The 'awakening' I wrote of yesterday has been life changing. Not only has it led to moment-by-moment prayer, it is also nudging me toward greater virtue. I find that yielding to God's will is much more manageable on a moment by moment basis.
I suppose I'm taking baby steps toward holiness. It's such a lofty goal, and the path to it seems an impossible climb for a little soul like me.
It is not an impossible climb for God, however; not if I ask for His grace, and if I let Him lead me step by step.
In each moment I can choose to trust.
In each moment I can choose another's needs over my own. I can swallow words of irritation and speak words of caring. I can manage to sacrifice my own wants during this tiny chunk of time.
In each moment I can thank God for something. My back may be in pain, but thank You, Lord, that I can move. If I'm suffering from flu: thank You, God, for a comfortable bed. When I am in absolute misery, thank God I can offer my sufferings for the salvation of souls.
And thank God there's a change in my outlook as I look for and try to focus on the good.
I can praise God, I can smile, I can offer a prayer of intercession. I can hang on for just this one moment. I can take one simple step, asking God to show me how to serve and glorify Him in whatever has come my way. I can offer prayer of love, adoration, repentance - right here, right now.
In this moment, I can choose.
'The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for what He is sending us every day in His goodness.' (St. Gianna Beretta Molla)
Amen. Thank you for this timely reminder dear friend. There is always something to be grateful for and give praise to God over! This is the quote the Lord led me to this morning.. "Melancholy is the poison of devotion. When one is in tribulation, it is necessary to be more happy and more joyful because one is nearer to God." ..St Clare of Assisi. xxx
ReplyDeleteTrish, thank you so much for sharing St Clare's inspired words. What a perfect perspective!
DeleteThis is what I need. This is what I needed to read today. Thank you, Nancy. :)
ReplyDeleteAileen, thank you. I have been applying this as diligently as I can today (as my back really IS in pain). I love how God works among us!
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