Be of good courage, for neither grace nor the help of the Sacred Heart will be wanting to you. Our Lord wishes to save you; He will not let you perish as long as you do not willfully do what you know displeases Him. ~ St. Margaret Mary Alacoqué
12 days into the new year, God sends me His word for the year: obedience. Through the emissary of His own Heart, St Margaret Mary Alacoqué, God gives me the light for the year ahead. It is not the answer to pleadings I have tucked into the Heart of Jesus. Instead, He tells me how I can find Him – through simple obedience.
Beginning from a small act of work-related obedience yesterday, God gently teaches me what I often fail to see. That heavenly help and grace are always there, in abundance and perfect for every need; yet, to reach deep into those jars, it will take obedience on my part.
The obedience to lay down everything at His feet. Every single thing.
Every fear. Every worry and frustration.
Every fervour and happy intention as well.
Just because something is good, will not mean it’s willed. Just because something is difficult and frustrating will also not mean it’s not willed. I won’t always know which is which – but God will. And that is why He has come to save me the trouble of getting into a twist when I have to do something I don’t particularly wish to, and even before I do something that might seem so right, yet, which could nonetheless, be wrong.
Still, I’m not that thrilled. Though I want all the help and grace I can have for a crease-free life, to be reminded of the prerequisite is to burst the bubble, for the roads of obedience are truly, truly my Calvary.
Then, the angel shifts my eyes away from the hard, high roads.
Little steps, little paths
And mountains will fall, and hills be moved
Moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day.
Little steps, little paths
Even for obedience.
writingonmyheart 
Obedience is very hard for hard-headed, free will infused humans. It is a daily (if not hourly) struggle to let go of the steering wheel and allow God to guide my life…
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I totally understand. I’m the sort that’s always meddling in God’s affairs so to bend my will to His heart is tough. But I guess it’ll be easier to take it moment by moment, small bites.
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I do believe in the ‘little steps’. I have been sick for over a week with a bad cold/virus. Not good. I feel like I lost a week, and yet, little steps were made along the way to recovery of good health. The angels are ever-ready to help us. We are not always listening, I think. We must be open to that, and sometimes, we are a bit reluctant. Tired maybe. I am not sure. I do know that listening is so very important. Praise God that He never gets tired of listening to us…no matter what. We are so very blessed!
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I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been ill. Even if it’s only the flu/cold, being sick is only good in hindsight when we see all the hidden “benefits” it brought us – but when we’re suffering in sickness, it’s a cross alright. I hope there’s someone close by to help you gently get back to your feet, Linda. Give yourself time – we can’t always hurry things. A good, strong ginger tea taken several times a day till well is something I hold to. If I lived nearby, I’d keep you stocked up on that. I will tuck you into the hearts of the Three Mothers – Mother Mary, St Anne and St Gianna Molla. They have seen me through many a rough day and they’ve kept me safe in Jesus’ Heart; they will care for you as well.
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Thank you so very much! We have a sunshiny day today and that always helps. I am feeling much better, but it did leave me quite tired. I am looking forward to spring! We have had some warm days and the daffodils are sprouting up. (Mother Nature is getting confused.) It will get cold again, but it is a tease for the springtime ahead.
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It’s so nice to hear that you’re on the mend! And daffodils! There was a year when they came up so often in blogs that I felt it was a sign. Looking it up, I learned that they were a symbol of hope. The angels are gifting you heaven’s hope, Linda. I will continue to pray.
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