Peace from Presence

     God does not lay a great burden on us--

a little thinking of him,

a little adoration,

sometimes to pray for grace,

sometimes to offer him your sorrows,

sometimes to thank him for the good things he does.

     Lift up your heart to him even at meals and when you are in 

company.  The least little remembrance will always be acceptable 

to him.  You don't have to be loud.  He is nearer to us than you 

think.

     You don't have to be in church all the time in order to be with 

God.  We can make a chapel in our heart, where we can withdraw 

from time to time and converse with him in meekness, humility, 

and love.  Everyone has the capacity for such intimate conversation 

with God, some more, some less.  He knows what we can do.  Get 

started.  Maybe he is just waiting for one strong resolution on your 

part.  Have courage.

     I don't know what is to become of me.  Peace of soul descends on me 

even in my sleep.  I can't imagine what God has in mind for me, or for 

what purpose he keeps me.  I am in such a profound calm that I fear 

nothing.  What can frighten me when I am with God?  I try to stay with 

him, in his presence, as much as possible.

                      Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God

Who is Brother Lawrence?  Brother Lawrence, ca. 1614-February 1691, 

is best known for his work "The Practice of the Presence of God."  

Brother Lawrence was a lay brother in a Carmelite monastery.  He 

strove to wed the most mundane task with worship of God.  He came 

to a place of quiet surrender where whether he was working in the 

kitchen or attending mass he felt the same prevailing presence of God.

To visit the Lenten Meditations site, click here.

To visit The Practical Disciple, click here.