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So, I downloaded this book way back in August, but I only got about half way through. Now after rereading it I know why. This book is incredible and every sentence requires a holy hour of meditation after you finish reading it. It's intense, yet simple. Profound, yet full of incredible common sense.
Br. Lawrence was a religious brother who lived in the 1600's. He had an incredible closeness to Jesus and was able to actively live that out every day.
What I admire most about Br. Lawrence and this book is his profound self-awareness and dedication to his resolutions. He says over and over that he decided he would give himself wholly to God, so that's what he did. And when he lost sense of Gods presence or sinned, he simply turned his heart back to Jesus and started over.
How beautiful this way of life is. It exemplifies everything I hope to be. I admire his will and love how simple he views the spiritual life. He understands that he is a sinner and without God he can do nothing. How often so we get mad at ourselves for failing or turning from God? I get angry about this on a weekly (daily) basis. And then I feel like I can't talk to God because I haven't behaved perfectly. But, I don't think that's what Jesus wants. I think this practice of the presence of God pleases him greatly and makes him smile. He just wants to be with us, and this practice does that in a beautiful and humble way.
So I'm trying to take a page from Br. Lawrence and trying to consciously find Jesus with me at all times. And when I forget or mess up, I will simply ask Jesus to help me to continue on.
PS - It's free on Amazon.
Some favorite quotes:
Make immediately a holy and firm resolution never more willfully to forget Him, and to spend the rest of your days in His sacred presence.
The least little remembrance will always be acceptable to Him. You need not cry very loud; He is nearer to us than we are aware of.
That it was a great delusion to think that the times of prayer ought to differ from other times.
It was nearly impossible to stop at three quotes. I think I highlighted 99% of the book.
THANK YOU for this! The last two books I'd downloaded free from Amazon were downright terrible (and that's being charitable, sadly) and I didn't have the knowledge to go in search of something like this. I just started a book yesterday, but this one is next on my list now. It sounds like the type of thing I can read bits and pieces of at a time between finishing up this last month (EEEAAAK!) of college.
ReplyDeleteGod bless!
you'll have to let me know what you think of it!! good luck with your last month of school!!!!
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