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Spirituality Notes
Collection of Short Reflections

God's 'Chatterbox'

At some stage in our lives we all have come across a 'chatterbox' - someone who talks non-stop! In them an unspoken thought does not exist. But, a chatterbox can get into heaven! The great example is Bro. Lawrence (1611-1691) - God's Chatterbox.

Bro. Lawrence, after time in the military and work as a footman, entered the Discalced Carmelites in Paris in 1642. He was given menial jobs and worked first in the kitchen. When painful gout and an ulcerated leg gave him a limp he was transferred to the shoe-repair shop. He was described as 'gross by nature', uncouth and clumsy. Through this exterior shone forth a great holiness, a love of God and other human beings that blazed forth and could not be contained. He deeply influenced those he met and the little book recounting his spirituality - 'The Practice of the Presence of God' - still influences people to this day.

What was the secret of his life? Bro. Lawrence realised that the centre of life was God and His presence in our lives. Christianity is about becoming aware of this Presence and allowing oneself to develop and grow in a relationship with this God. How? Here is his answer.

Remain in presence of God by talking to Him.
God's chatterbox - talk to God every moment of every day. Make it your continual practice. God is beside you and with you in all things great and small. Chatter away about all that is going on in your life. Open your heart to him in all things.

Surrender to God's Will in all things great and small.
Bro. Lawrence's relationship with God was not just one-way. He did all the talking and God did all the listening! In his talking he opened his heart to God and allowed God in. He became aware of God loving him and guiding him in every moment. He surrendered to God's Will in every moment. In the surrender in the small things in life he learned to accept the big things in life.

Seek the God of consolations and not the consolations of God.
There came a time when Bro. Lawrence began to experience great peace and great joy in God's presence. In his wisdom he realized that there was a danger in this. One could focus on oneself and one's 'good feelings' and not on God. To grow in the love of God is to grow out of oneself and be focused on God. To be consoled is good but to be in darkness is also good because all that matters is to seek God.

Do all things great and small for the love of God.
Every lover tries to please the Beloved. So too with God. Do all things for love of him and to please him. The story is told of a monk sweeping out the library in preparation for a great festive occasion in the monastery. Another monk said 'there is no need to do this - no one will see it'. The first monk replied 'God will see it'. In the kitchen and the shoe-shop Bro. Lawrence did all for the love of God. God sees all things and is with us in all things.

In Bro. Lawrence God did a great work. God drew him to great heights of holiness and to be an influence for good not only to his peers but also down the centuries. God can do it for you too - just talk to Him, open your heart to the One who is with you in everything, everywhere and at every moment.