11. She explains why we cannot attain the perfect love of God in a short time

[John]

11. She explains why we cannot attain the perfect love of God in a short time, beginning with a comparison which sets out the four stages of prayer. Here she says something about the first, which is very profitable for beginners and for those who receive no consolations in prayer

[Sheila]

Draws upon her experiences in such a human, compassionate way. We take gifts form God but hold back our gifts to Him. Develop unconditional (mature) love for God, whether we're "feeling" holy or not. God will increase courage in us. We help each other get to heaven. Fabulous chapter.

[Jill]

"We think we are giving God everything, whereas what we are really offering Him is the revenue or the fruits of our land while keeping the stock and the right of ownership of it in our own hands." Ouch!

She says the water in her garden image is tears, or at least tenderness and an interior feeling of devotion. And if these are lacking? But she also clarifies, "Love for God does not consist in shedding tears, in enjoying those consolations and that tenderness which for the most part we desire and in which we find comfort, but in serving Him with righteousness, fortitude of soul and humility."

"As His Majesty does not give it (devotion) to them, it is unnecessary."

[John]

Jill wrote: ""We think we are giving God everything, whereas what we are really offering Him is the revenue or the fruits of our land while keeping the stock and the right of ownership of it in our own hands." Ouch!"

Ouch indeed, and so often even my offer of fruits is grudging and niggardly. I also thought the following were worth noting:

"We are so niggardly and so slow to give ourselves entirely to God that we do not prepare ourselves to secure that precious thing, which His Majesty does not wish us to enjoy if we have not paid a high price first."

"We resolve to be poor, and that is a great merit. But very often we resume our precautions and take care not to be short of necessities, also of superfluities, and even to collect friends who will supply us."

"For if a beginner tries hard, with God’s help, to gain the summit of perfection, I think he will never reach heaven alone, but will take many others with him." What a beautiful thought.

"For all who follow Christ must tread the road that He trod, unless they want to be lost." The road to Calvary.

"We may say that beginners in prayer are those who draw the water up out of the well; which is a great labour, as I have said."

"But what shall a man do here who finds that for many days on end he feels nothing but dryness, dislike, distaste and so little desire to go and draw water that he would give it up altogether if he did not remember that he is pleasing and serving the Lord of the garden; if he did not want all his service to be in vain, and if he did not also hope to gain something for all the labour of lowering the bucket so often into the well and bringing it up empty?"

"He shall be glad and take comfort, and consider it the greatest favour that he is working in the garden of so mighty an Emperor."

"Let His Majesty guide us where He will. We are not our own now, but His."

"It is never right, therefore, invariably either to abandon prayer when the mind is much distracted and perturbed, or to torture the soul into doing what is beyond its power."

"His yoke is sweet, and it is of the utmost consequence that the soul shall not be dragged, as they say, but gently led, so that it may make the greater progress."

As Sheila says, a great chapter.