So you do not believe you can be made clean…

Gaze upon Jesus, nailed to the cross.  See His chest heave in agony, His tortured limbs strained and bloodied.  He gave His all, His very self, that you may be His spotless bride.  See how He loves you.  Receive His gift of new life.

Yes to God

You must teach yourself, in the little things, to say no to yourself.  If you cannot say no to yourself then you cannot say yes to God.

Loveable

Beware of making it your life’s goal to never make a mistake.  If you are constantly in fear of a mistake, then you are doubting God’s love for you and striving to fill the void in your heart with self-love. Do not try to make your soul loveable to God.  Just love God.  His love for you is unchanging no matter how “good” or “bad” you are.

Make an act of humility

If you catch yourself in sin, immediately perform its antidote—an act of humility.  Whatever it may be—admitting you were wrong to a friend, cleaning the dishes, holding a door for someone—find something that is immediately doable and perform it without delay! This will help to right your ship.

Humble enough to begin again

Be humble enough to begin again, with Peter as your model.  He was quick to admit to his mistakes, ask the Lord for forgiveness and begin again, in love with His Lord.  You must do the same! Do not be like Judas, who in his pride believed that his sin was unforgiveable, and handed his life over to Satan.  No sin is too big or too aggregious to make a soul mortally wounded when the Divine Physician is the doctor on call!  He created you.  He can always heal you.

Perfect Weakness

Little soul, you must mirror Mary’s perfect weakness.  The more you fight and struggle and wrestle with temptations and emotions the more you hold them to your soul.  You must be still, limp, that our Lord may take them from you.

Lover as Friend

God is your lover and bridegroom.  This is an essential relationship to understand and live.  But do not lose sight of God as your friend! The same is true for your earthly lover… passion and romance are beautiful and good, but do not lose sight of its foundation: friendship.  It is in the friendship that the trust and commitment are fostered that light your passions on fire!