Encouragement...

I don't know about you, but when I read the lives of the Saints and their strength and valor in becoming holy; I can be quite discouraged. I see their strength in comparison to my weakness. I see their great love next to my selfishness. I see their sanctity next to my sin. The Evil One can use this against us and make us think that since it is impossible for us to become a saint; why even try?

I ran across a few statements recently that lifted my spirits and gave me a great deal of hope. I hope and pray in sharing them with you that you will be encouraged to abandon yourself to God's great mercy!

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? Romans 8:1, 32

We live in the age of inventions now...I must find an elevator to take me straight up to Jesus, because I am too little to climb the steep stairway of perfection...You, my Jesus, are the elevator which will take me up to heaven. There is no need for me to grow up; on the contrary, I must stay little and become more and more so. St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, Story of a Soul, pp. 140-141

but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

The mansion of my soul is too narrow to receive you; let it be enlarged by you. It is all in ruins; be pleased to repair it. It has within it such things as will offend your gaze, but who shall cleanse it? To whom besides you shall I cry out, "From my secret sins cleanse me, O Lord, and from those of the others spare your servant(Ps 19:13-14)"? St. Augustine, Confessions, Book 1, Chapter 5.

One thought strikes me. All the means of sanctification which the preacher proposes and develops require a strong soul...I will not profit from exercises designed for strong souls. O my God, show me the exercises designed for feeble souls...Yet even if the Saints did not think of these poor souls...You, Lord, my mercy, have not abandoned them. You yourself, Good Master, have burdened yourself with them. I know better than anyone. I am one of those poor souls, and I bless you for having revealed to the weak and the little ones what you do not always accord to the valiant and strong. Maurice Maignon in I Believe in Love by Father Jean C. J. d'Elbee

Be encouraged today in your walk with the Lord. He hasn't forgotten you or abandoned you. Quit relying on yourself and surrender yourself to his mercy, grace, and love!!