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If you want your dream to be, build it slow and surely. Small beginning, greater and heartfelt work grows purely.

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Welcome. This is David Russell and Your Faith Anew. Daily Reflections guiding you to live in the divine will. Today's reflection is from the Book of Heaven by the servant of God Louisa Picaretta, june twenty first, eighteen ninety nine, volume two. Let us begin in the will and name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Heavenly Father, in moments when we feel alone, forgotten or distant from your presence, remind us of your unfailing love. Through the grace of the divine will, help us trust that you never abandon your children. Give us patience when you seem hidden, perseverance in prayer, and confidence in your promises. May our hearts remain fixed on you, knowing that even in silence you are near. Amen. In the gospel according to Saint Matthew chapter twenty eight, verse twenty, Jesus assures his disciples and us of his constant presence, and behold, I am with you always until the end of the age. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches in paragraph twenty ninety three. Faith in God's love encompasses the call and the obligation to respond with sincere love to divine charity. The first commandment enjoins us to love God above everything and all creatures for Him and because of Him. As we continue our journey through the Book of Heaven, let us remain attentive to the truths Jesus reveals through Louisa, allowing these lessons to deepen our understanding of life in the divine will. These passages remind us to trust God's presence even when we cannot feel it. Louisa writes Since he was not coming, I kept thinking who knows whether Jesus will not come anymore, leaving me in abandonment and I would say nothing but Come, my beloved, come. All of a sudden he came and told me I will not leave you I will never abandon you. You too, come, come to me. Immediately I ran to place myself in his arms, and while I was like this, Jesus continued Not only will I not leave you, but for love of you I will not leave Carrado. Then, almost without my realizing it, in one instant he disappeared. I remained with a yearning for him more than before, and I kept saying What have you done to me? How is it? So quickly have you gone away from me without even saying goodbye. While I was pouring out my pain, the image of baby Jesus, which I have near me, seemed to become alive, and every now and then he would put out his head from within the glass bell to see what I was doing, and when he would see that I noticed, immediately he would go back inside. I said to him, It shows that you are too impertinent, and that you want to behave like a child. I feel I'm going mad with pain because you're not coming, and you are there playing. Well then, play and joke as you please, for I will have patience. One of the greatest trials in the spiritual life is not suffering itself, but the feeling that God is absent. Many souls experience moments when prayer feels dry, when consolations disappear, and when heaven seems silent. Lois's experience speaks directly to those moments. At first, she fears abandonment. She wonders if Jesus will come anymore. Yet the very moment her heart cries out for him, Jesus appears and gives a promise that every disciple needs to hear. I will not leave you. I will never abandon you. The divine will teaches us that God's presence does not depend upon our feelings. We often mistake spiritual consolation for God's nearness and spiritual dryness for his absence. But Jesus remains just as present in both. In fact, there are times when he hides himself precisely to deepen our faith, increase our longing, and draw us into a more mature love. Notice that after reassuring Louisa, Jesus disappears again. Yet he has already given her what she needs his word. The challenge becomes whether she will trust his promise more than her emotions. Then comes the beautiful image of the child Jesus peeking out from behind the glass bell. There's something profoundly tender here. Jesus appears to be playing, almost teasing Louisa, revealing that even when he seems hidden, he is still watching, still present, still engaged in the life of the soul. Living in the divine will means learning to trust God's hidden action. It means continuing our rounds, our prayers, our duties, and our acts of love even when we do not feel His presence. The soul living in the divine will learns to say Jesus, whether I feel you or not, I believe you are here. Patience becomes an act of love. Faith becomes an act of love. Perseverance becomes an act of love. Today if you're experiencing spiritual dryness, remember this reading. Jesus has not abandoned you. He has not forgotten you. He may be hidden, but he remains near. His promise to Louisa echoes for us as well. I will not leave you. I will never abandon you. Let us pray. Jesus, my beloved Lord, how often I seek you and long to feel your presence. Yet you teach me that true faith rests not upon feelings, but upon your unfailing word. When I experience darkness, help me remember your promise that you will never abandon me. When my prayer feels empty, help me continue praying. When I cannot sense your closeness, help me trust that you are working quietly within my soul. Lord, I surrender my need for consolation and place my confidence in your love. Teach me to live in your divine will with peaceful trust, knowing that every moment of my life is held within your providence. Like Louisa, may I remain patient and faithful even when you seem hidden. Let every longing for you become a deeper union with you. Let every act of trust become a gift of love. Jesus, I abandon myself completely into your divine will. Keep me always in your embrace and never allow me to stray from your holy designs. Amen. Thank you for joining your faith anew today. Jesus reminds us that his love remains constant even when his presence seems hidden. Until tomorrow, stay in his will, and your faith will be made anew.