As soon as you awake in the morning, try to realize GOD stretching forth
His Hand towards you, and saying, _Dost thou really desire that I should
watch over thee this day?_ and you lift up your hands towards this kind
FATHER, and say to Him, "Yes, yes, lead me, guide me, love me; I will be
very submissive!"
Beneath GOD'S protecting Hand, is it possible that you can be sorrowful,
fearful, unhappy?
No; GOD will allow no suffering, no trial, above what you are able to
bear.
Then pass through the day, quietly and calmly, even as when a little child
you had your mother always beside you.
You need only be careful about _one_ thing, _never to displease God_, and
you will see how lovingly GOD will direct all that concerns you--material
interests, sympathies, worldly cares; you will be astonished at the sudden
enlightenment that will come to you, and the wondrous peace that will
result from your labor and your toil.
Then, welcome trial, sickness, ennui, privations, injustice ... all of it
can only come directed by GOD'S Hand, and will wound the soul only in
order to cleanse some spot within.
Would your mother have given you a bitter dose merely for the sake of
causing you suffering?
If your duty is hard, owing either to its difficulty or the distaste you
feel towards it, lift your heart to GOD and say, "_Lord, help me_," ...
then go on with it, even though you seem to do it imperfectly.
Should one of those moments of vague misgivings, that leave the soul as it
were in utter darkness, come to overwhelm you, call upon GOD, as a child
in terror cries out to its mother.
If you have sinned, oh! even then be not afraid of the merciful GOD, but
with eyes full of tears, say to Him, "Pardon me" ... and add softly,
"chastise me soon, O LORD!"
Yes, yes, dear one, be always at peace, going on quietly with your daily
duties ... more than that, be always joyous.
And why not?
You who have no longer a mother to love you, and yet crave for love, GOD
will be as a mother. You who have no brother to help you, and have so much
need of support, GOD will be your brother. You who have no friends to
comfort you, and stand so much in need of consolation, GOD will be your
friend.
Preserve always the _childlike simplicity_ which goes direct to GOD, and
speak to Him as you would speak to your mother.
Keep that open _confidence_ that tells Him your projects, troubles, joys,
as you tell them to a brother.
Cherish those _loving words_ that speak of all the happiness you feel,
living in dependence upon Him, and trusting in His Love, just as you would
tell it to the friend of your childhood.
Keep the _generous heart of childhood_ which gives all you have to GOD.
Let Him freely take whatever He pleases, all within and around you. Will
only what He wills, desiring only what is in accordance with His Will, and
finding nothing impossible that He commands.
Do you not feel something soothing and consoling in these thoughts? The
longer you live, the better you will understand that true happiness is
only to be found in a life devoted to GOD, and given up entirely to His
Guidance.
No! no! none can harm you, unless it be GOD'S Will, and if He allows it;
be patient and humble, weep if your heart is sore, but love always, and
wait ... the trial will pass away, but GOD will remain yours forever.