Living from day to day beneath His Eye, and where all things are ordered
by a Divine Providence.
As carefully as a mother arranges the room where her child will pass the
day, does GOD prepare each hour that opens before me. Whatever has to be
done, it is His Will that I should do it; and in order that it should be
done well, He provides the necessary time, intelligence, aptitude, and
knowledge.
Whatever of suffering presents itself, He expects me to bear it, even
though I may not see any reason for it; and if the pain be so sharp as to
call forth a cry, He gently whispers, "Courage, My child, for it is My
will!"
If anything occurs to hinder my work, anything goes contrary to my plans
and projects, He has ordained it so on purpose, because He knows that too
much success would make me proud, too much ease would make me sensual; and
He would teach me that the road to heaven is not _success_, but _labor and
devotion_.
With such thoughts as these all rebellion is hushed! With what peace, what
joy, our work may be begun, continued, interrupted, and resumed!
With what energy we reject those enemies that assail us at every
hour,--idleness, haste, preoccupation, success, want of perseverance under
difficulties!
Does the past sometimes rise up to trouble me with the thought of the many
years spent without GOD?
Ah! no doubt the shame and grief are sharp and keen, but why need they
disturb my peace of mind?
Has not GOD promised His pardon for His blessed SON'S sake, to all who
truly repent and unfeignedly believe His Holy Gospel? Have I made a full
avowal and entire submission? and am I not willing to fulfil whatever I am
advised in GOD'S Name to do for the future?
Does the future in its turn seem to frighten me? I smile at the foolish
fancies of my imagination; is not my future in GOD'S Hands?
What, when all that will befall me to-morrow, next year, ten years, twenty
years hence, is ordained by Him, shall I distress myself with the thought
that it may not be good for me!
LORD! be Thou my Guide, and choose my lot as may seem best to Thee!