'Tink ob yer marcies, chillen! ‘Tink ob yer marcies!’’ added Jo.

LORD, who may dwell in your tabernacle? who may abide upon your holy hill? Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, who speaks the truth from his heart. There is no guile upon his tongue; he does no evil to his friend; he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor. Psalm 15

“Abide in me as I abide in you.” In these few words Jesus reveals the secret of the abundant life He is bringing into the world. This is the secret not only to our own fulfillment, but also to our fruitfulness, our ability to bring others in to share in the Divine Life. -Br. David Vryhof

Third Conversation with Brother Lawrence: He told me, that the foundation of the spiritual life in him is to have no other care, but faithfully to reject every other thought, that he might perform all his actions for the love of GOD.

That he had so often experienced the ready succors of Divine Grace upon all occasions, that from the same experience, when he had business to do, he did not think of it beforehand; but when it was time to do it, he found in GOD, as in a clear mirror, all that was fit for him to do. That of late he had acted thus, without anticipating care; but before the experience above mentioned, he had used it in his affairs.

That there needed neither art nor science for going to GOD, but only a heart resolutely determined to apply itself to nothing but Him, or for His sake, and to love Him only.

First of all, there is that business of living a blameless life as pretty much having control of one’s tongue… And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. Dear LORD, may it be.

I confess to being a grumbler.

And Strong’s Concordance lays it out clearly: A muttering, murmuring, low and suppressed discourse, the expression of secret and sullen discontent, murmuring, complaint.

And I sort of feel like the beginning of Little Women, where Meg bemoans packing up the burdens after a week of merrymaking. But good old Lawrence reminds me that the joy is in the journey, the step by step living in the love of God, Who pours down Divine Grace upon all occasions.

Abide.

I am to rest in Him.

And rather than a litany of grumbling and complaining, let my heart be filled with gratitude,

So while I think of it,

let me paint a thank-you on my palm

for this God, this laughter of the morning,

lest it go unspoken.

The Joy that isn't shared, I've heard,

dies young. –Anne Sexton

and

Be at rest, my soul,
O blessed secret of the true life that glorifies the Lord:
Not always does the busiest soul best serve him, but he that rests upon his faithful word.
Be at rest, let not your heart be rippled,
For tiny wavelets mar the image fair,
Which the still pool reflects of heaven's glory-and this the image he would have you bear.
Be at rest, my soul, for rest is service,
To the still heart God does his secrets tell...
For God is rest, and where he dwells is stillness,
And they who dwell in Him, His rest will share.
And what will meet the deep unrest around you,
But the calm peace of God that filled his breast?
For still a living Voice calls to the weary,
From Him who said, "come unto me and rest."

Be at rest, oh my soul.