'Let me ask myself to whom my thoughts turn oftenest - God or self?
As I go about my daily tasks, passing from one place to another,
thinking, so to say, of nothing -
What is the nothing?
What is the subject of my daydreaming and castle-building?
Is it how I might help Christ to save souls and defeat satan, or
how I shall add to my personal comfort and happiness?'
(from Fervorinos from the Lips of the Master, compiled by a Religious, Pelligrini, Australia, 1940, p. 57)
Painting: Ethel Porter Bailey, Reflections
Ouch! You know a brick just hit me don't you? Nothing...I do lots of that thinking.
ReplyDeleteSo Nancy...what is your fave book by *a religious* so far? *winks*
Theresa, I know that brick ..... it hit me too, when I read this. Slammed right into me.
DeleteMy fave book by "a religious" is... whatever one I am reading from at the time :) ! I find them quite similar, but always I run across new thoughts that jump put at me.. I often just open a copy at random (especially with the volumes loaned to me, as they come and go). Such gems!
Theresa, my thoughts, too!!
DeleteHi Nancy. Your posts are all so very beautiful. Thank you for sharing the grace. I love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Maryann. I love sharing the jewels I come across, and it is a blessing to know the sharing is being found!
DeleteGood questions! I need to sit with this a while...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the 'spiritual prod', Nancy :-)
I'm being prodded by this too, Trish - very much. Convicting!
DeleteI'm planning to read the book "Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence. It seems just the right thing to read to stop me thinking of nothing!!! Nice to meet you! patsy
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you too, Patsy :) ! Thanks so much for stopping by and saying hello. What a perfect book... I dip into it now and then, but haven't read it straight-through in awhile. Happy reading!
DeleteNancy,
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are always turning towards my writing. It's a problem at times. I really have to drag myself away from whatever I am working on in order to pray. Sometimes I think it's better not to write at all. Hard to get a balance!
Perfect picture!
Oh Sue, I have the very same problem. Sometimes I feel I'm pulling myself by the ears....
DeleteOkay, can I insert my "ouch" in here too?
ReplyDeleteHmmm... your post reminds me of an article I read this past week that a good sign of growth in holiness is forgetfulness of self (big fail here for me unfortunately). Here's the link, it's an excellent post that I think you'll like: http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/2014/03/26/hidden.
I love that site! But I'd missed that particular post, so am SO glad you called my (our!) attention to it. Thank you!
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