Words to live by

One of my good friends, Leah DesGeorges, sent this to me at work today. I met Leah through a mutual friend (who now lives in Detroit) who brought Leah to book club. That's how we became friends. She now lives in Denver and I get to be reunited with her very soon! It's amazing how God provides for us in ways we least expect.

That said, I had to share these words of truth and encouragement with you. Oh, I should also mention that Leah works for the same company that I do in which we sell "financial security" to our clients. This was a welcome reminder to both of us!

To be a child of God means to go hand-in-hand with God, to do his will, not one’s own; to place all our hopes and cares in his hands and no longer be concerned about one’s self or future. Thereupon rest the freedom and the good cheer of the child of God. Yet how few of the truly devout, or even those truly heroic and willing to make sacrifices, possess them. They always go around bowed down under the heavy burden of their worries and responsibilities. They are all familiar with the parable of the birds in the sky and the lilies of the field [Matt 6:26-34; Luke 12:24-31]. But whenever they encounter anyone who has no means, nor income, no insurance, and is none the less unconcerned about the future, then they shake their head, completely baffled… Trust in God will remain unshakably firm only if one is willing to accept from the Father’s hand anything and everything. He is the only one who knows what is good for us… If this can be done, then one can freely live on for the present and for the future.

- Edith Stein (St. Teresa Benedict of the Cross)