face. As if the hundreds, or thousands, of people who may see these comments aren’t real people and capable of being wounded by those comments.

I sure wish I had a clue what it would take to bring them the healing they so desperately need so they could stop lashing out at others from their pain.

Peace,

 

[InLight247]

Hi Barb,

I was in the ER the last couple of days…
Carole

Sure hope you are OK. CAF members are often in my prayers. Except these past two days, I didn’t pray much. I was sick and in sickness I got a feeling that our loving heavenly Father really want us to be healthy. When I was in physical pain, I can hardly pray. But this morning when I woke up, I still have a feeling of closeness to God. And I had a better understanding about “nothing can separate us from God’s love”.

Right now, I feel pretty weary. Better go to do some Bible readings.

You are in my prayers, Carole!

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Quoting NCJohn (John)

Great to hear John the vacation went well with plenty reading time!

One of the books I finally got to while I was on vacation was Practice of the Presence of God. Brother Lawrence made the points you mention here so beautifully that I now have that on my nightstand to periodically re-read sections from as a continual reminder. As you note, it becomes almost second nature to just have that general intention, and as Brother Lawrence noted, you just take the occasional moment for interior adoration and praise along with that general intention. After reading that book I was sorry that it took me so long to get to it, but since I tend to let God pick my “next read” for me, I probably got to it just when I was ready for it.

Yeah, its a question of keeping on pushing the barrel until you get to the top of the hill - coming down the hill is second nature. In other words, at first one needs to continually (for oneself, God needs no reminders) make conscious acts whenever one thinks of it. If one perseveres, then the time arrives when the conscious acts just pop into the mind during the day without any effort. Further on still the time arrives when there is that remote knowledge whenever one averts that one is indeed always in the Presence of The Sacred.

There are times when I sit there thinking “why the heck am I sitting here committing this same stupid sin yet again. I should be better than that!” But you’re right; that is just pride focusing on me rather than just dusting myself off, expressing my contrition, thanking God for His unending patience and mercy, and getting on with my next attempt.

I had a smile when I read the above, John. St. Paul had the same experience “why is that I do the very things I have made up my mind not to do. And what can save me? Nothing but the Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ”. I think that the contemplative experience is that shifting of consciousness from self to God - to a focusing on The Silence that is yet Presence. This reminds me of “The Cloud of Unknowing” for the “focusing on The Silence that is yet Presence” is not yet “what it is all about”. All must collape - all must pass. For no ‘common’ experience, no ‘common’ consciousness nothing can even remotely approach God as He is. The 'common", the what is known must also collapse and pass. The old winesekin and the new.

Again thinking of Brother Lawrence, O loved his attitude of “God, if you want me to succeed here you’re going to have to carry me because you know that I’ll fail if you leave me to my own devices.” Of course we’re going to fail. Cut off from Him we can do nothing, though we seem pretty convinced that we’re mostly in control.

This reminds me of an Old Testament quote that stays in my mind “I must carry you, I that created you”. Being a control freak, which I truly am, John, near on panic sets in if I feel I am loosing the reins. This is conditioning and product of my life running out of my control years back when I would become very ill indeed. No matter what is happening - no matter WHAT! there is no need for fuss or worry for in Grace, all is Grace, all is God and His Work.Very often our worrying and fussing is a product of conditioning for we can see clearly in Faith that there is no need for such, nor is such achieving anything.

I know what you mean Barb. I think I’d have to be more in line with St. Teresa in consdering myself a miserable worm, and the worm might feel insulted at that! The thought of God even giving me a second thought, much less dancing with joy, seems impossible to comprehend.

I think our worm, John, has every right to be totally insulted . I guess if our worm wants to humble itself it can always say “I am a miserable human person” - ridiculous with a role reversal huh?

I heard a talk Friday night on our drive over the mountain that talked about each and every one of us being the “pearl of great price” for which God gave everything–His only begotten Son–to purchase us. A little different perspective on that parable, but one that certainly gives great pause.

Again, John, I believe it in Faith, I just cannot feel it.

Good to catch up with you again Barb. As always, you keep me challenged to look for the best–not only in God, but in myself as God sees me.

As it always has been since we first “met” we tend to be on the same wavelength - for you also do the same for me. Good to run into you again!

Blessings and Peace - Barb
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_14_11.gif iHs

 

[Joysong]

I think St. James really hit it on the head when he discussed the human tongue and the horrible damage it is capable of inflicting. And in the (at least seemingly) highly impersonal world of internet communications, that tongue seems to be allowed to lash out at will in far too many cases, often resulting in statements being made, and acknowledged as such, that would never be made to a “real” human being face to face. As if the hundreds, or thousands, of people who may see these comments aren’t real people and capable of being wounded by those comments.

I sure wish I had a clue what it would take to bring them the healing they so desperately need so they could stop lashing out at others from their pain.

That red part is very tellilng, isn’t it, John? It goes on because it is permitted to go on. Freedom of speech?

As for your second paragraph, I haven’t a clue either, but I do often think of Jesus’s words, “They know not what they do.” It is very true, for until God showed me some of my own sinfulness that was hidden for a long time, I did not realize either. How easy it is to forgive when we think of that aspect. It then becomes natural almost to lift them to God’s mercy. However, I do believe it is sin that keeps one blind and not walking in charity. Pride is the biggie, and one that God seems to resist the most. He has the most awesome ways of humbling us, though, so there IS hope! Amen?

Carole

 

[Joysong]

Hi InLight,

Well, how unique that not only do we share similar spiritual view, but also the physical. I hope you’re feeling well again, but I noted too, how difficult it is to pray when we are sick. Hopefully, I’ll remember this and be able to pray more earnestly when the prayers of the faithful are offered for them.

I’m ok, for all the tests so far were negative. At my age, they always suspect heart problems whenever there is chest pain, and it does become annoying to go through all of that testing and find out it is probably gastric-related. At least I’m in no danger.

One advantage in my favor is that I can assuredly say, the next time it happens, that my heart is strong as a horse! Tests results prove it!

Thank you so much for your concern and your prayers …

You, too, Barb - I appreciate it! I couldn’t resist sharing the comedy with the nurse. It’s nice to be on the butt end of a joke for a change. Hee-hee.

Carole