A Little Reassurance


Live in peace

and inner tranquility.

Show this by acting without rush

or too great eagerness.

Suffer what you have to suffer peacefully,

in perfect tranquility of spirit in God,

and loving acceptance of all

that his holy will ordains.

 Maxim of Love 7:1
Jean-Pierre Medaille, SJ

       


Sharing our stories...

Last night I was talking to a friend who is going through the dark night of the soul. I asked her “Now that you know what it is like to go through the suffering would you rather not have gone through it?” She said “Although I am finding it hard I am accepting it all for God and I am at peace with it. I also know that I could not go back”. All she needed was a little reassurance that what she was going through was authentic. What a beautiful soul who can accept all that entails for the love of God.

 

Lately, I have been surrounded with sick people. One of my closest friends has been battling stage four cancer for the last three years; a couple of months ago my husband was diagnosed for the second time in less than 18 months with cancer. My first reaction in finding out the bad news was “Why Lord” then right away, I said, “Thank you Lord that they discovered it early”. I felt a sense of deep peace and a great trust that the Lord was in our lives and he knew what was best for us.

 

Lately, I find myself saying the following words “It is as is” and I refuse to sweat the small stuff. There is a great peace in accepting the things that we cannot change; it is as is! When I was a young girl, my siblings used to say that I was like Don Quixote, battling with the windmills. They were right. I spent a great amount of energy fighting useless battles. But the Lord had plans for me and I had a lot to learn and what better way but through the Dark Night of the Soul. I often praise him and thank him during the day for being in our lives. As far as I am concerned this is the only thing that makes sense to me that God is the center of my life and I am prepared to live and accept whatever comes my way for the love of Him.

Danielle Latreille
Ottawa, Canada

 

 

Comments  

#1 arletteh 2014-02-16 12:51
Thank you, Danielle!A little reassurance from one another is so necessary and soothing! I quote a line from a hymn by Brother Aelred-Seton Shanley :"Close draw us to Your wounded side-the wounds we bear will then be grace." I think it's God's plan to turn all our suffering into grace.

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