God Does Not Ask A Great Deal of Us

"God does not ask a great deal of us: a brief remembrance from time to time, a brief act of adoration, occasionally to ask him for his grace or offer him your sufferings, at other times to thank him for the graces he has given you and is giving you. In the midst of your work find consolation in him as often as possible. During your meals and conversations, occasionally lift up your heart to Him; the least little remembrance of him will always be most agreeable."

Brother Lawerence, The Practice of the Presence of God

Sounds simple, right? Let's keep praying that we can live a life of continuous prayer and living in the presence of God...

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Comments

[kevin]

Then why does it seem He is asking everything of us?

[Hector]

Hi Kevin when you look at the simple things Brother Lawrence mentions, God doesn't really ask for much. But they require us to think and fee of someone other than us and the things that impact us. Maybe that's what makes things hard. Maybe that is why it feels like he is asking everything of us. He just wants us to love him and love him in others.

[kevin]

"He just wants us to love him and love him in others."

Is there anything more in all of creation than loving him and loving others? It's two little things, but it's two little things that mean more than anything we could come up with. Maybe it's supposed to be easy, but that's like saying it's easy to jump off the high dive at the local pool.

Sure, gravity does all the work, there's not much technical skill needed, and once you take that step, you're going to fall into the water whatever you do. But, standing on the end of the board, looking down into the water far, far below, it seems much more difficult. You stand there and wonder whether you have it in you.

[Hector]

"Maybe it's supposed to be easy, but that's like saying it's easy to jump off the high dive at the local pool." Kevin, I love diving boards, but i do remember as a kid climbing to high ones thinking it would be fun, and then when I got there been terrified! I closed my eyes and let go. It was exhilarating AFTERWARDS, but during it very scarry. I also remember once were we climbed a roof to jump higher. Many kids jumped off OK. I starred at the far away pool and after what seemed like an eternity I came back down. I did not trust or risk, I also did not enjoy the benefits.

Good analogy Kevin!