Life brings to us many trials and tribulations. “Darkness of the Soul” is truly an unbearable “suffering.” The soul feels totally abandoned by God. As St. Faustina said, “The more it feels like this, the more it clamours to get to God.” “God is all there is for the soul.” I have found for myself, what truly will bring God’s light back to me again. That is the “Anticipation of His Grace.”
One of my prayers in the morning is, “Lord, I do not know what this day is going to bring me, but my soul rejoices in the anticipation of Your grace to get me through it.”
When the Blessed Mother was told she was going to bring forth God Man, Jesus, she said “My soul does magnify You Oh Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Though she did not quite understand it all, “as she had not known man,” she anticipated God’s grace to get her through it.
These are some of the “graces” that I “anticipate” during my day and “thank” Him for.” I will give eleven.
I anticipate and give thanks for:
The grace of “forgiveness.”
The grace of “conversion of my nature,” that I will be able to carry out His will.
The grace of “getting me through my problems, not just making them go away.”
The grace of being “able to pray.”
The grace of “receiving His Son in the Holy Eucharist.”
The grace of “His mercy and compassion.”
The grace of “repentance and confession.”
The grace of “His answers to my prayers.”
The grace of “Him choosing me,” as Jesus said, “I chose you.”
The grace of “His love.”
The grace of “Him opening another door for me, and allowing me to step through it, and seeing what is behind it.”
When we begin to “anticipate” and “contemplate” on the grace that is coming in the next hour in our lives, that moment of God’s light will come into the soul. For me, when it does this, it gets my mind off of “me” and gets it on “God.” Our souls will begin to “magnify Him,” and our spirits will “rejoice in Him.” Even if that light stays only for a fleeting moment, it is enough to get us through the entire day. I may not see the grace I am needing at the moment, but I know it is on it’s way!
God Bless, SR
Beautiful, SR! Thanks for a lovely grace-filled reflection.
Hey 8 kids,
God has taught me so much about His grace during this past year. I depend on it, I look forward to it, and I think about it all the time. Thanks for comment and God Bless, SR
Beautiful post. This is a great way to keep Christ in front of me. Thanks!
Welcome and thank you Dancewear. It has truly helped to “keep Christ in front of me always.” Took a few years to get me to this point, but once I hit it, I had it. Again welcome and thanks for comment. God Bless, SR
Amen! SR, you brought some highly crucial points into focus in this post. However, Anticipation of His Grace take the prize. I need to make this a routine or a way of life. As a matter of fact, every Christian should do this.
Thanks so much for sharing. God blesses.
Hey Noel,
It has made my life so much happier. I am truly joyous when I “anticipate the grace” God has in store for me daily. I wonder what the “grace” is going to be in the next hour and cannot wait for it to come to pass, as it is always different. I am glad it helped you as well. Thanks for comment and God Bless, SR
I love it! I never thought about anticipating God’s grace, and what a sense of gratitude that creates. It also implies a sense of complete security and faith in His unending, boundless love as well. I guess it will be really difficult to feel sorry for myself while looking for God’s next generous gift.
Hey Reinkat,
“Complete security and faith in His unending, boundless love as well.” That is a wonderful way to put it. It is kind of like preparing for a trip. You are not there yet, but all the happiness and excitement it gives to you, getting ready for it. I have found as well, it is very hard to feel sorry for myself, because I know something will be coming when I need it. Thanks for comment and glad it helped. God Bless, SR
That’s a beautiful way to start your day, thanking God in anticipation for his graces. I think you’ve come up with a veritable litany prayer. I’m a little stumped for a name for it, though. The litany of anticipation doesn’t ring right. Maybe, litany of foresight and thanksgiving.
Hey Biltrix,
It is a “beautiful way to start my day.” I will leave you my dear friend, with the chore of finding the name:>) Thanks for comment and God Bless, SR
I know well the darkness of the soul. Oh SR, thank you for the suggestion of anticipating His grace. I am going to try to incorporate this into my routine. I agree with Biltrix, How about Litany of Grace? Or is that taken? (I’m a new Catholic, lol) Someone should definitely put this to music, it would help in the memorizing. I would add the grace of being united to Jesus in my sufferings, the grace of unexpected joy, and the grace of His perfect timing. I am going to write these in my journal so I can reflect on them again and again. Thank you, and God bless you tonight, SR.
Lyn
Hey Lyn,
Have been praying for you and your family these past few moments. Darkness of the soul is very hard to get through. Lyn, I have found how my day goes, begins with what I say to God the very first thing in the morning. That sets the “tone” so to speak as to how I am going to view all of my trials and tribulations for the day. I have learned not to live in the past, not the future, but in the moment. I have also learned that grace is different with each passing hour as our circumstances change almost that fast. The thing of it is for me, is to “anticipate” almost every waking moment. What joy that brings to my soul! I know it is coming, it is right around the corner. Lyn, I do not like to “suffer” and I am the first one to admit it. That is not life. I wish I could say, “I am soooooooooo holy I love every moment of suffering.” I am not!!! God and the Blessed Mother have shown me many ways, I can still be “happy” and at “peace” in spite of them. I love the “graces” which you added. That is the wonderful thing about God, He has sooooooooooo many to give us, we would need a huge journal to write them all down. God Bless you and your family tonight as well. SR