A Long Slow Journey Tenderness has the power to melt the most hardened hearts steeped in pride. As we receive God’s love in our hearts, our identity as His beloved sons and daughters is restored. The tenderness of God heals. The caress of God disinfects and cleanses our wounds. The tenderness of God brings peace, serenity, and rest to the The Love Crucified Community. The Simple Path to Union with God (pp. 279-280). Kindle Edition. ++++++++++ It has been a long journey learning to trust in God. Many of our deepest wounds are formed in childhood, hidden in memory yet still shaping our lives in ways we may not see. What others notice in us can remain invisible to ourselves. In my youth, I had no words for my inner struggles. This led to seasons of chaos, much of which I managed to conceal—though not all. One day, while reading from the First Letter of John (3:20): “If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything,” the words pierced me. I fell to my knees in tears, realizing that my lack of self-love had blocked my growth in self-knowledge. That moment began the slow process of trusting in God’s love for me. The inner journey requires persistence. Setbacks, failures, even great sins must not keep us down. I have learned to rise again and again, for failure is often part of the path to faith. I am a slow learner, but perhaps that is why I welcome old age—it has brought me a deeper, though still limited, understanding of God’s love for me and for all. We must remember: we are made in His image and likeness; He is not made in ours. —Br. MD
If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything... ________________________________ Such a reassuring verse!
I often think of the time when I die and stand before the Throne of God and all my life and the actions of my life will be revealed in truth. But one thing cheers me up. I have lived such a truly terrible life full of all kinds of indescribable evil that I am actually at a great advantage. I have no choice, no choice at all but to totally , totally rely on the Marcy of God. As Jesus told Saint Faustina those who need His mercy most have the most claim on it. Having thrown myself totally on the Mercy of God in this life and it never having failed me I know now it will not fail me in the World to come. He is my dear friend now. So I know He will continue to be so in the World to come.
