Eugene in his letter to Henri Tempier on October 24^th, 1833 continues to show how even in the midst of personal upheaval and struggle he continues to focus on God.

“… There is no need of regrets when one has done one’s best. God makes use even of human mistakes to achieve his purpose. I do not know what he expects of me; all I know is that he governs with his wisdom those whose sole purpose is to work for his glory. I am attracted by the thought of peace and quiet. I have good reason to be weary of human injustice. And so I act accordingly, in view of my soul’s good, even though I should obtain it for a time only. If God has decided differently, he will direct events and bend the will of his creatures in such a way as to achieve his ends.”  (469:VIII in Oblate Writings)

There is here a very simple truth and it touches my heart.  It fills me with hope that one day I might become as compliant with God as was Eugene.  He seems to write from the very depth of his heart, and I find myself desiring to take the first three lines and etch them into my own heart.

I have no idea of what God expects of me in this life – God is not big on making huge billboard signs that I can easily read, but rather seems to prefer the soft whispers that take great listening and then reflecting to hear and understand.  But even as I write this I hear very softly “just be Eleanor, just be”.