Oratio Divina

God has called methrough my painwhispering to my heartthat this is notmy identityI am meant for morethan this lonlinessthis sorrow and griefmy guilt and shamedo not get to namewho I amI am named in graceI am named in mercyI am nameda beloved child of God ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

God lovinglyweens meoff of my relianceon the giftsof His gracethat I seek notHis giftsbut Himfor His own sake ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

In Christour trials and tribulationsare given meaningour shared sufferingopens our hearts to lovefor all who grievefor all who mournfor all who are lostthrough Christour burdens are transformedwe are reborn of the Spiritthat binds uswith the yoke of loveto our fellows ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

How can a sinnerlike mebe the recipientof such mercyas thisoh how far downI have goneinto the depths of selfishnessand despairI stood thereknocking at the gates of Sheoljust to be pulled up by graceinto the light of lovethe balm that heals all woundsboth caused and received ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

The gifts of the Spiritare meant to be sharedthe Lord hoards nothingkeeps nothing to HimselfHis love overflowsin and through usthat we may love othersas He loves usgiving of ourselvesas He has given Himself to usevery heartbeat a blessingevery breath an opportunityto accept and express Christ ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

Grafted to Christthe true vineHis Spiritprunes awaythat within mewhich does not serveHis purposethat through HimI may bearthe fruits of love ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

If it is truethat God is with me nowwhere have I to bebesides herewhat have I to fearif it is truethat God is in me nowwhat could I possibly lackwho have I to bebesides His beloved childif it is truewhat could be more truethan God with meGod in menow ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

Demons convulsewithin memaking my heart restlessstirring my mind with fearI know this will passI know it is a liebut it feels like foreverlike this pain will never endease this sufferingtake this cup from megive me rest in you Lordmake my burden lightI will not break faith ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

I withdraw from love’swarming flamecowering in isolationa cold lonlinesschills me to my bonesbut this is not His willthis is not my fateHis light calls to methe flames of His lovedraw me out of darknesswarming my soulburning away my false selfcauterizing my woundswith graceuntil all that remainsis love and light ~Robert Van Valkenburgh

The Lord shines His lighton those thingswe least want to seethose places of shameguilt and fearthat we hide in the cornersof our beingthose things that make usfeel unworthyirredeemableHe shines His light on thesebecause His is the lightthat healsand He has heard our criesto live in darknessno more ~Robert Van Valkenburgh