Salesian Literature

14.   Holding God's Hand

 

Dear Francis de Sales,

 

I have not been at all well for some days and have to stay in bed.  Please say a prayer that I get better soon.  Do you think God is tired of me?  I still love him, but don’t feel I’m much of use to him.

 

Yours sincerely,

Mrs. A. Christine

 

 

Dear Mrs. Christine,

 

The God-given affection I have for you, holy and perfect as it is, makes me very sorry that you are sick.  Still, you know, we must try not only to accept this sickness as coming from the loving hand of God, our origin and our goal, but also to love it dearly and hug it closely.

 

I hope you’ll soon be quite well again, if it’s for God’s greater glory.  If not, I hope you’ll bear your sufferings lovingly for as long as Providence requires, so that whether you’re well or sick God’s will may be done.

 

I praise God for your love of him.  Don’t go prying into it, though, through thinking he will drop you because you are worthless.  We must never give way to these fears.

 

As you humble yourself and acknowledge that you are quite worthless, trust that God’s great mercy will enfold you more and more.  This doesn’t mean that we should the press on regardless. Of course, we’re not pressing on regardless whenever we accept the graces God offers us, as long as we remain humble and fulfil the duties that go with our state in life.

 

What more can I say to you, except to repeat what I’ve so often said.  As far as you can just carry on as usual out of love for God.  Let your prayers and actions give proof of this love.

 

Above all, mould yourself as far as possible along the lines of kindness and patient serenity: kindness towards your neighbour, however tiresome or disagreeable; patient serenity as regards yourself, however tempted or troubled, however worthless you may feel.

 

I trust in our Lord that you will always hold on to his hand, and so never stumble at all.  If you do happen to trip over an obstacle and fall, it will only be to put you even more on your guard and make you seek more earnestly your heavenly Father’s help and protection.  I beg him to have always in his safe keeping.

 

I am, in him, faithfully yours,

Francis de Sales

(Source:  Annecy, 20 August 1609.  Annecy Edition, XIV, 193-194)

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