We’re reading The Practice of the Presence of God, with Spiritual Maxims, by Brother Lawrence.

The Practice of the Presence of God is a text compiled by Father Joseph de Beaufort of the wisdom and teachings of Brother Lawrence, a 17th century Carmelite monk.  It is a collection of his letters, and records made, by other participants in them, of his conversations. A constant theme is the development of an awareness of the presence of God.

Brother Lawrence (c. 1614 – February 12, 1691) was a lay brother in a Carmelite monastery, who is today most commonly remembered for the closeness of his relationship to God as recorded in the classic Christian text.

Irene is recovering from the root canal performed this morning.  Performing a root canal is routine.  However, the defining issue in Irene’s circumstances is the notion of adding the root canal and pending dental issues to her already challenging days.

I agree with the writer of the classic “Foreword” ….

The Practice of the Presence of God is a spiritual classic, which means it is contemporaneous with every age.  It is not easy to read such a classic, however.  Though its values are perennial, its structure and language are not.  I get bogged down in it from time to time and need to read in shorter sittings to keep my fresh and open.  Lawrence requires careful attention, reflection, and even study.

Four chapters of the book are dedicated to the theme of SUFFERING.

We share Chapter 11 in its entirety:

I do not pray that you may be delivered from your pains, but I pray God earnestly that he would give you strength and patience to bear them as long as He pleases.  Comfort yourself with Him who holds you fastened to the cross.  He will loose you when He thinks fit.  Happy are those who suffer with Him.  Accustom yourself to suffer in that manner, and seek from Him the strength to endure as much, and as long, as He shall judge to be necessary for you.  The men of the world do not comprehend these truths, nor is it to be wondered at, since they suffer like what they are, and not like Christians.  They consider sickness a pain to nature and not as a favor from God; and seeing it only in that light, they find nothing in it but grief and distress.  But those who consider sickness as coming from the hand of God, as the effect of His mercy, and the means which He employs for their salvation – such commonly find in it great sweetness and sensible consolation.

I wish you could convince yourself that God is often (in some sense) nearer to us, and more effectually present with us, in sickness than in health.  Rely upon no other physician; for, according to my apprehension, He reserves your cure to Himself.  Put, then, all your trust in Him and you will soon find the effects of it in your recovery, which we often retard by putting greater confidence in physic than in God.

Whatever remedies you make use of, they will succeed only so far as He permits.  When pains come from God, He only can cure them.  He often sends diseases of the body to cure those of the soul.  Comfort yourself with the sovereign Physician both of the soul and body.

Be satisfied with the condition in which God places you; however happy you make think me, I envy you.  Pains and sufferings would be a paradise to me while I should suffer with my God, and the greatest pleasures would be hell to me if I could relish them without Him.  All my consolation would be to suffer something for His sake.

I must, in a little time, go to God.  What comforts me in this life is that I now see Him by faith; and I see Him in such a manner as might make me say sometimes, I believe no more, but I see.  I feel what faith teaches us, and in that assurance and that practice of faith I will live and die with Him.

Continue, then, always with God; it is only support and comfort for your affliction.  I shall beseech Him to be with you.  I present my service.

I am, Yours ….

As written in the Forward, Lawrence requires reflection and study.

Caminando con Fé

Dave