Bernard of Clairvaux

Once I came to realize that without God I can do nothing, it pushed me to accept his love.  I accepted his love for my own sake and turned to his loving care when I needed it.  Yes, selfish…but that is how it begins.  The beauty of God’s love is that it makes you grow.  And so eventually I began to see God’s grace as he protected me in each of my desolate situations, and it changed my heart.  I began to love God not just for his help, but simply for who he is – a beautiful, gracious rescuer.  He is so sweet and satisfying.  I began to enjoy him and his presence.  I grew to love the same things he loves.  I now love him for his own sake and strive to please him in loving others with his love.  At times I fall back into my selfish ways and forget about the instances in which I have experienced this degree of love.  Nonetheless, I have experienced it and he continually reminds me of it when I need reminding.  It is from those instances that I mature in this love.  With all this being said, I anxiously await the day that I will stand before God wholly complete, totally united with him.  We will be of one mind and one spirit.  I will not have to tend to my body’s immediate needs, but will attend to God completely and be mindful of his justice alone.  I will finally be able to truly love myself, not for my own sake, but for God’s.