This was what I read when I opened my copy of The Imitation of Christ this morning:
Whatever the mind sees as good, ask and desire in fear of God and humility of heart. Above all, commit the whole matter to Me with true resignation, and say: “Lord, You know what is better for me; let this be done or that be done as You please. Grant what You will, as much as You will, when You will. Do with me as You know best, as will most please You, and will be for Your greater honor. Place me where You will and deal with me freely in all things. I am in Your hand; turn me about whichever way You will. Behold, I am Your servant, ready to obey in all things. Not for myself do I desire to live, but for You — would that I could do this worthily and perfectly!”
(Book III, Chap. 15).
Friends, thank you for your kind, kind words in response to yesterday’s Q & A. The compliments don’t necessarily help me narrow down my list of bloggable topics, but hey. I’m not complaining. : )
I’ll tell you what prefaced my writing my that post, though—two things, actually. One, I am feeling called to do more writing professionally and as such, there’s a need to focus more in every area of my life.
(I want a new camera lenses is what it is. Oh, how I want a new camera lens! Alas, for some reason my husband thinks that this is an unnecessary expense and as such, I’m going to have to bring home that bacon myself. Oink oink.)
The second thought or notion or temptation or whatever that prompted yesterday’s post was this: I am embarrassed that it’s taken me so long to tell my conversion story. I know it’s “my blog” and all, but still. The last entry was made in September, for heaven’s sake.
And it is for heaven’s sake that I’m telling this story.
So why don’t I get on it?
Thank you, therefore, for the gentle nudge in that direction. I will dust off those journals and return to my “Summer of ‘42”—that pivotal summer spent in Interlochen, Michigan, where I drove all my bar-hopping friends absolutely crazy; where I met Jill Krementz; and where my life began to really change.
Let’s just say that when I close my posts with an “All for the Greater Glory of God,” I mean it.
I really mean it.
All for the Greater Glory of God,
PS. Did you know you can read The Imitation of Christ online?! Here is the link.
Speaking of being embarrassed about not finishing things, just yesterday, my girls asked if I would EVER finish my “Summer Trip ’08” series. Ummm ….
Have you read Anne of Green Gables? Do you remember Gilbert’s advice to Anne? Write what you know!
Mom’s are starving for fellowship…for a sense of camaraderie that can only be obtained from others walking the same path. Look at the books that your friends hand youthe most often. There’s your focus. Your blog readers will read your books and articles for the same reason they read your blog…they want more of the same!
Speaking from a “business” point of view…you have a nice “base” because your readers like what you’re doing now. Put all of this into a book that a mom can take with her to the dentist office!
My goodness…I sound like a bossy literary agent! All meant to encourage you (and me!) to do what you’re being called to…pray, discern and share, just as you have right here at Minnesota Mom…
I just ordered The Imitation of Christ a few days ago. I can’t wait to read it!
You can think of this time as your commercial break to keep all of your readers hanging on in suspense. I’m pretty sure we would all keep reading anyway, though.
Would be cool if you wrote for mater et magistra, the Catholic homeschooling magazine. They don’t have the budget to actually pay their writers but you’d get a free subscription and good experience,