Simple. Everything about God is simple and natural.Or as Saint Therese of Lisieux says,“Everything is grace”.
We are the ones in our pride who complicate our relationship to Him. Although Jesus surprised me by suddenly appearing in my life at 16, I tried too hard afterwards to grow in the spiritual life. I read all the complicated books on spirituality and then proceeded to strive and pray circles around myself.
My small success is that I gave up when I was finally exhausted enough.
Jesus finally had an opening to shine the light of His love into my core self. When the light of the divine shone, through the dull glass of my life, I suddenly saw all the colours and beauty which were always present. I am no longer a dull, grey window but a brilliant stained glass that only the light of God can illuminate.
“Such a soul has been stripped of her old self and has been clothed in a new self, in Christ gentle Jesus. Then, she is open to receive and hold that grace by which she experiences God in this life.”-Saint Catherine of Siena
I would express this concept in different words. I would say my small success is that I am learning to say yes to God and allow His light to dissolve false masks and costumes , permitting my true self, hidden in Christ to rise up and take centre stage. Now I can receive and hold His grace, His love. My formerly grey existence glows with colours because His light brings all facets of my being to life
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joy of nine9 
What an excellent analogy: the soul as stained glass.
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it works for me
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oh and thank-you 🙂
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When I was converting to Catholicism, I was warned about this “I tried too hard afterwards to grow in the spiritual life. I read all the complicated books on spirituality and then proceeded to strive and pray circles around myself.” I watch others do it, and I reach out. I hope they listen. I pray for them.
And you know what I love about the stained glass at church? That when the light comes through it touches everyone differently – just like God.
Faith is such a blessing. And you are too…
Em
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what a wonderful insight
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Hmm…I am reminded of how pessimistic I was back then, and how all that changed when someone told me again, after years of other people telling me the same message, a message going along these lines:
“You can’t control others, but only you can control yourself.”
Huh, God has always been trying to help me, just like how He is trying to help everyone else in this world, too. I just needed to open my door and let Him in.
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exactly..you have got it
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Beautiful. Thanks for helping us to shine with His light.
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🙂
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