Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Letter Written by Fra Giovanni


I am your friend and my love for you goes deep. There is nothing I can give you which you have not got, but there is much, very much, that, while I cannot give it, you can take.

No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in today. Take heaven!

No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present little instant. Take peace!

The gloom of the world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within our reach is joy. There is radiance and glory in the darkness could we but see - and to see we have only to look. I beseech you to look!

Life is so generous a giver, but we, judging its gifts by the covering, cast them away as ugly, or heavy or hard. Remove the covering and you will find beneath it a living splendor, woven of love, by wisdom, with power.

Welcome it, grasp it, touch the angel's hand that brings it to you. Everything we call a trial, a sorrow, or a duty, believe me, that angel's hand is there, the gift is there, and the wonder of an overshadowing presence. Our joys, too, be not content with them as joys. They, too, conceal diviner gifts.

Life is so full of meaning and purpose, so full of beauty - beneath its covering - that you will find earth but cloaks your heaven.

Courage, then, to claim it, that is all. But courage you have, and the knowledge that we are all pilgrims together, wending through unknown country, home.

And so, at this time, I greet you. Not quite as the world sends greetings, but with profound esteem and with the prayer that for you now and forever, the day breaks, and the shadows flee away.

Letter Written by Fra Giovanni
(Shared via AddThis)

9 Grateful Heart's Words:

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Yes, we should all count our blessings. That way we will realize that we are so blessed and we will forget our temporary troubles. It is a matter of focusing. If we decide o just focus on the positive aspects of our lives then we will be constantly at peace with ourselves and with God. Thanks for the inspired post. God bless you always.

Grace said...

"Very well said" letter, Shawie. Thanks for sharing this to us. :)

Warren Baldwin said...

"Everything we call a trial, a sorrow, or a duty, believe me, that angel's hand is there ..."

I believe that. God can work in and through every circumstance of our lives, even the bad and tough ones. In fact, he make work best in those situations. wb

Joe-ann said...

This is so inspiring. Looking at the bright side of everything and enjoying what life can offer instead of dwelling on the hardships in life.
It made me more thankful to God and you painted a smile on someone's face.

have a nice day.you have indeed a grateful heart.=)

Salute said...

Hi Shawie,
This letter is very inspiring and uplifting. Thanks for sharing.

zunnur said...

How could we see the nice part of it when we fill our life with haste, selfishness and greed. We always think that wealth could bring all the happiness in the world that we work for it day and night, and we never find the true peace in life.

Alicia said...

This is so beautiful. Do you mind if I use this for a Sunday school lesson some time?

Jena Isle said...

"Happiness is a state of the mind" and this could only be done by having an optimistic view of things around us. Wealth and fame can never make us truly happy, because happiness is also a choice. We may not have all the riches in the world but we are happy because we appreciate the simple little things that we have.

"Happiness is not having having what you want, but is wanting what you have" a very appropriate quotation.

Jade Meng said...

Beautiful writing, indeed.