August 1, 2011 Monthly Message On the first of every month, our Lord gives Anne a new message about His call to service. August 1, 2011 Dear apostles, You are friends of My heart. As such, please be patient with Me as I bring you along in holiness. Would you like to be holier? Perhaps you identify My teachings as good but you feel frustrated because you see that you fall short on some days. This is when you must be truly patient and trust that I am bringing you along as quickly as is needed. Remember that you may see very little progress on some days, but your decision to remain with Me in the process of becoming holier creates a disposition for heaven that keeps the light where it should be, that is, on the need to examine yourself for failure instead of examining others. How easy it is to see the flaws of another. How much more difficult it is to identify which pain in you creates the disposition for repeating a mistake, perhaps again and again. Yes, patience is necessary, both with oneself and with others. I, Jesus, am patient with you. And so you must be patient with yourself. And then you must be patient with others. Do not be distracted by events around you. Do not be drawn into thinking that many events or big events mean that you can take your eyes off of the process of becoming holier. No, dear apostles. I speak gravely when I say to you that you must concentrate seriously on becoming holier because your holiness and your commitment to holiness is a crucial part of My plan to bring comfort to others. Allow Me to see to the world. If you see daily to the condition of your soul and if you love others then you will have fulfilled My plan for you. Rejoice. You are committed to Me and I am eternally committed to you. Jesus
Anne's messages breathe authenticity because they always seem to view our lives from the eternal perspective. Seek holiness and worry not about the shifting circumstances of the world. Be informed but fret not. Thank you, Jesus! From Luke 12: 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be of anxious mind. 30 For all the nations of the world seek these things; and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things shall be yours as well. 32 "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Many times God brings things up a number of times so that I can see that He wants me to pay attention. This is the 3rd time I've been told to be patient with myself. I can't tell you how soothing and reassuring that is. This "being patient" and knowing that I'm moving at a pace acceptable to God is a tough one for me. Maybe it has something to do with being a convert, I want everything by osmosis. Or maybe it's just my dysfunctional personality? :? Who knows?
Lee, I think we all feel this way, that we aren't doing enough, or converting fast enough. This is a great message in many ways, and probably all of us needed to hear it. Lately I have been praying fervently for Him to please show me what he wants me to do, to help me to do more, etc. So this feels like a direct answer to me also. To hear Him say we are doing fine is a great load off, really,isn't it? BUT he also warns not to slack off paying attention to ourselves when the world events or other peoples' actions call our attention away. So for some that very important part of the message may be speaking to them more. I love what He says that our conversion is very important in his plan for consoling others. I have agreed with that all along and keep saying it to others too, that we need to be as ready as possible so we can recover from our own dispair sooner and get on to helping those around us who were more profoundly blindsided by the warning or by disasters (at least that is how I interpret what he is saying). I can't wait to see what Mary says to Mirjana tomorrow...
It reminds me of the Chinese Missionaries prayer, which I love, 'Lord let me convert the whole world, beginning with myself!'
I love this part, its such a nice thought that God is using us to help others. I opened my 'I am with you' book today (by Fr John Woolly if anyone knows it, my mum got me it) and actually had a similar passage to the above! was feeling a bit frustated and anxious yesterday, didnt get the comfort I expected from confession and prayer so it was quite relevant, the passage said to be patient and do not doubt that God is there even when you feel alone, this is part of his plan.
Angela, St Therese of Liseaux talks about this in her autobiography, 'Story of a soul'. She compares herelf to a toy, say a rag doll that a child has. The child loves the toy and plays with it for a while and then lays it down and forgets about it for a while. Therese says it is like this with God, He seems , in prayer, to lay us down and forget about us for a while. She says she will remain faithful till He comes back again. If at the time of prayer or meditation it seems to you that not only have you been distracted in your prayer, but that you have done nothing at all, never leave that time or that place of prayer angry or bitter with yourself. First–turn to God and give God that nothing. (Mother Teresa)
thanks Padraig! and Mother Theresa lol, I will keep this in mind in future when praying. Such a lovely photo of St Therese.
