How do we treat those we love?

I spent a lot of time yesterday thinking about how the people I love treat me and whether or not I properly reciprocate their gentle charity and affection. How often do I criticize those I love? Do I let my loved ones know how much I love and appreciate them? I know that my husband, children, and some other dear ones are always ready with an encouraging word or warm smile. Am I ready to do the same? When we let negativity control our relationships, we can often "get our way" in the short term. But when we let patience, love, and devotion guide our actions, we motivate our loved ones to become the people we know that they can be, because they are secure in our love and see themselves with our loving eyes.

A slowly blooming flower...

God has been unfolding this lesson to me for the last five years, like a flower blossoming. Sometimes it was painful, but now it brings me joy.

"Our present life is given only to gain the eternal one and if we don't think about it, we build our affections on what belongs to this world, where our life is transitory. When we have to leave it we are afraid and become agitated. Believe me, to live happily in this pilgrimage, we have to aim at the hope of arriving at our Homeland, where we will stay eternally. Meanwhile we have to believe firmly that God calls us to Himself and follows us along the path towards Him. He will never permit anything to happen to us that is not for our greater good. He knows who we are and He will hold out His paternal hand to us during difficulties, so that nothing prevents us from running to Him swiftly. But to enjoy this grace we must have complete trust in Him." St. Padre Pio