Thoughts of Grace

Hollyhocks

Good Morning

Psalm 138:7-8
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.

8 The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

It is very helpful to make a habit of offering,
morning by morning,
the troubles of the day just beginning
to our dear Lord,
accepting His will in all things.
especially in all little personal trials and vexations.
Some persons have found great benefit from making,
when first they wake,
the act taught to Madame de Chantal by St. Francis de Sales,
accepting “all things tolerable and intolerable”
for the love of Christ;
then at midday,
a moment’s inward search to see
whether there has been any voluntary slackening of submission,
any deliberate opposition to God’s will,
and hesitation in resisting the distaste or fretfulness,
the impatience or discouragement we are tempted to feel
when things go contrary to our own will and likings,
making a fresh resolution to go on heartily;
and, at night,
a quick review of the day’s failures for which to ask pardon,
and strength to go on better anew.
Some such habit as this is a great check
to that terrible hindrance of the spiritual life
which terrible though it be
is so apt to steal upon many good and earnest souls,
–a complaining, grumbling self=pitying spirit.
H. L. Sidney Lear

Check me . . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie