This is the 3rd “first-Tuesday-of-the-month” post in the series on The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life by Brother Lawrence (1605-1691). This little book profoundly impressed me with its simplicity and encouragement.
Notice: I’m not a philosopher or a theologian; the following are my simple understandings of Brother Lawrence’s writings. I welcome your insights and comments.
THIRD CONVERSATION
Concepts:
About himself…
– When Brother Lawrence slipped up on his concentration on God’s presence, distracted by life’s duties, he immediately confessed his lapse and returned to God with even more fervor.
– Practiced obedience results in “unspeakable pleasures.”
About God…
– God neither deceives nor abandons the person committed to endure for His sake.
– God always provides strength to bear whatever comes, when it comes.
– Our trust honors God.
Our Response:
I’ve discovered over the years that my true disappointment is not with God but with myself. I fail often; I can’t trust myself; I am not dependable. Brother Lawrence confirms that fact, but holds up the reassurance that God never fails and is always trustworthy and dependable. He always provides, never abandons.
If we practice obedience because we are aware of God’s constant presence with us, we will have the strength we need as well as joy in serving Him.
“Many do not advance in the Christian progress,
because they stick in penances, and particular exercises,
while they neglect the love of God, which is the end…
There is 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.”
Sometimes all the programs and methods and tools we employ to bring us closer to God actually detract from our true worship, which is always and only to love and delight in God. As stated above, all we need is a heart committed to God. To love Him with all our heart, soul, strength and mind.
Janice L. Dick 
I’m finding this series very helpful, Janice. Thank you. (And thank you to Brother Lawrence as well, who would doubtless be shocked to discover so many people are reading what he thought were private letters.)
My thought today is about our responses when we mess up, whether that’s slipping in our attention to God or in a larger way. There are two typical responses. Either we let it slide and don’t take it seriously, minimizing its importance, or we do take it seriously and get so discouraged that we think we should stay there in the misery.
I love Brother Lawrence’s wisdom in this. He takes it very seriously. But in his acceptance that he really can’t expect better of himself in his own sinful nature, he doesn’t let failure stop him from going right back to God and taking a fresh start. He doesn’t count how many times he restarts, either.
His focus is on God. When we either excuse or disqualify ourselves for our slips, we put our focus on self. It seems to me that most of my failures come from looking at self instead of at God.
Janet, you’re right on the mark. BL’s focus is on God, and in that, his response is to take it seriously but move on without guilt or despair. Such a relief/release in this guilt-ridden, self-proclaiming society. That’s part of the reason why these writings so inspire us today. We too can be a light to a dark world in our attitudes, responses, etc.