simple love

Before boarding the plane to Port Au Prince my mother in law gave me a book I'd read in high school by brother lawrence- The Practice of the Presence of God. I read it through again and initially didn't think I had gleaned any particularly new wisdom. A few months later though, the book's emphasis of the soul's continual undivided adoration of God continues to ring in my head. I can't seem to escape the simple challenge of the soul's single focus on the love of God- from a lecture given by Dr. Father Benedict Groeschel, to an email sent by a good friend which signed off with the thought that it will all be for naught if we do not in the end find ourselves loving God more. I am not at the point where I consider it all a loss if I do not love God. It might not be as meaningful or as rich of a life if my soul does not learn to love God in the present, but it will still be worth it if my life makes a difference and in the end I see the one whom my heart has always desired. I want to be so attracted to Jesus that I can affirm with brother lawrence that even if there is no eternal salvation, my being delights to love and serve him.

"...Take me to you, (Jesus); imprison me, for I - Except you'enthrall me, never shall be free; Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me..." John Donne, Holy Sonnet 14