A Petition to Novena

This is just one of many petitions i came across from Novena's archives. To me, it epitomizes "Conversion": -

Dear Mother,
For many years I have been poor and lonely and sick. I did not ask for many favours from God, but I have been praying that I might not be so poor as to worry about my next day's food; and I have prayed for one or other good friend who might give me some companionship; and I have prayed that sometimes, anyhow, I may have relief from the almost constant pain that I suffer.

None of these requests have been granted over the years. So now I have changed my prayer from petition to thanks. I thank God every day that I am poor, because Jesus said He had not anywhere to lay His head. I thank God that I am lonely and now I think of how lonely our Lord must have been as He hung on the Cross with all those enemies around, sneering and taunting Him. And I thank God that I am sick. I can unite my sufferings with those of Jesus and perhaps through them help someone in good health who does not know God to learn about Him. I am so grateful that I have God and you to console me.

Your loving son

Will we ever learn to carry this kind of faith in our lives? The best that I can do is to tell God that I know there's a reason for whatever is unpleasant happening in my life, and that I know He will give me the strength I need to go on. And I can only thank Him for the trials AFTER they are over and I enjoy the benefit of hindsight. Now I must learn to thank Him even in the midst of my trials... that's a big gulf to cross from where I am.

joyce