Gloria to God:

Dear God, I am excerpting just a little bit of an email from a friend of mine who just took her vows in a Benedictine Order in a non-Roman Catholic faith. I forget the name of her denomination, but priests and nuns may marry, and they do live in the world. Her letter was much more beautiful than what I am sharing here, but this is the small section that I would like to ask You about:

Sister Faith to Gloria:

What an amazing time! Full of surprises, not all of them rosy. We had a very condensed lesson on the art of community living as the weather forced us all to remain indoors in a small house, with kids and spouses adding to the mix. When people of faith gather to join in the Work of God, many times the forces of darkness conspire to foul the plans, but we routed the enemy with the determination that grows out of love, charity, and compassion!

Benedicte,
Sister Faith

Gloria:

So, dear God, forces of darkness are mentioned here. Is that another name for negativity? Certainly, I can't deny that negativity exists in the world. But forces of darkness?

God:

You give too much power to words. The expression forces of darkness comes to life for you and looms like a dragon. Darkness isn't evil, dear one. Darkness is without light.

Negativity, yours, the world's, comes from lack of appreciation of My light.

Gloria:

It seems to me that that comment from Sister Faith encapsulates the disparity between our world and You. I won't make too big a thing of her email, dear God, but she went there for You with a full heart. Nevertheless, she mentioned living in closed quarters and that it had its challenges.

It does seem that the relative world cramps us, and You open us. There is no squeezing of our hearts from You, dear God. There is no need to compromise with You. No give and take that I can see. You just give.

God:

You are saying that awareness of Me gives you freedom. And that is just right.

I am the key to opening the world.

You want to break out. I will help you.

You will live in the world with all the bills and inconveniences, and you will be full of Me. When you are full of Me, the mountains of bills become pieces of paper. You do not give them your heart. You give your heart to Me. Don't waste your heart on life's annoyances, for attention on them is a waste of your heart. Annoyance is not what your heart is for. Put your heart where it belongs, and that is with Me.

Of course, this is not an act of will.

It is a natural impulse of the heart.

Not to avoid the relative but to be lit by My light in the relative.

You know that when you are happy, there is little that can bother you.

You are learning happiness which is the joy of sharing with Me.

Sharing with God. Think of it. You are empowered to share with the Holy Creator. You have more than permission. You have invitation. You have Holy Invitation. You are extolled to share with Me for My sake. Not for your sake.

You think of Me, and I think of you. That is a holy communion, Ours.

You are the child who gives a penny, and the penny is received with much fanfare. Angels sing the child's heart. The penny was all the child had to give, so she gave her all.

Your attention on Me is your penny. Your attention on Me makes you wealthy in love. You give Me a penny, and I give you the bank. And I am content.

Gloria:

Thank You, dear God.

Does determination grow out of love, charity, and compassion as my friend said in her email?

God:

Love is strengthening. Charity of heart is strengthening. If by compassion your friend means understanding, then understanding with love is strengthening. But you see determination as sort of gritting your teeth, and you don't want that kind of determination. You think determination is against the will or forced will.

Look at determination differently. You are taking a walk across a field of tall grass. Your purpose is to get to the other side. It starts to rain and hail, and you keep going ahead because you wish to gain the other side. Determination isn't really a decision. It is a continuance. You already started walking. You just keep on walking.

The field you are crossing right now is the expansion of Heavenletters. You wonder if your legs are going to make it. I will make it, Gloria. Just keep your legs going, and I will point you in the right direction.

Give up your fears. You don't have to trudge. Just walk. You have desire. Desire is a more assimilable word for you than determination.

You desire Me. And you desire to help Me in this project. And so you are. Do it with a light heart. What does it matter to you, this or that, when you have Me pushing you along like a great wind at your back? Keep your eye on Me. That's all you have to do.

* * *

Ruth to Heavenletters:

June 22's message on healing was so powerful. It brought tears to my eyes, and I immediately printed it to show several friends and relatives at my family reunion, some of whom don't have email. I also gave it to a local friend who would like a trial subscription. I'll pay for her subscription when it comes due.

She is very spiritual. She was just blown away by the message.

Thank you so much for all the wonderful questions in Heavenletters. I don't have time right now to go thru them for the book selection but I'll get to it next as soon as all my travels and company are gone.

Lots of love to you always,
Ruth