Being a “Child of God” and a “Happy Child of God” in my life has always been two different things. I was “happy” until life hit me hard, and became so physically exhausted to take a breath was difficult. Well life hit hard this year since last March, and I do mean hard. (I will not bore you with all the details, as most of you know them)
Every new year, I begin to read St. Faustina’s Diary and finish it up through Lent. This started off the 1st of January as usual. I came across the sentence, “God blesses the earth for the sake of Jesus.” I cannot explain to you the joy that entered into me, nor the peace I found with that statement!!!
No matter what, I always have to get into God’s way! I never could get “me out of me,” to quote St. Faustina again. That sentence did it!
You see I was on my face before God. I was praying, sobbing, worried about my parents I could not help due to my own illness, and going absolutely nowhere. I hunted for blessings, pleaded for my blessings, and was in complete oblivion as to why I was not getting any. When I read that, I understood, it does not have one “frigging thing” to do with me. As 8 kids said, “It is not about my plans.”
We are blessed totally for the “sake of Christ.” Every single solitary thing God does, is for the “sake of what His Son did.” I do not have to “beg” for anything, I just have to offer Him, His Son. Every morning I say to God, “Lord bless me this day, for the sake of Your Son.” You know I do that of my own free will, not because “I have to.”
I am truly now a “Happy Child of God.” Am I well? “No.” Am I better? “Yes.” You see it does not matter to me anymore, because I have this great Man and Lord, “Jesus.” If that is not enough for me to trust in, then I might as well “hang it up.”
Suffering is hard, yet when we unite them with the “Sufferings of the Cross” they take on a whole new meaning. I begin to understand this was the only way I was going to come out of this septic tank I was in, and totally drowning.
I had to let go of myself and I think I have finally gotten “me out of me, so God can do with me what He will.” I had to let go of every desire, worry, what I felt I needed, and trying to figure out what I could not understand. When I placed Jesus between myself and God, life changed. I realized there is not one single thing I can do to “warrant” a blessing, God does it all, “for His Son.” I truly believe this is what all the Saints, always understood.
See you Wednesday and God Bless, SR
“Suffering is hard, yet when we unite them with the “Sufferings of the Cross” they take on a whole new meaning.”
That is the paradox of the Cross. Since the beginning of time men and women have grappled with the problem of suffering, precisely because of itself it seems senseless. From that perspective is must be avoided at all costs. If it has no meaning, it is apparently only a bad thing and there is no good in it.
Jesus gives it meaning and he also gives value to our suffering if we can unite ours with his.
Thanks for this reflection, SR.
Hey Biltrix,
I have learned so much Biltrix, through this. I think the most important is, how much God truly does love the Cross. It means everything to Him, and because of it His grace and mercy flows to us. All we can truly do is unite our sufferings to the sufferings of Christ, and then offer it to God. What do you think of this? Do you think our sufferings really count for anything, if we do not unite them to those of Jesus? (Here comes the questions:>) All was created for Jesus, and all is done for Jesus, and I am so much happier facing that fact. I am happier living that fact. Thanks for comment and answer to my one question that I am sure is going to turn into many:>) God Bless, SR
I can’t say sufferings count for nothing if we cannot unite them to Jesus, because suffering has some value to it in itself, although it is hard to see. The Greek work for suffering, pathos, is also the same word for experience. There is an expression in Greek, “pathei mathos.” It means learning comes through experience/suffering. So there is something good that can come out of the suffering itself.
Yet that humanistic view of suffering falls short in comparison with the value Christ gives to our suffering. In the latter case, it is just a necessary (or unnecessary) evil to be tolerated for the sake of something else. With Christ, our sorrowful human condition is elevated to a new, more meaningful plane — we unite ourselves to God through our suffering. Through contemplating this mystery we grow in mercy, compassion, and love. For that is the very message of the Cross.
Thank you so much for a wonderful and clear answer. I like the word “experience.” That opens up a whole lot for me. Thanks again, my friend. God Bless, SR
Sorry, above, I meant to say “in the former case,” not “the latter.”
No harm done. God Bless, SR
SR,
That was a very inspirational post. You always inspire me with your faithfulness. Sometimes trusting in God is so hard, especially when we are going through struggles. It seems your impatience was at odds with your faith (probably cause of the health problems you were/are enduring) or like I have done so many times you wanted an answer on your time and how you wanted it instead of according to God’s will. You are such a faithful Sister in Christ that you recognized this and now you are allowing God to work in your life and faithfully trusting that “God can do with me what He will.” It sounds like you have come out of this struggle with an even stronger, deeper faith. God Bless my friend.
Teresa,
First thank you for a very heartfelt comment. You as well always inspire me. Impatience does not even begin to explain it girl:>) I am learning though Teresa, God does truly want and desire total surrender. Things are going to be hard until we do. God loves us, more then we can even comprehend, but Teresa, God loves His Son soooooooooooooo much. This love He has for Jesus overflows to us. When I begin to understand this and the depths of His love for Christ, I begin to understand there was no use in me taking another step by myself or for myself. My love, hope and faith has grown in leaps and bounds because of it. If God is going to do anything for me, it is because of the Cross. The death and rising of Christ, is what gives my life meaning. There is a peace that comes with that. I think it is the “peace that surpasses all understanding.” St. Faustina said, “When I unite my sacrifices to Christ, this seems to please God.” I think she was right. You are a faithful Sister in Christ as well. One that I love to the very depths of my heart. I cannot wait until we meet, and I know it will be one day. I am just too close to Houston, and I know one day you will be coming to see your sister. I love you and God Bless, SR
Wonderful, inspirational post. I am glad to be able to read your blogs once again!. Prayers are with you.
Hey Roses,
Thank you and as well it is wonderful to be reading yours again. Your post always inspire me. In fact am going to go and read your new one here in a few moments. I always look forward to them. Thanks for comment and God Bless, SR
Reblogged this on New Things and commented:
Great thoughts to go along with mine on suffering. Be blessed.
Thanks for the reblog. I am glad it helped. It seems there is so much suffering now, and we have to hold one another up. God Bless, SR