Psalm 95 tells us that if we let our hearts go astray by not listening to God’s voice, we will not enter into his rest. That is, we will stay agitated and restless.
Saint Augustine famously wrote that our hearts are restless until we rest in God. So what is the “rest” they are talking about and how can we obtain it in our harried and distracted lives?
Mercy visits the supermarket
In the grocery store yesterday, I ran across a fellow parishioner in her motorized wheelchair. Janice is an intelligent woman who can be near impossible to understand when she speaks. Setting out to walk with her as she shopped, I became fearful that I would not understand her side of the conversation.
Then a wave of trust came over me. Suddenly, I was sure that the God who had brought us together at this moment would enable me to understand everything she said. And that’s what happened! Because God made it possible for me to easily understand her, our conversation took on a lightness and ease that Janice does not always experience. This was a tremendous gift—at least to me.
Clearly, some of Janice’s abundant trust overflowed into my soul yesterday. And God showed me through her how far I have to go in the trust department. Janice sails off in her wheelchair, uphill several blocks to the grocery store, not knowing whether anyone will understand her or where help to reach for a box of cereal will come from. She simply sets off trusting that God will provide.
Janice’s trust has provided a greater sense that God is guiding me moment by moment, whether I feel it or not. Through her, God has reassured me that if I trust his guidance, I will be doing his will—whether I can perceive it or not. This is how the mercy of God, his “rest,” can show itself in day-to-day life.
Keeping a soft heart
Psalm 95 says “if today you hear his voice, harden not your heart.” Resting deep within God’s heart softens our heart.
My conversation with Janice shows me again that God, who created all things, including me, in his mercy, will bring forth fruit for his Kingdom out of every moment of our lives, if we develop a habit of keeping our heart soft and resting in his mercy. The way to rest in his inexhaustible mercy is by trust.
Can we trust today, this moment, that God’s merciful will is bringing forth great fruit in his Kingdom from our ordinary life, even if we don’t see much happening?
St. Faustina had the same trouble we do in trusting in the face of “not much happening.” She told Jesus:
“Oh, how often You have poured into my soul courage and perseverance to go forward. It is You yourself who removed obstacles from my road, intervening directly in the actions of people….Although my efforts may remain invisible on earth, they are no less valuable in Your eyes.”
Jesus answered her:
“My child, know that the greatest obstacles to holiness are discouragement and an exaggerated anxiety. All temptations united together ought not disturb your interior peace, not even momentarily. Sensitiveness and discouragement are the fruits of self-love. You should not become discouraged, but strive to make My love reign in place of your self-love. Have confidence, My child” (Diary 1488).
“My child, life on earth is a struggle indeed; a great struggle for My kingdom. But fear not, because you are not alone. I am always supporting you, so lean on Me as you struggle, fearing nothing. Take the vessel of trust and draw from the fountain of life….” (Diary 1489).
Jesus goes on to explain that what can seem like nothing to us means everything to him:
“A single act of love pleases me more than a thousand imperfect prayers. One of your sighs of love atones for many offenses with which the godless overwhelm Me. The smallest act of virtue has unlimited value in My eyes because of your great love for Me” (Diary 1489).
I pray that on this Mercy Sunday and always, your trust in God’s love and guidance will grow stronger day by day.
Love (and trust!) always,
Rose
Norma Flores
This is very beautiful Rose and the Lord knows how much I needed this words and reminders through your site ! Thank you for your apostolate. From my bed where I lay sick I can only see Gods mercy in helping me understand His will in my life
Linda Hartzell
Rose
Congratulations to you both on your wedding anniversary.
Happy Divine Mercy Sunday. Thank you for the quote from (Diary 1489).
I found great peace in Jesus’ words to Saint Faustina.
Jesus, I trust in you.
Linda
Michelle
Happy Anniversaries god’s blessings with many more blissful years 🙏🏽❤️
Candice Daubenheyer
Thank you so much for posting this today. I have been struggling with anxiety and trust. Trusting God and resting in God’s mercy is everything!
Candice
Sabrina Curry
Congratulations on your anniversary Rose! The quote from St. Faustina resonated with me. There has been lots of anxiety for both me and my expectant daughter this week but we must trust.
Jesus I trust in you.
Sabrina
Kathryn Elsayed
Happy Anniversary to you and your husband. Bless you both. 🙏✝️🕊️ Thank you for this post. I’m printing it to keep and re-read frequently. There’s a lot of wisdom here.
Tamira Ebersole
Happy Anniversary!
