“Once a successful businessman went to work in one of Mother Teresa’s shelters for the poor in India. His frustration at not finding the little woman there was overturned on the day before his departure when she returned. He was moved to tears of joyous surprise when, on admitting that his whole life was self-concerned, instead of being like hers, she held his shoulders and looked deep into his eyes saying: ‘Know that God appreciates you are doing the best you can.’”
And He says the same to you today: “Know that God appreciates you are doing the best you can.”
“There is nothing so perfect in the world as to be quite above objection and criticism. The very sun which gives us light and warmth is not free from spots, yet notwithstanding these defects it does not desist from its regular duty. It behoves us in like manner to carry on to the best of our ability what has been entrusted to us . . .” (Sundar Singh)
In the matter of
we have got to be
This is the way it is,
with love, for instance,
and with any other
deep down, visceral persuasion.
We go beyond reason,
we do not trust
All surface indications
to the contrary
we have got to believe that
God is good,
unfailingly good to us.
Even in the thick
in moments of dire tragedy,
God is being good.
This is illogical,
it is nonsense
but it is true.
one whit diminished,
Monsignor James Turro
“For you it is who took me and led me out of strange ways and darknesses years ago. You it is who takes me by the hand now day by day. Only you would not grow tired of the like of me–of anyone so sinful, ungrateful, selfish . . . The thought of my sins smites me down so that if there were not you I think I would fall into despair. And when I try to reason why you should continue to protect me I end in confusion. I can only throw myself on your love. I can only kneel and cry out: ‘I don’t deserve anything. Not even the greeting of a stranger. But, Mother, without you what am I going to do?’ This is mad, isn’t it? This is unreasonable. But I am helpless in my weakness. I, cowardly, feebly, selfishly, give the weight of my sins to you . . . .Never was there a worse sinner, and never was God kinder to one. Mother, it’s true. You know how true it is. You are the only explanation of God’s kindness to me.” (From Mr. Blue by Myles Connolly)
This is the love of God the Father for you: Pope Francis among the little ones
It’s been awhile since I’ve posted anything from my old friend, Amy Carmichael. I hope you find encouragement here:
Ps 37.31 None of his steps shall slide.
Ps 18.36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my ankles did not slip.
Luke 21.16-18 You shall be betrayed . . . and some of you shall they cause to be put to death . . . . But there shall not a hair of your head perish.
These words of our God are most gloriously trustful. Our Lord was speaking to some who were to die by martyrdom and He said in effect: “I trust you not to misunderstand when your ankles do slip and every hair of your head does perish. I trust you never to be offended in Me.”
There is a delightful “though” in Psalm 37.24 which goes to the core of the matter. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholds him with His hand. Kay translates it, He shall not be prostrated, for the Lord supports His hand; and Rotherham, with enchanting vigor: Though he fall, he shall not be hurled headlong, for the Lord is holding his hand.
What do falls matter if the Lord is holding us up? He will keep us safe; we shall be more than conquerors through Him who loves us.
The Mystery of Mary
She is our Mother
But she is also our daughter.
A little girl and the Queen of Heaven.
The Queen of the Angels–
and yet she is still a little girl!