Salesian Literature

21.   Walking With God

 

Dear Francis de Sales,

 

You will be pleased to know that my prayers have been much easier lately, and not so dry.  I think it’s because I’ve been trying to live each day more in the presence of God.

 

When I think how close he is to me, I tremble sometimes; but it helps me to keep my temper a little more under control.

 

Yours sincerely,

Mrs. A. Christine

 

 

Dear Mrs. Christine,

 

I’m really very pleased to learn of the encouragement you receive in prayer, especially when it’s built on such a sure foundation as the practice of the presence of God.  So carry on along the same path, always keeping close to God; you’ll find his shade a greater tonic than the sunshine.

 

There’s no harm in sometimes quaking in his presence.  Even the angels tremble as they gaze upon his unveiled glory.  Just take care that God’s love, the crown of all his works, always has the upper hand, is first and last in all your thoughts.

 

Now all is well since your old outbursts of temper no longer take you by surprise and you are a little meeker than you were.

 

Always be faithful to God and to yourself.  Correct yourself of something every day; not because you have to, but because you want to.  People who are fond of gardening enjoy pruning the trees in their orchards.

 

As long as you love, seek and follow our Lord, you can count on him to supply for all your deficiencies, if it comes to that, so that you may get ever closer to him.  This is what you’re doing, I know.  Keep it up carefully every day.

 

Commend me to God’s mercy, for I am most sincerely

 

Your devoted servant,

Francis de Sales

(Source:  1610-1612.  Annecy Edition, XV, 319-320)

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