Debbie
Thank you,
Happy Divine Mercy Sunday and Happy Anniversary to you and Fred. ❤
Chuck Crean
Happy Anniversary, Rose! And, thank you for your wonderful message on Divine Mercy Sunday.
Marie Terrien
Rose, happy 40th Anniversary! Beautiful photos! Thank you for the inspiring words for Divine Mercy Sunday. Have a blessed day & week.
Maryann Dunn
Happy Anniversary, Rose! You’re my kind of couple…love the trip to Home Depot after dinner. That’s something my husband and I would do!
Thank you for sharing your faith. Blessed Divine Mercy Sunday ❤️
Kathy DiCiurcio
Happy Anniversary Rose!!! Thank you do much for your message on Divine Mercy Sunday. I loved the diary reflections from St. Faustian.
Have a Blessed week Rose!
Helen
Happy Anniversary to both of you. And Happy Divine Mercy Sunday. You have blessed my life with your words. God bless you and your family. Thank you so much.
Ginny Matheo
Congratulating in your 40th Anniversary!
Blessings to you both for many more years together!!💐💐💐💐
Patricia Weems
Happy Anniversary! And, thank you; I have been struggling a bit to know which kind of Love pleases Our Lord most. It seems that actions of compassion and mercy, with Love, are His favorites. Thank you for sharing. Many blessings to you and your family.
Tina Slaughter
Happy Anniversary!! May you celebrate and enjoy this Divine Mercy Sunday!! Blessings to you both!!
Ruth Evers
Happy Anniversary! Thank you for your wonderful message and words
for Divine Mercy Sunday!
Anne Gordon
Happy Anniversary to you and your husband. Thank you for your message on Divine Mercy Sunday. I look forward to your writings every Sunday. You are a lovely couple. Many blessings to you.
“If today you hear his voice. Harden not your heart. Beautiful.
Charlene Burian
Happy Anniversary! Thank you so much for the St.Vincent de Paul quote! Made me seriously rethink my perspective .
Charlene Burian
Happy Anniversary! Thank you for the St. Vincent DePaul quote.!
Pat
Happy blessed 40th Anniversary to you and your husband. The pictures are beautiful.
Thank you for the reflection.
Hilda A. Soares
Beautiful! God bless yu both today and every day! Happy Anniversary! 😊 ❤️
MaryAlice Ruiz
Rose, Divine Mercy Chaplet is one of the favorite ones for me. Thank you for sharing those words of wisdom. Happy Anniversary to you and your hubby 😍
MaryAlice Ruiz
Tom Roberts
I have a friend of over 60 years; a guy named Dan. He lost his sight and hands in an explosion when he was a teenager. He and I went through college and he has been gainfully employed in the rehabilitation field until recently. He fearlessly ventures forth and has such a positive attitude that I have stuck with him ever since. We stay in touch by phone weekly or more. What a privilege to have his friendship.
Congratulations on your wedding anniversary; handsome couple then and now.
Elizabeth
Happy Anniversary! You were such a beautiful bride! 😊 I was 8 years old when you were married and now my husband and I are coming up on our 26th anniversary, our oldest daughter is married and we just found out that we are grandparents (baby due in November).🥰 It is such a sweet life, isn’t it? Hard sometimes, but sweet. Thank you so much for your Sunday emails. They really give me a lift.
Rosemary McRann
Rose and Fred- Happy 40th anniversary- you must have understood having God in the center of your lives is how a long lasting relationship works🙏😇😇🙏. I am so happy for you. I am learning this is true. With each breath we take, we are saying our Lord’s name. Note as we inhale Yh and exhale Wy it is aka as Yah Way. With each breath we take, we are saying Our Lord’s name🙏. We are all living on God’s time. He truly wants us all to be with Him in the Glory of Heaven. He is also with us at every moment and we need to be thankful for all the graces and blessings we are given- both large and small. During life’s struggles, think of Footprints in the sand. During our troubling times there is only one set of footprints because that is when Our Lord is carrying us in his loving arms…. Thank you for showing us how He gives us daily opportunities to help others, even if it is just sharing a warm and caring smile. God Bless Us All. Amen🙏😇🌷🍀🙏
Diane Isabelle
Great posting and lovely pictures, Rose! Congratulations to you and Fred!
Sharon G Witzell
Thank you beautiful thoughts!
Karen F. Coombe
Dear Rose, my best wishes to you and Fred on your 40th Anniversary, truly a wonderful occasion and blessing to celebrate. The Divine Mercy reflections were inspiring. I attended a Divine Mercy service at church on Sunday – a very meaningful experience of our dear Lord’s Love for all.