what's inside

St Ambrose talks to us today about being full of kindness in A Year with the Church Fathers. He is describing the attributes of Mary, and he tells us that she was never irritable, but only full of sweetness and goodness every day.

That seems far removed from our daily lives, doesn't it? But it's kind of our goal. Amy Carmichael is in the picture above. She was an Irish missionary in the 19th century. She once said, "A cup brimful of sweetness cannot spill a bitter drop no matter how suddenly jarred." And that's what we're aiming for. To be so full of God's love that even when we're "suddenly jarred" by the jarring accidents of our lives, we only show His love to others.

I don't know about you, but I'm not there yet. That's what I'm aiming for, and every day I hope to get a little closer. But right now I'm still spilling some bitter drops.

God, please teach us to be more like Your children, Mary and Amy.