My child, it is not wisdom _I_ require of thee, it sufficeth if thou
lovest Me well.
Speak to Me as thou wouldst talk to thy mother if she were here, pressing
thee to her heart.
* * * * *
_Hast thou none for whom thou wouldst intercede?_ Tell Me the names of thy
kindred and thy friends; and at the mention of each name add what thou
wouldst have Me do for them. Ask much fervently; the generous hearts that
forget themselves for others are very dear unto Me.
Tell Me of the poor thou wouldst succor, the sick thou hast seen
suffering, the sinful thou wouldst reclaim, the estranged thou wouldst
receive to thy heart again.
Pray fervently for all mankind.
Remind Me of My promise to hear all prayers that proceed from the heart;
and the prayer offered for one who loves us, and is dear to us, is sure to
be heartfelt and fervent.
* * * * *
_Hast thou no favors to ask of Me?_ Give Me, if thou wilt, a list of all
thy desires, all the wants of thy soul. Tell Me, simply, of all thy pride,
sensuality, self-love, sloth; and ask for My help in thy struggles to
overcome them.
Poor child! be not abashed; many that had the same faults to contend
against are now saints in heaven.
They cried to Me for help, and by degrees they conquered.
Do not hesitate to ask for temporal blessings,--health, intellect, success.
I can bestow them, and never fail to do so, where they tend to make the
soul more holy. What wouldst thou this day, My child?... If thou didst but
know how I long to bless thee!...
* * * * *
_Hast thou no interests which occupy thy mind?_
Tell Me of them all.... Of thy vocation. What dost thou think? What dost
thou desire? Wouldst thou give pleasure to thy mother, thy family, those
in authority over thee? what wouldst thou do for them?
And for Me hast thou no ardor? Dost thou not desire to do some good to the
souls of those thou lovest, but who are forgetful of Me?
Tell Me of one in whom thou hast interest; the motive that actuates; the
means thou wouldst employ.
Lay before Me thy failures, and _I_ will teach thee the cause.
Whom wouldst thou have to help thee? The hearts of all are in My keeping,
and _I_ lead them gently wheresoever _I_ will. Rest assured, all who are
needful to thee, _I_ will place around thee.
_Oh! My child, tell Me of all thy weariness_: who has grieved thee?
treated thee with contempt? wounded thy self-love?
Tell Me all, and thou wilt end by saying, all is forgiven, all forgotten
... and _I_, surely _I_ will bless thee!...
_Art thou fearful of the future?_ Is there in thy heart that vague dread
that thou canst not define, but which nevertheless torments thee?
Trust in My Providence.... _I_ am present with thee, _I_ know all, and _I_
will never leave thee nor forsake thee.
Are there around thee those seemingly less devout than formerly, whose
coldness or indifference have estranged thee from them without real
cause?...
Pray for them. _I_ can draw them back to thee if they are necessary to the
sanctification of thy soul.
_What are the joys of which thou hast to tell Me?_
Let Me share thy pleasures; tell Me of all that has occurred since
yesterday to comfort thee, please thee, to give thee joy!
That fear suddenly dispelled, that unexpected success, that token of
affection, the trial that proved thee stronger than thou thoughtest....
My child, _I_ sent it all; why not show some gratitude, and simply thank
thy LORD?
Gratitude draws down a blessing, and the Great Benefactor likes His
children to remind Him of His Goodness.
_Hast thou no promises to make to Me?_ I can read thy heart; thou knowest
it; thou mayst deceive man, but thou canst never deceive God. Be sincere.
_Art thou resolved to avoid all occasions of sin?_ To renounce that which
tempts thee; never again to open the book that excites thine imagination?
Not to bestow thine affection on one who is not devout, and whose presence
steals the peace from thy soul?
Wilt thou go now and be loving and forbearing towards one who has vexed
thee?...
Good, My child!... Go, then, return to thy daily toil; be silent, humble,
resigned, charitable; then return to Me with a heart yet more loving and
devoted, and _I_ shall have for thee fresh blessings.