A young, new preacher was walking with an older, more seasoned preacher in the garden one day and feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he was inquiring of the older preacher.

The older preacher walked up to a rosebush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing off any petals.

The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the WILL OF GOD for his life and for his ministry.

Because of his high respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to TRY to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal intact...It wasn't long before he realized how it was impossible to do.

Noticing the younger preacher's inability to unfold the rosebud while keeping it intact, the older preacher began to tell the following poem...

It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of GOD's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals,
With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I.
GOD opens this flower so sweetly,
When in my hands they fade and die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of GOD's design,
Then how can i think i have wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?

So I'll trust in Him for His leading
Each moment of every day.
I will look to Him for His guidance
Each step of the pilgrim way.

The pathway that lies before me,
Only my heavenly Father knows.
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.

Drills during Fasting

Since the period of fasting is a sacred spiritual one during which a person who fasts aims at achieving spiritual development. What we are going to discuss is merely by way of giving examples. Every person is to set whatever excersies are appropriate to him in his fast, providing that this is done as much as possible under the supervision of his Father confessor.

1. DRILLS PERTAINING TO FASTING

Some of these drills pertain to self control. They may include the person who fasts stops eating certain kinds of foods that he covets. Self control drills may include the period of abstinence, it's limitation and self development during such a period. Self control includes the element of hunger.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

When you get tired of talking to your friend about God- talk to God about your friend.