  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 [pg 038] 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 [pg 039] 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? [pg 040]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 [pg 041] 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 [pg 042] 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?... [pg 043]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. |
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