The Wisdom of Brother Lawrence

I have a very long list of books on this blog, and one I particularly like is called "The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence, a 17th century Carmelite lay-brother. The book is a collection of conversations he had with a friend, a group of letters he wrote to various people, and some of his spiritual practices. It isn't a big book and I think I read it in an evening. But I smiled throughout it and marveled at what a treasure he had found in being constantly in "the presence of God." To quote part of his second letter: "There is no sweeter manner of living in the world than continuous communion with God. Only those who have experienced it can understand...I would urge everyone to be aware of God's constant presence, if for no other reason than because His presence is a delight to our souls and spirits. It is, however, also necessary. If we only knew how much we need God's grace, we would never lose touch with Him." In one of his conversations, he explained that to be constantly aware of God's presence, it is necessary to form the habit of continually talking with Him throughout each day. A little effort is needed to form the habit, but after practice it becomes easy. He said he spoke simply and frankly to God, telling Him everything and asking for help when needed. All we have to do is recognize God as being intimately present in us. Then we may speak directly to Him every time we need to ask for help, to know His will in moments of uncertainty, and to do whatever He wants us to do in a way that pleases Him. This continuous conversation should also include praising and loving God incessantly for His infinite goodness and perfection.

What a wonderful concept, and what a great little book!

An Unfaithful Generation Seeks a Sign

The tragedy of our modern world is that it wants proof that God exists. There is no such proof. No amount of books, libraries or marvelous speakers can convince us. We enter into the unseen mysteries of our faith, the mystery of God, through an experience, an event, a happening, a miracle.....

Those of us who have been baptized have received faith as a grace from God, a very special gift. This gift has to be constantly reaffirmed. It is so important to continue to ask for it, to implement it and to act as though I believe. Then it becomes bigger than the whole of the cosmos. Then the whole of the world is in me and I am in the whole world because God belongs to me and I belong to God.

Through faith we are able to turn our faces to God and meet his gaze. Each day becomes more luminous. The veil between God and man becomes less and less until it seems as if we can almost reach out and touch Him.

Faith is a pulsating thing, a sun that nothing can dim if it exists in the hearts of men. As Saint Paul says, "It is the assurance of things not yet seen." (Heb 11: 1) That's why it is so beautiful. God gives it to us saying, "I love you. Do you love me? Come and follow me in the darkness. I want to know if you are ready to go into the things that you do not see yet, on faith alone."

And we say, "You're inviting me to what? There is nothing to see. I cannot touch you. I cannot feel you." And God replies, "I invite you to a relationship of love; your love of me, my love of you."

**This is from Servant of God Catherine de Hueck Doherty, who was born in Russia and founded the Madonna House**

Hard to believe some don't believe

How can people not believe in God? It seems so obvious to me. You see Him everywhere- in newborn babies and old folks, the sun, sky and stars, beautiful birds and butterflies, animals of every species, the oceans, the winds whether gentle or gale force, snow-capped mountains, the Grand Canyon, the deserts with ever-shifting sands, the perfection of the human body itself. But our schools bombard our children with the theory of evolution, as if it could all, somehow, just fall into place. When I look up at the sky on a clear night there is no question in my mind that there is a God. All those stars and planets hanging there, not crashing into earth or one another. Then I consider the earth itself, with perfect balance of light from the sun, gravity and oxygen to sustain life. The seasons, renewing life over and over. All the fantastic forms of life are so amazing! God must have had a good time creating everything. Watching the bird feeders on my back deck is a riot of color: red cardinals, yellow goldfinches, purple finches, black and white chickadees, red headed woodpeckers, gorgeous blue indigo buntings and bluejays, and the iridescent hummingbirds. There are butterflies and dragonflies of all colors. The bats swoop at night for the mosquitos, with their awesome built-in sonar. I look at the perfect, symmetrical markings of my dogs and the way their hair grows in a certain pattern. The salt water fish in our tank are so brightly colored, but are nothing compared to what's in an ocean coral reef. Animals are so fantastic, the world has so much beauty, and the marvel of the human body. How many millions of cells each of us have, along with the miracle of our brain, eyes, senses, skin, heart, liver, kidneys....all working together and supporting each other. Wow....what an amazing God we have.

Day one

I have never blogged before, which may become painfully obvious soon. Not sure if I have anything to say that will interest other people, and that's OK. Don't agree with anything I write? That's OK too. This can just be my sounding board. Sometimes I have things I'd like to post on Facebook or Twitter that are way too long, and I can put them here without abbreviation. I also may not post very often, since I work full time. Just happen to have a day off in the middle of the week, so here goes!


The older I have gotten the more I have discovered what truly is important in life. That is our relationship with God our creator. I have stumbled through most of my life without giving a second thought to why I am here, or how I got here. And sadly enough, I was raised in a Catholic family and went to Catholic schools. You can be surrounded by truth and not know or care. I think that's the case in most young people, who are trying to go with the flow and be accepted. Then after getting married you have so much going on, with kids, work and the stress of life in general. Not much time left for God, or at least that's the way it was for me. I went to church sporadically, daydreaming through it, ready to get out of there and on to the "important" things. Some of my family members knew better, and I'm sure their prayers helped get me back on track. It took awhile though, and I feel like I have missed much and wasted way too much time! So I've been working on it for the last 7 years or so, reading and praying, step by step. So much to learn, so little time left......