Be always with Christ

I sometimes think we give too much importance to our outward attitude of prayer. We expect too much emotionally of ourselves, much more than God is asking for.

God is only asking us to remember Him at all times, in good and bad periods to offer Him this moment of our time--this moment, not the following one. The present is what He asks; not in great gestures of surrender, but in a continual natural stream even as we breathe.

The great moments will then be vouchsafed us by Divine grace when we are reaching for them, when prayer quickens into a life of its own and carries us with it to unexpected heights, and above all peace and joys. Prayer carries us--not we, our prayer.

-- Mother Alexandra 

My eyes flutter open to a new morning, “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it,” I whisper. Before worries descend on my heart, or I think a thought or take a step, I remember God, and I choose a calmer, simpler path. 

The older I get, the more evidence I gather of God’s faithfulness and mercy, which deepens my trust in His will, my patience with what feels unsettling or what I don’t understand, and my certainty that only in His light can I see light.

"Be always with Christ and trust Him in everything".

- Fr. Thomas Hopko

I want to approach each moment gently, free of ego and fear, with my senses focused on what is true, good, pure, lovely, excellent, and praiseworthy. This is only possible through ongoing meditation on Christ. 

Christ with me,
Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise…

-St. Patrick of Ireland

Make room, my soul, for more of Him. Quiet the noise, release your complaints and expectations. When everything feels too much—overwhelming, heavy—I will stop striving and turn toward Christ through stillness and gratitude. I will dwell in stillness and gratitude, where the Holy Spirit can speak to, guide, and comfort me.

“When the mind is not distracted by worldly matters and remains united with God, then even the ‘Good day’ that we say becomes a blessing.”

- St. Gavrilia

I tend to overcomplicate things, carrying unnecessary weight on my shoulders. What a relief to disengage from earthly cares, to stop pretending or hiding from God, and to rest, as is, in His presence. I bear more fruit when my heart is at rest and when I’m not leaning on my own understanding.

 Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner. I am here. I am listening. Be it unto me according to Your Word.