Spiritual Sisters
Spiritual Healing Serene Salad
Spiritual Voices Creativity Bakery
In the World of Grace Many of us have a few books we continue to reread knowing that with each reading new insights will be gained. A French Jesuit Priest from the early 1700's has written one of those books which, like the Bible, offers me continually new perspectives. For him, life is very simple--turn it all over and God will take control: The truly faithful soul accepts all things as a manifestation of God's grace, ignores itself and thinks only of what God is doing. Thanksgiving was the first time my daughter from Florida actually visited where I am now living. She refrained from commenting, but her expression was stern. I understand. Early on I asked myself why I was not afraid in the inner city and the spirit instantly reacted, "because you know anything that happens will be within the parameters of God's Will". So, am I willing to be inconvenienced for him? Didn't he die for me? Would I die to save one of my children? Any mother can answer the question. There is no need for me to agonize over whether I can do enough for him or whether I'm good enough--whether I'm strong enough or smart enough. I'm not. Perfection is neither more nor less than the soul's faithful co-operation with God. So, there it is in a nutshell, LOVE, and love will give us everything. God takes away everything from us if we give ourselves entirely to him, but he gives us something else far better. He deprives us of strength, wisdom and everything that seems to make life worthwhile. But then he gives us his love. And this love burns within us like a supernatural fire. In the world of nature all things have what they need. Every flower has its particular charm, every animal has the right instincts, and indeed, all creatures have their own special fitness for their existence. And so it is in the world of grace: each one of us has a special grace, and this is a reward for all of us who cheerfully accept the state in which God has placed us. --Jean-Pierre de Caussade, Abandonment to Divine Providence. More on this thought is available here:
The Love of God Replaces Everything if We Accept
Spirit - Finding Hope in a World of Uncertainty