  Who is anxious for a beloved one's eternal welfare? We interest ourselves for their success, their prosperity; we ask God to keep them from harm and misfortune; we try to start them well in the world, to make them of reputation, to procure them pleasure. [pg 081]To spare them trouble, we sacrifice our own ease and enjoyment.... Oh, that is all very beautiful, very right; but what should we do for the soul? Do we pray to God that this soul may become humble, pure, devoted? Do we take as much pains to procure him the little devotional book that will really help him, as we should to obtain a transient pleasure? Do we help him, unseen, towards that act of charity, humiliation, or self-renunciation? Have we courage not to spare the soul the trial that we know will purify? Does it seem too hard for you? Ah! then you do not know what real love is. Does not God love us? Yet God lets us suffer; even sends the suffering. Love is given us to help us onwards, nearer to God. The most blessed is that which draws us nearest to Him; [pg 082] The essence of true love is not its tenderness, but its strength, power of endurance, its purity, its self-renunciation. The mistake we make is when we seek to be beloved, instead of loving. What makes us cowardly is the fear of losing that love. Never forget this: A selfish heart desires love for itself; a Christian heart delights to love—without return. |
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