How am I doing? When was the last time I went to confession? How’s my prayer life?

These questions are typical for those who are living The Quiet Life, striving to grow closer to God. And yet, if we’re not careful, we can be so self-focused that we forget one simple truth: it’s not about us.

Francois-Marie-Jacob Libermann (Founder of the Fathers of the Holy Spirit) put it this way, “Don’t allow yourself to be disheartened or discouraged if it appears you are making no progress...simply forget all these things and turn your mind toward God.”

Simply put, keep going. Do the work. Keep showing up. If you are on the path, you are making progress and God is leading you.

Later in the text, he continues, “As long as you are concerned with the capriciousness of nature, you will be busy with yourself and, as long as you are busy with yourself, you will not make much progress on the way to perfection.”

Are we involved in our own perfection-making progress? Of course. Nonetheless, our focus ought to be on God- his goodness, patience and love.

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Enjoy Mike’s latest podcast, Pausing for Prayer.